Celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 with 8 Creative Craft Workshops in Nottingham – led by Women!

by Elouise Makes
The Elouise Makes Blog

The past year has been brilliant for expanding my creative horizons, as I’ve had the pleasure of attending numerous creative workshops to both further my existing skills and discover entirely new ones. So many are led by incredibly talented female artists, designers and makers who share their expertise and passion, inspiring me to push my boundaries and try new techniques!

As International Women’s Day approaches on the 8th March, 2025, I’m delighted to share 8 (well, I’ve actually sneaked a couple more in there) of my favourite workshops that I’ve experienced, along with a few that are still on my wish list. This special day gives us the perfect opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements, acknowledge their valuable ongoing contributions, and champion the empowerment of women everywhere.

1. Stained Glass workshop with Sam Taylor

People working on stained glass projects in a workshop
A stained glass lamp with red, yellow, and clear glass panels illuminated from within
A stained glass artwork depicting a squirrel on a tree with blue sky and green foliage background

Join the talented glass artist Sam Taylor and discover the art of creating your own stunning stained glass masterpiece using the copper foil technique. This fun, hands-on course runs for 5 weeks, with 3-hour evening sessions. Over the duration of the course, you’ll learn everything from cutting the glass to assembling your very own unique design. Whether you’re a complete beginner or returning for more, this course is perfect for all skill levels. If you’d like more details or to book your spot, just drop Sam an email using the address below.

Location: The Simply Amazing Jewellery School, above the Crimson Tree on Mansfield Road in Sherwood
Email: staylorstainedglass@gmail.com

2. Keum Boo workshop with Helen Shere

Silver jewellery pieces with gold leaf detailing, including earrings and pendants, showcasing intricate leaf designs on a textured background.
Silver earrings with botanical designs, featuring gold leaf accents and hand-etched patterns on a white ceramic pot background.

Join Helen Shere for an inspiring one-day workshop where you’ll learn the art of Keum Boo – a technique for adding a luxurious touch of 24ct gold to your silver jewellery designs. The day begins with an introduction and a live demonstration of how to bond gold foil to silver using this unique method and throughout the day, Helen will be on hand to provide expert guidance, helping you incorporate texture and oxidisation techniques to personalise your jewellery piece. Please note that this workshop is not suitable for beginners and you need to have some prior experience of making silver jewellery.

Location: Nottingham Jewellery School, Block D, Hartley Business Centre, Haydn Road, NG5 1DG
Website: www.sheredesign.co.uk/product-page/keum-boo-workshop

3. Stone Setting & Shadow Box Jewellery workshops with NJS tutors Alys Powers & Lex Watt

A jeweller's hand holding a newly set gold engagement ring with a gemstone, alongside images of the stone-setting process by Lex Watt.
A handcrafted shadow box pendant in silver and copper, featuring intricate sea life and organic shapes, created by Alys Powers.

Just in case you didn’t know, the Nottingham Jewellery School offers a fantastic range of workshops and courses suitable for all skill levels. Today, I’d love to highlight two incredibly talented jewellers I know who run courses there.

First up is Lex Watt, an experienced jeweller who leads a fantastic prong and claw gemstones course. In this course, you’ll have the chance to create a variety of pieces, from practice designs to finished settings. Then there’s the wonderful Alys Power, who will guide you through making a beautiful shadow box pendant, using a mix of silversmithing techniques ranging from beginner to more advanced.

While both of these courses are ideal for those with some jewellery-making experience, Nottingham Jewellery School also offers plenty of beginner-friendly courses to help you get started on your creative journey.

Location: Nottingham Jewellery School, Block D, Hartley Business Centre, Haydn Road, NG5 1DG

Prong & Claw Gemstone Setting Workshop – Starts March 5th (this Wednesday!), available as a Morning Class, and as an Evening Class.

Shadow Box Pendant Making – 5th April: www.nottinghamjewelleryschool.co.uk/product-page/shadow-box-pendant-5th-april

4. Bead Making (& other little treasures) workshop with Rosie Kemp

A collection of colourful handmade glass beads on metal rods, showcasing various intricate designs and patterns.
A person using a torch to heat a red glass bead on a mandrel in a workshop, with glass rods and tools in the background.
A glowing molten glass bead being shaped in an intense orange flame, showing the process of glass beadmaking.

Rosie Kemp is a talented glassmaker and lampworker who offers personalised one-to-one workshops in the art of lampworking. Perfect for beginners, you’ll be making your very own beads in just 30 minutes and learning the basics of heating glass. For those with more experience, Rosie will guide you through creating shaped beads and unique designs. As Rosie herself says, ‘anything is possible in glass!

Location: Rosie’s Workshop, Sherwood, Nottingham NG5 3AX

Website: www.bdenglass.co.uk/workshops

5. Jewellery Workshops in Wirksworth with Susannah Brookes

Susannah Brookes working at a jewellery-making bench, preparing materials with tools and a heat-resistant surface.
Susannah Brookes using a jeweller's saw to cut a silver ring at a workbench in a workshop.

