A Maker destined to make you smile:

Nestled just outside the rural village of Hepworth, on the Suffolk/Norfolk border, you will find a modern, spacious and bright studio. The owner of this studio is the lovely Maker who goes by the name of Jo. 

Every student that attends Jo's workshops, or receives her top quality sculpture kits, are thrilled by the results they can achieve and by the quality of the service they receive from Jo.

We are thrilled to introduce you to Jo and her studio in this blog, we hope it inspires you to find a new creative passion and maybe laugh along the way, there is a story about a goat that really made us giggle...

 

 

The lovely Jo enjoying a cuppa with her creations!

Q1. When did you start teaching workshops?

I’ve been teaching workshops in different genres for decades so feel very much at home with the whole process.  The sculpting workshops have been running since mid 2019 and I’m constantly enhancing and evolving the experience for my lovely guests.

 

A beautifully equipped, countryside studio

Q2. Tell us about your workshop space/ surroundings. 

 

We live in a very rural and beautiful location with over 3 acres of grounds.  Andy, my husband, built me my studio which is nestled in trees, so it’s very peaceful.  The studio is 30 sq mtrs with lots of huge windows down to the ground so you feel you are working outside.  There are two large glass sliding doors to allow plenty of fresh air.  For extra hot or cold days, I have air conditioning so it’s very adaptable.

I have a large bird feeder just outside the studio which attracts a multitude of birds, which fascinate my guests.  We are also planning a water feature which will hopefully be in by winter 2021. 

I’m an ‘early bird’ and my favourite time in the studio is at dawn when there’s not a sound apart from the birds waking up.  It’s a very special space and I’m incredibly lucky to have it.

 

Jo has ensured there is space for social distancing

Q3. Tell us about the variety of courses on offer?

 

My main courses are in sculpture.  I run one day hare sculpture workshops where you can create your own sitting, running or leaping hare with a gilt bronze finish.  This workshop has evolved over time and the day is broken down into bite size sections of building the hare with me guiding all the way.  I’ve yet to have anyone leave without a fabulous hare sculpture they have made themselves.  The day is absorbing and bags of fun!

The two day sculpture workshops are there for people to make larger pieces.  Subject matter for the sculptures could be chosen from photos of previous work made or photos of subject matter can be emailed to me.  Andy and I then assess it for ‘feasibility’ over 2 days and what welding/armature work is needed to make it ready for the workshop.  We have enormous fun on these workshops and guests are always amazed at what they achieve.

I have also created kits for on-line purchase to make at home.  The kits came from guest demand at workshops when they asked to take components home to continue making further sculptures.  Covid lockdowns gave me the time to make detailed instruction videos and develop the kit contents (I just loved this bit!!).  I have been amazed at how well the kits have taken off and am constantly overwhelmed by the lovely photos and positive emails I receive back. 

 

Students always have fun on Jo's workshops

Q4. Please tell us about your team. 

 

I have always had a passion for sculpture – I remember when I was about 12 making an elephant out of a concrete block using just a rasp.  I’m not sure who was more shocked – myself at actually making it – or my Mum on seeing the fine layer of concrete dust over the whole of the kitchen.  However, I did not end up with any creative career due to sensible life getting in the way.  Over the years I’ve had hobby businesses, including developing and selling one of the first ‘Baby Hands & Feet’ Casting kits (which actually sold in the London National Portrait Gallery shop!).  It was not until a few years ago that I was able to focus more time on my art. 

Andy, my very patient husband, is the business’s welder, making the base stands for the workshops and kits.  We collaborate over the two day workshop ideas that are sent in.  As nearly all the sculptures are destined for outside, Andy will look at stability aspects and what steel & welding is needed.  I will look at them for ‘doability’ in two days and develop a work plan.  Andy and I also work together to prepare materials for workshops & kits – cutting armature wire, bagging up clay, pulling together components etc.

Finally Tula, Mia & Olive.  The muses for my ‘sleeping cat’ and ‘faithful dog’ sculpture kits!  Tula & Mia are our Cockapoo dogs, who are pampered by guests and wander into the studio from time to time.  Olive, our cat, is a bit more aloof, but often will end up sleeping in an open handbag!

 

Andy, hard at work welding

Q5. Describe a typical month as a maker/tutor.

Both the workshops and kits require a staggering range of equipment and materials, so I am constantly checking stock levels and ordering top-ups. 

Andy and I work a month ahead for the sculpture stands and armatures to ensure we obtain steel in time and Andy can schedule welding.  This is particularly important for the Two Day workshops due to the individual sculpture requirements.

