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Create your own straw marquetry tile
3 hours of discovery with Kim
Knowledge in straw marquetry
Your beautiful creation
£90
per personThe workshop in detail
Kim Jordan is a contemporary furniture maker, widely known for his incredible straw marquetry designs. This amazing art form is not widely known, so we are super excited to offer you this workshop to learn something totally unique! Straw marquetry is a traditional craft where thin strips of straw are cut, dyed, and arranged to create beautiful, geometrical designs. After softening the straw and dyeing it in various colours, the strips are glued onto surfaces in fun patterns. This is your chance to learn how to create something beautiful in this traditional technique yourself.
Kim will introduce the craft to you, including a presentation about the rich history. You will hear about his personal passion to use only natural materials in his work, which has been influenced by Japanese aesthetics, and a key Wecandoo value as well.
Then it's time to get down to business! With Kim's guidance, you will have the opportunity to design your own marquetry tile, choosing your own colours and patterns. Using Kims tools and rulers, and practicing your patience and eye for detail, your piece will start to take on it's form!
You could intricately create something that perfectly matches your interior design, or let your imagination run wild with a bright and vibrant show-stopper piece! The final effect of these are really impressive, it's a mindful process to be able to create something with your own hands and focus for three hours. Perfect for busy-bees who need to switch off and feel a sense of accomplishment.
So come along to discover the peace, satisfaction and enjoyment of creating with Kim!
Workshop location
Accessible by public transport
Additional information
Language of the workshop
English
Meet Kim
Furniture Maker
Meet Kim Jordan, a contemporary furniture maker, widely known for his incredible straw marquetry designs. This amazing art form is not widely known, so we are so happy to have Kim to introduce it. Straw marquetry is a traditional craft where thin strips of straw are cut, dyed, and arranged to create beautiful, geometrical designs onto surfaces.
Kim's has a strong design-led background, he trained in furniture making in Oxfordshire, where he developed a strong foundation in traditional woodworking techniques. Following his education, he embarked on a career as a contemporary furniture maker, making his unique mark in the industry and eventually establishing his own studio in the UK.
You have the chance to visit his studio, in Limehouse! Here, Kim carefully crafts his designs using only raw materials, something he is very passionate about as a sustainability advocate. Another value of his is to create functional items, which will be useful, beautiful and treasured! From chairs, trays, tiles and tables, Kim's work reflects his dedication to his skill and his innovative approach to the craft.
In Kim's workshops, you are investing in quality craftsmanship. In learning straw marquetry, you have to embrace being thorough, careful, and precise. These are not skills that come easily to people so it is a great way to practice being more mindful. You will come away feeling a huge sense of achievement, not only with your final piece, but also at your ability to be calm and focus on the task in hand. There is no one better to help you in your day that Kim, with his kind and patient nature.
2 comments
Kate B
4/30/2024
Last week I attended Kim’s Introduction to Straw Marquetry course, and it was money well spent ! Kim was an excellent teacher and very friendly too, making the whole course very relaxed but focused. The class size was (deliberately) small which meant that we progressed a lot in just 3 hours, and Kim could help everyone individually if we were struggling at all or needed a step repeated. I had previous experience of straw marquetry, however after telling Kim this he accommodated my skill level perfectly and helped me try new techniques I hadn’t achieved through teaching myself the craft. He was equally attentive and accommodating to complete beginners. So, if you love a relaxed social setting whilst learning a new craft or honing an existing one, then this is the perfect course for you!
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Ed B
5/6/2024
After seeing Kim’s work online and also in magazines, when I saw the course I jumped at the chance, especially since it was in central London. The course was held in a perfect space for the small group. I had no experience of straw marquetry and Kim gave a great introduction and covered all of the basics and we had a go. The feedback and guidance was great. After we’d had a go, he then showed some other techniques to do some more interesting (and intricate) patterns. Once we’d finished practising we then started on our piece. Kim was at hand to help as needed and he helped me in a few bits and so by the end of the course I had a complete piece It was a really great taster& something unique (in all the best ways!). This will definitely be an evening I’ll remember for a long time to come.