September has that back-to-school feeling whether you're heading anywhere or not — new term, new leaf, and all that. So this month at Craft Cafe, we're picking up dip pens and turning a bit of autumn wonkiness into something you'll actually want to pin up.
No experience needed. No steady hand required. Just ink, cake, and the kind of concentration that makes two hours disappear.
What you'll do: You'll learn the basics of dip pen calligraphy — how to load ink without making a mess of it, the light-up-heavy-down rhythm that makes the letters work, and enough practice to feel steady before you commit pen to good paper. Then you'll write your own autumn phrase to take home, finished and framed-ready.
You'll leave with: A hand-lettered piece, properly your own, blots and all — because the blots are half the charm.
All materials provided. Tea and cake included. Maximum 10 places — book early to avoid disappointment.
Craft Café is a monthly creative evening for women at Tweed Gallery, Marygate, Berwick-upon-Tweed. A collaboration between Tweed Gallery’s Amanda and Coostie’s Ali — dreamed up together, and delivered with love (and cake).
Let us put the kettle on. There's making to be done.
We're getting a head start on Christmas the papercraft way — folding and building our own paper ‘gingerbread’ houses, complete with ‘icing’, ready to line up on a mantelpiece or string into a little village. Simple to fold, satisfying to build and decorate, no experience needed.
You'll leave with: A small collection of your own paper houses — the start of an Advent village you can add to every year or a lovely handmade Christmas decoration.
All materials provided. Tea and cake included. Maximum 10 places — book early to avoid disappointment.
Craft Café is a monthly creative evening for women at Tweed Gallery, Marygate, Berwick-upon-Tweed. A collaboration between Tweed Gallery’s Amanda and Coostie’s Ali — dreamed up together, and delivered with love (and cake).
Most people who come to this workshop have never sketched before and feel a little nervous about it. That's completely normal — and it's exactly what this workshop is designed for. There are no artistic skills required here, no judgement, and absolutely no pressure to produce anything "good". Just two hours outside in a beautiful spot, slowing down and really looking at the world around you.
Day & Time: Sunday 25th April 2027, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Venue: Meet at the Lily Pond in Castle Vale Park, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Price: £35pp — all materials provided
Full joining instructions will be sent to you on booking.
What to expect
In this 2-hour outdoor workshop you'll learn simple sketching techniques that make it easier to really see and notice nature — not to produce a perfect drawing, but to slow down, observe and enjoy being outside. We'll cover:
Simple, stress-free techniques for recording what you see
How to really look at nature — and why drawing helps you notice things you'd otherwise walk straight past
How to let go of the inner critic and actually enjoy the process
You'll go home with a sketchbook, drawing tools and my Introduction to Green Sketching booklet — full of exercises and tips for keeping the habit going long after the workshop.
Please bring a drink and a snack, and dress for being outside — layers are always a good idea in Northumberland!"
What previous participants say
"I learned more than I ever did at school."
"Being given the confidence to experiment was such a bonus. And it was fun!"
"The relaxed atmosphere and encouragement meant I left feeling curious and relaxed — and like I wanted to do it again."
Please see my Booking Terms & Conditions for full details, including cancellation. Participants must be aged 18+. 14–17 year olds are welcome with an accompanying adult — both participants will need a ticket.
Any questions? Drop me a message— I'm happy to help.
Let us put the kettle on. There's making to be done.
This one's a bit more of a fold-along as we’ll be making origami pumpkins complete with a stem and a curl of vine. We'll go slowly, step by step, and there's tea and cake exactly when your fingers need the break.
You'll leave with: Your own hand-folded paper pumpkin (or two, if you're quick) — proper autumn windowsill decor.
All materials provided. Tea and cake included. Maximum 10 places — book early to avoid disappointment.
Craft Café is a monthly creative evening for women at Tweed Gallery, Marygate, Berwick-upon-Tweed. A collaboration between Tweed Gallery’s Amanda and Coostie’s Ali — dreamed up together, and delivered with love (and cake).
If you’d like to feel more confident in your sketching — especially when it comes to capturing natural forms — this 3-hour indoor workshop is for you.
In this small-group setting, we’ll cover simple, foundational drawing techniques such as using shapes to create form, drawing in perspective, and experimenting with different materials. Everything will be broken down into easy-to-follow steps, giving you practical skills you can use in your own sketchbook.
No experience needed — this is a relaxed, encouraging space where we’ll enjoy drawing together over tea, coffee and biscuits.
Day & Time: Saturday 23rd January 2026, 10.30am - 1.30pm
Venue: Berwick-upon-Tweed tbc
Full joining instructions will be sent to you on booking. All materials are provided, so you can simply turn up and enjoy learning.
Maximum of 10 participants.
What to expect
In this 3-hour workshop we'll:
practice drawing the 2D and 3D shapes that are the foundation to any sketch
learn the basics of perspective drawing and explore different techniques for applying these to ‘real life’ drawings
explore tone and value through shading and mark making
Drawn to Nature at Hepple Wilds | Saturday 31st October | Hepple Estate, NE65 7LN
£70pp
Garden birds are the perfect subject for sketching. They're everywhere, they're endlessly varied, and once you know how to break them down into simple shapes, they're far more approachable than they look!
In this friendly three-hour workshop, you'll learn to observe and draw small garden birds with confidence, working through two techniques that are brilliant for beginners: pen and ink wash for a blue tit, and mixed media (watercolour and coloured pencil) for a robin.
What we'll cover
Warm-up exercises to get your eye and hand working together
A brief introduction to bird anatomy — the key things to notice before you put pen to paper
How to build a bird from simple shapes, refining your outline gradually
Pen and ink wash — how to use a fineliner and watercolour together for fresh, characterful results
Mixed media — combining a watercolour wash with coloured pencil for colour, texture and detail
No experience is needed — just a willingness to have a go. All materials are provided, and every participant takes home a copy of my hand-illustrated Drawing Birds booklet to keep practising at home.
Workshop details
Duration: 3 hours
Venue: Berwick-upon-Tweed location tbc
Cost: £55 per person, including tea and coffee refreshments and your copy of the Drawing Birds booklet
Suitable for: complete beginners and anyone returning to drawing after a break, or sketchers who want to improve their understanding of drawing garden birds
Group size: Max 10 participants
Any questions? Drop me an email and I’ll be happy to help!