Meet embossing: an ancient technique for applying drawings and shapes onto metal. Embossing, within the craft of goldsmithing, is the age-old method of creating a relief on sheet metal.
The Egyptians used it to make masks for mummies, and in the Middle Ages, book covers were lavishly decorated with it.
During the workshop, you’ll adorn a 50 x 50 mm copper plate with a relief. You can choose from various decorations or come up with your own design. Tar will be heated to secure the copper, and you’ll wield a hammer and punches to gradually raise the relief. With each tap of the hammer, the design becomes clearer.
Sacha knew from a young age that she wanted to be a visual artist, and she started making jewelry at twelve using paperclips and beads. At seventeen, she chose to study gold and silversmithing at the Vakschool voor Edelsmeden in Amsterdam. Since 1999, she has worked as a goldsmith and jewelry designer. Sacha’s favorite technique is embossing, which is ideal for the organic forms she loves to give her jewelry. Gradually, the material takes shape under the influence of hammer and punch, later transformed into the unique and fairytale-like jewelry pieces in her collection.
To inspire a love for making things in children, the Crafts Bus offers fun workshops for kids aged 8 and up every Sunday, enthusiastically led by Bram Korte.
Craftsmanship is becoming less visible in society. By making something yourself, you’ll soon realize that it’s not that easy. And you also learn how fun it is to create something.
That’s the goal of the Crafts Bus: to instill a love for making things and to elevate the appreciation of craftsmanship back onto the agenda.
In collaboration with Ambachtelijk Vakmanschap Nederland.
Anne van Velthoven en Marmijn van de Vate are teaching the workshop ‘Learn to throw on a pottery wheel’.
In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of throwing on a pottery wheel in a half-hour one-on-one session. You can bring your creations home of course.
Anne and Marmijn know each other through creative workspace Broedplaats Bogotá in Halfweg, where they both have their ceramics workshop. They teach there and sell their objects. You are always welcome for a course or a visit.
Staphorster Stipwerk is a special, unique technique used to print and decorate fabrics and other materials. Initially, this technique was applied to fabrics used for the traditional clothing of Staphorst. After this comprehensive workshop, you will take home a bag printed with Staphorster Stipwerk.
This printing process uses stamps made from items such as wooden bobbins or corks, to which nails, pins, and other pieces of metal are attached. These stamps are dipped in paint and then applied to the material. Stamps with different motifs are combined to create patterns. Each ‘stipper’ develops their own patterns. Some patterns and motifs are commonly used among ‘stippers,’ such as leaf and flower designs or folk art symbols like the sun wheel, beehive, and six-pointed star.
Not only the motifs, but also the colors of the dots carry their own meanings. Traditions around mourning heavily influence color choices, where blue, white, and green are mourning colors, and red is not used during mourning periods.
Staphorster Stipwerk is listed on the national inventory of intangible cultural heritage. The workshop instructors are all craftswomen who have completed the official Staphorster Stipwerk vocational training.
During the workshop, you will learn to create beautiful tassels that can be used as stylish accessories or unique decorations for your clothing. Discover the joy of combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary style and take home a stunning handmade tassel!
From skilled artisans of ancient Egypt and Persia to the trendsetters of London Fashion Week, tassels have been a timeless medium for artistic expression. The art of handcrafting tassels has evolved from simple bundles of thread to intricate, decorative pieces that reflect rich cultural and artistic influences. As tailoring advanced in the 16th century and garments became more elaborate, passementerie (the art of making elaborate trimmings) became integral in showcasing craftsmanship. Passementerie encompasses braids, fringes, cords, embroidery, pom poms, lace, appliqués, and tassels. In the 20th century, designers like Coco Chanel and Christian Dior blended traditional techniques with modern fashion, incorporating passementerie into their bespoke pieces.
The workshop begins with winding, tying, steaming, and trimming threads to create a smooth and straight tassel. It may seem simpler than it is; artisans spend hours perfecting this process. You will learn to use materials that make this process faster and easier. Additionally, we will add a decorative bead element for an extra luxurious touch.
During the workshop, all necessary materials will be provided, and additional materials will be available for purchase to continue making tassels at home. You will also receive guidance on the best materials and where to source them. We will share inspiration from modern fashion designers who incorporate tassels into their clothing collections.
By the end of the two-hour workshop, you will have created a beautiful tassel that can be used as jewelry, an accessory, or a clothing decoration. This passementerie element will give your creations a unique, personal touch!
Katja van der Steen is a master cutter specializing in bespoke tailoring for men’s clothing, as well as theater and dance costumes. She has worked on various projects at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow and undertakes commissions for the Dutch National Opera & Ballet in Amsterdam, the National Dance Theater in The Hague, several museums, and other cultural institutions.
In addition to her theater work, her expertise lies in historical pattern drafting and garment construction, bespoke tailoring, various traditional embroidery techniques, and tatting lace. As a true textile enthusiast, she promotes the craft of handmade through various masterclasses and private lessons, including embroidery, traditional garment making, and textile processing.
In Morocco, the art of geometry is referred to as at-Tasṭīr and it means the ‘art of straight lines’. Each Moroccan ornament and each geometric shape carries a special colloquial name and a story. This masterclass will unfold these untold methods and narratives and will shed light on the artisanal perspectives.
