Ibrahim is from Sudan and is a carpenter. He is very skilled in wood and worked in Sudan as a furniture maker, using recycled wood.
In this workshop, children of all ages can learn basic woodworking skills. You will build a small boat from wood and textiles, which will float in the water.
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.”
Print your own poster with wooden letters? You can do that! GWA (Grafische Werkplaats Amsterdam) is bringing a small printing press, antique wooden letters, and ink to the Ambacht in Beeld Festival. With these tools, you can design and print your own personalized poster.
GWA houses an extensive collection of traditional graphic materials at their workshop nearby in the NDSM Loods: printing presses, wooden letters, lead type, and everything you need for linocut, woodcut, and bookbinding. The organization offers courses and workshops for anyone interested in exploring traditional printing techniques. This includes school classes, graphic design students, artists, and handmade print enthusiasts. Step away from the computer!
This workshop is open to participants aged 8 and above. You’ll work together with one other participant to create your own poster. The poster won’t be immediately dry, so it’s best to leave it hanging for as long as possible before taking it home or picking it up later at the workshop.
(if you read this you’re crazy! hahaha!)
The Amsterdam-based artist Daan Wille, also known as Blazin, has mastered calligraffiti, a fusion of calligraphy and graffiti. Inspired by the renowned graffiti artist Shoe, Daan has evolved into a versatile designer creating logos, typefaces, and especially calligraphy.
In this workshop, you’ll get a close look at Blazin’s techniques and create your own artwork with his guidance, featuring your name.
We first offered this workshop in 2015 in collaboration with the Street Art Museum Amsterdam. Daan also conducted workshops during Craft in Focus New York in 2017 and 2019. Due to its success, we are offering it again this year in Amsterdam!
In this inspiring workshop, you’ll learn how to create unique handmade jewelry using beautiful gemstones. Guided by designer Fatima Essahsah, known for her attention to detail and passion for natural materials, you’ll explore a world of colors, textures, and shapes that will ignite your creativity.
Fatima will take you on a creative journey where you’ll not only learn simple techniques to craft stunning jewelry but also discover the stories behind the stones, their symbolism, and their energy. The focus of the workshop is on creating jewelry pieces that tell a story. Rather than just aesthetics, participants are encouraged to use their jewelry as a form of personal expression. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, these workshops are designed to inspire and challenge everyone. You’ll learn how to use fishing wire to string different gemstones, creating patterns that reflect the story you want to tell.
Fatima Essahsah is the passionate founder of Stones Stories and a talented jewelry designer. Her unique pieces are crafted in Morocco using traditional Jewish and Moroccan craft techniques. Drawing inspiration from her road trips across Morocco, Fatima discovers stories that reflect the rich diversity of North Africa. Founded in 2017, Stones Stories is more than just a jewelry brand; it’s a platform that brings the cultural heritage of North Africa to life.
Fatima’s work extends to international museums where it is exhibited, and she gives lectures emphasizing cultural diversity. She also regularly organizes workshops and social experiments aimed at connecting people from different cultures. Her jewelry not only showcases beauty but also carries a deeper narrative—a narrative that invites people to explore the rich history and traditions of North Africa.
Photographer: Frederique Peckelsen
Leaves can naturally transfer their color onto fabric. In eco-dyeing, also known as plant printing, patterns are created on fabric using leaves from various plants. Since the publication of India Flint’s books, this dyeing technique has gained popularity. The art lies in ensuring that the leaf not only leaves a colored spot but also makes the vein pattern visible in the print. The instructors at Hawar Textielinstituut know exactly how to achieve this effect. They teach about the natural dyes present in different leaves and how to create sharp, clear prints.
In this workshop, you will print a soft and summery scarf made of Etamine de Laine with your own pattern using various leaves. You don’t need to bring anything for the workshop as we will provide a wide selection of leaves. Part of the workshop involves fixing the colors, which takes about an hour. You don’t need to stay for this process, but please note that you won’t be able to take the scarf home immediately after the workshop. If you enjoy experimenting, you can also bring your own leaves from plants, trees, or flowers. While we may not know exactly what color each leaf will produce, the surprise often results in even more beautiful outcomes!
Harm Harms is a teacher and owner of the family-run Hawar Textielinstituut, where instructors from both the Netherlands and abroad share their knowledge and skills in a large and inviting workshop space. The institute also houses an extensive store and an inspiring gallery, making it a hub for discovering and rediscovering new and old materials and textile techniques. During the festival, Harm leads workshops alongside Floor de Bruijn. She has a background as a designer at Humanoid and teaches at Hawar in the reuse and restyling of clothing and fabrics.
Moroccan brass engraving, known locally as az-Zuwāq ʿala an-Nuḥās, is an old tradition. The techniques of brass engraving in Morocco, using a chisel and other stamps, and the methods of constructing patterns using a hand-forged divider, date back to early 11th century.
This workshop invites you to be part of this commitment to old techniques and methods that marks transgenerational legacies. This drop-In workshop will showcase the following technical steps:
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 and had published academic works in the field and traveled around 16 countries while learning and teaching Moroccan culture.
We are Avital and Saskia, and a year ago we founded BobaQtea. Our bubble tea is 100% vegan, and all our products are freshly prepared. We serve our delicious bubble tea from a mobile kitchen on a giant cargo bike, which we bring to various corporate and private events, festivals, and concerts!
We’re always on the lookout for new recipes and creative ideas. Popping pearls are special to us because of their unique taste and mouthfeel. Come by for a nice treat or join our workshop and make your own poppings!
Minimum age: 12 years (children accompanied by parents/guardians).
Spinning tops have been turned on the lathe for hundreds of years. In the past, each region had its own model toll. Spinning tops are fun to spin. A spinning top is relatively simple in design and always manages to turn in a short time. Young and old like to spin. That is why it is still a popular children’s toy.
1 on 1 workshop.
RADIUS, the Dutch Association of Woodturners, was founded in 1994 and by now has grown to an association of 750 members. The association consists of 16 active regional sections.
A few members practise woodturning professionally, but most are active hobbyists. They turn their utilitarian and artistic objects at different levels according to their training, experience and interest. Several members enjoy great fame at home and abroad; their creations can be found at prominent exhibitions.
The association publishes a full-colour quarterly magazine called AktieRadius and holds an annual woodturning day at a central location in the Netherlands. This day features demonstrations, lectures, education and sales of woodturning supplies by various suppliers.
Festival address:
NDSM Loods
NDSM-Plein 85
1033 WC Amsterdam
Postal address:
Stichting Ambacht in Beeld
Kalf 158
1509AH Zaandam
The Netherlands
