Stuff Sir Gordon Loves PART 7
British Culture, Design & Craftsmanship
Here at SirGordonBennett.com we love craftsmanship. We always like to discover new craftsmanship brands and the exciting products they make across Great Britain and Ireland. We also like to keep an eye out for opportunities to immerse ourselves in craftsmanship experiences in other ways too. And with it being a new year we thought what better New Year's resolution than to learn a new craftsmanship skill?
Where can I find courses to learn a craftsmanship skill in the UK in 2023?
There are a lot of opportunities to learn craftsmanship skills in 2023 available to book now. There are group courses and one-to-one. Some last a day and others are done over a few weeks. Craft Courses offer opportunities with artisan makers who can teach you how to create a handmade leather satchel, or how to weave a scarf on a handloom. Hidden gems such as Weald & Downland Living Museum host heritage educators who run courses such as how to create traditional soaps and perfumes. And larger organisations like the National Trust combine history and craftsmanship with their Blacksmithing course.
Take a look at our top 4 picks to learn a craftsmanship in 2023. Whatever your new skill you choose to learn in 2023 we wish you luck and hope you enjoy learning a new craft.
BLACKSMITHING COURSE
History and craftsmanship combine in The National Trust's blacksmithing classes. Sign up for a 4-week course to develop a new hobby, you'll learn traditional forging and blacksmithing techniques, creating something bespoke under the expert guidance of our professional Blacksmith team. Classes for this course will take place on the following Thursdays 12 January 19 January 26 January 2 February. Currently available in Patterson's Spade Mill, County Antrim, but regularly at other venues across the UK.
LEATHER BAG MAKING
Via Craft Courses, KingsleyWalters Studio bag making workshop will take you through the steps of making a tote bag or a cross-body bag from start to finish. This workshop will provide you with the core skills to making a leather bag and the foundations for progressing to more advanced pieces. KingsleyWalters are an artisan maker based in Hackney Downs, East London and offer day courses from January 2023.
HANDLOOM SCARF WEAVING
Also via Craft Courses Daisy Florence Design offer 'Weave a scarf in a day' is a full-day workshop. You will design your scarf, create a warp and thread your loom and weave your own unique scarf to wear by the end of the day. In these beginner workshops, you will be expertly tutored by Central Saint Martins trained weaver Anne Crowther (Daisy Florence Design) using Ashford looms, which are suitable for those new to weaving. With 6 looms available each workshop is delivered to a small group which means everyone is fully supported throughout the day. The courses are taking place from January in one of the traditional hearlands of wool and weaving - West Yorkshire.
TRADITIONAL SOAPMAKING AND PERFUMES
If you are lucky enough to live near Weald & Downland Living Museum you are treated to a range of traditional craftmaking courses such as Traditional Soapmaking and Perfumes. On the course you will make hot processed soft soap, pure olive Castile soap and Tudor inspired herb wash-balls to take away. The day is a mixture of hands-on activities and talks lead by a heritage educator. Taking place in a picture perfect quintessentially British setting, in Chichester in the South East starting in March
