Synergy Studios Craft and Design Nature Inspired
Summer Workshop Programme
Synergy Studios Summer Workshop Programme 2016 Learn, Explore, Create Synergy Studios is about supporting creativity, for beginners through to established practitioners and everyone in between. We are also proud of our location at the foot of the Mournes looking out over the sea, surrounded by nature that can inspire so many aspects of the creative process – design, shape, texture, colour and materials to name a few. Our workshops bring together the energy of nature with craft and design techniques, often including a walk on the beach or in the forest to gather materials and ideas before heading back to make and create with our expert workshop providers. Our summer programme offers a range of half and full day sessions. Lunch is provided on full days and refreshments for half days You will take away a finished piece from all workshops Unless otherwise stated all materials and tools are provided. Our workshops use natural, recycled or upcycled materials
Venue: Synergy Studios. Most workshops take place upstairs so please get in touch if this presents a mobility issue.
June Date and Time Saturday 4th June and Saturday 11th June Half Day 1.30 – 5.30
Workshop Introduction to Fused Glass
Saturday 11th June
Tree of life workshop Creativity and Wellbeing
Half Day 10 – 1.00
Description This is a two part workshop over two Saturdays. Part 1 provides an overview of Kiln Formed Glass, an Introduction to tools, equipment and cutting techniques. You will then be guided in your own project to make a small ringdish/tea light holder and coasters Part 2 involves a review of the results of the ring dishes. the properties and characteristics of glass and heat and production of four coasters.
Price £80 includes both workshops
The Tree of life symbol represents family, balance and harmony in nature, as well as wisdom, long life and strength. In this workshop you will learn about the history and symbolism of the Tree of Life and how it can be integrated into craft design, the healing and wellbeing properties of different gemstones, and wire and jewellery skills. You will use wire and natural gemstones to create a unique and personal tree of life pendant.
£30 Adult £20 Student
Pebble Art Catherine Bradford
This two part workshop is for everyone, all that is required is a love for nature! Discover the beauty and little treasures that the sea has formed over the millennia. A really therapeutic workshop, inspiring and truly rewarding. You will have the opportunity to beach comb for materials that are meaningful to you. You will be encouraged to think creatively and come up with a unique design which is personal to you. I recommend you bring an apron and also outdoor clothing & a carrier bag for when we go beach combing. You will finish the workshop with a completed piece of art framed with the option for a mount.
£40 to include both workshops
Observing Nature in mixed media
The aim of this workshop is to explore the forms and colours found in nature, using a range of mixed media. It will provide an opportunity for experimentation and encourage a more imaginative, expressive and sometimes slightly abstract approach to nature. We will be inspired by a range of natural materials provided, or you could take a walk beforehand and gather anything you are drawn to and bring back to work with. Work in your own chosen medium ie pastels, watercolour, pencils, acrylic paint, ink pen, Learn about texture, shape, colour and form.
£25 Adult £15 Student
Keith Sheppard
Lindy McMahon Wed 15th June and Wed 20th June 2x evenings 7pm - 9.00pm
Tuesday 21st June Half Day 10.30am – 1pm
Naomi Whan
July Date and Time Saturday 2nd July
Workshop Metal Embossing Lindy McMahon
Full Day 10 – 3.00 Saturday 9th Full Day 10 – 3.00
Introduction to Resin Jewellery Lindy McMahon
Description learn techniques for embossing and colouring metal to create stunning effects and minimal cost. In the morning explore and forage on the beach and in the local woods for inspiration. Collect natural objects that will inspire design and content; or sketch, draw and photograph the environment and landscapes around you. In the afternoon, design your pieces and use metal embossing and colouring techniques to create them. You will learn how to emboss copper and aluminium metal using different tools, different ways to colour and patina the metals, and how to protect your finished pieces. You will have a framed picture and piece of jewellery to take home In the morning explore and forage on the beach and in the local woods for inspiration. Collect small objects, plants and leaves that will inspire design and content; or sketch, draw and photograph the environment and landscapes around you. In the afternoon dry and press small flowers and leaves using a microwave technique and design your pieces using images, and painting. You will then learn the techniques of using resins to create your own jewellery and keepsakes. If you already have some, you can bring small found or foraged items to use such as leaves, pressed flowers and grasses to create your own personal keepsake.
Price Adult £45 Student £35
Adult £45 Student £35
You will learn different types of resin and how to use them safely, measuring and mixing resin, and how to and add insertions like petals, sand, charms or other objects into your jewellery. Wed 13th and Wed 20th
Pebble Art Catherine Bradford
2x evenings 7pm - 9.00pm
Saturday 16th Half day 2.00 – 5.00
Macrame And Knotting Techniques Jewellery Lindy McMahon
This two part workshop is for everyone, all that is required is a love for nature!
