workshops

HANDMADE BY CAROLINE

design, craft and daily creativity

cultural exchange craft workshops

"She is super crafty and found a solution for every problem and managed to fuel the passion for crafts even in the participants who are not crafty at all :-)"
Sandra

My craft workshops - you can be involved!

Do you love to craft, chat and share stories and experiences? Join a craft workshop with Handmade By Caroline...
In the last nine years I have developed from scratch 18 home and community-based, seasonal craft workshops, including design and print of all worksheets, background information, and step-by-step guides for the techniques required. Sharing the knowledge I have learnt and gathered in the crafts you see below with like-minded people is rewarding, creative and great fun! Contact me if you would like any details or just to chat through ideas that could fit for you and your group, company or business. I have experience holding workshops in Germany and Japan and now bring my skills to the UK.

For all terms and conditions, please scroll to the bottom of any page and click on FAQs, privacy policy, terms & conditions thank you. If I am working alongside another business, further details and terms and conditions will also be found through their website and promotional material.

A few more of the details...

Spend time relaxing, chatting and learning a new craft with me. An informal, seasonal, workshop where I share my experience and knowledge of crafts from multiple cultures including British, Japanese and German. My native language is English, but I have knowledge of Japanese and German and like to share useful words and phrases connected with the workshop project. Leave with a new skill and something for yourself, your home or as a gift for a friend. I am happy to take requests for workshop ideas. Materials, printed techniques and tools will usually be provided for each workshop (this may vary slightly depending on the location of the workshop and notice will be given if anything extra needs to be bought or brought to class.) I also hope to be able to provide refreshments at each workshop.

Workshops will be held at local venues to be announced on my current workshop calendar page along with promotional material in the form of Instagram posts, Facebook posts, posters and flyers. Word of mouth through my contacts and friends too!

I try to keep workshops small, at around 6 people, to allow time for everyone to ask questions and not feel rushed. Places will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. This number may be larger if I feel I can give people the time they need during the workshop.

Workshop price will vary depending on the materials used, but I aim to keep the price of a workshop under £40 per person.

Date to be rescheduled

Japanese-inspired kinchaku sewing workshop with my friends at DJG-Regensburg

I am really looking forward to sharing my Japanese kinchaku きんちゃくdrawstring pouch and bag sewing class with a larger group. Many thanks to Deutsch Japanische Gesellschaft Regensburg for approaching me and asking if I would like to hold a class this season. Again, thanks to my friend Evelyn for helping get this collaboration started. I have joined a number of events held by DJG Regensburg a friendly and sociable way to meet new people and experience a taste of Japanese culture while being in Regensburg. Last time I held a very enjoyable workshop on Japanese-inspired stamp carving If you are local and have time, please check their website for all the latest activities, trips, concerts and workshops. This year marks their 15th anniversary which means that there will be even more to enjoy and celebrate. You won’t be disappointed!

“Wunderschön. Ich freue mich - DANKE.”
Evelyn

17 January 2020

Japanese-inspired kinchaku pouch and bag sewing class

“Today we will handsew small fabric drawstring pouches and bags, inspired by Japanese kinchaku きんちゃく. Let’s start by thinking about a theme or celebration and choosing our fabrics from these repurposed cottons over here…"

“I am excited to work with the new materials and pens. So girls - I am very much looking forward to seeing you all soon and get to work.”
Sandra

12 July 2019

Japanese-inspired e-tegami postcards using brushpens and waterbrushes

“Today we will draw from life and photos to create colourful images and meaningful messages to send to friends and family. Let’s start by choosing our first item to sketch, with a waterproof black fineliner or brushpen…"

"Sehr fleißig! 😀 Caroline hat wieder einmal alles perfekt vorbereitet 👍”
Hiltrud

15 March 2019

Japanese-inspired leaf and blossom dishes

“Today we will create some air dry clay dishes using inspiration from Japanese seasonal leaves and blossoms. Let’s start by rolling out our clay and cutting our soft slabs using my templates..."

"Vielen lieben Dank an euch alle für das schöne Treffen- ich freue mich auf unser nächstes Treffen …”
Evelyn

28 October 2018

Japanese-inspired rubber stamp-carving workshop with my friends at DJG-Regensburg

"In our workshop you will learn how to carve your own stamps from rubber and create your own postcards and gift tags. Let’s get started!"

