Craft NI

Easter Family Fun Day
2022-04-09 11:00 - 15:00 (Europe/London) | The Burnavon, Burn Road, Cookstown, BT80 8DN, United Kingdom
The Burnavon Theatre will be hosting an Easter Family Fun Day on Saturday, 9 April. A great opportunity to sample a range of arts and crafts taster sessions such as working with textiles or clay. A selection of time slots that can be booked:

– 11am – 12 noon (ASD Friendly)
– 12.15pm – 1pm
– 1.15pm – 2pm
– 2.15pm – 3pm

Booking is essential – call 028 8676 9949; spaces are limited.

Easter clay creations
2022-04-09 10:30 - 12:30 | Flowerfield Arts Centre, 185 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, BT55 7HU, United Kingdom
Make an Easter-themed bunny or chick ceramic bowl, to collect all your Easter treats in! Designed for beginners this class will be a fun creative environment to get crafty using a range of clay techniques. You will be using air dry clay so you can take your bowl home to dry and then paint.
Please note: short sleeves, old trousers and an apron are recommended but clay washes off easily. Please bring a box in which to take your piece home.

Mono printing
2022-04-08 19:00 - 21:30 | The Ash Gallery, 83 Central Promenade, Newcastle, BT33 0HH, United Kingdom
This workshop will explore the process of mono printing onto porcelain using plaster, underglazes and porcelain paper clay.
Your tutors will take you through the complete process from designing and painting your image to applying the wet clay and peeling off the print. Then, your print will be high fired in their kiln, mounted in a box frame and returned to Made in Mourne in 10 days.
Tea, coffee and treats provided.

Clay Throwing
2022-04-06 19:00 - 2022-04-27 21:00 | Flowerfield Arts Centre, 185 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, BT55 7HU, United Kingdom
In this 4 week throwing course with Fiona Shannon you will learn the basics of throwing on the pottery wheel, including centering, opening out and pulling up. You will also learn techniques to finish your pots off well such as turning them and adding finer details such as handles and feet. Each participant can use up to two bags of stoneware clay which they can use to make items. Should you wish to make more work additional clay or space for firing more work can be purchased at an added cost during the class. The date for this workshop are as follows: Wednesday 6, 13, 20, 27 April.
Please note: short sleeves, old trousers and an apron are recommended but clay washes off easily.
Please note that your finished piece will need time to dry out and be fired twice in Flowerfield’s kilns. Your work will be ready for collection 4 weeks after the date of your workshop.

Pottery Workshop
2022-04-05 10:00 - 2022-05-03 12:00 | Island Arts Centre, The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL, United Kingdom
From pinch pots to the potter’s wheel, this mixed ability course will introduce participants to pottery if they are new to it, and help those with experience to explore techniques and develop existing pottery skills.
This workshops is suitable for all levels – mixed ability; please note the course dates are as follows: Tuesdays 5, 12, 26 of April and 3 May.

Silver Linked Bracelet
2022-04-02 10:00 - 16:00 | The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, 9 Market Street, Armagh, BT61 7BW
Spend a day of fun and make a silver linked bracelet under the guidance of goldsmith Diane Lyness. Each participant will be taught traditional jewellery making techniques such as piercing, soldering, shaping, texturing and polishing to create a beautiful handmade bracelet to take home. No previous experience is required. All you need to bring is an apron and bundles of enthusiasm!

Please note: maximum number of participants is 10; suitable for 16+

Glassmaking: Flowerpot stakes
2022-03-31 08:00 - 17:00 | Down
Inspired by the intricate forms and colour combinations in Georgia O Keefe’s flower studies, each participant will explore shape and colour within their individual designs. Experienced tutor Natasha Duddy will lead each participant through the skills of cutting glass, grinding shapes, using frits, powders and stringers to complete your design. Each participant will design and produce 5 floral stakes, which can be used to enhance window flowerpots in their home, or simply display in an empty flowerpot for vibrant colour.
Please note: no open toe sandals or footwear allowed.

