Carve out some time for yourself this Christmas and spend a cosy morning carving a little wooden robin above the wild winter sea.

Come in from the winter weather and spend a few cosy hours carving your own little wooden robin above Brighton’s wild winter sea.

We'll start with a simple piece of lime wood and slowly turn it into a robin using traditional hand-carving techniques. I'll show you how to make the different cuts, work with the grain and gradually shape your bird before adding the little details that give it character.

Every robin will come out a little bit different — that's part of the fun! You can keep yours natural and simple, or add a little colour to its red breast and other finishing touches to make it your own.

We'll put on some Christmas music, tuck into mince pies and settle in for a few hours of making, while the sea rolls away outside the window.

At the end, you'll have a little wooden robin to take home and bring out again each Christmas.

This workshop is suitable for complete beginners as well as people who've carved before. If you're new to carving, I'll take you through everything step by step. If you've joined me for a carving workshop before, or already have some experience, it's a chance to come back, build on your skills and try a new project.

What the session is like

A relaxed, small-group workshop with plenty of guidance throughout. We'll begin with a full introduction to the tools and how to use them safely, then I'll demonstrate each stage as we go.

We'll look at how to work with the grain, make different types of cuts, and gradually transform the wood into your robin. I'll also show you how to sharpen and look after your carving tools.

There'll be plenty of time to ask questions, enjoy a mince pie, and get completely absorbed in your carving.

We'll have Christmas music playing in the background, with the sea just outside the window — hopefully wild and wintry, perhaps with a bit of Brighton weather thrown in for good measure.

Beginners can take things slowly, while more confident carvers can spend time playing around with the details and finishing touches.

Location

The Old Net Loft, upstairs at Brighton Fishing Museum, Brighton seafront

We'll be carving in the beautiful Old Net Loft above the Fishing Museum, right on Brighton seafront.

The loft has a beautiful large window looking out towards the sea, so you'll be able to settle in with your carving while watching the winter waves outside. There's something rather lovely about being tucked up indoors with a piece of wood in your hands while the sea is doing its wild winter thing outside.

Full directions and arrival information will be sent before the workshop.

Who it's for

Complete beginners who'd like to try woodcarving

People who've carved before and fancy making something new

Anyone who loves making things by hand

Anyone who'd rather make a Christmas decoration than buy another one 🎄

Anyone who could use a few quiet hours away from the Christmas rush

What's included

All carving tools and equipment

A lime wood blank for your robin

Paint and finishing materials

Mince pies and soft drinks

Your hand-carved robin to take home

Hot drinks (and amazing fresh fish sarnies!) are also available to buy from the Fishing Museum café downstairs.

If you have any allergies or dietary requirements, please let me know when booking and I'll do my best to accommodate them.

Time, group & ages

10am–1pm

Please arrive 5–10 minutes early so we can get settled and start together.

This is a small-group workshop, so there's plenty of time for individual help and guidance.

Please bring

Closed-toe shoes

A bottle of water

Clothes you don't mind getting a little bit woody!

About your tutor

I'm Madi, a Brighton-based woodcarver and artist. I studied Historic Woodcarving at City & Guilds of London Art School, where I trained in traditional carving techniques.

I love sharing these skills through relaxed, welcoming workshops where there's plenty of time to get absorbed in the process and get a little bit hooked on carving!

Accessibility & good to know

Woodcarving involves using sharp tools and requires some grip strength and control in both hands. If you have limited hand strength, dexterity or another access requirement and aren't sure whether the workshop will be suitable, please feel free to get in touch before booking. Where possible, I'm very happy to make adjustments.

Please be aware that the workshop takes place upstairs. Please contact me with any access requirements before booking.

Safety equipment is provided, and we'll have a full safety briefing before we begin.

Description supplied by the event organiser.