Craft courses in Surrey

Surrey’s craft scene is flourishing

Crafting and creative hobbies have experienced a resurgence over the past decade with programmes such as The Great British Sewing Bee, The Great Pottery Throw Down and Kirstie Allsopp’s many hands-on shows encouraging us to step away from our screens to pick up a paintbrush, knitting needle or tool.

Then came lockdown, and we suddenly had the time to tackle all those long-neglected projects and to discover the therapeutic power of making things with our hands. As we re-emerge, it seems that creativity is more alive than ever.

Rosanna Clare

Former teacher Rosanna Clare started hosting leather workshops in Surrey five years ago, but craft had always called to her.

“I’ve got a carpenter father and a painter and picture framer mother, so I always knew I was going to do something with my hands.”

At her studio near Guildford, guests can learn to make stylish leather goods, from handbags and wallets to belts, keyrings and even a dog collar and lead.

“The demand for craft courses has been growing for a while – I think it’s a backlash to the whole technological era. People are sick of screens. They want to do something tangible and to use their hands.”

During lockdown Rosanna sold leatherwork craft kits online, sales of her book, Sew Luxe Leather Craft Book Of 20 Project Ideas, rose and since reopening she’s seen a renewed interest.

“Suddenly people have had the time to think about the things they’ve been wanting to do but haven’t got round to, and now they’ve found all these possibilities!”

The Great British Woodshop

Following an incredible range of careers, including working for the Australian Federal Government and professional ice skating, David Free now runs The Great British Woodshop in West Byfleet.

“I started working with wood in school and I loved it – I was building furniture when I was about 13 and I never stopped. But it was always a hobby.”

After retiring, David chose to combine his love of woodworking with teaching and created a TV series for the Discovery Channel, which he hosted, called The Great British Woodshop. Three years ago, he opened his workshop of the same name to the general public with courses on home DIY days, woodworking, spray-painting, upcycling and upholstery, as well children’s and family classes to make objects such as birdhouses, deckchairs, hedgehog homes and clocks.

“I’ve taught concert pianists, surgeons, lawyers and CEOs – it doesn’t matter what your skillset, we all need three things; confidence, knowledge and tools.”

During lockdown, David ran online tutorials, but is pleased to be welcoming people back into his studio: “Seeing the thrill at the end of the class when people walk off with something they’ve made is just extraordinary.”

No.5 Workshop

Former art teacher Armi Maddison runs a printmaking studio in her East Molesey garden:

“Over the past few years, more and more people have been looking for creative activities to do together socially. Making and learning a new process in a group generates energy and ideas and is great fun, especially for friends who want to chat and make things together in a lovely location.”

No 5 Workshop is certainly that – the studio is set in Armi’s stunning landscaped garden, full of flowering plants with a large covered courtyard.

The two and a half hour workshops offer a range of techniques from monoprinting and lino printing to colourful gelee printing and are suitable for all abilities from absolute beginners to professionals – Armi even runs corporate workshops for the design team at Liberty. Each starts with a demo and there’s plenty of inspiration on hand for designs which can be turned into cards, textiles or framed art.

The studio reopens this month with new safety measures in place – everyone has their own tools laid out 72 hours ahead and groups are smaller than previously.

You can book a course for four or more friends for £45 a head, or join a scheduled course. Sadly, the tea and cakes break– always a popular aspect – has had to change, but the guaranteed satisfaction of creating beautiful new designs and learning skills that you can continue at home is undiminished.

Pop Up Painting

Inspired by the hugely popular ‘sip and paint’ scene in America, Gareth Lewis and Phyllissa Shelton set up PopUp Painting in 2013.

Their events, which take place in bars and restaurants across the capital and beyond, are described as ‘social painting and wine experiences’, where participants are informally guided through a well-known masterpiece by an artist, and shown how to create their own.

“A lot of our customers have spent the whole day in meetings or looking at a screen. Our events are a chance for them to switch off,” Gareth explains.

“In areas like Richmond and East Sheen, we get a lot of regulars who sometimes come five times a year. And of course, everyone gets to take their masterpiece home – people often send in pictures of where they’ve hung them up at home.”

Gareth and his team have recently launched online painting parties, where the art-curious can log on from the comfort of home. These are now a permanent fixture, but plans are also afoot for the in-person events to return to their usual venues.

“We’re going by the two-metre rule – it’s going to halve our capacity, but it’s a good place to start and we want people to feel safe and confident.”

Surrey Art School

Four years ago, Ellie Green opened her studio just outside Dorking with a variety of classes and workshops, ranging from modern calligraphy and marbling to ceramics and printmaking.

“Since opening, I have been blown away by the creative spirit of Surrey. The aim of the school is to make all sorts of different art disciplines more accessible and to build people’s confidence.”

“There’s definitely a new wave of people wanting to learn again. I think that many have come back to creativity during lockdown as a way of keeping well mentally. People have found that it’s calming and helps them to forget what’s going on in the world.”

Throughout lockdown, former teacher Ellie continued her Sketchbook Club art classes online and is now planning outdoor workshops.

“The school will always be about looking after people in our community, and using creativity for healing and keeping people grounded.”