We have teamed up with some excellent local artists to share their skills and local crafts. All are one day courses except the hazelwood furniture-making which needs 2 days to complete. It's small numbers and lots of attention for both locals and guests. How about a workshop Gift Voucher, a very good idea too for those difficult loved ones, could include a stay. Come and have a lovely relaxing day out and learn something new. If you have a small group of friends or colleagues interested then I can happily arrange a date to suit you and arrange a tutor and a home-cooked lunch. Why not make it 'An Arty Break in Dorset'? Have fun learning something new, walk the coastal footpaths, try our local pubs, visit Bridport Market and recharge your batteries! We have 4 ensuite rooms but you must book early to reserve all the rooms and a tutor. Special occasions catered for! Artistically, Bridport is to Dorset what St Ives is to Cornwall minus the Tate Gallery! The Town and local area has lots to offer and a good place to browse the many galleries and shops, and of course the busy Market Days too. Bridport Open Studios event is held on the August Bank Holiday weekend and features the work of many local artists, potters and makers of furniture and fashion. Also 2010 see Dorset Arts Weeks 29th May - 13th June - venues throughout Dorset and a wonderful opportunity to discover local artists and our lovely countryside. The Bridport Arts Centre has a varied programme of visual arts as well as  great music, drama and dance performances and the Electric Palace which has been restored and re-opened offers a wide range of films and social events with bar and food facilities, which all add to its unique atmosphere. All in all it is a wonderful place to live and a great place to come for a painting holiday as there is something to inspire everyone with the sea, cliffs, harbours, rivers and wonderful landscapes all around.

 

Painting for pleasure ...

During your stay you’re invited to join Ann Gray's regular local art classes. Friday mornings at Charmouth  and afternoons at Axmouth.  £20 per session.  Tel: 01297 442532 Introduction to Botanical Painting? Suitable for anyone who loves the beauty of plants. With local artist and tutor Alison Waspe. Can arrange individual or small workshops. Tel: 01297 442976.

Workshops and Courses 2010
At a glance……………….
26th Feb           HATS to be had! Stylish cloche hats with Fiona Neyland New 
27th February   Rag Rugs- Tania Cash
2nd March        A Day in the life of an AGA. Cooking the aga way! Olivia Archer
28th March       Living Willow- arbours/ fences. Amy Ralph Sunday morning
9th & 10th April Hazelwood Garden Furniture – Peter Moors
11th April        Gypsy Hedgerow Baskets with Petra Hughes
17th April        National Beanpole day and Open Day at www.dorsetcoppicegroup.co.uk
23rd April       Wedding Buttonholes and hand-tied posies. Sylvia Dunsford
24th April       Willow garden supports and tepees Kate Bromfield. 10-1pm
28th April       Watercolour Painting ‘Flowers for fun’, an intro. Alison Waspe New
13th May        Wedding cakes, part one. Dennie Rose New
14th May        Baskets made the traditional way WILLOW WEEKEND
15th May        Willow sculptures, birds and beasties! Both with Andy Southwell
22nd/ 23rd     May Hazelwood Garden Furniture – Peter Moors
26th May       Beautiful Beading – jewellery-making for all abilities with Fran Griffith
29th May-13th June DORSET ARTS WEEK
30th May       Willow garden supports and tepees Kate Bromfield. 10-1pm
30th May       Fairy Sculptures too! Tania Cash 10-1pm 
30th May       BIGGER BREAKFAST Highway Farm for Cancer Research £10
11th June      Gypsy Hedgerow Baskets with Petra Hughes
17th June      Wedding cakes, part two. Dennie Rose
18th June      Watercolour Painting ‘Flowers for fun’, an intro. Alison Waspe
23rd June      A Day in the life of an AGA. Cooking the aga way! Olivia Archer 
10th July       Makers MARKET, Eype Church for the Arts 10-4pm. 01308 459409
14th July       HONEY! the remarkable powers of honey. 10-1pm Tania Cash New
15th July       Flouncy voile flowers displayed in a beautiful framed picture Dennie Rose New
21st July       Fairy Sculptures too! Make unique and beautiful figures Tania Cash 10-1pm 
22ndJuly       Intro to Felt-making and fibres landscapes with Dennie Rose
11th Aug       Willow garden supports and tepees Kate Bromfield. 10-1pm
12th Aug       Shibori workshop, indigo dyes and textiles with Annabel Wilson
14th Aug       Pottery 2-4pm with Miles Bell at the Symondsbury Pottery
19th Aug      Hurdle Making 10- 5 Peter Moors New
21st Aug      Gypsy Hedgerow Baskets with Petra Hughes
27th-30th Aug BRIDPORT OPEN STUDIOS 2010
14th Sept     A Day in the life of an AGA. Cooking the aga way! Olivia Archer
16th Sept     Felt HATS with flower. Dennie Rose
17th-19th Sept BRIDPORT HAT FESTIVAL 458224/422251
18th/19th Sept Hazelwood Garden Furniture – Peter Moors
24th Sept      Baskets made the traditional way WILLOW WEEKEND
25th Sept      Willow sculptures, birds and beasties! Both with Andy Southwell
25th Sept      Beautiful Beading – jewellery-making for all abilities with Fran Griffith
2nd  Oct       Wedding Buttonholes and hand-tied posies. Sylvia Dunsdon
9th Oct         HATS to be had! Cloche & stylish trilby hats with Fiona Neyland New 
14th Oct       Beautiful felt and beaded Nuno scarves Dennie Rose.
20th Oct       Ideas for card making –extend your skills! Tania Cash 10-1pm New
27th Oct       Silk papers and beautiful silk bowls. Tania Cash 10-1pm New
13th Nov      Reindeer, willow sculptured, with Fiona Hingston. Jingle bells! New
17th Nov      Advent Calendars with Tania Cash 10.30am-4.30pm New
20th Nov      Beautiful Beading – jewellery-making for all abilities with Fran Griffith
24th Nov      Christmas with an AGA. Festive foodie flair! Olivia Archer
26th/27th Nov Free workshop - Christmas wreaths. 
4th Dec       MAKERS MARKET, Eype Church for the Arts 10-4pm. 01308 424321 

