Foraged Nature Jewellery - Saturday 5th July

Spend a day with us in the Leicestershire countryside and explore making ephemeral and sculptural jewellery from foraged natural materials at our first ever outdoor jewellery workshop. We'll be exploring methods of making and creative practice and the focus will be more on your creativity and experience on the day rather than making polished and resolved work. This day is all about connecting your creativity with the natural world. 
 
We'll be based at Millfield Community Garden in Thurmaston ( not the jewellery school) a beautiful, artist and communinty led garden space which ia gorgeous combination of cultivated and wild spaces. This will be an out door experience although there is a covered area if it rains or shines. We'll be using an open fire to anneal metal and char wood and letting the environment inspire our work. 
 
The community garden is off-grid but has a (surprisingly pleasant) composting toilet. The ground is uneven so may not be suitbale for those who require disabled access (please get in touch if you want to know more about the accessibility at Mill Filed Garden). 
 
There is on site free parking but if you plan to come on public transport then trains are available to Syston Station and then a bus to the Thurmaston Forest Avenue stop. It's then just a few minutes walk to the garden. 
 
CLASS DETAILS
Date:  Saturday 5th July 2025
Times: 11 - 4.00
Venue: Mill Field Community Garden, Mill Lane, Thurmaston, Leicester LE4 8AF
Fee: £110
Class size: six
 
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Who is this class suitable for?
makers and creatives at all levels

What will I make?
You will make a selection of samples and experimental pieces created from the natural environment at the garden. The focuas will be on wearable objects but you are free to work on creating sculptural pieces too if you prefer. 

What will I learn?
You will explore ways of working with natural and delicate materials in a low tech and hand built  methods. We'll show you techniques include binding, wrapping, trapping, threading, stringing, clamping, enclosing, pinning, pegging and stitching to contruct your work. You'll be allowed space and time to respond creatively to the environment around you and learn to create pieces as a response to the garden. You'll be encourgaed to be curious, experimental and courageous in your work. 

What is included?
All tools, equipment and materials are included. We'll have a range of hand powered tools to use - drills, saws, craft knifes, files and we'll be annealing metal on an open fire. You'll have copper, wire, thread and cord to create findings and fastings. Materials will be be foraged from the environment on the day.