Introduction to glass bead making
2022-03-30 10:00 - 2022-04-06 16:00 | Glassistudio, 65 Waringsford Road, Banbridge, BT32 4EN, United Kingdom
This beginner workshop with Maggie Napier will cover the fundamentals of working with hot glass to create unique beads. Techniques covered include shaping, dots, frit, colour combining, layering glass and surface pattern. You’ll have plenty of time to experiment with your favourite techniques at the end of the lesson. All materials and safety eye are wear supplied, along with tea and coffee. Your work will be kiln annealed for durability and posted back to you.
Full day £150 per person half day £75 per person.
Upcoming workshop dates are: Wednesday 30th March and Wednesday 6th April; please note: there are 2 spaces available in each session, 3 by special request.

ABLE 30th Anniversary Exhibition of Bobbin Lace
2022-03-29 10:00 - 2022-04-10 16:30 | North Down Museum, Town Hall, The Castle, Bangor, BT20 4BT, United Kingdom
Ards Bobbin Lace Enthusiasts (ABLE) was formed in 1991 by Unagh McCullough, the current WI Homecraft assessor, to promote bobbin lacemaking, which is a heritage craft both in Ireland and worldwide.
ABLE has staged every quinquennial exhibition of their handmade lace items, from all skill levels, at the North Down Museum in Bangor.
Now celebrating its 30th Anniversary, members worked on individual Torchon lace squares, designed by Unagh, to create a handmade tablecloth which will be raffled during the exhibition – all monies raised going to a local cancer research charity.
Exhibition admission is free.
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm
Sunday 12 noon-4pm

Ceramics
2022-03-26 10:00 - 16:00 | Flowerfield Arts Centre, 185 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, BT55 7HU, United Kingdom
Designed for beginners, during this one day workshop your tutor Fiona Shannon will teach you how to hand roll, form and decorate your own cheeseboard, centrepiece plate or cake stand. After completing a piece they will then go on to be fired in the kiln by the tutor.
Please note: Short sleeves, old trousers and an apron are recommended but clay washes off easily; workshop is suitable for 18+yrs.

'Masks'
2022-03-24 11:00 - 2022-04-02 17:00 | Artcetera Studios, 43B Rosemary St, Belfast, BT1 1QB, United Kingdom
Organised by Kingsroad Studios and their first solo show, this exhibition is about a lot of things. Masks are worn to celebrate, to threaten, to protect. They are parts of rituals and ceremonies and have been used for centuries by people around the world.
Recently, they have been part of our daily vocabulary and attire. A mask can be invisible, worn to hide our feelings and mental health.
For this project, Kingsroad Studios decided to include a range of raw materials and techniques to represent the diversity of mask making: leather, bark, suede, beads, Jesmonite, resin and paint were used in the process. Each mask has been decorated and finished by hand, while the original forms that the moulds are made from were sculpted individually using papier mâché amongst other things.
The Opening Night is on Thursday, 24th March between 6pm and 9pm. This is a free event, everyone welcome. The exhibition will run until Friday 1st April.
Opening times: Mon-Fri, 11am-5pm and Sat 12-4pm.

Jewellery design: create a silver bracelet
2022-03-19 10:00 - 16:00 | Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre, 24 Main Street, Limavady, BT49 0FJ, United Kingdom
During this one day workshop, participants will design and make a unique silver bracelet under the guidance of goldsmith Diane Lyness. Each participant will be taught traditional jewellery making techniques such as piercing, soldering, shaping, texturing and polishing to create a beautiful piece of jewellery to take home. No previous experience is required. All you need to bring is an apron and bundles of enthusiasm!
Please note: each participant will have their own materials and equipment

