Get creative in 2012!

A new schedule of workshops at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery is now available.

Book your place now for beginner's patchwork, drypoint printmaking, felted flowers!

A new and exciting crochet course starts on 29th Feb. 5 classes for €75 (to include a hook and ball of wool!). Over the course of these 5 classes you will learn a range of stitches and pattern-reading and complete 5 different projects (incl phone cover, teacosy and baby blanket). Book now!

To book phone 087 6193870.

Click on the 'workshop schedule' page for a full list of available workshops

A celebration of Art and Craft at Presentation College Headford

Applied Leaving Certificate students together with their art teacher Ms. Martin held an exhibition of Art and Craft at Presentation College Headford on Thursday 26th January 2012.

Transition Year Students also exhibited a wonderful selection of hairpins and brooches produced by their newly established company 'Layla Pearl' - fabulously Kitsch vintage-inspired handmade accessories. See www.laylapearl.weebly.com or follow them on twitter @layla_pearl.

Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery displayed a selection of items including Chirpy Bird brooches by Joanna McGlynn, Butterfly, Bird, Fish and Flower brooches by Grace Light, 'I love Galway' buttons by Berni McCabe, hand-thrown pottery by Helen Griffin, hand-built ceramics by Living Ginger Designs, crochet hairbands by Josephine Fahy, handmade natural soaps by Dr. K. Soaps, painted glassware by Denise Hogan, illustrated children's books by Mairéad Sharry and more.

The event was well attended by staff and pupils of the college who were also treated to a wonderful selection of baked treats and snacks prepared by the nine ALC2 pupils.

Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery was delighted to be invited to collaborate with Presentation College Headford to highlight art, design and craft as career choices to second level students and we look forward to seeing some new craft-enthusiasts visit us in Claregalway soon!

Beginner's Patchwork Workshops: Every Tuesday evening and Friday morning

Ever wanted to learn how to make a patchwork quilt? Every Tuesday evening from 18.30 to 20.30 and Friday mornings from 10.30 to 12.30 we have Beginner's Patchwork Classes...choose whichever time suits you best (16 Euro per class).

This week we will look at the traditional technique of 'piecing over papers', a hand-sewing technique that is easy to learn and doesn't require a lot of fabric or equipment.

Bring along some 100% cotton scraps, needle and cotton thread and you're ready to start (we also have some free scraps available to share or a nice selection of 'fat quarter' fabrics priced from €1.50 each).

Just phone Ester on 087 6193870 to book your place.

"Crafty Mornings" every Tuesday at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

One of the great things about the classroom space at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery is seeing it put to good use by the local community. Every Tuesday morning from 10.30 to 12.30 there's an open invitation to all local crafters to bring along a current project and share ideas and chat over a cuppa. This week we had some knitting, crochet and patchwork around the table. And newcomer Noreen brought along some lovely crochet books and showed this crochet case she recently made to hold crochet hooks. All very inspiring. Why not join us next Tuesday?

And speaking of crochet....watch this space as we'll be announcing some cool crochet classes in the coming weeks as soon as dates are finalised.

Kathrina Hughes: felt brooches, keyrings, hairslides, neck wraps and scarves

We have a wonderful mix of colourful felt accessories by Kathrina Hughes at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery. Kathrina is a registered craftsperson with Crafts Council of Ireland and also a member of Feltmakers Ireland.

Some places still available at Tuesday evening Patchwork for Beginners class (16 Euro)

In this week's beginner's class on Tuesday at 18.30-20.30 at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery we will look at a technique to make 2 x half-square triangles at a time. 12 of these can be put together with 4 plain squares to make a variety of star blocks. The technique is suitable for machine or hand-sewing.
There are still some places in this Tuesday evening class. To book, phone 087 6193870.

Tuesday's 'Crafty Mornings'....drop in and share ideas!

Whatever project you are currently working on (knitting, crochet, patchwork or other craft-work) bring it along to Tuesday's 'Crafty Morning' at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery. Perhaps you have a new technique to share or perhaps you are wondering what you are going to do next? This is a free drop-in session providing the community with a chance to use the classroom space and share ideas.

Happy New Year! Happy new stock! Happy new workshops!

Welcome to 2012 at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery!

Re-opening on Monday 9th January, 2012 with lots of exciting new stock from Irish artists, craft-makers and designers.

New brown and cream glazed pottery soup-cups from Roger Harley of Absolutely Pottery, Westport.

Framed fine-art prints by Galway artist Mary Geeleher.

'Feather' a new range of pale green glazed pottery by Roger Harley of Absolutely Pottery, Westport.

Fantastic new selection of 100% cotton 'Fat Quarters' for patchwork from Rags for Linda, Oughterard, Co. Galway.

And coming soon...a new list of craft workshops such as patchwork, felting, pottery, jewellery-making and lots more.