Whether you’re an experienced crafter that’s well practised at making their own gifts, or a newbie that wants to try something for the first time, making your own Christmas gifts is a great place to start.
In this hot list, SoGlos rounds up five fabulously festive craft workshops to try at New Brewery arts, to give your Christmas the handmade touch in 2021.
About the sponsor – New Brewery Arts
With a mission to connect the local community with craft, New Brewery Arts offers a programme of exciting adult craft workshops, giving people the opportunity to learn new skills, from stitching to silversmithing.
The craft shop at New Brewery Arts also offers an eclectic range of handmade items from local and independent crafters, including ceramics, textiles and jewellery, as well as sustainable Christmas gifts and decorations.
For more sustainable Christmas shopping ideas, see New Brewery Arts is helping to make Christmas shopping in Gloucestershire more sustainable, or for more information about New Brewery Arts, visit newbreweryarts.org.uk.
1. Christmas decoration making workshop at New Brewery Arts
Suitable for absolute beginners, tutor Meg Harris hosts a three-hour workshop teaching participants how to make a freehand machine embroidered Christmas decoration. After learning the basics of freehand machine embroidery, choose one of Meg’s designs to make, or get creative and design your own.
Freehand Machine Embroidered Christmas Decorations with Meg Harris takes place on Saturday 27 November 2021 from 10am to 1pm and costs £55 per person, with all materials included.
2. Christmas wreath making workshops at New Brewery Arts
There’s nothing more festive than a wreath, so this workshop with Hollie Ann Curtis from High Moon Florist is the ultimate in Christmas crafts. Participants will create an eco-friendly moss-based wreath on a reusable hoop to take home and hang with pride.
There are Contemporary Eco Wreath Making workshops with Hollie Ann Curtis on Saturday 27 November 2021 and Saturday 4 December 2021 from 10am to 12pm and 12.30pm to 2.30pm, costing £50 per person.
3. Christmas card making workshop at New Brewery Arts
With handmade cards and gift wrap being one of the easiest ways to be more sustainable this Christmas, learn to design, cut and print your own unique cards and gift tags in this workshop with Beth Jenkins. Create your own lino cut stamps to print onto cards, then embellish with ribbons, colours and collage techniques.
Printmaking for Christmas: Cards and Gift Tags with Beth Jenkins takes place on Saturday 4 December 2021 from 10am to 4pm and costs £90, including all tools and equipment; a pack of 15 high-quality recycled cards, gift tags and a printing block to take home too.
4. Indian block printing workshop at New Brewery Arts
Discover the traditional art of Indian block printing in a half day workshop with Clare Walsh, where participants will have the chance to print their own Christmas wrapping paper using a selection of hand carved blocks. Experiment with colour, pattern and placement to create wrapping paper that’s completely unique.
Indian Block Printing for Christmas takes place on Thursday 9 December 2021 from 10am to 1pm, costs £55 and includes all the tools and equipment required.
5. Watercolour Christmas card making workshop at New Brewery Arts
Aspiring watercolourists can spend an entire day learning the basics of colour theory and composition before getting stuck into some festive painting in this Christmas card workshop with Emma Leyfield. Take inspiration from traditional decorations and winter foliage to create a showstopping concertina card or a set of small cards to display at home or gift to loved ones this Christmas.
Christmas Cards in Watercolour with Emma Leyfield takes place on Saturday 11 December 2021 from 10am to 4pm and costs £90.
For more information about New Brewery Arts, or to book a workshop, visit newbreweryarts.org.uk.