Just a short drive from Nottingham, you’ll find the beautiful market town of Wirksworth, home to the talented jeweller Susannah Brookes and her charming studio and retail shop. Susannah is a skilled silversmith who started her journey after a friend gifted her a beginner’s course – much like the ones she now offers herself. Leaving her day job behind to pursue silversmithing full-time, Susannah now uses her teaching expertise to inspire others, helping them learn new skills just as she did when she started.

Susannah not only offers a variety of courses for individuals and small groups, but she also runs a lovely shop connected to her studio. The shop features work from a range of talented jewellers and makers – including me! It’s a fantastic opportunity to see my work alongside many other beautiful pieces from fellow artists.

Location: The Studio at Wirksworth, Institute Buildings, North End, Wirksworth DE4 4FG

Website: www.thestudioatwirksworth.com/collections/workshops-and-classes

6. Clay School with Kit Anderson & Hand Building Ceramics with Sandy Bywater

A collection of handmade clay animal sculptures inside a kiln, created during a Clay School session with Kit Anderson.
A person hand-building a ceramic piece with clay, surrounded by pottery tools, as part of a workshop with Sandy Bywater.

Kit Anderson is a talented ceramicist and accomplished artist with a wealth of experience in teaching and as a technician. She tutors a range of courses at the Nottingham Ceramics School, including the fantastic Clay School, which is available during school holidays. Clay School is an ideal introduction for children aged 5-15 who want to explore working with clay. Clay is a wonderful medium for children to unleash their creativity, and Kit is the perfect teacher to guide them through the process and help them create something special.

Kit was also my wonderful stall neighbour at Lustre last year and you can see the work from her practice on her Instagram page.

If, like me, you’re no longer under the age of 15 and would still like to have a go at ceramics, Nottingham Ceramics School also offers Hand Building classes with Sandy Bywater. There’s 3 different levels, so you can have a go whether you’re a complete beginner or you’re an aspiring amateur and looking for something to challenge your new skills. These six-week courses run in the afternoon or evening. The next Level 1 class is starting on Thursday 24th April and the next Level 2 class is starting on Thursday 12th June. There are also summer schools available.

Sandy teaches the fundamentals of Slabbing, Pinching, and Coiling, helping students create various pieces in Earthenware and Stoneware. The course covers surface decoration, slip techniques, and glazing. Each session begins with a demonstration, followed by hands-on practice with personalised feedback.

Location: UNIT 36, D Block, Hartley Business Centre, Ellesmere Crescent, Sherwood, Nottingham, NG5 1DG

Clay School: www.nottinghamceramicschool.co.uk/clay-school/

Hand Building Course: www.nottinghamceramicschool.co.uk/handbuilding-classes/

7. Botanical Wax Seal Pendants Workshop with Amber Cooper-Green

Two silver botanical wax seal pendants displayed on delicate chains against a fabric background, created in a workshop with Amber Cooper-Green.
A flat-lay composition featuring wax sealing tools, wax samples, and two silver botanical wax seal pendants, part of the Botanical Wax Seal Pendants Workshop with Amber Cooper-Green.

Amber is a brilliant artist and friend based in Nottingham. She is a jewellery designer that specialises in designing and making statement pieces, made from reclaimed hardwoods, scrap acrylic, recycled silver and pre-loved knitting needles. In her Botanical Wax Seal Pendants Workshop you’ll learn how to create bespoke seal designs in wax which will be professionally into brass or silver pendants. I just love how Amber describes the art of lost wax casting on her Instagram:

Learn the Art of Lost Wax Casting

Explore both experimental and traditional wax sculpting techniques as you carve, push and pour wax with delicate floral motifs, leaves, and organic textures into soft wax sheets. Using specialised tools and your own creativity, you’ll craft a personalised wax seal pendant inspired by nature.

Location: Nottingham Jewellery School, Hartley Business Centre, Unit 28, Block D, Ellesmere Cres NG5 1DX

Website: www.ambercooper-green.com/workshops

8. Creative Writing and Mindfulness Workshop by Sophie Louisa Stephens

Illustrated promotional poster for 'Ink and Insights,' a Creative Writing and Mindfulness Workshop by Sophie Louisa Stephens, held every Thursday except the first week of the month.
A relaxed creative writing and mindfulness session with participants sitting on the floor, surrounded by books, notebooks, and warm drinks, as part of Sophie Louisa Stephens' workshop.

Ink and Insights is a beautiful weekly class run by creative writer Sophie Louisa Stephens. Designed to help you write with no pressure to produce a finished piece, this workshop encourages free-writing, mindfulness, and meditation. Sophie creates a welcoming and supportive space where you can let go and explore your creativity through writing. The workshops take place every Thursday evening (except the 1st week of the month) at By Our Hands We Make Our Way, a stunning woodworking studio that also hosts workshops for other creatives and like-minded individuals. I have been a frequent attendee for a while now—it’s a wonderful opportunity to learn more about creative writing and yourself in the process.

Location: By Our Hands We Make Our Way, Unit 42, Sneinton Market, Freckingham St, Nottingham NG1 1DQ

Contact: Message Sophie on Instagram or email on sophiestephens@outlook.com

Thanks for reading! If you found this post fascinating and would like to support an independent female maker, check out silver animal inspired jewellery in my shop. Happy International Women’s Day 2025!

Feel free to share this post, and let me know in the comments which makers inspired you the most. Until next time, stay curious!

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