North London has plenty of design courses to get you making your own pottery, art prints and clothing. From Camden to Hampstead, here’s our round-up of the coolest design classes and workshops north of the Thames.
This trendy homeware shop in Caledonian Road hosts a number of cool workshops and classes. There are courses in how to knit a throw (£50); designing your own jewellery (£40); life drawing (£18-32); crafting neon signs for your wall (£59); and making hand-stitched hardback notepads (£30). For the more adventurous, there’s a course in “naughty nipple tassel making”. Many of the classes are combined with alcohol, too.
Head to a class at Print Club London, and make your own works of art. There’s a beginner’s workshop, where you’ll learn the basics of printing on paper (£65); an in-depth, two-day screen printing course (£160); and a class in t-shirt and tote bag printing (£65).
Abigail Ahern
Shop
Leading interior designer Abigail Ahern offers a series of workshops in how to decorate your home. These include full or half-day classes where Ahern will show you around her London homes, and give you tips on how to style your space. There’s also a 90-minute ‘masterclass’ in flower arranging for £20, including coffee. The renowned brand also boasts a great selection of furniture, homeware and plants. Think side-tables made from mango wood, jute-woven rugs, funky convex mirrors and potted cacti.
Central Saint Martins
Building, University, School
“She studied sculpture at Saint Martin’s College,” as Jarvis Cocker of Pulp sings – head to this funky college for a plethora workshops. There’s a range of classes for all abilities in art, fashion, design, architecture, photography, and theatre. Try a one-week introduction to caricaturing (£580); a four-day workshop in architectural drawing (£545); or a two-day course in drapery (£295). According to Central Saint Martins, it has the UK’s largest selection of short course programmes for arts, design and performance.
Turning Earth Ceramics
Concert Hall
Courtesy of Turning Earth Ceramics
Make some pottery in a class at Turning Earth Ceramics, which has studios in Hoxton and Argall Avenue. The social enterprise offers eight or 12-week courses in making your own clay masterpieces, using both hand techniques and wheel throwing. There’s an extra charge (usually £1-2) for getting your work glazed. Prices start from £190 for eight weeks or £285 for 12 weeks. Classes last for two-and-a-half hours and are limited to 12 people, so you’ll get plenty of attention.
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Raw Ceramic Workshops
Art Gallery, Building
Spin some pottery at Raw Ceramic Workshops. Led by master-of-clay Matthew Raw, these evening weekday courses will get you making your own pots, bowls and mugs in no time. Courses include an introduction to hand-building techniques (£95); tile-making (£95); and a workshop where you’ll make your own plastic mould so you can create multiple copies of your product (£95). Most programmes last for three sessions and include all materials.
The Workbench London
Add some personalised style to your fingers and design a ring with The Workbench London. You’ll carve a mould for your ring using jeweller’s wax, and then leave company owners Katie and Kirstie to make the jewellery for you. They’ll professionally polish and deliver the ring to you within two to three weeks. Prices start from £69, depending on the package you choose. The company hosts its workshops across the capital, including North London, and elsewhere in the UK.
Check The Workbench London’s website for future dates. The Workbench London, various locations across London, UK
Ceramics Sculpture Studio
Building, Store
Courtesy of Ceramics Sculpture Studio
If making clay bowls and vases is your thing, then take a class run by Ceramics Sculpture Studio. Founded by ceramic artist Cosmin Ciofirdel in 2015, the studio offers a range of classes for beginners – such as taster sessions (£35) and a five-week crash course (£280) – through to professional artists. You’ll learn all about the art of hand-building clay, including pinching and molding techniques, as well as throwing pottery on a wheel, glazing and firing. Classes must be booked in advance and are run in small groups (between 4-8 people), so you’ll be well looked after.
Little Hands Design
School
Courtesy of Little Hands Design
From £18, fashion your own patterned wide-leg trousers, lace or plain tops using Ted Baker suit materials and cushions (even heart-shaped pillows for Valentine’s Day). There is also a more comprehensive course in dressmaking and tailoring, over five (£100) or ten weeks (£150). Sessions are suitable for adults and children, and most include materials.
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