We have been invited to host our popular Chicken Wire Alliums workshop at Terracotta Ateliers Créatifs which is located at St Yrieix La Perche.

The workshop will be held in the craft room at the Ceramics cafe ‘Terracotta Ateliers Créatifs’ 9 Bd de L Hôtel de ville, 87500 Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, on Thursday 26th June 2pm-5pm. You will make three ‘Allium’ flowers on rods (50cm tall) to decorate your garden – They are everlasting and need no watering! The cost of the workshop is 50 euros per person (all materials are included plus tea/coffee/biscuits)

If you would like to join this workshop please email Le Jardin Creatif directly at: lejardincreatif87@gmail.com or use the contact form below the images (in either case please check your spam/junk mail if you do not receive a reply within 2 working days)

Learn the traditional craft of ‘bodging’ – turning green wood on a pedal operated pole lathe and use a shave horse and draw knife to make a simple wooden spoon or spatula.

During the ‘taster day’ you will you will experience ancient crafts, tools and equipment and learn how to select and split green wood for turning and spoon carving. You will then prepare wood for turning and make a simple piece on the pole lathe (e.g. tool handle, spurtle, garden dibber, rolling pin, stringline pegs). During the second half of the day you will split wood and shave it smooth to make a simple spoon or spatula. This is an introduction to greenwood skills/coppice crafts which can be developed in more in depth workshops which we will offer later in the year such as making a three legged stool etc.

The workshop will run from 10am-4pm – cost: 85 euros. We will provide all of the materials plus tea/coffee/biscuits but you will need to bring a packed lunch. (More details below the images)

If the weather is fine we will be working in a woodland setting – if it is too wet, windy or too hot we will move all of the equipment into our barn. This workshop involves using a treadle powered lathe so a basic level of physical ability is necessary but we will prepare some ‘blanks’ in advance for those who find it difficult to use the splitting tools.

You will need to wear comfortable old work clothes or overalls and flat, sturdy, closed in shoes such as walking boots etc and bring a pair of gardening gloves.

If you would like to book a place on this workshop please email us at: lejardincreatif87@gmail.com or use the contact form below (in either case please check your SPAM/JUNK mail if you do not see a reply from us within 2 working days)

Learn basic willow weaving techniques and make a decorative obelisk for your garden.

This workshop will run from 1pm-4pm on Friday 11th April, cost 45 euros per person, you will make an obelisk approximately 1.2 metres tall which can be used in a pot or in your garden as a plant support or as a decorative feature. All materials are included in the price plus tea/coffee/biscuits.

If you would like to book a place on this workshop please send us an email at: lejardincreatif87@gmail.com or use the contact form below the images (in either case please check your spam/junk mail if you do not see a reply from us within 2 working days).

Learn basic weaving skills and make a willow hanging basket for your garden.

This workshop will take place on Monday 24th March 1pm-4pm. Cost 45 euros – this includes all materials to make your basket plus chain, moss, lining and compost. (plants are not included in the basic price)

If you would like to book a place on this workshop, please send us an email at: lejardincreatif87@gmail.com or use the contact form below. (in either case please check your spam/junk mail if you do not see a reply from us within 2 working days).

Learn the principles of pruning orchard trees to promote healthy productive growth. Monday 3rd March 1.00-4.00pm. Cost: 45 euros per person

We will start with a little botany so that you develop an understanding of how different types of pruning will affect the growth and habit of the tree, flower and fruit bud production and plant health. These principles will be focussed on pruning top fruits (apples, pears etc) but can be applied to a wide range of woody plants.

We will then go out and put this knowledge into practice by doing some practical pruning on our heritage apple tree collection. We will also look at renovating neglected and overgrown trees, and how to bring back to health a tree that has been pruned incorrectly in the past. If time allows we will also look at pruning espalier and cordon trained fruit trees.

This workshop is aimed at anyone who has a small woodland and would like to learn the traditional skills of coppicing and sustainable woodland management techniques to promote a healthy and productive woodland.

The workshop will run from 10am-3pm on Thursday 27th February 2025. Cost 60 euros per person. The price also includes tea & coffee throughout the day and we will provide a warming soup for lunch – bring your own sandwiches & snacks etc.

We will start the day by learning some of the principles of maintaining a healthy productive woodland that benefits wild flora and fauna, insects and birds as well as producing useful coppice wood products. (stakes, weaving material, firewood, pea sticks, wood for coppice crafts). You will learn the physiology behind the pruning techniques that will keep the trees healthy and some basic winter tree identification.

We will then look at the history, design and management of short and long rotation coppice woodlands.

After lunch we will go out into our woodland and put these principles into practice, coppicing and processing Hazel trees. We will look at how to manage dead and damaged trees and we will also look at habitat management for birds, insects and small mammals, how to create a ‘dead hedge’ and there will be time for your own questions at the end.

If you would like to join this workshop please send us an email at lejardincreatif87@gmail.com or use the contact form below the images (in either case please check your spam/junk mail if you do not get a reply within 2 working days).

Learn basic weaving skills and make a decorative basket out of natural and foraged materials. You will learn about the preparation of natural weaving materials that you can find in your garden and hedgerow and weave a colourful basket that can be used for serving snacks, a fruit bowl etc, or purely for decoration.

This workshop will run from 1pm-4pm on Tuesday 4th March 2024. Cost: 50 euros per person, this includes all materials to make a basket around 40cm long plus tea/coffee/biscuits. If you would like to join us please either send us an email at: lejardincreatif87@gmail.com or use the contact form below the images (in either case please check your spam/junk mail if you do not see a reply within 2 working days.

Learn how to use chicken wire to make garden sculptures and create a trio of everlasting daffodil flowers.

Monday 24th February 1-4pm – cost 55 euros per person – all materials are included to make 3 flowers on spikes plus tea/coffee/biscuits. This workshop is suitable for beginners and will take you through the step by step process of shaping wire and chicken wire to create realistic flowers. (If our classroom is cold we will work in our cosy kitchen).

If you would like to join us please either send us am email at: lejardincreatif87@gmail.com or use the contact form below the images (in either case check your spam/junk mail if you do not see a reply from us within 2 working days)

We have scheduled two dates for our Christmas Wreath workshops. (we will add more if these fill up). There are also dates available for group bookings – we need a minimum of 6 people up to a maximum of 8 people – please get in touch if you have a group of friends who would like to come along together on a date to suit you.

You can come along and make a traditional Christmas wreath or one of the animal ‘wreaths’ (you will need to indicate your choice on your booking form so that we can prepare the bases)

Friday 29th November – 1-4pm Christmas Wreath – 45 euros (price includes all greenery & natural materials, 3 decorations and a ribbon plus tea/coffee & mince pies.

Friday 6th December – 1-4pm Christmas Wreath – 45 euros (price includes all greenery & natural materials, 3 decorations and a ribbon plus tea/coffee & mince pies.

To book onto one of our workshops or enquire about a group booking please either send us an email at: lejardincreatif87@gmail.com or use the contact form below the images. (in either case please check your spam/junk mail if you do not receive a reply within 2 working days)

Learn how to use willow for sculpture and make a decorative Stag’s Head to hang on an interior or exterior wall. They look great with fairy lights as part of a Christmas display!

This workshop runs from 10am-4.30pm on Friday 22nd November. Cost: 75 euros per person – this includes all materials plus tea/coffee/biscuits but you will need to bring a packed lunch.

To book a place on this workshop please send us an email at: lejardincreatif87@gmail.com or use the contact form below the images (in either case please check your spam/junk mail if you do not get a reply within 2 working days)