Go eclectic with Bonker*s Clutterbucks

Bonker*s Clutterbucks are Peter and Kate, a husband and wife team passionate about making dioramas within old crates, cigar boxes, small pastille tins and glass cloches. 

"We love up-cycling old maps, score sheets and patterned papers which we collect on our travels."

 
Their work is intricate and requires meticulous cutting with a scalpel and delicate construction. 

The duo specialise in 3D hot air balloons and like to create scenes with anthropomorphic creatures in edwardian dress and an air of high adventure.

 

"Our name reflects our eclectic passion for all things nonsense….the second half also just happens to be an old family name!"

Peter and Kate can normally be found working & playing alongside their family in an old corn warehouse in Rossendale and we feel very lucky to have tempted them over the border so that they can share their inspiring and eclectic style as part of our autumn creative workshop program. Book your place now online or via phone 01422 846082

Join in the fun with Bonker*s on: 19th September and 17th October

Visit their website to read more about Peter and Kate 

Polish Pajaki Workshop with Louise Lockhart

proper pretty paper!

We're very pleased to say that on Saturday May 9th Louise Lockhart of the Printed Peanut will be teaching us how to make one of these very beautiful decorations, great for parties and celebrations and to hang over the table!

You may have seen them at the Christmas event 

Louise's stall

Louise says that they're so easy anyone can make one and that it's very therapeutic. It's all done with tissue paper and plastic straws, simples! Pajakis are part of the folk arts and crafts tradition of Poland, when the peasants passed the winter months decorating their houses with all sorts of elaborate cut paper crafts.  And we'll have loads of tea, toast and delicious spreads to keep us going.  

Please note our workshops must be pre-booked!  (Money back of course if they don't run)

Start your own Heirloom Quilt

a quilt made for a friend from her old clothes, bits and bobs

Have you got a special " patchwork quilt" drawer at home full of bits and bobs of fabric?  Old lace, linens and items of clothing that you're hoarding because you love them or because they're mementoes of people you've lost?  Aha, I've got the answer!  Come to my heirloom quilt workshop on Saturday May 2nd at the Egg Factory.

Not many people know this, but I've made many many quilts. And although I'm not naturally a planning person, I've learnt from experience that planning a quilt is the best guarantee that you'll finish it, without running out of fabric or time and that it will resemble what you originally had in mind.

So the workshop will be mostly about planning and designing, although you might get started on cutting and even sewing.   I'll have lots of pictures to look at and examples of the various simple techniques I use. I'm also offering free follow up quilt coaching if you get stuck. Click here to get booked!

Cobweb Felt Window Hanging Workshop

Sometimes you just must have privacy!  Something to stop those nosy passersby from staring in your window.  Here's a new twist on the trad lace curtain from Clare Ashton, master felt maker of Felt Feelings.  

Clare will be teaching us how to make this simple wall hanging at an afternoon workshop at the Egg Factory on Saturday April 25. 
 
Book here soon to avoid disappointment and you'll be going home with your own piece of British Wensleydale woolly loveliness.

Grow Your own Veg Plot workshop

Ha ha spring can't be far away, surely?? are you feeling the urge to grow your own veg? But don't know where to begin?  Have you made false starts in the past, do you have old well meant packets of seeds lurking in the back of the kitchen drawer, making you feel guilty every time you find them? I expect so, I do.

But we have the answer - come to our workshop on April 18th at the Egg Factory and Sally of Kingfisher Flowers will help you plot your plot.  You'll go home with seeds planted ready to grow! Then bring them back on May 30th and learn how to pot them on.  Don't be put off if you've only got a window box, Sally is ace at helping you decide what is achievable for you.

Please book in advance by clicking on the workshop menu on our website
or email us at madeinthevalleyshop@gmail.com

Get some dirt under yer nails!

Making and Doing at the Egg Factory

As part of our crowdfunding campaign last autumn lots of nice kind people bought a voucher for one of our making and doing workshops.  I'm sure they've all been waiting with baited breath so phew, at last we've announced the programme and it will be running over the spring and summer here at the Egg Factory.

There'll be something for everyone, from paper to willow, beekeeping to terrariums and we've gathered a group of talented tutors to show you the ropes.  

Most of them are on a Saturday afternoon, fun, relaxing, and you'll get to take home a finished object, or the means of finishing said object. Plus there will be tea and toast made from lovely local breads and a range of delish spreads, such as peanut butter, chocolate, luxury jams, and more!

To save yourself a place please book in advance by visiting our website
or phone us on 01422 846082 or email madeinthevalleyshop@gmail.com

and watch this space for more posts about the individual workshops as they come over the horizon.

 

Ruby Creagh leather worker

Ruby at her machine

At the astonishingly young age of 21 Ruby is already well on her way to creating a successful business. But she's not in a hurry, and the care she's put into her plan for the future is reflected in her products. Her beautiful leather bags are simple and stylish and designed to last a lifetime.

Ruby has an impressive CV, and it all started with her teenage love of horses.  Disenchanted with A levels she dropped out of school at 16, going to work full time managing a stable yard, followed by jobs at Robinwood activity centre and the ATC in Hebden Bridge. Now she works at the Heart Gallery and the Coffee Station as well as putting in 3 days a week for Geoff at Tan My Hide as an apprentice where she's learning the leather worker's trade, spending one day a week on repairs, and two on making. "I think it's the best way of learning as I can benefit from Geoff's knowledge and skills - much more than I could on a course"

We're looking forward to Ruby using the Egg Factory and hope it'll help her on her way. "I've made useful contacts there already and I think it'll have a great atmosphere." She'll be taking part in our Christmas event on December 13th and you'll also be able to see Ruby's work at Gimbals Artisans Emporium  in Sowerby Bridge on November 16th.