Mills and Factories of Derry – Local to World Leaders: Online Talk with Sebastian Graham
2022-03-15 19:00 - 20:00 | Online, United Kingdom
As part of Aleana Egan’s public programme, Void Gallery are excited to welcome Sebastian Graham to give an online talk that will illustrate the rise of the textile industry in Derry. Sebastian will look explore some of the important sites in the city and local area.
Sebastian Graham lives and works in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. He has been studying and researching mills since 2014 and has created a website where it is possible to discover the history and ownership of over 4000 mills across Northern Ireland. He currently works for Ulster Architectural Heritage as a Heritage Project Officer. Recent research has focused on the collective memory of flax scutchers* throughout Ulster. This included comparing stories, poems and archive footage of scutchers and exploring links around the province.
Sebastian is currently mapping out the mills for the rest of Ireland and is always interested in listening to stories and memories of those who worked in the mills and factories across the country.
You can visit Sebastian’s website http://www.millsofnorthernireland.com for more information.
*A scutcher works in a flax mill, processing the flax plant in preparation to make linen.
Book your tickets here for this online talk.
Image: Carrydarragh Flax Mill, Co. Derry. Photo by Sebastian Graham

Textile Art Workshop
2022-03-12 11:00 - 15:00 | The Designerie, 88 Main Street, Antrim, Bushmills, BT57 8QD, United Kingdom
Textile artist Andrea Hayes will guide you through how she creates her beautifully embellished gilded waxed fabrics used on her textile artworks. These are delicately placed and stitched onto hand painted backgrounds using machine and hand embroidery.
You will create your very own seascape/landscape. There will be examples to view and work from on the day, or you are welcome to bring in your own image allowing you to create a very personal unique piece of art for your home.
Sealed fabric/workshop packs will be made up to use for the workshop.
Sewing machines will be available at the workshop or you are welcome to bring your own.

Please note: This event will take place on the 1st floor – there is no lift available; you will need to wear a mask or visor for the workshop unless you are medically exempt. Social distancing will be in place and numbers in the class will be reduced as a result.
Hand sanitiser, hand washing facilities & sealed refreshments all be provided.

Spooncarving
2022-03-12 10:00 - 17:30 | Green Woodwork Ireland, Minnowburn Wardens Office BT8 8LE, Belfast, BT8 8LE, United Kingdom
During this one-day workshop, Stephen Ryan from Green Woodwork Ireland will teach you the skills needed to become a traditional spooncarver. Each participant will learn axe, straight and hook knife carving skills to produce their own cooking spoon from locally sourced, freshly cut wood.
All tools and materials are supplied. This course is suited to all levels including complete beginners. Due to the use of sharp tools during the class, sturdy boots or shoes should be worn.

Introduction to slip casting
2022-03-12 10:00 - 16:00 | The Ash Gallery, 83 Central Promenade, Newcastle, BT33 0HH, United Kingdom
Join local ceramicists Rebecca Killen and Laureanne Kootstra for a full day workshop exploring the creative process of slip casting.
During this workshop you will have the opportunity to work with porcelain casting slip, a selection of plaster moulds and coloured porcelain. You will also learn about refining your cast pieces and how to apply surface decoration.
Three of your cast porcelain pieces will be fired and ready to be collected from The Ash Gallery before 26th March.
Tea, coffee and lunch provided.

Flameworking Essentials
2022-03-12 09:30 - 2022-03-13 16:00 | Andrea Spencer Glass, 35 Lagavara Road, Ballintoy, BT54 6NG, United Kingdom
Flameworking Essentials is a two day workshop for people who want to learn methods and techniques of working with Borosilicate glass at the torch. During the class, glass artist and tutor Andrea Spencer will cover the fundamentals of working with solid rod and hollow forms. Participants will have the opportunity to learn flame working skills and techniques that will allow them to experiment, practice and construct with glass at the torch. Techniques will include gathering, shaping, stretching, sculpting, bridging and blowing.
The working day will be structured around demonstrations and plenty of individual practice (and guidance) at the torch. The class will be focused on exploration and investigation rather than finished products. There will also be discussions about studio set up, the different families of glass that can be used at the torches along with guidance about what equipment will work best for individual practise.
For more information or to apply for a place please contact andreaspencerglass@gmail.com

