INTRODUCTION TO CORN DOLLY MAKING AND STRAW WORK - 29th JULY

Date: Tuesday 29th July 

Tutor: Penny Maltby is an artist and maker passionate about materials and  experimental making. A Creative Arts graduate, she is inspired by traditional  crafts and cultural heritage. She teaches straw work and mixed media, founded  the Ministry of Straw in 2021, and creates commissions for private clients and  prop work for film and TV. 

Description: Learn about the humble material of straw and how it can be used to make decorative and functional objects. Straw skills have been practised for hundreds of years in farming and folk crafts around the world. Straw work and Corn Dolly making are both Red Listed Endangered Crafts. Today, there has been a resurgence in interest as people appreciate the pleasure of working with a natural and sustainable material and the mindful aspect of working with straw. This course will introduce you to the basics of straw and corn dolly work so you  can gain a good understanding of the materials and master a variety of straw  working skills. Working with heritage wheat, you will learn how to prepare it and  experiment with different plaiting techniques. The aim is to go home with a couple of finished pieces to hang in your home or  for gifts. Please feel free to bring along any special ribbons, natural fibres, plant  materials or other embellishments you wish to use. *Some manual dexterity is needed for this course*

Level of course: Details to follow

Student requirements: Apron (straw can be dusty). An old tea towel or small  towel to keep the straw damp whilst working. A water spray bottle. Scissors for  cutting straw and thread (but not your best embroidery ones). Strong thread in  a natural colour. A cork mat (such as placemat) or flat piece polystyrene  packaging/thick cardboard for pinning and setting your pieces. Large headed  pins for pinning the straw to the mat. Straw materials cost payable to the tutor on the day of £15 per student.

The schedule: Details to follow