Creating your own pieces of furniture and decorative accessories for your home is a very satisfying experience. Taking short creative courses gives you the chance to widen your practical skills and on the way, create a truly unique item whilst guided by industry professionals. With the wide range of courses available to you, you can learn almost everything! I myself, have taken a numerous amount of short courses; from gilding, to upholstery, and furniture painting.
Les Tuileries is an establishment where I myself have taken several courses and have very fond memories of my time spent there and the knowledge I acquired. Run by Interior Designer Penny Allen, the range of creative courses aim to inspire and educate in creative design, traditional crafts and couture. Set in a 16th century building, the gallery offers the juxtaposition of an old beamed building with fabulous contemporary art and Interior Design. Each course has a maximum of eight students, with plenty of time for individual attention and guidance. Courses include French furniture painting, bespoke lampshade & trimming making and traditional passementerie. The varied mix of courses apply to all levels of experience. There is also the Les Tuileries Design Club, hosting regular social and informative events; with talks and demonstrations from design professionals. Osborne and Little most recently had an evening presenting their Spring collections.
For further details and booking information please visit the Les Tuileries website.
The Make Lounge is founded by Jennifer Pirtle, a magazine journalist with a love for all things crafty. Wanting to find a tactile crafty experience after much hours spent sat in-front of her computer screen – Jennifer Pirtle went on the craft school hunt. Much to her disappointment, short and cheap courses were far and few between; most being several weeks long and old-fashioned. As she searched for an alternative she met many other like-minded people – simply wanting to do something different, learn a skill and have fun. Keeping these people in mind, she created The Make Lounge. Contemporary craft workshops with a stylish and social twist. With an abundance of courses such as: crocheting, screen printing, cupcake decorating, bespoke lampshade making, tea cup candle making and embroidery – you’re spoilt for choice!
For further details and booking information please visit the Make Lounge website.
Homemade London opened in August of 2010 with a simple mission – to celebrate the best of London’s craft designers and to introduce new products and techniques to the capital. Inspired by fashion, beauty and interior design – Homemade London focus on high quality – whether it be in the products and equipment used, or the designers who run the classes. The classes are for all abilities and kept small to ensure you get the personal tuition you need to create objects of desire, beautifully packaged to take home. Work space at Homemade London’s Sewing Cafe can also be hired by the hour, allowing you to practice your knew found skills and work in a creative and inspirational atmosphere. With many courses you can learn how to create your own roman blinds, design your own Marimekko-inspired china, and quick 2.5 hour lessons in Liberty Print Cushion making! You can even introduce your children to craft with Parent and Child Craft days.
For further details and booking information please visit Homemade London website.
For more regional creative courses in your area try the following:
- Most universities with artistic courses offer short, evening and weekend courses.
- The UK’s largest course finder, Hot Courses website also is great as it allows you to search by subject, location and length of course
- Consult with local trade and industry professionals. More often than not they will be able to recommend the correct avenue for you to take, or offer you private tuition if you ask very nicely!
Once you have learnt your new skills, the possibilities to change old and boring pieces in your home are endless..
Happy crafting, creating and up-cycling!
