Helston Spring Thing – Brushmaking Workshop

Discover traditional brushmaking skills, gather together and get creative with natural and foraged materials.

Brushmaking Workshop with Ellie Birkhead

A keyboard brush? A beard brush? A crumb brush?

During this workshop, running as part of Helston Spring Thing, Ellie will pass on the skills learnt from one of England’s last brushmakers for you to make your very own brushes for the home.

Ellie will teach an age old brush binding technique before giving you the opportunity to get creative with making a brush of your own. You will be introduced to the pillar drill and learn simple woodworking techniques to be able to craft your own handle, as well as having the chance to experiment with a mixture of bristle materials, from old fishing nets to natural fibres.

No experience required - just bring your creativity and curiosity.

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“I attended one of Ellie’s winter brush-making classes and had a fantastic time. As a maker, I wanted to try something new, and this class was the perfect introduction to brush-making. Ellie was both knowledgeable and supportive, answering questions and offering guidance throughout. I’m excited to make more brushes and look forward to taking another of Ellie’s classes soon!” – Fern Toynton, Nov 24

"What a really engaging workshop! Ellie took the time to put brush making in UK historic context, along with books and examples, which was actually as useful a take away as the brush making itself as it allowed research into different techniques and materials after the workshop. The brush making workshop itself was well explained, lots of fun and the group all made a selection of different designs under Ellies clear guidance. I personally, and a few others from the group that I know, have made brushes since the workshop - the ultimate compliment to a tutor - if people carry on afterwords." – David White (@thewhittlings), Oct 24.

About Ellie

Ellie Birkhead is a designer, maker and facilitator who uses the power of craft and creativity to bring about social change. Ellie is passionate about passing on hand skills to people of all ages to build confidence and a deeper understanding and appreciation for natural materials and crafted objects.

Ellie’s broad background in making spans from creating props for film and tv, designing for the luxury craft sector, through to facilitating family workshops - but the thread that runs through it all is a love for making, for conversation and connection across the workbench, and a desire to be surrounded by thoughtfully made objects.