Genre: Classes

Come join us for a fabulous 4-hour workshop celebrating our fabulous feathered friends, whilst exploring the wonderful heritage craft of stained glass with a contemporary twist!

With a choice of 4 different patterns to work from, suitable for both complete beginners and those experienced in stained glass, will you choose the stunning hummingbird/kingfisher, a cheeky freestanding seagull, an inquisitive puffin or create a petite wren/tit/robin?
Your tutor Kate will start by introducing you to different types of glass and design, covering how to handle and work with glass safely.  You’ll also have the opportunity to see examples of the pieces already assembled and other pieces of Kate’s own work to inspire you, if the surrounding birds in our duck pond and at in the bushes by the entrance at Rheged and on your journey to us hadn’t provided enough already! 

Kate will then guide you through how to cut and shape each individual piece of glass, wrap them in copper foil and join them together using a soldering iron, before applying optional finishing touches such as patina (darkening of the silver solder) or painted details should you wish.  You will be provided with a wide selection of different coloured and textured glass to choose from, so that your bird will be completely unique and personal to you.

All tools, materials and safety equipment will be provided.  However, due to the nature of the craft, please can you ensure you are wearing closed shoes (no sandals, crocs or sling-backs) and that long hair is tied back.  If you wear reading glasses, it is also advisable to bring these for the close detail work!!

As the soldering process does involve lead based products, it is not advisable for pregnant women to attend or those who are currently breast-feeding.  Children between the ages of 16 & 18 are welcome, but must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Kate is a professional glass artist with over 30 years of experience, working with both the Tiffany and leaded-light techniques of stained glass. She moved to Cumbria 7 years ago, and was so inspired by her surroundings that she decided to change career and set up her business North Lakes Stained Glass, creating landscape and nature-inspired work.  You can now find her work for sale online nationally and internationally, as well as at artisan fairs and in galleries across the region.  Her portfolio of larger residential installations and public art commissions can be found on her website www.NorthLakesStainedGlass.co.uk.
Having appeared as one of the featured artists on the BBC 1 TV show ‘Make It At Market’ in the spring of 2025, Kate now runs regular workshops throughout the year to introduce and inspire people to enter the wonderful world of stained glass, as well as offering one-to-one mentoring and studio space at her personal studio based in Keswick for those wishing to develop their skills further. 

Max numbers 6
Min Age 16. 
£85. Additional Material costs to pay on day: £15 (or £17.50 if you select the larger Puffin option)

Please note tickets are non-refundable. Exchanges to other classes by the same tutor may be offered more than 2 weeks before the start date (subject to availability). 

During this six hour workshop, you will make three bangles which you can either leave separate or link together using a charm. You will start off with learning the basic techniques of copper and brass wire,  then when you are more confident, you will move onto our silver.
You will learn various techniques such as how to size, texture, form, solder, shape and polish, leaving with three gorgeous wearable bangles!

Materials are provided in the class but please bring £40 in cash to pay for these on the day.

Gail has a background in fine art and graphic design and studied spatial design at the University of Salford. She discovered the joy of metalwork over 15 years ago and started her own business making and selling jewellery. Now, she has her own jewellery school,  based in the artists collective she is part of in Runcorn.

£95pp +£40 material fees payable to tutor in cash on the day
Max Number 8
Minimum age 16 years
10am-4pm 
6h

Please note tickets are non-refundable. Exchanges to other classes by the same tutor may be offered more than 2 weeks before the start date (subject to availability). 

During this six hour workshop, you will learn the basic metal smithing techniques of sawing, sizing accurately, filing, sanding, bezel setting, drilling glass and soldering. You will leave with at least one piece of beautiful sea glass jewellery that you have made yourself.

All materials will be provided in the class but please bring £40 in cash to pay for materials on the day and bring your own sea glass. If you don't have any already, you can find and buy sea glass on Etsy!

Gail has a background in fine art and graphic design and studied spatial design at the University of Salford. She discovered the joy of metalwork over 15 years ago and started her own business making and selling jewellery. Now, she has her own jewellery school,  based in the artists collective she is part of in Runcorn.

£95pp +£40 material fees payable to tutor in cash on the day
Max Number 8
Minimum age 16 years
10am-4pm 
6h

Please note tickets are non-refundable. Exchanges to other classes by the same tutor may be offered more than 2 weeks before the start date (subject to availability). 

Create an original botanical lino print in full colour, aided every step of the way by artist Laura Sowerby. Using professional quality materials and plenty of elbow grease, you will turn your seed of an idea into a print to be proud of. All you need to bring is an apron.

Laura Sowerby creates intricate botanical prints and handmade wallpaper in linocut at her picturesque studio in the Langdale Fells. Her work has been featured in Country Living, Gardens Illustrated, Country Homes & Interiors and The English Home magazines and shown in galleries both locally and nationally – including at Rheged’s own Great Print Exhibition. Laura is author of ‘Botanical Prints in Linocut’ published 2025.

Times: 9.30am-4.30pm 
Minimum age 16 years
Maximum of 8 in the class
£100
Please note tickets are non-refundable. Exchanges to other classes by the same tutor may be offered more than 2 weeks before the start date (subject to availability). 

Explore the traditional art of etching in this dynamic workshop with experienced artist and printmaker, Jenny McCabe. Using a non-toxic salt solution, you’ll etch detailed designs directly onto aluminium plates. This technique uses wax resists and sharp scribes to create marks and textures directly onto the surface of the plate, we can then explore ways to get interesting prints out of the plates.

This workshop is ideal for all skill levels and allows for a range of artistic approaches. You can work abstractly or draw images and build up tones to create artworks.

You’ll receive hands-on guidance from Jenny and all necessary materials, ensuring a focused and enjoyable creative experience. Just bring your own aprons and sketches or photographs you would like to work from!

By the end of the session, you’ll leave with beautiful prints and the plate that can be reused in the future.

Jenny is an experienced artist and printmaker based in Lancaster, focusing her work on the birds we find in our gardens, hedgerows and fields, using traditional printmaking techniques.

Spaces are limited—reserve your spot today!

10am-5pm
£115 pp inc materials
Max Number 8
Minimum age 18 years
Please note tickets are non-refundable. Exchanges to other classes by the same tutor may be offered more than 2 weeks before the start date (subject to availability). 

During this workshop, you will design, cut and print five reduction lino prints in two colours, plus white. The class is ideal for those who have some experience in single cut lino printing and wish to develop their skills further. It is also suitable for beginners.
The workshop will cover:

• Introduction to the process of reduction lino printing and points to consider when creating a two colour design.
• Transferring the design onto a printing block
• Preparing the block and paper for accurate registration using the Ternes Burton registration method
• Cutting the design into the block, giving thought to how the separate layers of colour will print; and
• Printing two layers of colour with professional water-based relief printing inks using a printing press.
• Learn how to print without a press too.

Participants will be sent notes prior to the workshop to consider and prepare a design beforehand.

Cumbrian based artist Liz Jones is a printmaker, textile designer and experienced tutor. Liz is one of the four core makers who established nest. based in Rheged and has also been an exhibitor in the annual Great Print show in Rheged's Gallery. Liz works mainly in linocut to create original block printed fabric designs, which she screen prints onto linen and cotton.

All materials including soft cut lino, tools and printing ink will be provided for you.

Please bring with you:
* Designs & ideas
* An Apron
* Old Clothes

10am-4pm
£90 including materials
Minimum age 16. Maximum of 7 in the class
Please note tickets are non-refundable. Exchanges to other classes by the same tutor may be offered more than 2 weeks before the start date (subject to availability).