BUSY HANDS WORKSHOPS
Looking for DIY projects or to learn more about trades in both craft and industry? We will have a unique lineup of experts in the field related to everything from carpentry, papercutting, leatherworking, blacksmithing, puppetry and more.
Leatherworking Workshop 101
Date: Saturday, March 25 2023
Back By Popular Demand a second workshop will be offered on…
Date: Saturday, June 3 2023
Time: 1 PM – 3 PM
Supplies: All Included
Project: Belt
Price: $60.00 (Click Here for Tickets)
Location: Stratford Perth Museum
Throughout time, people have always struggled with the same problem. How do I stop my pants from falling down around my ankles, embarrassing me in public? Our solution today is not that different from what it has always been – a belt. Leather belts come in all shapes, sizes and designs, but have been used as long as we’ve had pants to hold on our waist. While they haven’t always been made of leather, belts are just one example of something that was made by hand. Learn the basics of making a belt by hand, and come away with your very own belt so that you too can avoid the eternal problem of your pants falling down.
Workshop Leader: David Gotlieb
David Gotlieb is a historical leatherworker specializing in reproductions of belts, pouches and other leather items from daily life. He recently moved to Perth County, and is a local member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, which has groups all over the world specializing in recreating pre 16th century life. David has taught leatherworking classes throughout southern and eastern Ontario, as well as in the US. He has researched and reproduced historical leather dyes, and has made everything from belts and pouches, to axe sheaths and rawhide shadow puppets.
The Weird Wild World of Heraldry 101
Date: Saturday, April 1 2023
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Supplies: All Included
Project: Learn about coats of arms, and design your own.
Price: $20.00 (Click Here for Tickets)
Location: Stratford Perth Museum
Heraldry is deeply connected to many modern concepts, and embedded in Canadian culture, official buildings and history. Boring? Not if you know where to look! Behind every shield is a story – some grandiose, some naughty, and some just plain weird. From medieval to modern day, this form of recognition has been with us for nearly a thousand years. Heraldry has a language all its own, and when you’re done, you’ll have your own shield and crest to take home with you, perhaps representing your own story.
Workshop Leader: Desirée Kern
Desirée Kern is an artist hailing from Southern Ontario, specializing in several different media and genre including heraldry and surrealism, fantasy and more, and is a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, which has groups all over the world, joyfully studying and recreating parts of pre 16th century life. (The good parts.) Desirée shares drawing, heraldry, art history and surrealism with everyone she can. She is also an avid kayaker, traveller, and shenaniganizer. Fair warning to those in attendance – there will be jokes, the occasional strange story or tangent, and possibly the worst of unapologetic puns. (Ye be warned.)
Illuminated Manuscripts 101: What’s with All the Rabbits?
Date: Saturday, July 8 2023
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Supplies: All Included
Project: Illuminate and decorate a Shakespearean Sonnet
Price: $20.00 (Click Here for Tickets)
Location: Stratford Perth Museum
Humans have been decorating things since pre-history, and shows no sign of stopping. A popular art form from the days of early writing is illumination, the art of decorating in and around written text. In this workshop, we will play with calligraphy, find out why there are so many rabbits being naughty in medieval illumination, see samples of illumination from around the world, and explore the crazy creatures that appear in prayer books and tomes, as well as create your own decoration around a sonnet in preparation for a Shakespearean celebration at the museum for Stratfords of the World Event and the Stratford Festival’s Spamalot production in 2023.
Workshop Leader: Desirée Kern
Desirée Kern is an artist hailing from Southern Ontario, specializing in several different media and genre including heraldry and surrealism, fantasy and more, and is a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, which has groups all over the world, joyfully studying and recreating parts of pre 16th century life. (The good parts.) Desirée shares drawing, heraldry, art history and surrealism with everyone she can. She is also an avid kayaker, traveller, and shenaniganizer. Fair warning to those in attendance – there will be jokes, the occasional strange story or tangent, and possibly the worst of unapologetic puns. (Ye be warned.)
Past Workshops
Date: Saturday, December 3
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Stratford Perth Museum
Supplies: Included with Price
Cost: $20.00 per person plus tax
Christmas Papercutting 101
Treat yourself to learn a new/old art form this Christmas and have some fun with paper and scissors. This workshop will provide you with lots of opportunity to cut and create Christmas decorations/art and will show you tips and tricks you can use at home. This is a hands on 3hr course and will get you inspired! All the material is supplied and lots of options given.
Workshop Leader
Nelly Hofer is a local artist and illustrator that can turn everyday paper into beautiful works of art. She was a nominee for the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Illustrations and has illustrated four books. Her artwork is sold in museums, shows and online. www.atreeoflife.ca
Limited tickets available – click HERE for Tickets
Course layout
1. Welcome everyone, introduction and a short history of
the art of papercutting
2. Warming up your hands with making a paper star
3. Tools, folding and paper choices. Framing and glues.
4. Exploring different uses for the cuttings and materials.
5. Reduce and reuse. Tracing paper
6. Introduction to: Hans Christian Andersen 1805-1875 Story Teller and Papercutter. Samples and cutting
from the story The Fir-Tree Trees or stars
7. Finding your style by playing with paper and trying new things. Stars, Angels, Birds or Feathers.
8. Exploring paper cutting today. Showing samples. Answering questions.
9. Bonus, gift templates and card.
Date: Saturday, December 10
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Stratford Perth Museum
Supplies: Included with Price (Excluding Container)
Cost: $20.00 per person plus tax
Holiday Arrangements Workshop
Spruce up your home with a handmade arrangement for the holidays. Add a little seasonal outdoors to your indoors and make some heart and homestyle centrepieces for friends and family with the help of workshop leader DeAnna DesLaurier. Bring your own container and mix in the decorative and natural supplies provided at the museum. Keep your Hands Busy with this creative workshop craft for a special gift. This is a licensed event (wine not included in the price).
Limited tickets available – click Here for Tickets
Sample 1
