So, we tried opening up, we arranged some exciting workshops ... and then came our move into Tier 2.
We're in a difficult position, being a host of creative workshops: we're not a shop and yet we're not an educational establishment; our events take place indoors; we can socially distance; we are together in the same room for 2 hours+. Taking all of those things into consideration, we've decided that there is a greater risk to our visitors and ourselves than we'd like to take and so we've suspended our workshops and decided that 2020 just is not the time for us to get creative with you.
On a more positive note though, with our new indoor space and the plans that we've got in place for 2021, we're looking forward to a creatively exciting new year. This year has certainly given us enough time to get constructive and do lots of thinking!
As we've no real news of our own, we thought we'd share something exciting from our sister company, The Stained Glass Studio right next door to our workshops. Since lockdown, they've developed a new website and added a shop - just in time for all of those beautiful glass Christmas presents or some festive decorations - check it out here
We're also excited that the Stained Glass Studio is taking part in Kev's Christmas Market for the next couple of weekends - take a look at this festive makers' market featuring local makers and traders in the open air!
Support local this Christmas and get festive by visiting this outdoor event any Saturday or Sunday from the 5th to the 20th of December.
Joining me at Kev's market is the amazing Annie of Rockafella Industries - she's the talent behind our lampshade making workshops and has an incredible shop in Eagle Street, Ipswich selling her handmade clothing, lampshades and a cornucopia of amazing homeware and gifts.
Supporting local this Christmas is massively important as you can imagine for all of us independent makers and traders. Here are some links to some fellow amazing talents, that also happen to have been tutors at Stoke Bridge Workshops - you can visit either virtually or in person to get in the best Christmas gifts:
and some further recommendations from other entrepreneurs:
All that remains is for us to wish you the happiest (strangest?!) of Christmases and we massively look forward to welcoming you back to the workshops as early as we can in 2021
Stay safe, eat, drink and be massively merry
Danielle and Ian
Comments