Lino Print Workshop
2024-10-01 09:30 - 16:30 (Europe/London) | Toolerstone House, Norley Road, Sandiway, Cheshire, CW8 2JN, United Kingdom
Join us for a wonderful workshop where you will learn the basics of lino printing with our tutor Kirsty Hall. Lino printing is a very relaxing pass-time, creating print after print with different inks. In this workshop you will create a woodland creature themed design. It could be a hare, fox, badger, a pattern or abstract design – the choice is yours!
A bit more detail
In the morning session you will learn how to develop a design inspired by the landscape, seasons, nature or just bring your own ideas! You will be shown how to balance your design to create a strong composition and then how to carve your lino using specialist tools. In the second part of your day with us you will learn how to skilfully ink and print your blocks by hand and will experiment with colour. You will leave with a range of prints and hopefully a love of lino printing to inspire you in the future.

Dazzling Sunflower Watercolours with Allie Pottinger
2024-10-02 09:45 - 15:45
Join friendly and experienced Cheshire watercolour artist Allie to paint sunflowers in our glass room. Allie will share her skills and give you guidance through out your day, in the light and airy studio space.

Allie will share her process for capturing stunning sunflowers. Demonstrating different techniques, she will guide you through the relevant colour mixes, how to draw the characteristic flower shapes, stems leaves & petals and how to capture light and shadow that make up three dimensional form. You will have plenty of time to practise, explore and have fun with what you have learnt.

All dates are suitable for complete beginners to intermediates. Includes all art materials and refreshments.

Autumn Wreath Workshop
2024-10-08 10:00 - 14:30, 2024-11-05 10:00 - 14:30
A wreath makes a beautiful addition to your home at any time of the year and you can now create your own in one of our Autumn Wreath making workshops.
The unique and beautiful style that is reflected in the stunning arrangements are taught in this step by step one day workshop. Your front door will most certainly be the best dressed in the street, you may even want to keep your wreath on display indoors so you can admire your own handy work!

Hare Willow Weaving Workshop
2024-10-09 09:30 - 16:30
The willow Sarah uses is from the Somerset Levels and is a renewable and sustainable crop. It is the ultimate green product absorbing carbon from the atmosphere as it grows.
The sculptures are made entirely of willow. Sarah’s workshops are run at a steady pace and are suitable for beginners. You will be expertly guided through every step to create a wonderful sculpture of your own.

Stag Head Willow Weaving Workshop
2024-10-10 09:30 - 16:30
Join us for a fun day of creating a fabulous stag’s head sculpture from willow. The willow Sarah, our tutor, uses is from the Somerset Levels and is a renewable and sustainable crop. It is the ultimate green product absorbing carbon from the atmosphere as it grows. The stag’s head sculptures are made entirely of willow. Sarah’s workshops are run at a steady pace and are suitable for beginners. You will be expertly guided through every step to create a wonderful piece of willow art of your own.

Log Bottomed Willow Kindling Basket
2024-10-15 09:30 - 16:30
The perfect introduction to basketry & you will go home with an elegant basket made from beautiful willow & incorporating interesting traditional/contemporary weaves.
Working from a log section bottom the difficult job of ‘upsetting’ (putting in the upright stakes evenly spaced) the basket is already done for you. You will spend the day learning weaves & finish off with a chunky border. Handle holes or hazel handle may be attached if you wish. An easy start to learning the traditional craft of basketry. Please note for those who work at a slower pace there will be a simpler version of the weave/border.
Please note that this workshops assumes that you are able to move around the room/stand for periods of time & have good mobility in your hands/fingers. Should you need any assistance with this or need adaptations before the workshop please make us aware.

Gardener’s Willow Tool / Foraging Basket
2024-10-16 09:30 - 16:30
The perfect introduction to basketry & you will go home with an elegant basket made from beautiful willow & incorporating interesting traditional/contemporary weaves.
Working from a ply base the difficult job of ‘upsetting’ (putting in the upright stakes evenly spaced) the basket is already done for you- it also means that you have a sturdy base to put on the ground in your garden & know your sharp tools wont ‘escape’ through the bottom!

