Taster Days
Taster days offer you the chance to discover a new subject and opens up the opportunity to develop new skills. They are all ideal for complete beginners and with over thirty different courses there is plenty to tempt your creative palette
Taster days offer you the chance to discover a new subject and develop new skills. They are all ideal for complete beginners and with 31 different courses with nine new subjects this year.
All taster days start at 10.00am and finish at 5.00pm with all specialist materials, lunch, tea and coffee included in the price.
For more information on our one-day Learn a Skill and Make a Gift days click here
Woodturning
June 12
TD2780 £93
Beginners
This hands-on course covers using the lathe, safety aspects and basic bowl turning. The aim is to build confidence through safe practice.
COLIN SIMPSON
Rag rugging
June 12
TD2781 £86
Beginners
Learn basic rag rug techniques as you make decorative flowers from reclaimed fabrics for use as accessories.
DEBBIE SINISKA
Precious metal clay
June 19
TD2797 £136 NEW
Beginners
Make a textured pendant and pair of earrings in silver using the basic processes of working with precious metal clay.
SARAH MACRAE
Stained glass
June 20
TD2798 £110
Beginners
Experience making a 20cm square panel of traditional stained glass in a simple abstract design as you learn to cut and then assemble with lead and solder.
CAROLE GRAY
Throwing pots
June 20
TD2799 £92
Beginners
Learn the basic skills for throwing on an electric potter’s wheel and create several stoneware pots.
ALISON SANDEMAN
Stained glass
June 21
TD2800 £110
Beginners
Please see TD2798 above for further information.
CAROLE GRAY
Woodcarving
June 23
TD2807 £86
Beginners
Learn the essentials of woodcarving as you carve a simple relief of a fish, fruit or other form in limewood.
PETER CLOTHIER
Watercolour painting
June 23
TD2808 £96
Beginners
Create a watercolour painting as you learn to handle brushes, use colour and study form and composition.
CHRISTINE FORBES
Carving in stone
June 23
TD2809 £96
Beginners
Inspired by a natural object, explore sculptural carving in soft, easily-shaped Maltese Limestone.
SIMON KEELEY
Botanical metalwork sculpture
June 23
TD2810 £102
Beginners
Make a flower or several with foliage using aluminium sheet, learning how to manipulate these materials by cutting, forming, texturing and shaping.
MIKE SAVAGE
Oil painting – a simple approach
June 24
TD2812 £97
Beginners
At your own pace, work from direct observation on a simple still-life as you learn about structuring an oil painting and building up colour.
TOM BENJAMIN
Carving in stone
June 24
TD2813 £96
Beginners
Please see TD2809 above for further information.
SIMON KEELEY
Silver jewellery
June 30
TD2827 £96
Beginners
Learn basic jewellery making techniques as you construct and decorate a simple silver ring.
SARAH MACRAE
Enamelling copper bowls
July 1
TD2829 £96 NEW
Beginners
Learn enamelling techniques on two copper bowls. We cover sifting enamels and securing them with a gum solution as well as firing in a kiln.
PAT JOHNSON
Willow basketmaking
July 3
TD2835 £90
Beginners
Appreciate the special qualities of willow as you learn to weave two small items, incorporating colour patterns in your design if you wish.
MARY BUTCHER
Life drawing
July 7
TD2838 £102
Beginners
Beginners learn to draw from the model using charcoal and pencils and achieve expression and good proportions through a series of exercises.
BRIDGET WOODS
Botanical painting
July 8
TD2839 £100
Beginners
Learn how to depict striking flowers in a botanical style as you are shown wet-in-wet techniques, using plants from West Dean Gardens.
SANDRINE MAUGY
Upcycled skirts – decorative sewing skills
July 8
TD2840 £86 NEW
Beginners
Transform an existing skirt with machine and hand sewing methods. Discover folding and pleating, appliqué, layering and slashing techniques.
MARIA PULLEY
Simple sewn lampshade covers
July 10
TD2844 £105 NEW
Beginners
Make easily removable lampshade covers, in fine silk or cottons, embellished with ribbons and trims, as traditionally used in kitchens.
