On Sunday 1 December the spaces of Paper Mill Studios will come alive with a series of creative workshops with artists and craftspeople as well as a feasting table curated by Anna Jones. Tickets for the workshops and lunch are sold separately, so if you would like to join the lunch please ensure that you book your tickets simultaneously to avoid disappointment.

Please note that all tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Marbling workshop with Florence Saumarez from Inq 

During this workshop, Florence Saumarez will guide you through the process of paper marbling. Developed in Japan and Turkey, paper marbling is a centuries-old technique traditionally used to create decorative papers for book covers and endpapers in book-binding. This workshop will introduce you to the techniques, tools and materials used in this craft and enable you to experiment with colours, inks and paints to create a variety of traditional and contemporary marbling designs. Each student will learn at their own marbling tray and will produce at least 5 designs in their chosen colour palette. No artistic experience is necessary – just an appreciation of colour, pattern and paper. At the end of the session you will come away with papers which could be used for Christmas wrapping and labels, cards or to cover favourite books.

Block print your own tea-towel with Molly Mahon

Based in East Sussex, Molly Mahon is a British printmaker known for her love of joyful prints on fabrics, wallpapers, homewares and accessories. 'There is something special about block printing that has stood the test of time.  To me it brings the fabric alive and this is exactly what it does to our homes. I never tire of lifting the block and seeing the impression that has been left, what we call the perfect imperfection'. Come and meet Molly, learn about the art of block print and try your hand at printing a colourful tea towel.

Festive table design & styling workshop with Fox and Thorn

Paula from Fox & Thorn will guide you through the creative process of creating festive table settings. You will learn about colour palettes and schemes using materials that work with their surroundings. Paula will demonstrate table settings which will be both modern natural whilst also using a traditional scheme. Imagine seasonal dried and fresh florals, fruits and foliage with their beautiful natural movement, scent and texture. You will then all work together as a group to create a festive table setting and you will also create your own unique floral place setting which you will take away with you. This can also be used to adorn your Christmas tree, hung with beautiful ribbon.

 Lunch at the Feasting Table Hosted and Curated by Anna Jones 

Join the chef and food writer Anna Jones for Lunch at the Feasting Table. Anna will host a festive lunch in collaboration with The Hill Food Company in the light-filled Loft at the Paper Mill. Imagine bejewelled salads and deeply spiced roasts with home bakes and  seasonal cordials laced with bubbles and fizz. Bring your friends to this beautiful festive occasion and enjoy Anna’s vegetarian version of a festive feast. Price includes drink upon arrival and a glass of wine to accompany the lunch. We can accommodate vegan and gluten free diets, please let us know in advance. All allergens are used in the kitchen so sadly we can't guarantee traces won't be present.

Menu to be announced in advance

Festive Collage Workshop with Mark Hearld 

Join the artist Mark Hearld to make your own festive collage in this 3 hour creative workshop. “Collage is an inherently abstract process; it’s all about the silhouette – you should be reminded that it’s both a piece of paper stuck to a surface and a representation.” Under the expert guidance of the artist you will create your own winter scene, learning detailed collage techniques which will stay with you for life. Mark will also teach how to make ‘paste paper’ a particular technique which he uses in many of his own works. Participants are encouraged to bring along any source material that they feel sums up winter and Christmas (and of course, an open mind!). Materials such as high quality paper, ink, paints and crayons and scissors (along with handmade papers made by Mark)  will be provided for the group, but you are also encouraged to bring your own creative kit (including any coloured or patterned papers). The richer the materials, the more exciting and dynamic the result!

Creative gingerbread making with Bee Berrie

During Bee's creative gingerbread workshop you will learn how to template, decorate, and assemble your own gingerbread house, using plant-based and natural ingredients. Learn beautiful hand-piping skills to decorate edible baubles and gingerbread people too. You will come away from your workshop with a gingerbread house and edible baubles, as well as the recipe and templates to make your own at home. This course just so happens to be plant based and vegan. Bee is a twice-published author, an ex-microbiologist, and the brains behind the best biscuits in London. She’s also a plant-based baking expert, and mother to a bouncy 2 year old called Joey. Bee loves writing and sharing recipes, tips and hacks for delicious home bakes – her passion is in showing how easy it is to substitute out, and bake amazing bakes without animal ingredients. 

Botanical Illustration with Masha Karpushina 

This workshop is an opportunity to be led and inspired by the illustrator, Masha Karpushina. Her work is dreamlike, with joyful detail. At the centre of this workshop is a practice centred around wellbeing with focus on positive intentions for the year ahead. Spend a couple hours illustrating a wreath from beautiful botanicals, whilst including your aspirations for the new year within the foliage. A present and joyful reminder of dreams you would like to manifest for the forthcoming year.

All materials provided and all levels of ability welcome. Drawing is for everyone.

A festive 'Introduction to Modern Calligraphy' workshop with Megan Riera

Join Megan for a special festive 'Introduction to Modern Calligraphy' workshop. Modern Calligraphy is a hugely relaxing and rewarding practice, which has exploded in popularity in recent years. In the workshop, you will be introduced to the tools, before moving on to practicing the basic strokes, then letterforms and finally, words. Towards the end of the class, you will put all of your new skills together to design your very own festive cards and gift tags.

Ticket price includes all of the materials you need to get started and a personalised bauble made by Megan.