From making a unique gift to giving the gift of creativity with a gift voucher.

Make time to make this Christmas and give a loved one a handmade gift. With the possibility of Christmas being a little different this year, West Dean College of Arts and Conservation offers a wide variety of short courses (ranging from one to four days) for you to make a meaningful one-off item for them to treasure, including an engraved glass or beautiful silver jewellery.  You can also buy Gift Vouchers or even a place on a course so your loved one could start 2021 by learning or developing a new skill or getting away on a well-earned break. There is a vast array of courses to choose from every year ranging from millinery to blacksmithing, through to painting, basket making and gardening.

You can buy £10, £25, £50 or £100 vouchers online which can be used for full or part payment of a Short Course so your loved one can choose their perfect course, at a time that suits them.

If you like the idea of making a unique gift, among the courses on offer during October, November and December is Make your own leather belt which takes place on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 and costs £151. The courses offers the opportunity to make your own belt using vegetable tanned leather and brassware as well as learning traditional techniques to hand stitch your belt, and how to ensure the perfect fit.  

Courses that offer gift ideas:

Oct 30 – Nov 1- Felted beads, baubles and bowls, from wool, to necklace and dishes (£275)
November 3 - An introduction to painting on the iPad (£128)
November 13-15 Glass engraving for all (£260)
November 16 – 19 – Beginners' silversmithing - make a small round box (£471)
November 18 - Modern brush calligraphy – festive metallics (£143)
November 19-22 – Japanese woodcut printmaking (£426)
November 24-17 - Traditional shibori textile technique (£389)
December 4-6 - Jesmonite jewellery (£280)
December 4-6- Millinery silk flower making autumn leaves and berries (£270)
December 11-13 Silver rings - jewellery (£280)
December 18 - Contemporary Christmas decorations from foraged materials (£163)
December 18-20 – Blacksmithing (£307)

For the full list of courses and details, please visit www.westdean.ac.uk. Bookings can also be made online or by calling +44 (0)1243 818300.