• Saturday 7 March: 3pm-5pm
• Saturday 29 August: 3pm-5pm
• Saturday 21 November: 3pm-5pm

Experience the satisfaction of making a small, versatile brush in this 2-hour workshop. Using natural wood and locally sourced fibres, you’ll learn handwork techniques to create a practical tool. Begin by crafting fine tī kōuka cord with a European twining method, then move on to fibre preparation, hole drilling, and a lashing technique to assemble your brush. Working on something small in size requires care and focus, inviting you to slow down and connect with natural materials. These functional brushes are perfect for a variety of tasks, from oiling pans to children’s water painting.

Please note

• All materials and tools will be provided
• Please expect to get covered in tī kōuka.
• Gloves – Please bring close-fitting garden grip type gloves, as they help with grip and protection. Loose or baggy gloves can be a hazard.
• Footwear – Closed-in footwear is essential.
• Optional – Please bring scissors if you have them.
• Food & Drink – Bring a water bottle to keep hydrated, and any food or snacks you may need over the course of the workshop. To observe tikanga, we ask that no food or hot drinks are consumed in the work space, a separate area will be available for breaks.
• This workshop is for adults aged 18 and over who can work safely without direct supervision with very sharp hand tools, or for young people aged 16–17 who can meet the same safety requirements and attend with a supervising adult. Please note that if a young person attends, two workshop places must be purchased (one for the young person and one for the accompanying adult).

Optional materials you may like to bring

(Entirely optional — all necessary materials will be supplied)

• If you do have a source of fallen, dried tī kōuka/cabbage tree leaves that you are able to soak (for at least a few nights) and bring along, please do. We always appreciate more of these.
• Bring an intention or job for your brushes, and if time allows we can work to tweak the brush for the specific job.

Cancellation

Bookings are non-refundable. If for any reason (this includes illness, travel delays, and injuries) you need to cancel your workshop, you will receive a refund minus a $30 administration fee. This is provided you contact us at least 14 full days before your booking.

Please see our Cancellation Policy for more details.

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We are grateful to be able to offer this workshop because of support from Creative New Zealand.