Autumn Inspired Botanicals Water Colours With Kate, Essoldo Design
2024-10-17 09:30 - 16:30
Kate is an artist and illustrator based in Hertfordshire, her original artwork and high quality Giclée prints feature beautiful water colour techniques and metallic details. Kate set up Essoldo Design in August 2020 – she has sold pieces to over 14 countries across the globe and has successfully licensed her work in the UK, Europe and the USA
Why not join us for a workshop and create your own work of art for your home
Based on botanical & organic shapes and featuring a palette of warm, autumn colours and metallics, you will learn how to create your very own, unique piece that combines watercolour, inks details, and accents of gold & silver.
Having gained a degree in textile design and surface pattern, life seemed to take Kate away from her art and launched her into a career in marketing. For many years any creativity was reserved for cake making and the odd craft project. Things changed during the monotony of lockdown 2020 when Kate decided to while away her weekends by picking up a paintbrush. Instantly her passion was reignited and she was soon creating custom artwork for friends and family. As commissions through her Instagram built momentum Essoldo Design was born!
Kate is inspired by nature, from flowers and greenery to gemstones and jewels. She is obsessed with embellishment so, her work features a myriad of dots, decorations and most importantly gold! (although silver, pearl, copper and gunmetal occasionally make an appearance!).
Kate is at her happiest while painting in her studio, listening to an audiobook and occasionally dipping her paintbrush absentmindedly into my cup of (builders) tea!

Autumn Inspired Abstract Water Colours With Kate, Essoldo Design
2024-10-18 09:30 - 16:30

Ceramic Mugs Workshop
2024-10-22 09:30 - 15:00
In this ceramic workshop you will be taught hand-building techniques to produce a pair of matching slab-built mugs. Once these have become leather-hard your tutor, Jeni, will show you how to add an underglaze to provide colour to the surface decoration. You will then be guided on how to carve a simple sgraffito design through the underglaze. Please feel free to bring inspiration for your sgraffito design such as line drawings or photographs of sgraffito or lino prints.
Following the course, your work will be bisque fired by Jeni at her studio and then clear glazed before a final firing. Your pieces will be ready to collect from Toolerstone within 3 weeks.

Autumnal Wire Leaves & Flowers Workshop
2024-10-23 09:30 - 16:30
Join us in our glass room for a relaxing and nature inspired workshop. You will create wire leaves and flowers, inspired by real plants, that you can bring together into a wreath to hang on the wall, or join them with ribbon to create a garland to hang in your house. Learning how to handle various gauges of wire, our tutor Judith will guide you every step of the way.

Scandinavian Style Embroidery Workshop
2024-10-24 09:30 - 16:30
Join Rachel for this slow stitch embroidery workshop. Inspired by Scandinavian simplicity and a limited pallet of neutrals and red you will be shown how to put the fabric into a hoop and use stitch as a decorative embellishment on a patterned cotton fabric.

Christmas Willow Reindeer
2024-11-07 09:30 - 16:30
Join us for a workshop with a festive feel! You will learn techniques that will enable you to make a willow reindeer to take away and display in your home or garden. Our tutor, Rachel, will guide you every step of the way and you will have a wonderful time in our Glass Room. You will be treated to festive bakes and a home made lunch served in the refectory.
Please note that this workshops assumes that you are able to move around the room/stand for periods of time & have good mobility in your hands/fingers. Should you need any assistance with this or need adaptations before the workshop please make us aware.

Ceramic Christmas Houses Workshop
2024-11-12 09:30 - 15:30
Inspired by the festive season you will be creating lasting impressions in clay and using cutting out techniques to make stunning ceramic winter-themed houses. These can be used as a candle holder so the warm light flickers through the windows or as a Christmas ornament. It would also make a wonder gift for someone special. Jeni, our tutor, will guide you through hand-building pottery techniques to create your masterpiece. You will then add subtle colour and detail to the surface decoration enhancing the joyful theme and produce a one off piece that will look stunning in your home.
Pottery has the potential for infinite variability through clay type, form and surface decoration. From vessels to making art, humans have been playing with clay for over 20,000 years. This tactile medium is wonderfully forgiving to work with and 3 dimensional forms are quickly produced.

