photos from beginner workshop, Claydon, July 2019

Due to a cancellation...........

Due to a cancellation, there is now one room available on week 2 of my ecoprint retreat in Brittany, France. It's a beautiful large room and can be booked for single occupancy, for a couple ( superking size bed) or as a twin room ( 2 x 3 ft divans)
Very small group size will mean lots of individual attention, and the food and surroundings will be superb.

Residential ecoprint ,shibori and natural dyes in Portugal May 3rd - May 13th 2019

Co- facilitated  with Nicola Brown

"Join us in beautiful southern Portugal to immerse yourself in an eco printing extravaganza! From collection at Faro Airport to the wonderful surrounds of the Algarve Art Retreat near Loulé we look forward to welcoming you to this beautiful rural location. Join us as we gather local vegetation, explore eco print, natural dye and shibori possiblities then transform this knowledge into beautiful fabric or up-cycled clothing. This year we offer one exclusive ten day retreat to facilitate a creative, comfortable and relaxed environment."

10 nights shared or single accommodation (non smoking) at the beautiful 

Total immersion into an exciting textile adventure with 

• One non workshop day with an optional excursion into nearby Loulé with Nicola and Caroline to visit the market and absorb the local culture. There are many beautiful things to see and do in this small city

• We anticipate a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 14 workshop participants depending on whether people opt for shared or single accommodation. Small numbers ensure that everyone gets plenty of individual attention. A number of non workshop participating partners are welcome to attend by arrangement
• Public exhibition of participants' work at the end of the retreat
• Wrap up gala dinner and drinks
• Transport back to Faro Airport after breakfast on Monday 13th May

NB This retreat is suitable for both experienced textile artists and total beginners

Prices range from €1700 sharing to €2700 single per person at the Algarve Art Retreat for the ten days and include all excursions and meals as per the programme above. The retreat fee includes all the necessary dyes, mordants and tannins that we will be using during class. A materials list will be provided for participants. On the evenings that dinner is not provided participants will be free to relax on site or dine out in one of the local Portuguese restaurants. Taxis are a very easy way of getting around but some of the accommodation has its own simple kitchen facilities and it may also be possible to barbecue on site!

Here is a full breakdown of the prices for those staying at the Algarve Art Retreat.....

Cantinho do Secreto €1700 shared or €2400 single

Cantinho do Jardim €2400 single (not available shared)

Cantinho do Paraíso €2000 shared or €2700 single

Casa Onrust Bedroom 1 - €1800 single (smaller twin bedroom for single occupancy but sharing a bathroom and living area with bedroom 2)

Bedroom 2 - €1600 shared or €2200 single (larger twin bedroom sharing a bathroom and living area with bedroom 2)

Workshop accommodation at Quinta do Moinho costs €1600 per person sharing or €2000 single and is a simpler option than the main retreat location but is much nearer the market, shops, museums, churches and restaurants in Loulé. Participants who choose to stay at the Quinta will be collected there each morning following a simple breakfast and dropped back again after the workshop ends each night. They will have full use of all the facilities on site at the Algarve Art Retreat each day so won't miss out on any of the fun! We will however be giving first preference to those who book their accommodation on site.

To book, email me  at caroline.nixon@btinternet.com

A 50% deposit now will secure your place with the balance payable in the middle of March 2019. Non workshop participating partners may be accommodated by prior arrangement. 

Please note, retreat fees will be strictly non-refundable so Nicola and Caroline highly recommend holiday insurance. 

1 day beginner ecoprint workshop FULL

August 11th 2019

Long Compton Warwickshire

A 1 day workshop for  people who are  complete beginners, and for those who already have some experience of  ecoprinting but are not yet getting the clear  and vivid prints they desire.

Working with samples of different fabrics you will learn the fundamentals of mordanting, leaf choice, bundling techniques and steaming. By the end  of the day you will have learnt several different techniques  to get the best out  of your leaves.  In the afternoon you will print a  silk scarf using the method  of  your choice.

We will also cover how to  mordant  your  fabric  so that it takes prints better, and also the equipment  you will need to start ecoprinting at home

If you wish, you can  develop your skills further  by continuing with an indigo and ecoprint course  on August 12th and 13th, details below

To book email caroline.nixon@btinternet.com

Cost £100

Ecoprint with indigo FULL

Two day workshop, August 12th and 13th

Indigo is a glorious and versatile pigment that combines beautifully with ecoprint, and can greatly enhance your results.

This course is for participants who have some ecoprint experience - who know how to produce clear prints and understand the basics of mordanting. However I shall also be running a one day beginners course the day before, so beginners could combine the two courses.

You will learn how to make an indigo vat, and how to combine indigo with ecoprint before during and after the bundling process. We will also use simple shibori techniques to add texture and pattern.

The vat we will use will be a synthetic one, because I find this to be the most reliable and tolerant of intensive workshop use, but we will also discuss making organic vats. We will work with both protein and cellulose fabrics.

The course will be held at my home in South Warwickshire and you will have access to tried and trusted foliage for printing from my garden.

Tea, coffee cold drinks and cookies will be provided. Lunch will be 'bring and share' on day 1 and will be provided on day 2

I can provide a list of local accommodation options

cost:

£100 per person per day

Plus a materials fee of £20 to cover indigo, mordants and consumables for both days

To book, contact caroline.nixon@btinternet.com

Another retreat in Brittany! FULL

Good news! The Brittany workshop filled instantly

More good news - we are going to run a SECOND WEEK

This will be a 5 day, 6 night course, 15-21 September

Manoir de Kerledan is a beautifully restored 15th century Manor House offering luxurious accommodation. Working in a spacious studio, we will immerse ourselves in the magical world of ecoprint, natural dye and indigo.The wonderful gardens will provide us with an abundance of vegetation.

