During London Craft Week 2021, embrace the sheer reach, diversity and serendipity that London offers as one of the world’s greatest creative capitals. From hands-on workshops to culinary masterclasses and tastings, engage with extraordinary craftsmanship while learning skills and techniques directly from artists-makers-designers and chefs.
Find out more about the workshops and culinary experiences taking place during LCW 2021 below.
Image: Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Rooms exhibition at Tate Modern
Monday 4 October
From 18:00 – 20:00, join artist Emi Horley for a workshop, inspired by Tate Modern’s Yayoi Kusama Infinity Rooms, that aims to help people understand the world of Yayoi Kusama, particularly her visual and mental engagement with spots and dots. This creative activity of folding large spotty handkerchiefs into headscarves, neckerchiefs, bandanas and wearable shapes is for Disabled and Neurodiverse Audiences Only. This event is part of the Terra Foundation for American Art Series. Book now.
Image: JIJI x KI NO BI
Tuesday 5 October
At 16:00 or 18:30, join Pantechnicon’s Japanese drinks curator, Natsuki Kikuya, to sample a range of sake in Sghr’s handcrafted Kikino glasses; a collection of eight small glasses designed to show the full flavour potential of sake. This is your chance to experience how different vessels can affect your tasting impression. Book now.
From 17:30 – 19:00 join illustrator, print and wallpaper maker, Nicholas Hughes, for an interactive hand printing workshop at Earl of East. From wallpapers to endpapers for books, discover how each step of the design process informs the energy and vibe of a repeat pattern. Book now.
From 18:00 – 20:00 taste the best of Japan with JIJI and KI NO BI at Islington Square. KI NO BI is providing a gin tasting of some of its most interesting and delightful flavours, while JIJI serves up unique and inspiring Japanese dishes to complement the gins. This tasting is also available on Thursday. Book now.
At 18:30 learn about the history of Pierre Hermé and his wonderful world of macarons and chocolate in a special in-store tasting event, with the opportunity to sample delicious Parisian treats. This tasting is also available on Thursday. Book now.
Starting at 19:00 the Institute of Digital Fashion invites you to Samsung KX to explore the tools that the driving force behind fashion and digital innovation today; from immersive AR retail experiences to digital garments and avatars. Book now.
Image: Adam Nathaniel Furman at the London School of Mosaic
Wednesday 6 October
Starting at 10:00 or 14:00, join The London School of Mosaic and designer, Adam Nathaniel Furman to translate one of his colourful and intricate designs into mosaic during a three-hour workshop session. After this workshop, participants can expect to have a good understanding of how a design idea can be realised in mosaic. Book now.
From 10:30 join letterpress typographic designer and printmaker, Alan Kitching, for a day-long workshop where participants will gain an insight into the use of different letterforms and founts and the complexity of compositing; how to ink blocks for passing through the press; and how to achieve different colour effects via numerous impressions. At the end of the day, participants take home a personally executed artwork. Book now.
At 10:30 for an hour and a half, discover how incorporating herbs into your lifestyle can benefit health and improve wellbeing. This essential oils workshop for the body and mind is hosted by Hackney Herbal Essentials, who grow their herbs in private, public and community gardens across East London. During this workshop you will be served fresh mint tea, which is grown onsite at Fabrica X’s vertical farming units. This workshop is also available on Thursday at 13:00. Book now.
From 14:00-17:00, British bespoke shirtmaker Turnbull & Asser and artist Harriet Smith host a workshop celebrating textile design, colour theory and the heritage brand’s 135-year-old archive. Book now.
18:00 – 21:00 join Cubitts at their new state-of-the-art workshop for an evening of spectacle making. Hosted by their studio team, participants become trainee spectacle makers, taken through the process to create your own handmade frame. Working from sheet acetate, learn how to hand saw your frame, file to sub-millimetre precision, before finishing with a spot of bridge bumping, lens grooving and hand polishing. Book now.
From 12:00 – 13:00 or 16:00 – 17:00 experience quintessential Indian craftsmanship with a leather-working masterclass hosted by Nappa Dori. Stitch and colour a leather envelope pouch while gaining an insight into the brand’s creation and the workmanship of traditional Indian artisans. This workshop is also available on Saturday. Book now.