£40 for both workshops
Discover the beauty and little treasures that the sea has formed over the millennia. A really therapeutic workshop, inspiring and truly rewarding. You will have the opportunity to beach comb for materials that are meaningful to you. You will be encouraged to think creatively and come up with a unique design which is personal to you. Bring an apron and also outdoor clothing & a carrier bag for when we go beach combing. You will finish the workshop with a completed piece of art framed with the option for a mount.
In this half day workshop you will learn the art of macramé to create jewellery using natural cords. We will focus on capturing pebbles and seaglass in your pieces.
You will learn the different cords and materials that can be used, basic knots including flat and twist, and how to finish your work professionally
£25 Adult £15 Student
July Date and Time Tuesday 19th
Workshop Felt Landscapes
Full Day
Naomi Whan
10.00- 3.00
Saturday 23rd Half Day
Wire Wrapped Pebbles And Shells
10.00 – 1.00
Lindy McMahon
Tuesday 26th
Paper sculpture
Half Day 10.00 – 1.00
Naomi Whan
Description Make and design a beautiful wall hanging using wet felting techniques inspired by the natural beauty of the Mournes. We will start with a leisurely walk around Newcastle (weather permitting) to take photographs to bring back to the studio. Afterwards we will use these images to create the wallhangings. You will learn how to make felt from wool fibres and the felting properties of different types of wool fibres, we will explore adding different types of fibres to the surface of the felt to add subtle colour, depth and lustre to create texture and rhythm in the surface of the felt. This workshop is suitable for complete beginners or those who have had a go at felting before. please bring along your own camera.
Price 40 Adult 25 Student
Make amazing pendants and charms using pebbles and shells you can pick up from the beach and using wire wrapping techniques to create them. You will learn the different tools used in jewellery making, how to use wire and chain, how to incorporate natural and found objects, and how to use findings such as clasps and jump rings
£30 Adult £20 Student
Explore the potential of paper cutting, folding and construction techniques to create your own unique sculptural forms inspired from patterns found in nature. With demonstrations and one-to-one help, learn the basic techniques of paper manipulation, pattern cutting, pleating and modular form-making. An experimental approach to the material is encouraged, which will allow beginners and experienced folders alike to explore the creative potential of sculpted paper. You will walk away from this workshop with a number of your own handmade pieces and the paper craft skills to create more that can be used in styling, visual merchandising or party deco as well as just decorating your living space
40 Adult 25 Student
August When Workshop rd Wednesday 3 Traditional Spoon Carving Full Day 10.00 – 4.00 Clive Lyttle Welig Heritage Crafts th Saturday 6 Tree of life workshop Half Day Creativity and 10 – 1.00 Wellbeing
Tuesday 9th Full Day 10 – 4.00
Lindy McMahon 3D Sculpture incorporating Natural Materials Naomi Whan
Saturday 13th Half Day
Wire And Driftwood Wallhangings And Mobiles
Description In this workshop you will learn how to craft a spoon with only hand tools. Using locally grown hardwood timber you will learn how to carve with an axe and then various knives to create your own unique spoon. All tools and materials provided
Price £40 Adult £30 Student
The Tree of life symbol represents family, balance and harmony in nature, as well as wisdom, long life and strength. In this workshop you will learn about the history and symbolism of the Tree of Life and how it can be integrated into craft design, the healing and wellbeing properties of different gemstones, and wire and jewellery skills. You will use wire and natural gemstones to create a unique and personal tree of life pendant.
£30 Adult £20 Student
Making art from nature involves using various materials found in nature (such as leaves, sticks, stones, etc) in a creative way. In the morning you will learn about contemporary artists as well as artists from the past who have been inspired by nature. You will gain ideas and inspiration before going out and foraging your own materials. Afterwards you will be taught how to design and construct your own ideas into a 3D art sculpture. Please bring along your own basket or bag to carry your foraged items. You will have a completed sculpture to take away or exhibit in Synergy Studios
40 Adult 25 Student
In this workshop you will discover how to write words with wire and combine them with foraged driftwood to create wall hangings and mobiles. You will also use old book pages to create leaves, flowers and birds to add to your creations. You will learn how to use tools to manipulate and harden wire, how to incorporate natural and found objects, and a number of paper art techniques
£30 Adult £20 Student
Have fun releasing your creativity. On the day you will be supplied with natural materials such as sticks, pre – cut branches, pebbles etc. Once you have had time to explore the materials you will discuss design ideas before looking at the making process. You will develop creative ideas and your making it skills. You will also get useful help and advice from local Textile Artist and Tutor Naomi Whan, on hand to help you discuss your work. At the end of the day you will leave with a beautiful art wall piece to display in your home or to exhibit at Synergy Studios
40 Adult 25 Student
2.00 – 5.00 Tuesday 26th Full Day
Lindy McMahon Unleash your Creativity Design and Make Challenge
10.00 - 4.00 Naomi Whan
August When Wed 17th and Wed 24th
Workshop Pebble Art Catherine Bradford
Description This two part workshop is for everyone, all that is required is a love for nature! Discover the beauty and little treasures that the sea has formed over the millennia. A really therapeutic workshop, inspiring and truly rewarding. You will have the opportunity to beach comb for materials that are meaningful to you. You will be encouraged to think creatively and come up with a unique design which is personal to you. Bring an apron and also outdoor clothing & a carrier bag for when we go beach combing. You will finish the workshop with a completed piece of art framed with the option for a mount.
