Elka

Contact name: Ellie Fisher

83
Total bookings

Rating

(134)

over 6 years
with CraftCourses

Maker's bio

ELKA is a weaving and natural dye studio based in Hampshire. Ellie spent a large part of her childhood living abroad and travelling. The vibrant markets of the Middle and Far East triggered her passion for colour, texture and pattern and this influence is expressed through her textiles. She completed both her BA in Textile Design, specialising in woven textiles, and MA in Design for Textile Futures at Central St Martins College of Art and Design, graduating in 2006. After graduating, she moved back to Winchester to set up her weaving business which she has been running full time since 2015. In 2018 Claudia (Ellie's mum) started working with the business to produce naturally dyed yarns for Ellie to weave with, and to sell on our website. If you are too far afield to join us on an in-person workshop, we have a growing range of online self-paced courses which have been designed to get you confidently weaving and natural dyeing from you home.

Courses, kits & gifts

platinum award

Online on-demand course

An Introduction to Natural Dyeing with Starter Kit. A self-paced online course.

98 items left

(1)

£144.00

platinum award

Online on-demand course

An Introduction to Natural Dyeing. A self-paced online course

96 items left

£90.00

platinum award

Craft kit

Frame Loom Weaving Starter Kit with Online Beginner Weaving Course

87 items left

(2)

£120.00

platinum award

Online on-demand course

Frame loom weaving: A comprehensive guide to becoming a weaver - a self-paced online course

9 items left

£156.00

platinum award

Online on-demand course

Frame loom weaving: A comprehensive guide to becoming a weaver - a self-paced online course PLUS kit

17 items left

(4)

£196.80

platinum award

Handcrafted gift

Hand Woven Scarf 'F*** It #5'

£200.00

platinum award

Handcrafted gift

Hand woven scarf 'F*** It #6'

£200.00

platinum award

Handcrafted gift

Hand woven scarf 'F*** It #8'

£200.00

platinum award

Handcrafted gift

Hand woven scarf 'F*** It #9'

£200.00

platinum award

Salisbury

Introduction to Frame Loom Weaving, Fisherton Mill, Salisbury, Wiltshire

6 hours

Next date: 25th Apr 2025

(9)

£130.00

platinum award

Online on-demand course

Introduction to frame loom weaving: beginners guide - a self-paced online course PLUS kit

99 items left

£90.00

platinum award

Online on-demand course

Introduction to frame loom weaving: beginners guide - a self-paced online course

97 items left

£36.00

platinum award

Salisbury

Introduction to Inkle Loom Weaving Workshop, Salisbury

6 hours

Next date: 14th Jun 2025

(7)

£130.00

platinum award

Mere

Introduction to Natural Dyeing, Mere, Wiltshire

6 hours

Next date: 29th Mar 2025

(33)

£130.00

platinum award

Mere

Introduction to Natural Inks and Paints

6 hours

Next date: 26th Apr 2025

(5)

£130.00

platinum award

Salisbury

Introduction to Off-Loom Weaving Workshop, Salisbury

6 hours

Next date: 26th Apr 2025

(2)

£130.00

platinum award

Salisbury

Introduction to table loom weaving, Fisherton Mill, Salisbury - Two day workshop

2 days

Next date: 28th Mar 2025

(16)

£260.00

platinum award

Craft kit

Rainy Days Wall Hanging Fibre Pack (Materials & E-book)

£20.00

platinum award

Craft kit

Rainy Days Wall Hanging Weaving Kit (Loom, Materials & E-book)

£45.00

Recent reviews

All maker's reviews

28 Jan 25'

Bella reviewed: Introduction to Natural Inks and Paints

"Very well prepared and structured. I came away enthused to do more in my own. "

Elka responded:

"Thank you for taking the time to leave a review Bella. Very happy to hear that you enjoyed the workshop! Best wishes, Claudia"

5 Nov 24'

Madeleine reviewed: Introduction to Inkle Loom Weaving Workshop, Salisbury

"Loved this course! A new technique for me and Ellie was a great teacher and able to give us lots of individual help along with working in a group. Great materials, recommendations for resources and a lovely setting at Fisherton Mill. Lovely to come away with a finished item and inspiration for future projects. Highly recommend!"

28 Oct 24'

Gwen reviewed: Introduction to Natural Dyeing, Mere, Wiltshire

"Spent an interesting, informative and exciting six hours with Claudia and the other participants on Saturday, learning about natural dyeing. Came away totally inspired and eager to try. "

Elka responded:

"Thank you so much for the lovely review Gwen. It was a pleasure to meet you and I'm so glad you enjoyed the day!"

20 Oct 24'

Steve Brookes reviewed: Introduction to Natural Inks and Paints

"The recent workshop I attended—making inks & pigments—was amazing! I signed up as I thought it sounded interesting. Wow! It was FAR more than that! Claudia is a fantastic teacher and the day was nothing short of magical. My background is in horticulture and science. The course tapped into all my interests and then some! Either just a small number of participants, you get a chance to ask as many questions as you want and Claudia’s knowledge is brilliant. We made inks in the morning and pigments for oil & watercolour paints in the afternoon. We left enthused and enlightened and with little pots of handmade paints! We have just moved into our new house in Wales and now have plans to start foraging for and growing plants to make pigments. We can't wait! I can’t recommend the course enough. It will show you the wonder of plants & minerals and just what incredible uses they can have. "

Elka responded:

"Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a lovely and detailed review Steve, it is hugely appreciated! We're so gad that you enjoyed the workshop and will really look forward to following your journey with natural dyes in Wales :) X"