Edinburgh Open Workshop (EOW) will throw open its doors to budding makers of all ages on Saturday 29 March.
Children, young people and parents are invited to sample everything that EOW has to offer – learning new skills and creating arts and crafts to take home. Now in its second year, there are even more workshops and taster sessions to choose from, with something to spark every interest.
Everyone will be encouraged to get creative – hand carve a set of wooden tea lights, test metal in a welding workshop, build a wooden planter from scratch, sew a tote bag or make a personalised balance board using a CNC machine. For mini-makers, there will be opportunities to build a birdhouse or build a dinosaur at drop-in sessions throughout the day.
DIY, upcycling and home-decor enthusiasts can attend a Free Cycle event where surplus fabrics, props, wood and paint will be available to take home.
EOW Director, Natasha Lee Walsh, said: “Following on from the success of our first Family Day last year, we are delighted to be running it again, with even more opportunities for young people and their parents to try something new and see what making is all about.
“We will shortly launch a new Community Outreach Programme and look forward to building on days like this to offer a varied choice of activities and events that will encourage social interaction, build confidence and provide community makers with DIY and upcycling skills that promote sustainability.”
www.edinburghopenworkshop.co.uk
- When: Saturday 29 March, 11am – 4pm
- Where: 35-41 Assembly Street, Leith, EH6 7BQ
- Tickets: Entry is free. See website for workshop prices www.edinburghopenworkshop.co.uk
- General Enquiries: 0131 555 6866 / hello@edinburghopenworkshop.co.uk
Workshops (Book Online):
MAKE A PLANTER: 1 hour / £20 / ages 8+
Enjoy learning some of the basics of woodworking as you put together a small planter perfect for house plants, herb gardens, or anything else your green thumbs can imagine. With all the tools, materials, and teaching included, this mini-workshop is perfect for anyone who is keen to give woodworking a try.
SEW A TOTE BAG: 1 – 1.5 hours / £20 / ages 8+
Come and try your hand at sewing with our resident textiles and prop-making master, Nicola. Learn the very beginning steps of sewing with marking up material, using a domestic sewing machine, and attaching handles or drawstring to a small bag.
MAKE A TEA LIGHT: 1.5 hours / £20 / ages 13+
Enjoy a hands-on woodworking taster session led by resident woodworker and upholsterer, Rebecca Subido. Create your own architecturally inspired candle holder while learning essential woodworking techniques. You’ll gain confidence using tools like a handsaw, pillar drill, and sander— the perfect start or next step to a woodworking journey.
WELD A NAMEPLATE: 1.5 hours / £20 / ages 13+
Come and try your hand at welding with our very own metalworker Josh. Learn the very beginning steps of metal work including metal cutting and drilling, and welding text onto steel. Leave with a metal welded nameplate and some fantastic new skills.
Drop-in Sessions:
BUILD A BIRDHOUSE: 15 – 20 minutes / £10 / all ages
Come and assemble a pre-cut birdhouse template. This is the perfect project for under 8s to have a go at a tool-less make (assisted with guardian).
BUILD A DINOSAUR: 15 – 20 minutes / £10 / all ages
Come and assemble a pre-cut dinosaur template. This is the perfect project for under 8s to have a go at a tool-less make (assisted with guardian).
BUILD A BALANCE BOARD: 15 – 20 minutes / £20 / all ages
Come and experience the workings of our CNC machine, which will engrave a name on to, and cut out, the template of a Balance Board. All that is then needed is to assemble the piece and live the balance board dreams.
