2198 Courses

Calling all artists! We're proud to announce that we're opening up a brand-new artist retreat, and we want YOU to be there. Our Artist Retreat is a week-long retreat that gives you the chance to immerse yourself in the art of your choice, from beginner to advanced. We'll give you expert tuition in the arts and crafts of your choice, so you can spend your week focused on learning and exploring your creativity. At Gifted Crafts, we believe that everyone is an artist. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, we promise you'll find something new to learn at our retreat. You'll be immersed in an unforgettable week of activities and hands-on learning in the arts and crafts of your choice—from pewter casting to bookbinding, from enamelling to printing, from drawing to felting, from painting to yarn craft. We've even got some surprises up our sleeves for artists who love photography and sketching. And don't forget about foiling, engraving, batik…We think you get the idea.

MASTERCLASS: LEARN PROFESSIONAL LEATHER CRAFT, SEWING AND LEATHERGOODS CONSTRUCTION SKILLS One teacher, five students KEY FEATURES OF THIS COURSE:– Understanding and working with leather– Learning leather hand sewing– Learning leather machine sewing– Realising samples of bag features– Realising two finished leather items Experience a comprehensive two-week Leather Craft and Sewing Masterclass, merging theory with hands-on learning Explore essential techniques for working with leather, vegan alternatives, and fabric. Proficiently handle hand tools, master hand-sewing, and operate industrial machines. Cover material selection, finishing and construction methods.Gain insights into the technical aspects of leatherworking, including preparation, marking, cutting, gluing, reinforcing, skiving, debossing, and more.Participants receive thorough instruction in professional sewing techniques on diverse industrial machines, along with specialised saddle stitching training. Create personalised samples to enhance practical skills.Conclude the masterclass with the ability to craft entirely handmade simple leather items, showcasing acquired skills in both machine-stitched and saddle-stitched styles.Facilitated by a prototype maker and manufacturer, the course offers a professional journey into common leatherworking practices.Participants also receive valuable handouts and curated lists of leather and tool suppliers for ongoing reference.   Here is a concise summary of the topics covered during the classes: LEATHER, VEGAN LEATHER, AND HAND TOOLS:Understanding leather types, tanning, finishings and best useExploring different types of vegan leathers and their featuresComparing leather and vegan leather: pros and cons from a manufacturer’s perspectiveImportance of choosing the right materials and tools for projectsLeather preparation, pattern placement and markingCutting complex shapes with various toolsUsing leather punches, skiving, beveling and creasingFinishing leather edges: painting vs. burnishingUtilising leather glues, tapes and reinforcementsExploration of prototyping and manufacturing leather goods, encompassing varied working methods, machines, and tools.   MACHINE AND HAND SEWING:Understanding industrial sewing machines and their differencesSelecting the right sewing machine for specific materials and constructionsOperating a lock stitch walking foot machineThreading industrial sewing machinesAchieving correct tension in sewingUnderstanding thread types and needle sizesLearning to sew leather, distinguishing it from other materialsCorrectly sewing various leather types, ranging from thin to very thickSewing straight lines, curves and creating parallel seamsProducing various seams and seam finishesBasics of saddle stitching leather and understanding related tools and materials   CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES:Sewing and finishing a simple zip on leatherCutting, assembling and sewing simple straps/handlesIncorporating basic lining types in projectsConstructing and sewing common gussetsComprehending the use of reinforcements and stabilisers and their application in the craft of accessory making   LEATHER GOODS MAKING:Creating two finalised leather items from chosen designs such as card holders, purses, clutches, glass covers and similar accessories.# By the end of the tuition, you will have:– Developed confidence in utilising specific tools for leather preparation, marking, finishing, cutting and fastening fittings.– Acquired an understanding of working with diverse leather types and thicknesses, with the ability to source and select appropriate tools and materials for your projects.– Mastered essential leather sewing techniques, troubleshooting common sewing issues and handling challenges such as curves, multiple layers of leather and various surface textures.– Learned to sew fundamental bag components like simple zips, straps, and gussets, along with reinforcing specific areas of a bag.– Built confidence in sewing with both industrial machines and by hand, gaining the skills to independently create simple leather items. Included in the course:You will be provided with useful paper handouts which contain:– A list of tools and materials used during the lesson(s), including a description of what they are and how they are used– A list of recommended suppliers for both leather and fittings (physically in London and online)– A glossary containing essential key words related to the topic of the lesson– A glossary containing information about leather types and characteristics– A glossary containing information about needle and thread types   What are the entry requirements? This course is suitable for total beginners, beginners with some experience and intermediate.You should be able to use measurements and understand verbal and written English instructions.   Are there any other costs? Materials are included.   Is there anything I need to bring? Feel free to bring a notepad, if you would like to take some notes, we will provide the rest.   How long is this tuition? This tuition will require two consecutive weeks / 50 hours to be completed.We aim to provide customised and high quality tuition services and by only allowing up to 5 students at a time, we are able to focus on each person needs and interests.   IMPORTANT TO KNOW: We aim to cover as much of the syllabus as possible. Depending on your ability and prior experience, we may not complete the entire program or we might delve into additional techniques related to the listed topics, including:Advanced finishing techniques (piping, binding, folding)More complex styles of zipsUtilising different machine feet, tools, and equipment in your sewingExploring various fittings, closure types, fastening techniques, and tools (sam browns, magnets, pop buttons, eyelets, etc.)Understanding the importance and application of construction sequences and reference notes during item construction

Learn all the knitting essentials! Holding the needles, choosing yarns, understanding knitting terminology, casting on (& off!), knit purl & more on this 3-week course with Knit Now's expert knitter & author Debbie Tomkies. Make 3 fun projects to take home along with professional handouts & patterns.

Calling all artists! We're proud to announce that we're opening up a brand-new artist retreat, and we want YOU to be there. Our Artist Retreat is a week-long retreat that gives you the chance to immerse yourself in the art of your choice, from beginner to advanced. We'll give you expert tuition in the arts and crafts of your choice, so you can spend your week focused on learning and exploring your creativity. At Gifted Crafts, we believe that everyone is an artist. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, we promise you'll find something new to learn at our retreat. You'll be immersed in an unforgettable week of activities and hands-on learning in the arts and crafts of your choice—from pewter casting to bookbinding, from enamelling to printing, from drawing to felting, from painting to yarn craft. We've even got some surprises up our sleeves for artists who love photography and sketching. And don't forget about foiling, engraving, batik…We think you get the idea.

Learn how to screen print and apply metal leaf to your design with printmaker Lou Davis at The Arienas Collective in Edinburgh City Centre

Make a easy upcycled jumper/ fabric pumpkin and enjoy a halloween themed afternoon tea

ART SIPPERS is an online art experience that’ll see you with a paintbrush in one hand and a cheeky sip in the other! In the two-hour workshop and in the comfort of your own home, you will be taught step-by-step instructions from creative-confidence coaches NorteyPitcher! With music, a quiz, dad jokes and a competition prize to be won, this promises to be great fun for all. By the end of the experience, you'll have learned a new skill, gained confidence and produced some wall-worthy art.

Phoenix Pottery and Art studio offers a wide range of creative arts and pottery classes, including beginners pottery courses, glass fusing, art club, watercolour painting, paint a pot and more. Situated close to Warrington, Wigan, St Helens, Manchester and Liverpool with easy motorway access.