Tucked away down a side street, Manchester Craft and Design Centre is a hidden gem right in the heart of the city. With its two floors of artists’ studios, it’s always a great place to browse around. However, the Centre has even more to offer: it also hosts workshops in its dedicated learning space. There’s a wide variety to choose from all year round but below are three of the best that are taking place in the next few weeks.
Looking for some new jewellery? Perhaps you’re after a personalised gift for a loved one? Either way, this day-long workshop can teach you everything you need to know about making a quality keepsake in a friendly, informal setting. Throughout the day, your workshop leaders Gemma and Charlotte will take you on a guided tour of all the skills needed to make a ring; including shaping, hammering and soldering. As if that wasn’t enough, they’ll also tell you everything you need to know about how to saw, file and finish your silver work alongside ensuring your newly designed piece of jewellery fits properly. Everyone in attendance will come away with a high-quality silver ring, with all the necessary materials included within your ticket price. You don’t even have to bring a long a snack – as refreshments will be available in between your hour lunch break.
With Christmas on the way, there’s never been a better time to get crafty. During this engaging workshop, you’ll join your host Helen who will teach you how to create your own festive baubles and decorations during a session that lasts half the day. New to the process? Not to worry. This event is suitable for those of all experience levels, with advice shared about the principles of both screen printing and fused glass offered in a relaxed, informal setting. Participants are encouraged to bring along their own imagery (although some will be provided), as workshop leader Sue guides you through the process of designing a stencil and printing on glass using metallic glass powders. Once you’ve made your decorations, they’ll be fired in the kiln, ready for you to collect at a later date.
Manchester Craft and Design Centre, 17 Oak Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 5JD, Tel: 0161 832 4274, 10am – 5:30pm
- Words:
- A. James Simpkin
- Published on:
- Sun 20 Oct 2019
This workshop will let you experiment with watercolours in a relaxed and informal setting. The focus is on fresh flowers, and you will learn the techniques to capture their beauty. The host, Susan Kane, has worked as a professional designer for 30 years, including three years with Mary Quant. Her work has been sold to international collectors and high street stores. She will show you how to play with the brush and make simple strokes to create petals, leaves, and stems. You’ll explore colour theory and mixing, allowing you to create great colour combinations and paint flower studies to take home. All materials will be provided, as will tea/coffee and biscuits.