Using a compass, divider and ruler, we’ll learn how to draw a variety of geometric ornaments original to Morocco. We’ll draw together, ask questions and share—all the while, visually visiting Morocco alongside artisan & author Hamza El Fasiki to gain a better understanding of the cultural and practical applications of the art. This masterclass is open to anyone interested in learning about geometric arts and celebrating the richness of arts and crafts of the kingdom of Morocco, and Fes Medina in particular! You get to keep your drawings.
Hamza El Fasiki is an artisan and author. Hamza has apprenticed under his father at Dar-Attamania Studio in Fes, Morocco between 2011 and 2021. Hamza holds an MA degree on Moroccan Cultural Studies with an academic research focus on the cultural history of Moroccan traditional crafts from Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fes. Hamza is specialist in traditional Moroccan geometric patterns, brass engraving, and bookbinding. He has also published academic works in the field and traveled around 16 countries while learning and teaching Moroccan culture.
Neon was discovered in the UK, and the first neon gas tube was illuminated in 1898 in London. Neon lights are beautifully simple: neon gas is harnessed from the air we breathe, put in a vacuumed glass tube, and excited by electricity. Neon lights are 100% recyclable, 100% biodegradable, and comparable in their energy efficiency to LEDs. In 2022, neon was placed on the ‘Red List of Endangered Crafts’ of Heritage Crafts.
Over a two hour session, participants will get the rare chance of learning to make neon by bending and blowing glass tube with flames over a paper circle template, you will see your attempts come to life as the tutors process your glass on the Electron Bombarder and fill it with the red rare noble gas: neon. The workshop includes a power supply and wall fixings, so you take home a working light.
Starting with a straight glass tube, you will learn to cut, bend and blow glass, making use of a flame over a circle template. Then watch as we process your circle shape with gas on our Electron Bombarder – light creating machine. We’re not expecting you to make the perfect O. This would take many hours of practice. Our aim is for you to leave with your own beautiful imperfect versions of a circle :) . Illuminate your home as a reminder and appreciation for human skill. We are working with clear glass tube and neon gas – which glows red when excited by electricity.
Richard William Wheater is an artist using performance and installation to discuss our relationship with the natural environment. Recent work remains loyal to his fascination with glass and neon, which he performs and exhibits worldwide. In 2010, Wheater established the company Neon Workshops. Neon Workshops Ltd. specializes in the development and manufacturing of neon lighting for the creative industry. They organize global shipping and installation of projects and host an annual exhibition program of neon-related work. Based in Wakefield, their facilities include neon-making, a gallery, and a significant public resource library on the subject, all housed under one roof.
April Key is a sculptor who primarily uses illuminated glass and sculpted base body materials. She began working with neon while living in Istanbul. Coming from an architecture background, Key is interested in manipulating light through structure and color. This interest led to discovering neon glass making and general sculptural practice, two prominent elements in her work. April is deeply passionate about retelling memories and historical stories through this visual language, drawing much inspiration from locality and individuals.
During this workshop, you can enjoy your own tasting session. You’ll create your own peanut butter flavor and learn all about the tastiest peanut butter in the Netherlands! Let your imagination run wild and come up with a delicious new flavor! Who knows, your flavor might come out on top and earn you a prestigious Peanut Prize!
The idea for a peanut butter shop started at the kitchen table, where Michiel began combining the first flavors. As a lifelong organic farmer, he’s always been a big peanut butter fan. However, he felt there was a lack of variety in the existing options. After several successful tests, the Peanut Boss decided to take it seriously: the idea for The Peanut Butter Shop was born. Here, peanut butter is enthusiastically elevated to the pedestal it deserves.
In addition to the workshop, there’s a mini Peanut Butter Shop at the festival, complete with a tasting table. Everyone can try out the flavors, and in the meantime, employees will gladly inform you about the artisanal preparation methods in their small workshop.
Ebru art, also known as paper marbling, is an ancient painting technique that has been around for 1500 years. During the workshop, we practice ebru art in the most traditional manner, using water, paint, and brushes, exactly as our ancestors did 1500 years ago.
Okan Akin is an artist born and raised in Turkey. He completed his art education in 1991, specializing in textile design. He worked as a teacher for five years at a vocational high school in Turkey. In 1997, Okan moved to the Netherlands. In 2006, he decided to establish his studio, Atelier Okan Akin, in the art community at NDSM Loods, Amsterdam. Here, he has continued to work with enthusiasm and passion as an artist.
“I learned traditional art techniques at an art academy in Turkey. Alongside traditional art, I also studied modern art. My ultimate challenge is applying and combining general art techniques in my contemporary work. Ebru art is an example of this.”
Learn to turn a wooden bowl on a lathe, up to 20cm in diameter. In this workshop, you will receive information on techniques and design.
RADIUS, the Dutch Association of Woodturners, was founded in 1994 and has since grown to approximately 750 members. The association consists of 16 active regional departments.
While a small number of members practice woodturning professionally, most are active hobbyists. They turn functional and artistic objects at various skill levels based on their training, experience, and interests. Several members are well-known both nationally and internationally, and their creations can be found at prominent exhibitions.
The association publishes a full-color quarterly magazine called AktieRadius and hosts an annual woodturning day at a central location in the Netherlands. This day includes demonstrations, lectures, information sessions, and the sale of woodturning supplies by various vendors.
Festival address:
NDSM Loods
NDSM-Plein 85
1033 WC Amsterdam
Postal address:
Stichting Ambacht in Beeld
Kalf 158
1509AH Zaandam
The Netherlands