Preparation is key for smooth flowing workshops!  I meticulously work out each one day workshop starting two weeks in advance sending out emails to guests asking what ‘pose’ they would like to make their hare in.  In the week leading up to a workshop I make up their individual hare armatures reflecting that pose, then the day before I set up the workshop going through each step in my head to ensure all the materials and equipment are ready at hand.  Guest go home with a ‘goodie bag’ including touch-up paint & brush and information on the products used during the day. 

For the kits, I have the contents split into those I can prepare in advance in batches (instructions, dry goods & equipment) and those I complete individually when orders come in (paint, gilt cream, plaster etc).  I have a vacuum sealer that is invaluable for providing that extra protection to vulnerable products.  I’m lucky in having a small Post Office within 5 minutes for postage and I arrange for DHL/DPD to collect the larger kits.

I’m also always working on new aspects for workshops and ideas for kits, plus there is a surprising amount of admin and correspondence, so the studio is constantly buzzing!

I’m a newbie to social media, but keep my Facebook page topped up with ‘antics from the studio’ reflecting what is going on.

 

Tula always loves the attention she gets from students

Q6. Do you also craft in you spare time, are there other crafts that you enjoy?

 

I love abstract painting! I find it difficult not to ‘go big’ resulting in many of my paintings at least 1.5 mtr square – thank goodness I have a large studio ?  I use cold wax and oil which allows multiple layers that you can scrape back to reveal underlaying colours and textures.

 

A close-up of a student adding details to her piece

Q7. What advice would you give to other people looking to teach their skill?

 

In 2020 I retired from being a start-up business advisor and over the decades I’ve met with many highly skilled crafts and art people wishing to earn an income from their passion.  In a nutshell, here are a few of my top pieces of advice:

• Ask yourself what you want out of running the workshops. If it’s income, then scrutinise all costs not only associated with the actual workshop, but of running a business (insurance, marketing, travel, hiring facilities etc).  If it’s for sharing and social reasons (and you have the finance to back yourself), then making a profit is not so important. 
• Take care not to ‘lose the love’ of your art or craft by putting yourself under too much pressure.
• Preparation and communication are paramount to a smooth and minimal stress workshop. Think your workshop through process by process and ensure you have all the supplies and equipment lined up.  Communicate with your guests in the days leading up to the workshop.

 

Another very happy student with her sculpture

 

• Find unique features to add to your workshop which will make you stand out. Consider any products that can be sold to guests whilst they are there.
• Give guests their own tools and good space if possible. They are there for an experience which should be as pleasurable as possible.  Try to not talk too much about their work or life (unless they want too) as part of the enjoyment is getting away from their everyday life.
• Test the workshop out on friends and ask them to bring someone who is a stranger to you as well. That way you get used to dealing with people who you do not know.  Use this test to learn how to tweak your day to the benefit of your guests and yourself (and continue to do so once up and running!).
• Beware of offering lunch unless you really do have a lot of free time to cater for this. Although I provide a range of beverages & snacks during the day, I ask people to bring their own lunch and this has never been an issue.
• Finally, you can have the most amazing workshop in the world, but if people cannot find out about it, you will not get bookings. So marketing is paramount to ongoing success and Craft Courses have been the key to my marketing plan.  They are top of Google’s search engine for all things ‘crafting’ and will get people to your door.

 

Can you guess the story behind this one?

Q8. What is the funniest thing to ever happen on one of your courses?

 

Oh blimey!  We are always laughing in the studio as sculptures evolve ?.  Most will go through an ugly stage and often I hear the cry ‘oh no, I’m making a kangaroo!’, but I know it’s just a passing stage.

In the two day workshop guests often ask to make unusual sculptures.  Recently one wonderful Dutch lady made a goat. Prior to these workshops Andy & I spent a lot of time preparing the armature and getting the underlying structure in place for the guest to work around.  With the goat I considered the horns, ears, beard, wattles etc. 

My guest was thrilled with the armature, and by the end of day one she had completed the goat to plastered stage which would dry overnight.  Just as all four guests were packing to go home, she exclaimed in her wonderful Dutch accent ‘Jo - he has no balls!’  She was insistent this was rectified.  So whilst I worked out how we would achieve this, everyone pulled out their various mobile phones, ipads etc and started to google ‘size of a goats scrotum’ and various other wording.  I could imagine the ‘google police’ sirens hurtling my way.  Everyone stayed late to watch the (rather large) addition of the appendage, which the next day was painted in gold to celebrate his virility. 

 

Certainly made everyone smile

Want to join our Maker community?

 

Would you like to earn an income from your creative passion? You too can promote your craft workshops, online classes, craft kits & finished items through CraftCourses. It is totally free to sign up and add listings, we will only take a payment once we have secured you a booking or order. It's easy to do, please sign up and if you have any questions that we can help with don't hesitate to contact us.