Gelli Plate Printing Workshop
2024-11-13 09:30 - 16:00
Join us for a stress free and relaxing workshop here @:Toolerstone where you will learn Gelli Plate Printing techniques with our tutor Clare Cosens. Mono-printing on a Gelli plate is simple and fun without the need for a printing press. The gratification is immediate and each print is truly unique.
During this workshop you will explore a variety of Gelli Plate Printing techniques. You will create a number of prints exploring image transfer techniques using magazine and laser images. You can make festive designs to use on Christmas cards or create a piece of art for your home, the choice is yours.
Clare will support and guide you through this process and help you to achieve your desired results. This workshop is suitable for both beginners or people with more experience that are looking to develop their skills.

Ceramic Christmas Houses Workshop
2024-11-19 09:30 - 15:30
Inspired by the festive season you will be creating lasting impressions in clay and using cutting out techniques to make stunning ceramic winter-themed houses. These can be used as a candle holder so the warm light flickers through the windows or as a Christmas ornament. It would also make a wonder gift for someone special. Jeni, our tutor, will guide you through hand-building pottery techniques to create your masterpiece. You will then add subtle colour and detail to the surface decoration enhancing the joyful theme and produce a one off piece that will look stunning in your home.
A bit more detail:
Pottery has the potential for infinite variability through clay type, form and surface decoration. From vessels to making art, humans have been playing with clay for over 20,000 years. This tactile medium is wonderfully forgiving to work with and 3 dimensional forms are quickly produced.

Introduction to Leather Workshop
2024-11-20 09:30 - 16:30, 2024-12-04 09:30 - 16:30
Our one-day leather workshop focuses on making premium small leather goods, such as a wallet, notebook holder, card holder or passport holder.
Join us for a wonderful introduction to leather in this workshop with Jason Stocks-Young of Diamond Awl. You will learn the core basics of traditional leather working techniques including marking & cutting, preparing leather for hand stitching, bevelling, burnishing and finishing. Make a leather item of your choosing and you can personalise it with your initials or you could choose the initials of a loved one as this would make a wonderful gift.

Abstract Winter Leaves & Trees With Essoldo Design
2024-11-21 09:30 - 16:30
Kate is an artist and illustrator based in Hertfordshire, her original artwork and high quality Giclée prints feature beautiful water colour techniques and metallic details. Kate set up Essoldo Design in August 2020 – she has sold pieces to over 14 countries across the globe and has successfully licensed her work in the UK, Europe and the USA
Why not join us for a workshop and create your own work of art for your home?
Based on organic shapes and featuring a palette of winter colours and metallics, you will learn how to create your very own, unique piece that combines watercolour, inks details, and accents of gold & silver.
Having gained a degree in textile design and surface pattern, life seemed to take Kate away from her art and launched her into a career in marketing. For many years any creativity was reserved for cake making and the odd craft project. Things changed during the monotony of lockdown 2020 when Kate decided to while away her weekends by picking up a paintbrush. Instantly her passion was reignited and she was soon creating custom artwork for friends and family. As commissions through her Instagram built momentum Essoldo Design was born!
Kate is inspired by nature, from flowers and greenery to gemstones and jewels. She is obsessed with embellishment so, her work features a myriad of dots, decorations and most importantly gold! (although silver, pearl, copper and gunmetal occasionally make an appearance!).
Kate is at her happiest while painting in her studio, listening to an audiobook and occasionally dipping her paintbrush absentmindedly into my cup of (builders) tea!

Little Winter Houses with Essoldo Design
2024-11-22 09:30 - 16:30
Kate is an artist and illustrator based in Hertfordshire, her original artwork features beautiful watercolour techniques and mixed media details in metallics. Kate founded Essoldo Design in August 2020 – she has sold pieces to over 18 countries across the globe and has successfully licensed her work in the UK, Europe and the USA.
Why not join us for Kate’s workshop and create your own piece of art for your home?
Based on simple geometric watercolour shapes, and featuring details in pen and ink, you will learn how to create your very own unique tiny town artwork that you can customise with a starry winter sky or crisp bright sunrise. You’ll learn a range of useful skills such as colour washes, wet on wet, and wet on dry techniques, as well as a host of different mark-making options and the use of embellishment to add finer details and highlights.

