5 Week Throwing Course for Beginners & Improvers: 18+
2026-04-08 19:00 - 2026-05-06 21:00 (Europe/London) | Flowerfield Arts Centre, 185 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, BT55 7HU, United Kingdom
Learn the fundamentals of pottery throwing, mastering techniques such as centering, opening out, and pulling up to craft a variety of pots, including mugs and bowls. All pieces are professionally fired and glazed, ready for collection at a later date.
Please note: this course takes place on Wednesday evenings over 5 weeks.

Carve a Spatula Workshop
2026-04-18 10:00 - 14:00 | Green Woodwork Ireland Workshop, Minnowburn, Ballynahatty Rd, Belfast, Minnowburn, BT8 8LG
During this workshop, Stephen Ryan from Green Woodwork Ireland will teach participants the skills needed to whittle wood. Each participant will learn axe and knife carving skills to produce their own spatula from locally sourced wood.
This course is suited to all levels including complete beginners.

Macramé: The Art Of Knots - Net Bag Workshop
2026-04-18 10:00 - 16:00 | Crescent Art Centre, 2-4 University Rd, Belfast, BT7 1NH, United Kingdom
Join artist and tutor Alison Pascoe of ASTRL Fibres and discover the craft practice of macramé: the art of knots. Over the course of this workshop Alison will guide participants through the basic skills and techniques required to create their own macramé net bag. Participants will learn the braiding and knotting skills required to handcraft a macramé bag with double handles that hangs approx. 60cm long x 30cm wide, in a selection of coloured cord options.

Bespoke Embroidery
2026-04-18 10:00 - 16:00 | Island Arts Centre, The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL, United Kingdom
This workshop is suitable for an embroidery beginner or for someone wanting to refresh skills – participants will create a personalised embroidery hoop stitched with their own words and design. The workshop includes how to prepare fabric in a hoop and start stitching; several core embroidery stitches for outlining and detail; how to transfer text; tips for neat lettering and balanced designs; and finishing techniques for displaying the hoop.

Silver Generations
2026-04-18 10:00 - 2026-05-23 17:00 | Island Arts Centre, The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL, United Kingdom
Silver Generations is a special exhibition featuring work from Michael McCrory, Deirdre McCrory, Cara Murphy and Caitlin Murphy.
Three generations of applied artists with over 170 years of combined experience and expertise come together. This exhibition celebrates a unique family immersed in the world of silversmithing and jewellery, showcasing how each generation has forged its own creative path.
The exhibition will be opened by Katherine McDonald, Director of Craft NI.
Join the exhibiting artists for drinks at the exhibition preview on Sat 18 April, 2-4pm.

Willow Flower Workshop
2026-04-25 12:00 - 15:30 | Castle Coole, Enniskillen, BT74 6JY, United Kingdom
In this workshop participants will learn traditional basketry techniques to create their very own beautiful willow flowers – these are a decorative piece that can adorn the inside of homes or outside in the garden.

Fused Glass Puffin Suncatcher (Kids' workshop)
2026-05-02 10:00 - 14:00 | The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, 9 Market Street, Armagh, BT61 7BW
Get inspired by the adorable puffins of Puffin Rock as you design and make two colourful fused glass puffin suncatchers to brighten up your room or garden! With guidance from glass artist Natasha Duddy, you’ll learn how to plan your puffin designs, cut glass safely, and combine bright colours to bring your birds to life. The workshop is suitable for 8-12 year olds. Each puffin will be kiln-fired with a metal hook added so you can hang them in your window to catch the sun’s rays. Finished items will be available for collection approximately one week after the workshop.

Silver Jewellery Making: Earring Workshop
2026-05-02 10:00 - 16:00 | Crescent Art Centre, 2-4 University Rd, Belfast, BT7 1NH, United Kingdom
Participants will learn basic metalsmithing techniques and create silver earrings. They will learn how to saw and shape silver, try simple soldering techniques, and receive some tips and tricks on how to finish the piece to a high standard. The workshop is intended for complete beginners, but if you already have experience in jewellery making, you will be able to advance or refresh your skills as well.

A Hand In Nature
2026-05-07 08:00 - 2026-06-26 17:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Craft NI is delighted to announce ‘A Hand In Nature’ will run at Craft NI Gallery May 7 – June 26, 2026.
After a successful exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks in Dublin last year, nine talented silversmiths and jewellers will now share with NI audiences innovative works which highlight the connection between the natural world and the art of making.
The exhibition features new contemporary art metalwork and jewellery that honour the elements and ecosystems that make their existence possible. Silversmith Eva Lynch coined the term Anthropoware to describe objects that are designed to remind us of our inextricable connection to the natural world. Through use of materials, design aesthetic, function or underlying narrative these objects tell a story about the ecological and cultural impact of their development.
Alongside Lynch, eight prominent makers also responded to the theme: NI silversmiths Cara Murphy and Stuart Cairns; Irish artists Eimear Conyard, Clodagh Molloy, Cecilia Moore, Cara Murphy, Cóilín Ó Dubhghaill, Angela O’Kelly, and also welcoming Wales-based Finnish maker Rauni Higson. Their pieces challenge the viewer to think beyond the object and to consider the impact of their material choices.

