We celebrated Spring Equinox on 20th March and the clocks have just gone forward, meaning that we can look forward to longer days and, hopefully, a few more appearances from the sun.
The birds are already out and about, filling the garden with birdsong and busily collecting twigs and foliage for their nests. Daffodils are popping up everywhere. And I’ve chucked my chunky jumpers and thermals in the loft (please let the warmer weather continue!)
There’s no doubt about it, spring is definitely here!
If, like me, you’re slowly coming out of hibernation with a burst of energy and an extra spring in your step, maybe it would be a good time to get crafty outdoors and learn a new skill?
There are some fabulous spring-themed workshops available on the CraftCourses website right now. Here are some of our favourites:
Spring Wreath Making
A wreath is not just for Christmas you know. Freshen up your front door and welcome visitors with a cheerful spring wreath full of colour and beautiful scents.
Sophie and Luna run 2-hour wreath making workshops at their studio near Wimbledon, using dried and preserved flowers. You will learn how to create a basic base and then personalise your wreath by adding your choice of beautiful dried and preserved flowers for colour and style.
Charcoal Making
Imagine firing up the BBQ in the garden, surrounded by your friends and family, and then being able to wow them with tales of hand-making the very charcoal that’s cooking their food. You would definitely have bragging rights for the whole summer!
Peter Codd at Explore the Great Outdoors in Wiltshire is running a one-day Charcoal Making Course where you can learn about this ancient rural craft. You’ll even get to take a bag of your very own charcoal home with you at the end of the day.
Or head to Ecclesall Woods in Sheffield to learn two techniques with an Introduction to Charcoal and Biochar making on 27 April.
Make your own Garden Furniture
Get your creative juices flowing and make something beautiful for your garden that will last for years and years.
Ian Varley at Rustic Carpentry in Loughborough hosts workshops throughout the year, so you can make your very own rustic oak garden bench to take pride of place back home.
The course is perfect for two people working together, although individuals are very welcome too, and requires no prior woodworking skills or experience. Just bring bags of enthusiasm to the workshop, where you will be shown lots of hands on techniques and use beautiful old hand tools to make you very own unique piece of furniture.
Willow Garden Sculptures
Willow is a truly remarkable plant, which can re-root and grow even when it’s just pushed into the ground. It grows quickly and is a really easy way to add interest to your garden and provide structure for your plants.
The Kate Morrell Willow Sculpture workshops in Leicestershire run throughout the spring and you will leave with a beautiful, small willow animal to adorn your outside space.
You’ll leave the course with the knowledge and skills to create your own willow projects at home.
There is a vast selection of other willow courses to choose from including basketry, planting structures, more sculpture classes and even skep hive making.
Take a look at the range of willow & basketry workshops here.
Grow your Own Organic
The arrival of the sun often means a return to crunchy salads and juicy fruits when we prepare meals. And now is the perfect time to prep your greenhouse, plant your seeds and grow your very own organic produce.
If you’re not sure where to start, why not come along to one of the workshops run by Kim Stoddart at her beautiful smallholding in the wild West of Wales and learn more about organic gardening techniques.
The workshop is suitable for beginners and experienced gardeners alike and you will learn how to nurture delicious home grown fruit and vegetables.
We hope we’ve inspired you with some of the fantastic courses on offer across the country. There are lots more courses and workshops on our website all across the country. So, tell us! What spring craft would you most like to learn this year and why?
