WORKSHOPS AT KILCOE STUDIOS BALLYDEHOB

Here, in our humble and cosy space in Ballydehob, we run a series of workshops. Our focus is on heritage crafts using skills we can share with workshops held by Sonia Caldwell  { weaving, foraging, botanical art },  as well as those shared by invited craftspeople doing a range of crafts and lifestyle skills like foraging, whittling, natural dyeing, dressmaking and sewing. Scroll down for details or contact us if you wish to enquire about these workshops. Some of them can also be organised for private groups outside of our own schedule. See ‘Upcoming Workshops’ page to learn more about what we have coming up.

RUSH WEAVING

Rush Weaving was once a popular craft making everything from floor mats, large plaited baskets to smaller household soft baskets and hats. These long bullrushes, or common club rush grow on the edge of large lakes and, although more commonly found inland in Ireland, we have been able to gather a small amount for our workshops in West Cork.

COILED BASKETS 

Coiled Basketry is a very accessible craft that was done on a large scale in the past in rural Ireland, using a variety of locally sourced materials like Straw, Hay, Brambles and Rushes. Once you understand the technique you can adapt it to make any size or shape you wish and after that it just takes time to go through the process!  Hence, compared to willow basketry, it is not commercialised in Ireland so the only way to enjoy one is to make your own!

FORAGING

The knowledge of whatever grows around us – in the sea, beside the sea, in the hedgerows, woods and other habitats – is the very basis of our relationship with the environment. It is also a relationship that has become damaged, first with our relaiance solely on agriculture and more recently on food sourced and made miles from our home. The basic act of knowing and gathering food sets to restore this and in turn restore our respect for our native habitats.

KNIFE AND SPOON WHITTLING

Tadhg Walsh Peelo has been facilitating these very relaxing and rewarding workshops. Tadhg is a mulit talented crafts person and musician who has a knowledge and passion for sustainable wood craft and will inform you of how to gather and cut your wood before you enjoy the relaxing craft of whittling.

SEWING AND DRESSMAKING 

Tamsin Blackbourn facilitates these extremely popular workshops. They are now held throughout the year on Wednesday evenings and as small, intimate groups of 5 to allow for each person to get assistance. People can work on their own project of either dressmaking or other textile furnishings. Occassionally, we do one full day workshop so please enquire or see our upcoming workshops for details. 

DECORATIVE AND HERITAGE SWEEPING BRUSHES

Using both locally gathered materials, like marram grass, and those sourced further away like broom corn, this is a unique opportunity to make a very practical item for your household that will actually bring you joy to use!! Facilitated by Sonia Caldwell and Nikita Moore.