'Silver Generations' webinar
2026-05-07 11:00 - 12:00 | Online, United Kingdom
Craft NI is delighted to host a special webinar of Silver Generations In Conversation with Kim Mawhinney, Senior Curator of Art at National Museums NI!

Silver Generations is a unique exhibition currently on at the Island Arts Centre, Lisburn. It showcases the work of Michael McCrory, Deirdre McCrory, Cara Murphy and Caitlin Murphy – three generations of applied artists whose combined experience spans over 170 years.

Join us for this insightful webinar between Kim Mawhinney and this unique family of makers. Together, they will discuss how they’re immersed in the world of silversmithing and jewellery and how each generation has forged its own creative path.

Please use the link below to book your tickets:

https://bit.ly/4eBRmEK

Crochet Beginners Workshop
2026-05-09 10:30 - 13:00 | Midtown Makers, 51-53 Church Street, Ballymena, BT43 6DD, United Kingdom
Learn the basics of crochet in this workshop with Amanda Jones from Cabinet of Curious Crafts. The workshop is suitable for complete beginners or those looking to improve their skills.

Amanda will teach participants how to make a crochet bracelet, as well as learn the basic stitches. For improvers, Amanda will show how to follow a basic pattern to make a crochet tote bag.
All required materials are included in this workshop, as well as tea and coffee.

Gathering Stitches Festival
2026-05-09 11:00 - 2026-05-10 16:00 | WWT Castle Espie, 78 Ballydrain Rd, Comber, Newtownards, BT23 6EA
Come along to Gathering Stitches to browse and shop at exhibitor stalls from local yarn shops, textile artists, designers and makers. The festival will include demonstrations, a panel discussion, and workshops at an additional cost.
Attendees will also have full access to the WWT Castle Espie site.
Tickets can be bought in advance at a reduced rate, or full price tickets are available on the door.

Two-Week Ghost Making Workshop
2026-05-16 10:00 - 2026-05-23 13:00 | James & The Kiln, 90d Carryduff Rd, The Temple, Lisburn, BT27 6YL, United Kingdom
Join James Stanley Watson for a two-part workshop, where participants will make their own ceramic ghosts.
In the first session, participants will learn how to use press moulds to create ghost forms, working with clay to build character and personality into each piece. James will discuss tips for shaping, adding details, and preparing the creations for firing. Between sessions, the pieces will be fired.
In the second session, participants will learn techniques for using underglazes and oxides to decorate the fired work.
No prior ceramics experience is needed. All materials and firings are included.
Please note this workshop is not suitable for people under 16 years old.

Hand Stitched and Dyed Leather Satchel Workshop: 18+
2026-05-22 10:00 - 2026-05-23 16:00 | The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, 9 Market Street, Armagh, BT61 7BW
Learn to make a statement hand stitched and punched leather satchel in this two-day course under the guidance of textile artist and designer Enda Kenny. Participants will work with vegetable tanned leather and learn how to cut leather by hand, hand dye the leather to a chosen colour, use leather punches to create stitching holes and saddle stitch the satchel using waxed thread. For a beautiful, refined finish, you will seal the leather to make your satchel waterproof and add straps for the perfect fit.

Moon Jars and Bowls Workshop
2026-05-22 10:00 - 2026-05-23 16:00 | Adam Frew Studio, 21 Cullycapple Park, Aghadowey, BT51 4AS, United Kingdom
Join Adam Frew for a 2 day throwing workshop – classes will be small groups of 5-7 students, suitable for intermediate and advanced levels. The emphasis of the class will be on using the potter’s wheel to make bowls and moon jars in porcelain. Students will be guided through the basics of throwing these forms and also turning their pots. Adam will demonstrate his various decoration techniques and students will be encouraged to be experimental in their approach.
Finished pieces will be glaze fired in the gas kiln and ready 3-4 weeks after the course for collection, or shipping can be arranged.
This 2 day course will run from 10am – 4pm. Tea and coffee is provided and a simple lunch of soup and bread .

Fused Glass Spring Lanterns with Sarah Walsh
2026-05-23 10:00 - 13:00 | F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio, Banbridge, BT32 3NB, United Kingdom
In this beginner’s class you will be provided with four pre-cut pieces of glass to decorate with your own pattern or design. This fun and easy workshop has no glass cutting involved. Each participant will create their own unique design and you may wish to bring some images for inspiration.
All tools and safety equipment will be provided. Please wear flat, closed-toe shoes. Finished glass will be taken back to Sarah’s studio for firing before the finished lanterns are returned to the venue for collection at a later date.