What a wonderful afternoon spent with kind and interesting people! Five people attended this workshop and I enjoyed every minute of preparation time and on the day itself too. I am so happy to share the crafts that inspired me in Japan, with new friends in Germany. Thank you to my new friends who joined. Many thanks also to Deutsch Japanische Gesellschaft Regensburg for approaching me and asking if I would like to hold a workshop this season. I have joined a number of events held by DJG Regensburg; a friendly and sociable way to meet new people and experience a taste of Japanese culture while being in Regensburg. If you are local and have time, please check their website for all the latest activities, trips, concerts and workshops. You won’t be disappointed! Watch this space, hopefully we will do another workshop together some time in the future...

27 July 2018

Japanese shibori tie dye

“Today we will create some hand-dyed fabrics using inspiration from Japanese shibori techniques. Let’s start by folding, pleating, stitching or wrapping our fabric..."

23 February 2018

Japanese sakura blossom sprigs

“Today we will take inspiration from beautiful Japanese springtime sakura. On the wall are ideas to inspire you and on the table, all the materials we will need to create our blossoms. When the time is right, we can enjoy some lunch together. If you have any questions, please just ask. In front of you is a leaflet I have made, explaining a little about the meaning of what we will do today. Let’s get started!"

19 November 2017

Japanese inspired Christmas gift-wrapping with my friends at DJG-Regensburg

"In our workshop you will learn how to wrap gifts creatively and beautifully with Japanese style, using paper and furoshiki. Let’s get started!"

What a wonderful afternoon spent with kind and interesting people! Seven people attended this workshop and I enjoyed every minute of preparation time and on day itself too. I am so happy to share the crafts that inspired me in Japan, with new friends in Germany. Thank you to my new friends who joined. Many thanks also to Deutsch Japanische Gesellschaft Regensburg for approaching me and asking if I would like to hold a workshop this winter. Also thanks to my friend Evelyn for helping get this collaboration started. I have joined a number of events held by DJG Regensburg; a friendly and sociable way to meet new people and experience a taste of Japanese culture while being in Regensburg. If you are local and have time, please check their website for all the latest activities, trips, concerts and workshops. You won’t be disappointed! Watch this space, maybe we will do another workshop together some time in the future...

13 October 2017

Japanese inspired fabric bag sewing

“Today we will take inspiration from Japanese natural fabrics and bag design. On the wall are ideas to inspire you and on the table, all the materials we will need to sew our bag. When the time is right, we can enjoy some lunch together. If you have any questions, please just ask. In front of you is a leaflet I have made, explaining a little about the meaning of what we will do today. Let’s get started!"

1 September 2017

Japanese shodo calligraphy

“Today we will recreate Japanese words using shodo ink, brushes and papers. We will learn a little about the three Japanese alphabets and the style of script used when creating shodo. Let’s start by mixing our sumi stick with water to make a deep black ink..."

17 March 2017

Japanese inspired spring flowers rubber stamp carving

"The project for today is hand carved stamps, with a Japanese springtime theme. Beautiful seasonal flowers will give us inspiration for our work. On the wall are ideas to inspire you and on the table, all the materials we will need to carve a range of floral rubber stamps and create stationery. When the time is right, we can enjoy some handmade vegetarian sushi and English cake. If you have any questions, please just ask. In front of you is a leaflet I have made, explaining a little about the history and meaning of what we will do today. Let’s get started!"

2 December 2016

Japanese inspired Christmas gift-wrapping

"The theme for today is gift wrapping for Christmas, with a Japanese style. Accuracy and good preparation are crucial for success. On the wall are ideas to inspire you and on the table, all the materials we will need to wrap 4 items and decorate them if you like.. When the time is right, we can enjoy some warm soup and Japanese-inspired cake. If you have any questions, please just ask. In front of you is a leaflet I have made, explaining a little about the history and meaning of what we will do today. Let’s get started!"

16 September 2016

Japanese Temari ball embroidery

“Today’s workshop will be Japanese Temari ball embroidery - a very traditional craft that creates an item for home or to give as a gift. The design embroidered on this Temari ball takes its name from the weaving tool the spindle. It has an oval shape and uses two pins to create the shape of the stitch. The ball is rotated and stitching continues until the spindle forms the desired length. Later we will enjoy a light lunch together. Let’s get started!"