The Workshop days begin with coffee and biscuits on arrival. If you would like a freshly prepared lunch please order when booking, additional £5. Payment due when booking. Please ring if you have any questions or would like to book.

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New AGA Courses -A Day in the life of an AGA! tutor Olivia Archer 
Tues  2nd March. Wed 23rd June.. Tues 14th Sept. Wed 24th Nov. 10.30- 3pm
Olivia and I will take you through a whole day of cooking, showing the basics of the Aga. Ideas, tips and how to make the most out of cooking and living with Aga! Yummy tasters, lunch and a glass of wine included. £40. (24th NOV -Festive Flair for Christmas £45)

Flowers Arranging- Anyone can! tutor Sylvia Dunsdon
Friday 23rd April & 2nd October 11am- 4pm Wedding buttonholes and hand-tied posies. 
~Make your own beautiful wedding buttonholes & gorgeous tied-posies~
We can easily arrange half day or full day courses with Sylvia for 4-10 people. Bring your wedding party your friends and relations, and have a lovely relaxing pre-wedding day together!

Watercolours- ‘painting flowers for fun’ tutor Alions Waspe
Wednesday 28th April & Friday 18th June 10.30-2.30pm 
A relaxing and enjoyable day out for all, each artist will be encouraged to work at his or her own pace and in their own style. Beginners welcome, you will receive individual help in overcoming initial anxieties £40 incl working lunch. We can easily arrange dates to suit 2-6 People. Please ring.

WORKSHOPS working with WILLOW It’s a wonderful local resource.
Living Willow tutor Amy Ralph 
Sunday 28th March 10.30am – 1pm 
Come and have a go, learn to plant, weave & make beautiful living arbours, tunnels and natural screens. Guidance & instructions to take home so you can go & create your own living archways and fences. £25

Traditional Basket Weaving WILLOW WEEKEND tutor Andy Southwell
Friday 14th May 10.30 – 5pm
Friday 24th September 10.30- 5pm
Relax and enjoy working with natural willow. Andy is a relaxed and natural teacher, lots of patience and knowledge. 
You will be delighted you’re your beautifully handmade basket. £45 materials incl. Max 7.
Willow Sculptures for the Garden tutor Andy Southwell
Saturday 15th May 10.30 – 4.30pm 
Saturday 25th Sept 10.30 – 4.30pm
This workshop is always popular so book early. Come and make an exciting sculpture to take home; remember it has to fit in the car! It can be a bird or beastie or anything you fancy. £40 materials incl. 

