Make a hand-bound journal with Una Jordan at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

On Thursday 29th March we have a special all-day workshop at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery with Una Jordan. Starting at 10.00, with lunch included at the fabulous Treat Café and finishing at 16.00, you will go home with your beautiful hand-stitched, hard-covered A5 journal.....to keep or to give to someone special! The class costs €62 including lunch and materials. Only 3 places left so phone 087 6193870 if you want to book your place!

Felted Purse workshop at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery on Saturday 31st March

Agnieszka Rupnik of 'Knit Spin Felt' returns to Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery on Saturday 31st March for her popular feltmaking classes.
This time Aga will show us the technique of resist felting to create a cute seamless purse for all our bits and bobs.
We will explore the addition of textures with plastic, mesh, fabric etc.
And then finish with some embroidery to add a further dimension to the finished purse.
The workshop is from 15.00 to 17.30 and for €27 it includes the materials needed (merino wool for the base and decoration, metallic mesh, plastic mesh, soapy water and bubble wrap).
But please bring along an old towel (to catch drips) some loosely woven fabrics for decoration, an embroidery needle and a selection of threads.
See some more photos here at http://www.flickr.com/photos/8447160@N07/sets/72157629207410700/

Crochet classes with Anne Quinn at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

We are delighted to welcome crochet tutor, Anne Quinn to Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery. And today was a busy morning as beginner's learned how to hold the hook, feed the yarn, create a foundation chain stitch and double crochet. With these skills we started our first project: a mobile phone cover. Wasting no time Anne showed us how to create our first flower motif. And even a quick run through picot stitch (which we will cover in more detail in another lesson).

We were hooked!

Anne brought along a number of examples to show us.

And showed us some alternative possibilities for crochet....using coloured wires and a selection of beads these necklaces can be created.

Anne had a beautiful christening robe, bonnet and shawl as well as these little booties, rosary bead set and an example of lace-making.

Although we are only beginners, we have been inspired to practice and perhaps one day we can aim to create some heirlooms like Anne's work!

Crafty Kids! Snuggly Sock Animals workshop

Smiles all around at the end of a busy workshop making snuggly sock animals on Saturday!

Take one sock....and learn how to cut it to shape.

Take a needle and thread...and learn how to sew a running stitch.

Take some stuffing to fill the head and body...

Watch your snuggly sock animal come to life!

For more information on upcoming 'Crafty Kids' workshops phone 087 6193870.

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

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.

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.

Learn print-making with Norah Brennan on Wednesday 30th November 10.30-12.30

Norah Brennan returns to Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery on Wednesday 30th November to teach a Dry-Point Printmaking workshop. These classes are great fun as with a few simple steps you can create your own prints based on a favourite drawing or image. To book your place just call 087 6193870 or email esterkiely@gmail.com.

Catch a Galway Fairy for Christmas!

Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery hopes to find some good homes for these delightful 'Freshly Caught Fairies' and 'Galway Fairies'! These are lovingly made by Rachel and Adrian in Loughrea, Co. Galway. Each one is different and all of them are special!

Spiddal Landscapes by Ruth Cadden

Ruth Cadden's prints will delight all those who love the Galway countryside.

Ruth's work covers landscape, figurative work ( human and animal), portraits, her own take on the stories of Greek mythology, pieces of social commentary ( again, both human and animal and hybrid of both!).

Come and see her prints at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery.

Dr. K. Soap Company Bodycare Products at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

For the special woman in your life...

And for the special man...

Dr. K. Soap Company's bodycare products have arrived at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery and they smell great! These hand-made soaps, lip-balms, body butters and face-masks are lovingly made in Co. Cork with all natural ingredients. Ideal gifts for friends, family and for pampering yourself!

Children's books by Dolores Keaveney arrive at Le Grá Craft Studio and Galery

Fáilte roimh an chearc bheag dhonn! Welcome to Jenny the Little Brown Hen and other children's books by Dolores Keaveney at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery. As featured on RTÉ's Nationwide, these books make a delightful gift for any child, with their lively illustrations and educational text. For more information see www.doloreskeaveney.com.

Felted Flowers Workshop with Knit Spin Felt

Agnieszka Rupnik of Knit Spin Felt brought a great selection of colourful merino wool for the workshop at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery on Saturday 29th October.

Layers of wool are laid out ready for felting.

A spray of warm soapy water is added on top.

Friction is added by rubbing between layers of bubble-wrap.

And with some further manipulation we ended up with these felted flowers! These can be further embellished with beads, buttons or stitching. They can then be made into a brooch or sewn to a garment or a bag.

A big thank you to Aga for sharing her skills and knowledge with us and we look forward to her next class at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery.

Patchwork for Beginners Workshop at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

Ever thought of making patchwork quilts for your home? Now's your chance to learn.
Patchwork for Beginners takes place at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery every Friday morning from 10.30 to 12.30. These classes are popular so booking is essential. Email esterkiely@gmail.com or phone 087 6193870.

Felt-making workshop Saturday 29th October: 14.00 to 16.30

This Saturday is a special workshop day at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery. Agnieszka Rupnik of Knit Spin Felt presents a 2.5hr workshop on felt-making flowers (€20). Wool for felting comes in vibrant colours and you are sure to love making these flower accessories. Make a bouquet to place on your desk at work or home or even to decorate bags, headbands and other garments. A fun craft activity for everyone as no previous felting experience is required. Supplies are available to purchase in kit-form. To book your place at this workshop email esterkiely@gmail.com or phone 087 6193870.

Denise Hogan Design at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

Galway-based artist, Denise Hogan creates a stunning range of hand-painted glass gift items. A selection of Denise's glass-ware as well as her acrylic and water-colour paintings are now available at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery. A limited selection of oil-paintings by Joan Hogan are also available.

Absolutely Pottery arrives at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

Clew Bay Blue Cereal Bowl

Brown Cut-Out Lamp

I've been a fan of Roger Harley's pottery since I first met him at the wonderful Christmas Craft Fair in the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar. So, I was delighted to see Roger arriving this morning with a lovely selection of his work for Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery customers.

Roger's pottery workshop and shop is based in Westport and the surrounding landscape influences the colours he uses in his glazes. I can attest that his everyday Clew Bay range holds up to everyday use in a busy home while being beautiful to look at and to handle.

In addition to the Clew Bay Blue range of everyday mugs, teapot, sugar and creamer, cereal bowls and soup cups Roger has also created beautiful lamps you are sure to love.

Missy Bonkers arrives at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

We're delighted to announce that Missy Bonkers has arrived at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery! Pillow Dogs, Lou Lou and Sarah Dolls and Space Cats have landed in Claregalway! Come and meet these colourful characters....each one is unique and made with love by Missy Bonkers in Galway.

Free Drop-in Events at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery: 'All Stitched Up'

Tuesday mornings from 10.30 to 12.30 is an opportunity to come and meet others in your community who are interested in any form of stitchcraft. If you like to knit, crochet, quilt, embroider or cross-stitch why not bring along your current project and share your knowledge with others over a cuppa. Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery welcomes you in to use the workshop space. On Tuesday 18th October some knitters arrived and all went home with shared information on where to buy wool and patterns locally. There is space for up to 10 people so come early next week!