Arts and Crafts property goes craft mad

Winterbourne House and Garden are to celebrate all things handmade with a craft event on Saturday 17 September.

Joined by groups from across the region, there will be activities for children and adults, including mosaic making, weaving, knitting and papercraft. Creative Open Workshops (COW studio), based in the Jewellery Quarter, will be hosting mini workshops in one of Winterbourne’s arts and crafts rooms.

Outside stone and wood carvers will demonstrate their skills and a special self-guided trail in the garden of the Arts and Memory carved exhibition, courtesy of the Memorial Arts Charity, will be available.

The event is very much in keeping with the house’s history. Margaret Nettlefold, who with her husband John had the house built in 1903, was a keen artist studying at a college in Birmingham before her marriage. The couple built the house in the popular Arts and Crafts style, which celebrated a return to a more simplistic view of decoration.

Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase gifts, homewares and jewellery from local artisans. All of the groups taking part hail from the Birmingham area and are keen to show off their hard work.

Speaking of their involvement Francine Schokker from COW said: “There’s such a wealth of craft talent in Birmingham, yet still very few places where one can showcase or expand on existing skills. We’re very excited about this event and will have something for all levels to get stuck into.”

Winterbourne’s rooms all feature William Morris print wallpaper and many items of Edwardian furniture, therefore it is set to be the perfect environment for a day of creativity. The event starts at 11am and finishes at 5pm. Entrance to the garden is £4.50 for adults and £3.50 for concessions. Entrance to the 1st floor meeting rooms where the majority of the event is taking place is free, but some activities carry a small charge.