Price £40 for both workshops
Wire Wrapped Pebbles And Shells
Make amazing pendants and charms using pebbles and shells you can pick up from the beach and using wire wrapping techniques to create them. You will learn the different tools used in jewellery making, how to use wire and chain, how to incorporate natural and found objects, and how to use findings such as clasps and jump rings
£30 Adult £20 Student
2x evenings 7pm - 9.00pm Saturday 20th Half Day Lindy McMahon 10.00 – 1.00
The Workshop Providers Naomi Whan is a Textile Artist who lives in Dromara. She studied BA Hons Fine and Applied Art at University of Ulster, Belfast and graduated in 2007 with a First class Honours degree. She describes her textile art pieces as being very creative and original. Composition and visual impact are key concerns. Naomi has taken part in a number of exhibitions and has had many successful sales and commissions including work to the Down County Museum in Downpatrick kept in the permanent Applied Art collection. Her work is also permanently on display in the maternity ward at the New Downe Hospital, Downpatrick. Alongside making art and selling her own work, Naomi teaches classes and runs workshops on many different subjects working with a wide range of ages She is an art tutor in Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick and the F.E McWilliam Gallery, Banbridge.
Lindy McMahon is a designer/maker working from her own studio, nestled between the Mountains of Mourne and the seafront in Newcastle, County Down. She has been teaching in the Further and Higher education sector for many years and has also been delivering craft and design workshops across a number of disciplines for over 20 years, involving a wide variety of age groups and abilities. Passionate about the environment and reducing waste, she uses salvaged and recycled materials in her work. “I have a passion for inspiring others to learn and develop design, and to create and nurture wellbeing through the creative process. I am fortunate to live and work in such a beautiful and unique environment where we have mountains, rivers, sea and forests within such easy reach, allowing me to use the local environment to inspire my work.” Catherine Bradford is a Pebble Artist who lives in the shadow of the Mournes at Katesbridge. Catherine has always lost herself in creativity and over the years has developed a passion for her natural surroundings, appreciating how nature grasps the landscape and sculpts everything in its path. Every pebble used in the artwork has travelled thousands of miles, over thousands of years, to rest in the area surrounding the Mourne Mountains. As well as having her work displayed in the Mourne area, it can be found further afield, in outlets such as The Cheshire Cat in Hillsborough and Ballydougan Pottery to name just a few. Catherine has taken part in a number of exhibitions and has had many successful sales and personal commissions, each one bringing an originality and an all important personal touch. Alongside making art and selling her own work, Catherine teaches classes and runs workshops and has a programme of events planned for the months ahead. “Pick up a pebble on a beach and hold the story of the earth in your hand” Keith Sheppard is based in Moyallan, Co. Armagh in Northern Ireland. He established his glass art studio in 2011. The business specialises in the production of kiln formed glass art and focuses on the development of high-end bespoke pieces. The pieces predominantly involve the infusion of metals into glass; and this process gives each piece a further dimension of uniqueness and identity with enhanced vibrant colourations. Glass Art pieces are both Corporate and Gallery orientated and selected items can also be viewed at; www.keithsheppardglass.com Clive Lyttle has been running Welig Heritage Crafts with his partner Elaine Burke from their Smallholding on the Ards Peninsula for over ten years. Both being trained basketmakers, Clive has been developing his own practice in green woodworking and carving including spoons and spatulas. All their raw materials are grown at home, willow for baskets and sculpture, hazel for chairs and cherry, ash and many more for other project. Materials are also sourced during some of their other work including coppicing and hedgelaying.
Booking and Where to Find Us Each event will be published for online bookings 3-4 weeks beforehand. Check our Facebook page You can phone to book; contact Emma on 028 437 26932 You can book via email –
[email protected] Or you can call in to the Shop at 101 Central Promenade
We are here; right next to the Avoca Hotel and just round the corner from Donard Car Park
We Are Here
Project part funded by the Big Lottery Coastal Communities Fund