Mr Papers Workshop
2022-03-11 14:00 - 17:00 | Top Floor Art Gallery & Open Studios, 92 Main Street, Saintfield, Ballynahinch, Down, BT247AB, United Kingdom
Top Floor Art are offering a fun workshop based on the Peggy & Mr Pegman creative kit which was designed during their Great Kit Challenge 2021.
Sue Cathcart and her humorous Mr Papers character will take part in this fun afternoon where participants will help Peggy create a beautiful outfit to impress the Lord Mayor as she has been invited to a party at Belfast Castle!
Workshop including Peggy Kit – £35
Workshop only (for those who have already purchased their kit) – £15
Numbers are limited, book by email or ring Emma on 07828570837

Needle Felted Spring Hare Workshop
2022-03-06 11:00 - 14:30 | Stone Row Artisans, 1st Floor, 2-6 Stone Row, Coleraine, BT52 1EP, United Kingdom
During this 3 hour workshop, you will learn the art of 3D needle felting with textile artist Claire McDowell of Bad Bird Craft. Suitable for both beginners and those with some experience of felt work, you will go through all the basics of felting carded wool to create a soft sculpture of a hare; participants will learn how to create a basic wire armature and how to sculpt their 3D sitting hare using a combination of different tones of wool.
The little hare will be finished off with glass amber eyes and a tiny dried flower and ribbon wreath.
All materials and tools for this project will be supplied. Refreshments will also be available throughout the workshop.
Please note: Stone Row Artisans is located on the 1st floor of the old Laura Ashley Building. Unfortunately there is no lift facility in the building. Please remember to wear your mask/ visor during the workshop unless you are medically exempt. Social distancing measures will be in place and hand sanitiser will be provided.

Nature Printing: Printmaking with Plants
2022-03-05 10:30 - 16:00 | Stranmillis University College, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5DY, United Kingdom
This workshop will provide a short overview of the history of the art of nature printing followed by a practical printmaking session exploring mark making, pattern and design using a range of fresh and dried plants. With the help of tutor Ruth Osborne, participants will create a range of unique prints using Irish Linen and Italian papers and will have the option to frame their work at the end of the session.
All materials are provided.

Arm Knitting
2022-03-05 10:30 - 13:30 | The Designerie, 88 Main Street, Antrim, Bushmills, BT57 8QD, United Kingdom
This workshop is ideal for beginners and knitters alike; your tutor Jill Gurney will show you how to knit with your arms, making your very own cosy throw, approx. 70cm x 145cm.

The cost includes all materials & light refreshments supplied (please message when you book to let organisers know what colour you would like: pearl, dove grey, mushroom pink, denim, mustard or sky blue).

3D Needle Felting
2022-03-05 10:00 - 16:00 | The Burnavon, Burn Road, Cookstown, BT80 8DN, United Kingdom
During this one day workshop local textile artist Andrea Hayes will demonstrate the dimensional qualities of felt. Discover the wonderful art of needle felting as Andrea shares a wide range of tips and techniques providing you with a step by step guide. By the end of the day you will have created your very own 3D needle felted blue tit.
Please note: there will be a short break for lunch (bring your own). Suitable for 16+

Silver Smithing: Silver Stacking Rings
2022-03-05 10:00 - 16:00 | The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, 9 Market Street, Armagh, BT61 7BW
Spend a day under the guidance of Goldsmith Diane Lyness as you make a pair of silver stacking rings. Each participant will be taught traditional jewellery making techniques such as piercing, soldering, shaping, texturing and polishing to create a beautiful pair of rings to take home. Personalise and add colour to your ring by adding one or two semi-precious stones. No previous experience is required. All you need to bring is an apron and bundles of enthusiasm!

Please note there is a maximum of 10 participants; suitable for 16+

Glassblowing Workshop
2022-03-04 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-02-26 10:00 - 16:00 | Helen Hancock Glass Studio, Derry
This one day workshop will provide an introduction to glassblowing – you will be working with specialist equipment and tools, and with a furnace running at 1150 degrees. You will learn how to spin your own glass plate and create a bespoke jug.
Please note: protective eyewear and long sleeves are essential; strictly for 16y+; only 4 places available.