At 17:00 or 19:00, join Pantechnicon’s head mixologist for an introduction to the lesser-known Japanese distilled spirits shochu and awamori, served in handcrafted SGHR glassware. You’ll sip one crafted cocktail from their KUDAMONO (‘fruit’) glass which is made to mimic the texture of fruit such as orange, pears and grapefruit. A second cocktail will then be served to you in LOMMO, a glass with countless small depressions handcrafted into the base to recreate the impression of chipped ice. Book now.
6.30pm – 8.30pm, join Borough Kitchen for this skills-based workshop at their Islington Square cook school. They will be teaching an abridged version of their signature knife skills class, with a focus on the craftsmanship behind London-made Blenheim Forge knives. Book now.
Image: Iain Burnett, Highland Chocolatier.
Thursday 7 October
10:30-13:30, join artist Christine Nicholls of Inkpot & Pen to create your own word map. Learn techniques in lettering and cartography in this workshop designed especially for the London Graphic Centre, Seven Dials, as part of London Craft Week. The workshop is presented in association with the Lettering Arts Trust. Book now.
At 12:00, 15:00 or 17:00 create their own bespoke Damascus metal key ring and discover the process of creating the waved patterns of banding and mottling distinct to Damascus steel with blacksmith Will Barker at the Takumi Townhouse. Book now.
Join London-based designer, Richard Brendon at 14:00 in Mayfair’s Hedonism Wines for an exciting masterclass that includes the history and future of British glassblowing craftsmanship, as well as an introduction to Richard Brendon’s latest collection London, 1650. Guests will also enjoy English sparkling wine from Rathfinny, as well as three takes on a unique cocktail creation, crafted by HIDE’s Bar Manager Oskar Kinberg, featuring a selection of British gins including Duck & Crutch, 58 Gin and Smeaton’s. Guests will also receive a complimentary Richard Brendon x Jancis Robinson wine glass to take home. Book now.
From 18:00 discover better sleep with anatomē at Islington Square in an hour-long workshop. Hosted by anatomē’s in-house nutritionist and wellness expert, Winder Ton Msc, participants will discover how essential oils can promote rejuvenating, restorative sleep. Book now.
At 18:30, R. Higgins Coffee will be hosting an hour tasting masterclass. Participants will be greeted with a palate-cleansing Espresso Martini (true or virgin), before moving on to tasting three of H.R. Higgins’ most exquisite single origin coffees and blends. While sharing their immense knowledge of their product and anecdotes aplenty, David and Tony guide you through the different elements of the tasting experience and show you how to identify the myriad of aromas and flavours their coffees have to offer. At the end of this very special evening, participants are presented with three sample packs of coffee, tasting cards and a brewing guide to take home. Book now.
Alongside the Unveiled – The Meissen Edition exhibition at 18:30, the curators: Rachel Trevor Morgan, Edwina Ibbotson and Noel Stewart; will be leading a hatpin-making workshop at Thomas Goode. Using Meissen porcelain elements and millinery trimmings, this is a unique opportunity to create your own hat/tie/corsage pin amongst the finery of Thomas Goode. Book now.
From 18:30 – 20:30, join Borough Kitchen for this skills-based workshop at their Islington Square cook school. Here you will gain a two-in-one class that teaches you how to make a perfect espresso, as well as a perfect espresso martini. Book now.
At 19:00 from the comfort of your own home, embark upon an interactive journey of discovery with Iain Burnett, Highland Chocolatier. The Tasting Flight for two arrives in an elegant handmade box with two tasting mats and five award-winning Velvet Truffles each. The flight is accompanied online by a personally guided insight into the world of artisan gourmet chocolate, its craftsmanship and subtleties, presented by Iain. Book now.
Celebrate at 19:30 with Nyetimber for exclusive wine tasting and canapé reception at Nyetimber HQ on Sackville Street. A Nyetimber brand ambassador guides participants through the fascinating story and people behind Nyetimber and the processes involved in crafting their critically-acclaimed English sparkling wines. The tasting includes four of their wines: Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage, Blanc de Blancs 2014, 2013 Tillington Single Vineyard and Cuvee Chérie Multi-Vintage. Book now.