Tepees and plant supports for your garden tutor Kate Bromfield 
Saturday 24th April, Sunday 30th May & Wed 11th August 10 – 1pm 
Learn to make strong willow structures to support your plants with the help of Kate Bromfield our local garden designer and plants woman. £35 materials included.
Hedgerow baskets tutor Petra Hughes 
Sunday 11th April, Friday 11th June & Sat 21st August 10.00am- 4pm 
Unique and beautiful Gypsy Baskets made from natural materials and woven with green climbers. First go gather from our hedges and grounds. Weave rushes into table mats. Suitable for all ages. £35 materials incl. 

Rustic Hazelwood Furniture tutor Peter Moors 
Fri 9th/Sat 10th April. Sat 22nd/Sun 23rd  May.  Sat 18th & Sun 19th September. 10-5pm
This is a two-day workshop. Try your hand at furniture making and be inspired and guided by green woodman and tutor Peter. Make your own unique garden furniture, its well worth the effort! Please sign up early, as there is a waiting list! £85 plus approx £15 for wood used.
Hurdle making tutor Peter Moors 
Thursday 19th August 10-5pm
Another day with Peter Moors. Learn the traditional skills from a hurdle maker. It’s a real achievement to make your own, you’ll appreciate efforts that go into hurdle making. £40 plus approx £10 for wood.

Reindeers for Christmas. Large Willow Sculptures tutor Fiona Hingston 
Saturday 13th Novmber 9– 5pm 
Make a splendid willow deer to stand pride of place in your garden! Great day out, it’s a very full day but under the expert guidance of Fiona you will be delighted with the end results Persuaded out of workshop retirement to lead this exciting course, Fiona is the lady that inspired my workshop days! 
£45 plus additional cost for willow used approx £5.

CRAFTY DAY COURSES………Go on! With a good tutor anyone can do it!
HATS to be had! Cloche & trilby hats tutor Fiona Neyland
Friday 26th Feb ‘Cloche Hats’ & Saturday 9th October ‘Cloche & Trilby’s 10.30-4.30pm 
Fancy a new hat? With the help and guidance of Fiona create a unique hat that fits! Finish by adding feathers, buttons, bows, ribbons. £45 (+approx £17 for basic felt hat and materials at cost) and bring along your own embellishments too.

Rag-Rugs and more Arty Crafty with tutor Tania Cash
You’ll love Tania’s bubbly & enthusiastic approach. She’s full of creative talent and innovative with new workshops and you will come away with lots of new ideas and new confidence. All abilities welcome. 
Saturday 27th Feb 10.30am –4.30pm RAGS RUGS 
Have you ever fancied having a go at rugging? Well now’s your chance! Create a small rug or wall hanging, learn traditional technique in a day. £35 materials incl. Option to buy hook.
Sunday 30th May & Wed 21st July 10am - 1pm Fairy Sculptures too!
And now for something different! Sculpt a figure, a fairy, angel or even a tribal figure. Weatherproof, so your finished creation can take pride of place inside or out. No experience needed. £30 incl materials
Wednesday 14th July 10am - 1pm HONEY me! The remarkable powers of honey.
It’s antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. A truly indulgent day! Create gorgeous beauty preparations, experiment with honey remedies & be enlightened to the healing, soothing and flavour of ‘natures gold’. £30 materials incl.
Wednesday 20th Oct 10am - 1pm Ideas for card making –extend your skills!
Come along and learn lots of new techniques to make cards to sell. Tania has taught in the UK and in America & also appearing on TV demonstrating Card Making, and sells her cards in many Galleries.
A fun session for beginners & those who already enjoy this popular craft. £25materials incl.
Wednesday 27th Oct 10am - 1pm Silk bowls and beautiful silk paper art
Using gorgeous silk fibres create a handmade bowl and beautiful silk papers, choose from an array of hand dyed fibres and learn how to incorporate flowers, leaves etc. For all abilities. £25 materials incl.
Wednesday 17th Nov 10.30am – 4.30pm An Advent Calendar with a difference! 
Get ready for Christmas early this year! Create a family heirloom and a real conversation piece. 
Using mixed media e.g. silk paper, rubber-stamping, wire work, enamel powders, this is a fast and fun workshop learning lots of new skills to make an extra special calendar. £45 incl. materials.