Christmas Wreath Making with festive afternoon tea
2024-11-26 10:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-03 10:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-10 10:00 - 15:00
A door wreath is not just for Christmas! Wreaths make beautiful additions to your home in any season and you can now create your own in our Seasonal Wreath making workshop with Kayleigh, our in-house florist.
The unique and beautiful style that is reflected in the stunning arrangements are taught in this step by step workshop.
Your front door will most certainly be the best dressed in the street, you may even want to keep your wreath on display indoors so you can admire your own handy work!

Lino Print for Christmas
2024-11-27 09:30 - 16:30
Join us for a wonderfully festive workshop where you will learn the basics of lino printing with our tutor Kirsty Hall.
Lino printing is a very relaxing pass-time, creating print after print with different inks. You will learn how to create your own lino block designs to compose a Christmassy image that can be framed as a print or made into cards. You can even try your hand at making tags for presents. . This lovely process is fun to work with and you can experiment with colour and composition.

Christmas Watercolours Workshop
2024-11-28 09:30 - 15:15
Ease into the festive spirit with this watercolour workshop. We will create seasonally inspired paintings that may be made into lovely watercolour cards. From festive wreaths, winter stags to robin red breasts – there will be something for everyone. The day of course includes lots of guidance, full of interesting techniques, colour mixing and a fun hint of sparkle!
Join friendly and experienced Cheshire watercolour artist Allie. She will share her skills and give you guidance throughout your day, in the light and spacious studio space. All dates are suitable for complete beginners to intermediates. Includes art materials, a freshly homemade lunch and refreshments.

Toolerstone Christmas Market - Thursday 28th Nov 6:30pm to 9pm
2024-11-28 18:30 - 21:00
This year we will be holding our Christmas Market on the evenings of Thursday 28th & Friday the 29th of November.
Be sure to book early as this is always a “SOLD OUT” event!
Featuring local makers, artisan produce and a warm welcome for which we are renowned, it’s the perfect way to start to celebrating the Christmas season. Hot food will be on sale as well as other festive treats and treasures.
We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone so hope you can come and join us.
For 2024, we will be running the event across 2 evenings …
Thursday 28th or Friday 29th of November
6:30pm – 9:00pm
£10 including mulled wine and a mince pie.
As always, we are very grateful for the continued support we receive from our guests at Toolerstone. As a not for profit company, all funds received help us continue to offer free places to the care sector in Cheshire.
We have a gravel driveway / path and a few steps on the approach to the house. We ask all guests to refer to our accessibility statement on our website.

Toolerstone Christmas Market Friday Afternoon 29th Nov 2pm to 5pm
2024-11-29 14:00 - 17:00
We have put on an extra session on Friday afternoon due to popular demand!
Be sure to book early as this is always a “SOLD OUT” event!
Featuring local makers, artisan produce and a warm welcome for which we are renowned, it’s the perfect way to start to celebrating the Christmas season. We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone so hope you can come and join us.
Afternoon session on Friday 29th November
2pm – 5pm
£10 including mulled wine and a mince pie.
As always, we are very grateful for the continued support we receive from our guests at Toolerstone. As a not for profit company, all funds received help us continue to offer free places to the care sector in Cheshire.
We have a gravel driveway / path and a few steps on the approach to the house. We ask all guests to refer to our accessibility statement on our website.

Toolerstone Christmas Market Friday 29th Nov 6:30pm to 9pm
2024-11-29 18:30 - 21:00

Christmas Willow Weaving Workshop
2024-12-05 09:30 - 16:30
Basketry (or willow weaving as it has become known) is widely believed to be the oldest craft in the world, dating back ten to twelve thousand years and predating pottery.
Willow weaving in an ancient craft and evidence has been discovered that it was also practised in Roman times. Willow is still used to make functional items but it is also used to produce beautiful sculptures and amazing structures.
The willow Sarah uses is from the Somerset Levels and is a renewable and sustainable crop. It is the ultimate green product absorbing carbon from the atmosphere as it grows.
The sculptures are made entirely of willow. Sarah’s workshops are run at a steady pace and are suitable for beginners. You will be expertly guided through every step to create a wonderful sculpture of your own.
In our festive 5 in a day workshop you will make a heart, wreath, angel, star and a robin from willow.