Image: Craft x Design: Bamboo Discovery Workshop with Gamzar
Friday 8 October
At 10:00 visit The Fashion School in Chelsea, a hub of responsible fashion, for a three-hour Make, Do & Mend workshop. Learn different techniques to mend your clothing; an event aimed to encourage repairing and upcycling, instead of throwing away. Book now.
From 11:00 through to Sunday at 18:00, visit Kingsgate Workshops for a celebration of sustainable, luxury and handcrafted textiles. Throughout the weekend, dynamic and emerging artists from the collective will be hosting an array of workshops; from learning the art of Japanese technique Sashiko with Kuniko Maeda and creating your own handmade fabric patterns with Karntida Mahatchariyakul to a journey through the world of Ghanaian craft with Yvette Kissi and discovering new sewing techniques whilst using reclaimed materials with Stella Maris; there is something for everyone. Book now.
At 11:00-12:30 or 14:30-16:00, join Becky Cocks, in collaboration with Bamford, who is hosting an intimate workshop (2 sessions) in her London studio for guests to learn how to make a casting mould for papier-mâché. Each guest will leave with their own casting mould to practise the craft at home. Book now.
At 15:00, a hands-on three-hour workshop on traditional bamboo craftsmanship with contemporary artisan Gamzar. From splitting, bending and weaving the bamboo to handling the materials, participants learn about the language and culture behind this craft, and its creative possibilities. This workshop is also available on Sunday at 14:00. Book now.
From 18:30, discover Scottish craftsmanship with an evening of whisky with Bruichladdich and furniture designer Angus Ross. The evening includes an introduction to Bruichladdich with brand ambassador Abigail Clephane, a tasting of four Bruichladdich whiskies and a talk by Angus Ross about his work. Book now.
Image: Ambar
Saturday 9 October
At multiple times throughout the day, join Mulberry at their flagship Regent Street store for a limited series of workshops in which you can try your hand at leather bracelet-making, in celebration of the launch of the new Muirhead Capsule Collection. Book now.
11:00 – 13:00 join the Ambar team and meet founder and designer Natalia who will talk about her inspiration and processes when designing her textile collections, as well as guide you in designing your own yarn wrap composition– a creative tool used by weavers to visualise the final textile piece. This session involves experimenting with colour and texture, using the studio’s archive yarns. After the workshop, each of the participants’ yarn wrap designs will be translated into a handwoven piece in the studio on Ambar’s tabletop loom. It will be sent to you framed and ready for you to hang. Book now.
Specially programmed for London Craft Week 2021, artist Katarzyna Perlak will be at Jerwood Space from 11:00 – 13:00 inviting participants to embroider a handkerchief with their own personally significant motif or message; to archive personal histories, collective memory and cultural etiquette.
From 13:00-17:00, join Sophie Conran at the Hotel Café Royal for a monogramming workshop led by Atelier Saint Clare. Here you will learn the process of drawing and transferring your initials onto a Sophie Conran signature scallop-embroidered pillowcase using the technique ‘prick and pounce’. The stem stitch and satin stitch which are used to embroider a monogram are introduced on a practice piece, before moving on to the deluxe pillowcase. The aim of this class is to provide an introduction to the art of monogramming. The ticket price includes a complimentary glass of fizz served on arrival. Book now.
At 14:00, 16:00 or 18:00, attend a meditative workshop on Japanese calligraphy using a brush pen, led by Saori Kunihiro from Kyoto, Japan. Book now.
Join Colorifix at 14:00 at The Mills Fabrica for an exciting workshop combining screen printing with the Colorifix bacterial pigment technology. Learn more about how bacterial pigments pose sustainable alternatives to conventional, petroleum dye systems, and how these pigments can be used in combination with traditional and innovative textile patterning processes. There is also be an opportunity to physically engage with the process by screen printing with deactivated bacterially-pigmented pastes. This two-hour workshop is also available on Sunday at 10:30. Book now.
At multiple times throughout Friday and Saturday, join Stitch-School in the renovated Edwardian surroundings of The Department Store, Brixton to stitch around the Stitch-School community embroidery table. Participants will explore the wealth of embroidery stitches, learn together and create a communal supper cloth to celebrate the art of needlework. Discover the benefits of stitching as a form of de-stressing, which encourages making as an antidote to modern life, creating a sense of wellbeing and relaxation. Book now.