Beaded Jewellery, workshop for all abilities tutor Fran Griffith
Fran is very experienced beader, it’s all her own designs and she's always coming up new ideas! 
£35 plus charge for beads used. To buy beads; www.frangipanibeads.co.uk
Wed 26th May ‘Get Knotted’ Wire and beaded Scribble Bangles 
Experiment, coloured wires, sparkling crystals & light catching glass beads, incorporate textile &suede thronging. Looks rather like scribble with ink blobs and refreshingly easy!
Sat 25th Sept Quick and easy bracelets /necklaces. Juicy Berries & Liquorice Allsorts! 
Make in a day, 2 new designs of Fran’s. These pieces are worked with needle & thread.
Sat 20th November Jewelled Clusters, bracelets & necklaces 
Made with a variety of light catching glass beads & sparkling crystals, all in glorious colour and they can be made with bijou beaded fringing for Christmas Tree Adornments. 

Felt-Making and cake icing, some fantastic ideas from…. tutor Dennie Rose
Dennie has a wonderful informal yet structured approach, very extensive knowledge in various crafts.
You’re in safe hands!
Thursday 13th May 10.30-4.30pm Summer Wedding cake, ‘hearts/roses theme’. (1)
Preparation of cake, coating technique, hand-made roses. Dennie is a well-known specialist in all aspects of this lovely crafts. Please bring your cake. £45, +materials & equipment list on request. 
Thursday 17th June 10.30-4.30pm Summer Wedding cake, cont. ‘hearts/roses theme’. (2)
Piping skills, side, ribbon and top decoration. . You’ll be delighted and proud of the end results! 
£45, +materials & equipment list on request.
Thursday 15th July 10.30-4.30pm Flouncy voile flowers displayed in a framed picture 
Poppies & rosies themed, and created using fabric silk painting, shadowing technique & embellished with beads and stitch. £35, + charge for materials used.
Thursday 22nd July 10.30-4.30pm Intro to Felt-making ‘Painting landscapes with fibres’ 
This is a therapeutic day, experience the ancient techniques of creating fabric from fleece that can be from cobweb to carpet quality. £35, fibres supplied at cost.
Thursday 16th Sept 10.30-4.30pm Fabulous FELT HAT & FLOWERS
It’s BRIDPORT HAT FESTIVE TOO! 17TH-19th Sept 
Come and create a wow of a hat just for you! Made in beautiful Merino/Norwegian and mixed media fibres, adorned with a funky felt flower.
Thursday 14th October 10.30-4.30pm Fabulous Nuno – Floaty felt & chiffon scarves 
A real felting treat with Dennie. Incorporating fibres into chiffon, create beautiful individual scarves. Complete with stitching and beading to create a stunning scarf. £35, materials supplied at cost.

And there’s more…………………………… photography, oil painting, creative appliqué, wine tasting, a pamper day with bath bombs and soaps, candle making and…………………………………………?

Shibori Workshop, Creative Textiles NEW        tutor Annabel Wilson
Saturday 12th August  10.30am - 4.30pm
The process of dyeing with indigo is magical! Learn to stitch and manipulate fabric to resist the dye creating beautiful patterns, take home an attractive cushion or bag. Annabel is a relaxed, friendly teacher and an expert guide to the art of shibori.
£45 includes materials. Max 8   www.townhillstudio.co.uk 

Pottery classes with The Symondsbury Potters
Can arrange am or pm sessions at The Symondsbury Pot Shop with Miles Bell 
It's £25pp. You get 2 tutors and try your hand at different pots and the potters wheel too! Miles then fires and finishes your pots & rings when ready to collect or post. I can arrange
for 2-5 people. Why not come in a group, please book early if you need accommodation too.

  Coarse Fishing Lessons                             Ryan Turner
Come and learn to fish in our quiet sheltered haven and it's a relaxing pastime. Ryan will teach you how to appreciate coursing-fishing as he's passionate about fishing!
www.learn2fishsouthwest.co.uk  

FREE WORKSHOP - Christmas Wreaths 
Friday 26th & Saturday 27th November 10- 2pm. A date for your diary!
Learn how to make beautiful Christmas wreaths to brighten up your door, or just come and join in the fun! Mince pies, coffee and carols to get you in the mood, use the space to make a mess! The idea is that you make one wreath to take home, and another one for me to sell for charity. 
Small charge for ring and moss, please bring greenery and xmassy bits to add. 
I sold 45 in December last year and raised £450 for Trimar, our local Hospice, thanks to the ladies that came! Merry Christmas!