Silver Linked Bracelets
2026-05-23 10:00 - 16:00 | Ballyearl Arts and Leisure Centre, 585 Doagh Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 5RZ, United Kingdom
Participants will make their own 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 pair of rings to take home. No previous experience is required.

Colin and Sylvia Dales exhibition
2026-05-23 10:00 - 2026-06-21 17:00 | WWT Castle Espie, 78 Ballydrain Rd, Comber, Newtownards, BT23 6EA
Ceramicist Sylvia Dales will exhibit work alongside her husband, Colin Dales, who is a contemporary abstract painter. Sylvia works with earthenware and traditional techniques such as terra sigillata and smoke firing; her beautifully crafted pieces are influenced by Etruscan and Korean pottery, creating a powerful connection between past and present.
Colin brings a unique approach to painting, shaped by his background in fine art restoration. His layered, textured works explore time, erosion and structure, with recent inspiration drawn from water and light at Castle Espie.
The exhibition will take place in the Graffan Gallery at Castle Espie; free entrance to the exhibition but fees apply to see Castle Espie.

Slow Stitch Fabric Collage with Jane Mathers
2026-05-30 10:00 - 13:00 | F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio, Banbridge, BT32 3NB, United Kingdom
Discover the calming art of slow stitching in this hands-on fabric collage workshop. Using simple hand-sewing techniques, you’ll create a unique textile artwork by layering fabrics, textures, and found materials.
During the session, you’ll explore fabric composition, colour, and texture while learning basic slow stitch techniques that require no prior sewing experience. This relaxed and supportive workshop is perfect for beginners as well as experienced makers who want to reconnect with the joy of hand stitching.

Polymer Clay Earring Making Workshop
2026-05-30 12:30 - 15:30 | Crescent Art Centre, 2-4 University Rd, Belfast, BT7 1NH, United Kingdom
Create your own statement earrings from polymer clay, in this fun jewellery workshop with Melissa Paget.
You will learn how to create your own colour palette by hand mixing coloured clay, and work with different shapes and textures to create two pairs of colourful earrings to take home.

Material Matters: Textile Knowledge, Sustainability and Fashion Futures in Ireland
2026-05-30 14:00 - 15:00 | Ulster Museum, BT9 5AB, United Kingdom
This lecture by Dr Lyndsey McDougall explores how textile knowledge, both historical and contemporary, can offer vital insights for more sustainable approaches to fashion.
Drawing on examples from Irish textile history alongside contemporary practice, the talk considers how makers, designers and communities have worked with local materials, natural dyes and traditional techniques to create garments and textiles that carry cultural memory as well as material value.
From the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement to present-day initiatives focused on local fibre and sustainable production, textiles reveal a long history of material awareness and environmental responsibility. The lecture reflects on how textile practices, including repair, mending and reuse, can challenge cycles of fast consumption and encourage deeper relationships with the materials that shape our everyday lives.

Visible Mending: Decorative Stitch & Sashiko Skills
2026-06-07 13:30 - 15:30 | Ulster Museum, BT9 5AB, United Kingdom
Explore the art of caring for your favourite clothes through creative repair in this hands-on workshop with Dr Lyndsey McDougal.
Learn foundational techniques that extend the life of textiles while celebrating their history and individuality. Start with a short, illustrated introduction to visible mending in contemporary fashion and sustainable repair practices. Then dive into Sashiko-inspired stitching, a traditional Japanese running stitch method that reinforces fabric with beautiful patterning.
In the second half of the workshop, discover simple decorative embroidery stitches, such as seeding and feather stitch, for covering marks and small imperfections. With all materials provided and expert guidance throughout, you’ll leave with sample pieces demonstrating your new skills, ready to apply them to garments and textiles at home.

Craft NI Craft Village at Garden Show Ireland
2026-06-12 10:00 - 2026-06-14 18:00 | Antrim Castle Gardens, Randalstown Road, Antrim, County Antrim, BBT41 4LH, United Kingdom
The Craft NI Craft Village returns this year at Garden Show Ireland!
We are once again delighted to partner with Antrim & Newtownabbey Council’s Garden Show Ireland 2026 to bring contemporary local craft makers to this annual celebration of plants and gardens!
In its fourth year at Garden Show Ireland, the Craft Village is now a firm fixture in the show and an integral part of the overall visitor experience, which includes plants for sale, creative garden ideas, artisan foods and a lively programme of demos and masterclasses.
Visitors to the Craft NI Craft Village will be able to browse for and shop a large selection of high quality ceramics, jewellery and textiles, all handcrafted by local makers. Exhibitors include Anna Smyth, Duncan Legate, Erin McCormack, Fiona Kerr, Hannah Grainger, Joel Smyth, Lorna Shannon, Maggie Napier, Rachel Leary, Vine Haugh, Redsmith’s Forge and Snowdrops and Sentiments.
The weekend will also include two days of woodworking, spinning and coppersmithing demonstrations – the demo schedule will be available soon!