At 14:00, the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan presents a rush weaving workshop that accompanies their ‘Lines of Possibilities: Taiwanese Rush Weaving‘ exhibition. It traces the practice’s origins, starting with the memories woven with rush by the households of Yuanli, Miaoli, through to recent innovations in the industry and the emergence of brand creation and cross-field collaborations. Book now.
Image: Tania Clarke Hall
Sunday 10 October
At 10:30 textile designer, Abiola Onabule leads a one-day masterclass in adire cloth at The V&A Museum. Onabule will share the techniques and meanings ingrained into adire cloth made by Yoruba dyers in South Western Nigeria. As well as learning the practical techniques, participants have the opportunity to hear more about Nigerian textile heritage, discussing ideas around cultural narratives woven within cloth. Book now.
From 11:00 until 15:00, Morley College London will be hosting a day of interactive craft workshops at their Waterloo Centre. Led by well-known artisans and makers, crafts range from making a metal wire sculpture and leather card holder to raku firing and stop-motion film making. Find out more and book now.
From 14:00 – 17:00 join award-winning jeweller, Tania Clarke Hall, who is renowned for handmaking innovative and dramatic Italian leather designs. In this workshop at The Barakat Trust, learn how to make a beautiful leather cuff. Book now.
Image: Eataly
Throughout the Week
From Monday 4 – Friday 8 October, TOAST presents Stories Through Stitches; an in-store participatory activity that aims to bring together the TOAST community to foster thoughtfulness and creativity as we forge a closer relationship with our environment, honouring materials by reinventing and reusing. TOAST is providing waste yarns, pieces of recycled fabric and paper from their production to be reused in the collage. Find out more.
On Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:30am-5:30pm, visit The House of Wager to join a hands-on ‘silver spoon bash’ tutored by master gold/silversmith Steve Wager and forge a silver spoon from a bar of silver, gleaning insights into basic silversmithing techniques. Book now.
Between 11:00am-18:30am daily from Monday 4 – Saturday 9 October drop in at Maison Corthay’s Motcomb Street store and watch skilled craftsmen performing glaçage and patina techniques on the brand’s handmade shoes. Learn how to treat your shoes so they look their best and last a lifetime. Find out more.
During the whole of London Craft Week, British lifestyle brand Barbour is running jacket rewaxing workshops in their Duke Street store. Barbour wax jackets can last a very long time when looked after properly, which makes them a very sustainable fashion choice. If worn regularly, a Barbour wax jacket should be rewaxed annually to ensure that it continues to offer the best in protection and weather resistance. Tickets can be redeemed on any product purchases over £100. The workshop is limited to one jacket per person, per appointment. Maximum two people per workshop. Book now.
From Wednesday 6 – Saturday 9 October experience the craftsmanship of Eataly London through hands-on workshops including a cocktail masterclass with Campari, pickling and preserving with Natoora, making fresh egg pasta with Eataly’s La Scuola chef, and a coffee tasting with illy. Find out more and book now.
Daily from Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 October at 12:00, 14:00 or 16:00, go on an immersive journey into single garden tea with JING. Their tea experts guide you through a tasting that brings to life three loose leaf teas of incredible character, craftsmanship and flavour. Each tea flight lasts one hour and includes: a glass of sparkling tea on arrival, a guided tasting of three of JING’s single garden loose leaf teas, plus a Q&A and 15% off to spend in store after the tasting. Find out more and book now.
During London Craft Week at multiple times, Oxo Tower-based wagumi offers workshops in Japanese crafts including Kintsugi and Incense-making.
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery; it is process that uses lacquer, sealants and metal powder to trace the lines of a breakage, and create something new. In this workshop, Kintsugi practitioner Iku Nishikawa shares the principles and techniques of kintsugi. Participants will work on Japanese ceramic fragments, that they are then able to keep.
Incense is a classic smell of Japan: whether used for temples and shrines, or to simply light the home, the country has a lively industry in scent. In this workshop, get an introduction to the processes of crafting Japanese incense, with the opportunity to make your own.
Find out more and book now.
Featured Image Courtesy of Turnbull & Asser
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