If you've never been to a creative workshop before, it's completely natural to wonder what you're letting yourself in for. Will it be intimidating? Do you need to be artistic? What if everyone else is better than you?
The short answer is: don't worry. Our workshops at Mustard and Gray are designed to be welcoming, relaxed, and genuinely enjoyable — whatever your starting point. Here's exactly what to expect when you book a place with us.
Once you've booked, you'll receive a confirmation with all the details you need — the date, time, location, and anything you should bring or wear. For most of our workshops, you don't need to bring anything at all. We provide all the materials, tools, and equipment.
We'd recommend wearing clothes you don't mind getting a little messy, particularly for lino-cut printing. Ink has a way of finding its way onto things. An apron is provided, but it's always worth being prepared.
Our workshops take place in our studio in Shropshire. When you arrive, you'll be welcomed with a warm drink and a chance to settle in, meet the other participants, and have a look at the materials before we get started.
We keep our groups small deliberately. This means you'll get plenty of individual attention throughout the session, and the atmosphere stays relaxed and sociable rather than feeling like a class.
We'll begin by walking you through the technique step by step. There's no rush — we work at a pace that suits the group, and there's always time to ask questions, try things out, and start again if something doesn't go quite right the first time.
Lino-cut printing workshops begin with designing your image — we'll help you choose something that works well for the medium — before moving on to carving and then printing. By the end of the session, you'll have a set of prints that are entirely your own.
Lampshade making workshops take you through the process of selecting your fabric, cutting and preparing it, and then stretching and fixing it onto the frame. The result is a finished lampshade you can take home and use straight away.
Both workshops include time to experiment, make mistakes, and find your own way of doing things. That's part of the process — and often where the most interesting results come from.
Not at all. Our workshops are designed for complete beginners, and the techniques we teach are accessible to everyone. You don't need to be able to draw, paint, or have any previous craft experience.
What helps is a willingness to try, a little patience, and an openness to the process. The rest we can teach you.
At the end of the session, you'll leave with a finished piece you've made yourself. For lino-cut workshops, that's typically a set of prints on quality paper. For lampshade making, it's a completed lampshade ready to use at home.
You'll also leave with a new skill — and, we hope, the confidence to keep making things. We can point you towards materials and suppliers if you'd like to continue at home.
Our workshops are popular with groups as well as individuals. If you're organising a hen party, a birthday celebration, a corporate team-building day, or any other group event in Shropshire, a private workshop booking gives you the whole studio to yourselves on a date that suits you.
Private bookings can be tailored to your group — get in touch to discuss what you have in mind and we'll put together something that works.
Once the session is finished, there's no rush to leave. Have another drink, admire everyone's work, and browse our collection of British-made gifts and stationery before you head home. It's a lovely way to round off the day.
We'd also love to see what you make. If you share your work on social media, tag us — we genuinely enjoy seeing our workshop pieces out in the world.
If this sounds like your kind of day, take a look at our upcoming workshop dates and book your place. We keep group sizes small, so spaces do go — it's worth booking ahead if you have a particular date in mind.
If you have any questions before you book, get in touch. We're always happy to chat through what's involved and help you find the right workshop for you.