RUTH DE FRAGA GOMES
Crochet with wire – a necklace with beads
July 11
TD2845 £94 NEW
Beginners
Follow the tutor’s step-by-step instructions from casting on to giving your piece a professional finish using coloured wires.
TERI HOWES
Crochet – the basics
July 11
TD2846 £103
Beginners
Make a simple purse with floral corsage embellishment as you learn basic crochet techniques.
LUCINDA GUY
Spool knit with wire – a bracelet with beads
July 12
TD2847 £94 NEW
Beginners
Using coloured metal wire, knit a tube shaped bracelet and learn how to add beads to your design.
TERI HOWES
Hand knitting – the basics
July 12
TD2848 £103
Beginners
Learn to knit while making a simple hat as you master casting on and off, knit and purl stitches, how to follow a pattern and other basic techniques.
LUCINDA GUY
Throwing pots
July 14
TD2856 £92
Beginners
Please see TD2799 above/on page xx for further information.
ALISON SANDEMAN
The blacksmith's craft
July 14
TD2858 £103
Beginners
Experience the rhythm of working hot steel, the use of the fire, hammer work and shaping at the anvil, to make a small piece of work.
ANDREW SMITH
Painting with acrylics
July 15
TD2859 £96
Beginners
Take a look at form, colour balance and brush handling as you draw and paint from still-life and discover the versatility of this medium.
CHRISTINE FORBES
The blacksmith's craft
July 15
TD2861 £103
Beginners
Please see TD2858 above for further information.
ANDREW SMITH
Making a country-style stool
July 19
TD2867 £102
Beginners
Make a three-legged stool, using Windsor chair making methods to turn legs, shape the seat with a traditional spokeshave, assemble and finish.
JAMES MURSELL
Celebrate with flowers – flower arranging
August 18
TD2913 £110
Beginners
Learn how to choose and use suitable flowers for hand tied bouquets and table decorations for special occasions.
SUE HINGSTON
Carving a small soapstone sculpture
September 2
TD2945 £98
Beginners
You are introduced to direct carving and shown how to create your own hand-held, tactile soapstone sculpture.
PAULA HAUGHNEY
Blacksmithing
September 8
TD2964 £106
Beginners
Experience the basic tools and techniques used by the blacksmith in the hot-forging process, to make a small piece of work from steel.
PETER PARKINSON
Blacksmithing
September 9
TD2966 £106
Beginners
Please see TD2964 above for further information.
PETER PARKINSON
Simple framing techniques with paper and cloth
September 17
TD2987 £94 NEW
Beginners
Learn to make decorative card mounts suitable for small or informal works of art, photographs or other treasures, including hinged, deep or multiple-window mounts.
SUSAN HUFTON
Sewing and appliqué skills
September 19
TD2932 £99 NEW
Beginners
Make a unique envelope cushion cover and decorate with appliqué, as you learn or refresh basic machine and hand sewing skills.
EMILY JO GIBBS
Woodturning – making a small bowl
September 28
TD3010 £96
Beginners
Create a small bowl as you try your hand at woodturning and sample the skills to make wooden objects in ash or sycamore.
DAVE REGESTER
Digital portrait photography
September 29
TD3021 £89
Beginners
Learn classic portrait photography techniques on location then manipulate and print your final images.
SALLY VERRALL
Digital macro photography
September 30
TD3022 £84 NEW
Beginners
Explore the magical world of close-up photography, as you learn to get the best from your DSLR camera and macro lens.
STEPHEN WALBY
Garden design
October 1
TD3024 £84
Beginners/Intermediate
Learn how to transform your ideas into a plan that can then be developed into a garden, using exercises to explore the design process.
JULIET SARGEANT
Making pictures with fabrics
October 23
TD3079 £86
Beginners
Create your own picture exploring colour and fabric choices, the placing of your components and the use of stitch and other embellishments.
JANET BOLTON