Breakfast lunch and dinner will be served, using fresh local produce, some of it grown in the potager at Kerledan. Emphasis will be on European and Middle Eastern flavours, special dietary needs can be accommodated. House wine will be provided with dinner.

On one half day we will have an outing to a local brocante, and to the 'Valley of the Saints', where the 1000 saints of Brittany are sculpted out of monumental pieces of rock. On that day, lunch will be at a local restaurant, at participants' expense.

The retreat is suitable for both beginners and experienced printers. As the group size is small there will be plenty of individual tuition and support for each participant. You will have the opportunity to combine ecoprint with natural dye and indigo, and to print scarves, garments and fabric to use for your own projects.

Dyes, mordants and basic equipment will be provided, plus ready prepared fabric samples for the first day, so that you can get printing straight away

single occupancy €1650

shared occupancy €1320

couple (1participating+ 1 non-participating) €2190

materials fee €50

Non-refundable deposit €250

New!! Three workshops at Courtyard Studio, Claydon, Bucks

beginners/improvers  course  16th and 17th july 2019

ecoprint  on paper  and Japanese stabstitch bookbinding 17 and 18th August 2019

5 day advanced  masterclass 12th-16th October 2019

This is a  marvellous venue, with a large  airy studio, a superb cafe, and access to the  wonderful  Claydon Manor  gardens  to collect foliage

For details, see the  Courtyard  studio website

https://www.thecourtyardartstudio.com/artcourses/

Booking  is  handled  directly  by the  studio, but I would be delighted to answer any queries about course  content

Beginners/improvers workshop FULL

2 day Ecoprint Workshop

1-2 June 2019

Long Compton Warwickshire

This workshop is designed to teach you all the techniques you need to produce clear and vivid prints from botanical materials.

It is suitable for absolute beginners, but will also be entirely relevant to improvers, especially those who are hoping to achieve clearer prints, richer  colours, and greater technical knowledge

Day 1  - can be taken as a  one day workshop

Today we will be making samples, using a variety of different fabrics and techniques. I will provide all the fabric you need, some of which will be mordanted ready for you. You will work with silk, wool and linen. (If you are a felter you are welcome to make a small sample using your own felt)

You will learn what equipment you need to start ecoprinting (inexpensively) at home

You will learn about mordants, and mordant some fabric or garments ready for day 2

Day 2

You will spend the day putting your new skills to use, printing  scarves and garments

We will also discuss how to source suitable fabrics, including charity shop finds to upcycle

You will go home with at least 2 beautiful wearable items, or fabric to sew into garments at home

We will not be combining natural dye with ecoprint this time. This will be covered  in a future workshop

What is included

Fabric samples for day 1

Mordants

Foliage (you are welcome to bring your own too)

Tea, coffee, soft drinks, biscuits

On day one we will arrange a ‘ bring and share’ lunch. Those travelling from afar will be able to obtain their contribution at our excellent  village shop

On day 2 lunch will be provided

Accommodation is not included, there are excellent b and bs and hotels nearby, info on request

Price:

1 day £100

2 days £200

To book, please contact 

caroline.nixon@btinternet.com to request a booking form

There will be 8 places  on day 1 and 5 places  on day 2

Ecoprint retreat Manoir de Kerledan Brittany FULL

This workshop is FULL, but due to demand  we will be a  running a second- please enquire

Manoir de Kerledan is a beautifully restored 15th century Manor House offering luxurious accommodation. Working in a spacious studio, we will immerse ourselves in the magical world of ecoprint, natural dye and indigo.The wonderful gardens will provide us with an abundance of vegetation.

Breakfast lunch and dinner will be served, using fresh local produce, some of it grown in the potager at Kerledan. Emphasis will be on European and Middle Eastern flavours, special dietary needs can be accommodated. House wine will be provided with dinner.

On one half day we will have an outing to a local brocante, and to the 'Valley of the Saints', where the 1000 saints of Brittany are sculpted out of monumental pieces of rock. On that day, lunch will be at a local restaurant, at participants' expense.

The retreat is suitable for both beginners and experienced printers. As the group size is small there will be plenty of individual tuition and support for each participant. You will have the opportunity to combine ecoprint with natural dye and indigo, and to print scarves, garments and fabric to use for your own projects.

Dyes, mordants and basic equipment will be provided, plus ready prepared fabric samples for the first day, so that you can get printing straight away

Prices:

Single occupancy of double room ensuite 1950 euros

Shared occupancy twin room ensuite - 3 foot divans 1550 euros

Couple sharing, with one  not participating  in the  workshop 2500 euros  for both

Materials fee 50 euros

Transfer from a local airport (probably Rennes but subject to confirmation of 2019 airline timetables) can be arranged at additional cost. The Manor is within easy reach of Roscoff and St Malo ferry ports

Booking opens on Saturday 17th November 2018. A 250 euro deposit (non refundable) will secure your place. Contact info@kerledan.com to book.

For more information about Manoir de Kerledan visit kerledan.com

plans in the pipeline for 2019

2 day beginners workshop

2 day ecoprint with natural dye

2 day indigo with ecoprint

2 day tannins and  iron

3 day print and sew a tunic

3 day upcycling your charity shop finds with ecoprint natural dye and indigo

7 day luxury residental retreat in Brittany

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