Workshop Feedback
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Rag Rugs
10 eager looking ladies arrived for Rag Rugging Workshop and gathered around the large dining table. Led and guided by expert textile tutor Angela Axeby. They were shown wonderfully unique samples woven by Angela  herself and taught techniques to weave old defunct garments into interesting and useable rugs.  Colourful assorted pieces of materials adorned the tables, with bits all over the floor!  There was a real community atmosphere and the opportunity to meet new people and exchanges news and views while rag-rugging.  It was busy and buzzy with the ladies all working extremely hard, they enjoyed a break for a nice home cooked lunch and then all completed their starter rug.  When these were all put together they achieved a super colourful carpet and we hope everyone went home happy and will be inspired to do more.  Pauline

Willow Sculptures

Hi Pauline, Just to let you know I'm the proud owner of a willow dome (started off as a tee pee!) constructed last weekend, all my own work! The kids love it, am hoping it will start to sprout soon, Best wishes  Lisa

 

Floral buttonholes and hand tied posies 

We spent a very wet and windy Saturday making wedding buttonholes around the kitchen table by the warmth of the aga.  Lots of wedding talk and with the helpful guidance from tutor Sylvia we made a wonderful variety corsage to brighten any wedding outfit.  Midday cooked brunch followed with a demonstration of how to make beautiful hand-tied posies which made wonderful Easter gifts. This was a small friendly group and a very productive day was had by all.  So at the next wedding, no excuses, hand-made buttonholes! 

 

Creative felt-making

Just a note to thank you and John for providing lovely food, setting and atmosphere for the day, it was great. Kind regards,  Chris 

 

Willow Sculptures for the garden
Thank you for a lovely day yesterday; we had a super journey home and hey - Dilys and Dennis look great on the lawn!  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and actually feel chuffed to bits with our achievement.  Pauline & Peter.

 

We had a wonderful day thank you. Attitude the swan now guards my back garden. Jackie

Rustic Hazelwood Furniture
Review - at last!   Pauline - just to let you know what an enjoyable weekend the 'rustic hazelwood furniture has been'. With expert tuition from Peter I have made the most exquisite 2-seater garden bench, which is already the talk of the village - much admired by friends and neighbours. In fact three of them now want to do the same course - so please can you ask Peter to do another one in the autumn. I'd like to do it again too and make something else!
I've done five of your workshops now and each one has been really good; all the tutors have been first class and I've learnt some brilliant new skills.  Highway Farm is such a friendly, welcoming place - I'd recommend it to anyone!   Jill Turner
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Basket-making

Thanks Pauline for arranging the day and for the delicious lunch. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and I think my husband was 'impressed' with the results of my efforts.   Andy is a good tutor and I think the group kept him busy all day - I hope he was not too exhausted.   It must be tiring when seven people are working on  various projects and working at different speeds.  Do thank him as it was an excellent day.

 

I think everyone got something out of the course;  it is all too easy to stay within ones comfort zone, but to step outside that is stimulating and rewarding in so many ways.  Maggie

 

 

                    

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Local Courses

Creative Appliqué    £45pp
At the home of Willemein Stevens.    www.creativeapplique.com

Ann Gray grew up in rural Kent, as a child she loved to study nature and illustrated stories about animals. She now tutors in watercolour & drawing technique, enjoys painting & sketching on location and works as a Natural History Artist in Uplyme. www.shadesofgray.org.uk

 

Why not get a party together and let me arrange your tutor and accommodation? Try Tutored Wine Tasting with Andrew Kindness, ceramics at Tony's studio, private guided fossil walks or fishing lessons with Jim Copplestone at £15 per hour or £20 for doubles, age 5+

From Jill Innis: "Just a note to say thanks for such a lovely weekend. I thought the idea of an art package with bed and breakfast was wonderful - and would be grateful if you could let me know when you are having another one. I just feel the package would be of interest to any one interested in art as its basically a short stay - you have two nights away - and several sessions of art tuition as well as supper with you, John and Michael which all helped to make it special. I really enjoyed my time with Michael - just thought he was inspiring, just what you need when you are trying to paint. Anywhere I go where I come into contact with other art people I will spread the word and give out your cards where possible."