We love making jewellery and the silversmiths workshop will always be our happy place... but we love making other things too. Whether that's to add new techniques to our jewellery making tool kit or just to relax and get creative, it's so good to be able to make something that isn't work sometimes. Being creative with new materials stretches your brain, hands and heart and gives you some time to relax and enjoy someone else being in charge for a bit.
We are so fortunate here in Nottingham to live in the creative heart of the UK. Surrounded by Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire. Leicestershire and Lincolnshire (and for the purposes of this post we are stretching it out into Staffordshire too) we are surrounded by wonderful makers, artists and crafts people sharing their skills, tools and techniques. Here are five of our current favourites places to learn new craft.
Unit 36, D Block, Hartley Business Centre, Ellesmere Crescent
Sherwood
Nottingham
NG5 3GL
Nottingham Ceramic School is situated just upstairs from us a NJS - in fact we have lots of students who do classes at both. Their kilns keep our workshops warm and we love having them as neighbours. They are a friendly and supportive creative space where everyone interested in learning to make with clay is welcome. Class sizes small so you to get time with the tutors, while still being able to have an enjoyable sociable experience. Ceramics is a rewarding and tactile craft and a brilliant place for makers of all ages to learn something new.
27 Market Place
Wirksworth
Derbyshire
DE4 4ET
Create Space is a creative workshop and studio gallery in the beautiful market town of Wirksworth run by Stevie Davies, a fused glass artist. It houses a small shop stocking contemporary art and craft by some of the midlands best makers, as well as Stevie's own glass fusing workshop. Here you can attend classes full of colour, pattern and texture exploring fused glass techniques. Be inspired by Stevie's enthusiasm and passion for her craft and create something beautiful for your home or yourself.
50 St. George Street
Leicester
LE1 1QG
Leicester Print Workshop is the home of the Midlands Centre for Fine Art Printmaking. It has a large open access studio, education space and gallery. The studio is a welcoming, relaxed and supportive environment to learn or refresh skills, gain confidence and be creative, with one day, weekend, morning and evening courses. In addition to their extensive course programme they also regularly host artist talks and events in the studio.
Harley Foundation Studios
7 Tan Gallop,
Welbeck,
Worksop,
Nottinghamshire
S80 3LW
Hope & Elvis studio is a wonderfully inspirational place to while away some time creatively. Enjoy a break from your routine at one of their art or textile workshops in a large studio on the North Nottinghamshire Welbeck Estate, nestled in Sherwood Forest. Many students have been visiting for years and continue to find inspiration and friendship here. With a focus on textiles and found ephemera, workshops at Hope and Elvis are like a expedition into heritage, history and creativity.
4a Bath Lane
Hixon
Stafford
ST18 0FG
Whilst we have stretched our geographical limits on this one, you only have to visit once to know why. Unit Twelve is a contemporary craft art workshop and artist studio space based in the beautiful village of Hixon in the West Midlands. It hosts a rolling programme of workshops run by Jennifer Collier, Iain Perry and other visiting artists. Unit Twelve workshops often have a focus on repurposing and recycling and cover a huge range of techniques from Jennifer Colliers signature paper sculpture to textiles, weaving, printmaking and even jewellery. It's an interesting and inviting space to spend a thoughtful and productive day.
Trying a new craft or creative pursuit is about more than the materials. It's about trying new ways of thinking, learning and being. Discovering a new material, a new method and a whole new craft and maybe also discovering a new side to your self.