Botanical Vase and Coasters Pottery Workshop
2024-07-02 09:30 - 15:30 (Europe/London) | Toolerstone House, Norley Road, Sandiway, Cheshire, CW8 2JN, United Kingdom
Inspired by the beautiful gardens at Toolerstone we will be exploring nature to identify flowers and foliage that we will then use to create lasting impressions in clay. Using your imprinted clay your tutor will guide you through hand-building pottery techniques to create vases and coasters. You will then add colour to the surface decoration enhancing the botanical theme and producing a range of items 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.

Seasonal Inspired Soap Making Workshop
2024-07-03 09:30 - 16:30, 2024-07-04 09:30 - 16:30
Join us in the Glass Room for our hands-on soap making workshop. You will learn how to produce traditional, natural cold process soap using a variety of techniques. The focus will be on autumn harvest, autumn fruits, woodlands (charcoals, tars, saps & bark) & opulent soaps for Winter Celebrations. Working in pairs, you will be guided through the day making a number of different soaps following tutor designed, tried & tested recipes. As the class progresses we will share the soaps we make with the rest of the class, each leaving with 20 different 50g soaps!

Feel Fabulous Fridays
2024-07-05 09:30 - 15:30, 2024-07-12 09:30 - 15:30
Our Feel Fabulous Fridays are all about taking time out for yourself in the beautiful, tranquil surroundings of Toolerstone House.
** PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEL FABULOUS FRIDAYS WILL CONCLUDE ON THE 12TH JULY 2024. WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR TUTORS & GUESTS FOR THEIR SUPPORT **
Book a class (or 2) and enjoy our Coffee Shop, which is open exclusively to those who have booked on to one of our sessions throughout the day. Have a light bite, a brew and enjoy the garden view. We will be serving from 9am until 2pm with last orders at 1:30pm. Please note that we will close at 3pm.
Please note that ALL bookings for Feel Fabulous Fridays need to be made directly with the tutors via the links provided in the details in the Event Details Tab.
We recommend you wear suitable attire and bring your own exercise mat.
If the weather is kind we will hold the classes outside on the lawn.
All classes are low impact and suitable for all abilities. As with all exercise please ensure you are fit & able to take part and if you have any concerns about this please contact the individual tutors as directed below.

Open Garden Mondays
2024-07-08 10:30 - 14:30
We are excited to announce that we are opening up our gardens on Monday afternoons from 10:30 to 14:30. For a small contribution of £10 (book in advance on line) you will be able to come along, enjoy coffee and a cake (included in the price) and escape for a few hours in this lovely, green space.

There is a small gift shop stocked with artisan products from local makers. We hope that you may wish to bring a camera and get stuck in to some photography, or maybe use one of our portable ‘sketching’ chairs and settle down for an afternoon of art.
Simon, our Head Gardener, will be hosting garden tours and answering questions for any keen gardeners. In warmer weather feel free to throw down a picnic blanket and chill out under the shade of one our willows down by the pond.

Coastal Lino Print Workshop
2024-07-09 09:30 - 16:30
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 coastal inspired design. It could be a whale, sea bird, landscape, 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 sea 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.

Pheasant Willow Weaving Workshop
2024-07-10 09:30 - 16:30
Join us for a wonderful willow weaving workshop and make a pheasant sculpture for your garden.
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.

Introduction to Leather Workshop
2024-07-11 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.

Summer Garden Water Colours Workshop
2024-07-16 09:45 - 15:45
Join us for a day of painting summer garden flowers and perhaps a bee or two. Allie will share her process for capturing florals including stunning roses and honeysuckle. She will demonstrate different ways to create delicate petals and characteristics of summer flowers. You will have time to practise, explore and have fun with what you have learnt.
A bit more detail
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

Block Printing on Fabric Workshop (cushion cover)
2024-09-10 09:30 - 16:30
Join us for in our Glass Room for a creative workshop to learn the skill and art of block printing with our tutor, Albert Harvey. Block printing, also known as lino printing, is a relief print where the image is made by carving out parts of a linoleum sheet. The same technique is used with wooden blocks. In this instance you will be using lino to create your design.

Block Printing on Fabric Workshop (cushion)
2024-09-11 09:30 - 16:30

Garden Obelisk Willow Weaving Workshop
2024-09-12 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.
Learn how to make an obelisk sculpture 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 garden sculpture of your own. A garden obelisk is a stand alone structure that offers practical support for climbing plants as well as being aesthetically pleasing.

Ceramic Birds Workshop
2024-09-17 09:30 - 15:00
In this ceramic workshop you will be taught hand-building techniques to produce a pair of matching birds / doves.
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.

Hare Willow Weaving Workshop
2024-09-19 09:30 - 16:30, 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.

Autumn Wreath Workshop
2024-09-24 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!
The Workshop in detail
We allow plenty of time and provide everything you will need to create your wonderful wreath. We will keep you nourished during the class as we include seasonal home bakes and refreshments as well as a delicious lunch.
Using seasonal, fragrant foliage from traditional spruce or eucalyptus to more unusual foliage that you may not have come across before, your autumn wreath will be finished with a handpicked selection of cones, pods, guords, quince, berries, fruit, moss and more.
Experience Level
We welcome all levels of expertise from beginner to the accomplished.
Timetable of the day
10.00 A warm welcome to @:Toolerstone with coffee & tea
10.30 Introduction to wreath making & techniques used
11.15 Refreshments will be served
12.30 Delicious homemade, organic lunch in the refectory
14:30 Workshop ends but, your love of all things creative will continue.
What is included on the day?
All drinks, refreshments and a delicious lunch are included
All materials and tools will be provided for you to use on the day
An apron will be provided for the duration of the workshop
Free onsite car parking
Your wreath is yours to keep and take home at the end of the day
Do I need to bring anything?
The floristry wire used can be sharp, as can some of the foliage. If you have any gardening gloves we recommend you bring them along to protect your hands and fingers.

Lino Print Workshop
2024-10-01 09:30 - 16:30
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!

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.