Bending Glass
2022-03-03 12:00 - 2022-03-06 18:00 | Flax Art Studios, Havelock House, Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 1EB, United Kingdom
Initiated and organised by artist Johanna Leech with support from Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive (DFA) in partnership with Flax Art Studios, Bending Glass tells the story of master glass bender and neon sign maker Adrian McNevison of AM Light. This exhibition illuminates the former UTV studios with artworks made from light and archive footage from the UTV vaults.
Courtesy of the UTV Archive, this is illustrated throughout with footage of local television programming which was made visually distinctive by neons supplied by McNevison. Presented alongside the screenings and stills are contemporary neon artworks produced by AM Light for Michael Hanna, Stuart Calvin and Johanna Leech, self-made neons by Kevin Killen, lightboxes by Susan Hughes, a written guide by Paula Blair, and a video interview with McNevison and his son Chris.

Please note the exact opening hours below:
Thursday, 3rd of March: 4pm – 9pm (Opening night, Late Night Art)
Friday, 4th of March: 12 – 6pm
Saturday, 5th of March: 12 – 6pm
Sunday, 6th of March: 12 – 6pm

Clay Throwing
2022-03-02 19:00 - 2022-03-23 21:00 | Flowerfield Arts Centre, 185 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, BT55 7HU, United Kingdom
On this 4-week course you will learn the key stages of wheel throwing on the pottery wheel and the basics of ceramics. Your tutor Fiona Shannon will encourage you to produce functional items using stoneware clay (cost includes 2 bags for each participant). After completing a piece they will then go on to be fired in the kiln by the tutor. You can purchase additional clay should you wish to create more work.
The workshop will take place on Wednesdays: 2, 9, 16, 23 March.
Please note: Short sleeves, old trousers and an apron are recommended but clay washes off easily. Your finished piece will need time to dry out and be fired twice in Flowerfield’s kilns. Your work will be ready for collection 4 weeks after the date of your workshop.

Clay Creations
2022-02-26 10:30 - 12:30 | Flowerfield Arts Centre, 185 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, BT55 7HU, United Kingdom
Explore the world of clay in this workshop as you hand-build an animal under the careful supervision of tutor Fiona Shannon. This workshop is designed for beginners and improvers – participants do need little dexterity in their hands to work with clay. Using air dry clay, they can take their animal home, paint it and leave it to dry.
Please note: this workshop is aimed at 10-14 year olds. Short sleeves, old trousers and an apron are recommended but clay washes off easily. Please bring a box in which to take your animal home.

Contemporary Weaving - Abstract Wall Hanging
2022-02-26 10:00 - 16:00 | The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, 9 Market Street, Armagh, BT61 7BW
This one day tapestry weaving workshop explores the art of hand weaving in a modern context. Your tutor Karolina Lisek from Little Tangle will teach the foundation skills of tapestry weaving using a frame loom. Participants will create an abstract wall hanging using a range of techniques such as plain weave, rya knotting and sumak. As well as covering the basic techniques, the workshop will encourage individual expression and experimentation through the use of texture, colour and composition.

Maximum number of participants is 10; all materials will be provided.

Ceramic Jewellery
2022-02-25 19:00 - 2022-03-11 21:00 | The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, 9 Market Street, Armagh, BT61 7BW
In week one, ceramic artist Ciara Campbell-Crawford will teach you how to design and create a delicate necklace with a set of matching earrings using the finest porcelain clay and coloured underglazes. Add intricate details using wooden and rubber stamps and rolling pins. Your clay designs will be taken back to Ciara’s studio, where she will fire and glaze them in her kiln. In week two, you’ll be given the opportunity to add fittings such as earring hooks, studs and diamanté to finish your pieces, ready for you to wear home that evening.
A week between classes is required to allow time for your ceramic jewellery to dry before assembling and decorating on week two.

Maximum 10 participants, 16+