Visitors will need to purchase tickets to Garden Show Ireland – link below.

Hanging Glass Landscapes Workshop
2026-06-13 10:00 - 13:00 | F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio, Banbridge, BT32 3NB, United Kingdom
Create your own hanging glass landscape under the guidance of fused glass artist Sarah Walsh. Each participant will make a 20cm x 10cm piece, using an array of glass pieces, rods and powders. Everyone will create their own unique piece and you may want to bring some images with you for inspiration.
Please wear suitable clothing and flat, closed-toe shoes. Finished works will be taken back to Sarah’s studio for firing before being returned to the venue for collection at a later date.

Wood carving with Geoff Tulip
2026-06-13 10:00 - 16:00 | Island Arts Centre, The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL, United Kingdom
Try your hand at creating a sculptural effect in wood at the Island Arts Centre. With guidance from craft maker Geoff Tulip, participants will carve their own relief piece to take home.

Throwing workshop with Adam Frew
2026-06-16 10:00 - 2026-06-19 16:00 | Adam Frew Studio, 21 Cullycapple Park, Aghadowey, BT51 4AS, United Kingdom
Join Adam Frew for a 4 day throwing workshop – classes will be small groups of 5-7 students, suitable for all levels, from beginners to improvers. The emphasis of the class will be on using the potter’s wheel to make a variety of thrown porcelain vessels. Students will be guided through the basics of throwing and also turning (finishing) pots. Adam will demonstrate his various decoration techniques and students will be encouraged to be experimental in their approach. There will be flexibility in the teaching allowing students to request specific demonstrations or help with a particular technique.
Finished pieces will be glaze fired in the gas kiln and ready 3-4 weeks after the course for collection, or shipping can be arranged.
This 4 day course will run from 10am – 4pm. Tea and coffee is provided and a simple lunch of soup and bread .

Highland Cow Friday Night Pottery
2026-06-18 18:00 - 21:00 | Belfast Ceramics Studio, Unit 10E Owen O'Cork Mill, 288 Beersbridge Road, Belfast, Antrim, BT55DX, United Kingdom
Join the Belfast Ceramics Studio for their June Friday Night Pottery event! Participants will create and paint their own highland cow piece, and the Studio will handle the firing and glazing. The pottery will be ready to collect a few weeks later. A great way to spend the evening solo or with friends.

Making Plaster Sprig Moulds
2026-06-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Belfast Ceramics Studio, Unit 10E Owen O'Cork Mill, 288 Beersbridge Road, Belfast, Antrim, BT55DX, United Kingdom
At this workshop, you will gain hands-on experience in creating simple yet effective plaster moulds suitable for slip casting or press moulding techniques. Designed for beginners and those with some experience, the session introduces the fundamental principles of mould making, including how to prepare objects for casting, mix and pour plaster safely, and release finished moulds.

Arts Council and Baring Foundation Mental Health and Arts Showcase
2026-06-24 09:00 - 16:00 | The MAC, 10 Exchange St, West, Belfast, BT1 2NJ, United Kingdom
24th June 2026 at the MAC, Belfast, 9.45am – 3.15pm

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, together with the Baring Foundation, has the pleasure of inviting you to join us as they showcase some of the excellent work taking place in Northern Ireland as part of our Mental Health and Arts Programme.
They will be showcasing some of the projects currently funded through the Mental Health and Arts Programme and hearing about the difference they are making in communities across Northern Ireland.
Artists and facilitators will share their thoughts on having participated in the Self-care for Individual Artists Sessions.
Over lunch there will be an opportunity to network and to talk to The Recovery College and Minding Creative Minds before looking at what the future holds for the Mental Health and Arts Programme.
Registration and breakfast pastries from 9:45am. Event starts 10.15am.

Register here.

Adam Frew: pottery demonstration evening
2026-06-24 19:30 - 21:00 | Adam Frew Studio, 21 Cullycapple Park, Aghadowey, BT51 4AS, United Kingdom
Come along to Adam’s pottery studio in Aghadowey for an evening of demonstrations and refreshments. Adam will be showing how he throws his unique porcelain pots on the potter’s wheel, as well as decorating them in his signature painterly style.
Participants will be able to relax watching him make while enjoying tea or coffee and some home baked treats. There will also be the opportunity to view and purchase pots.
Booking is essential by purchasing a ticket – see link below.
