Unique Creative Workshops in

West London

Author’s Bio - Angela of Ange B Designs, is a sustainable jewellery designer and maker based in West London. Alongside her jewellery design business, she also teaches one-day jewellery making workshops for beginners.

As a maker, I love learning new skills and it was after doing a leather bag making class, that I was prompted to set up my own ‘make a silver ring in a day’ workshop in my West London garden studio. There’s a lot to be said for making something that you then get to take home at the end of the session, and until recently there was a dearth of creative things to do in the West of our great city. However, Ealing (aka “Queen of the Suburbs”) is rich not only in film and music history, but also a fabulous emerging destination for unique creative activities.

Go West…

London is full of great things to do but if you’re after more than a ‘bottomless brunch’ or afternoon tea in the centre of the city, then why not head to Ealing in West London for a unique creative activity that you can enjoy with friends or family. In this article, I’ve shone a spotlight on three very different but brilliant creative workshops in Ealing, West London - perfect ways to spend a fun few hours.

Ethical Creativity

Being a sustainable maker myself, I’ve selected three business that by their very nature foster the ethos of ethical creativity: making or doing activities that have longevity, beyond the actual experience - whether that be through making something unique that will last, or giving you a skill that you can share!

Leather Craft Workshop Days

If you’re like me and love a good leather handbag, then Leather Craft Workshop Days will get you excited. Founded by Rich Williamson, these wonderfully hands-on, practical workshops will take you through the steps needed to create your own bag, a belt or wallet. Located in the newly-launched SET Studios in West Ealing, Rich’s unique workshops are a great way of creating your own wearable accessories. I asked Rich why he’d set up his workshops:

“Leather Craft Workshop Days are designed to be all about you... getting hands-on and making is what it’s all about, with a selection of workshops without hidden extra costs.

On all of my workshops and courses you'll be using the highest quality leather and I've designed all of the hand cut and saddle stitched items you make, with a timeless stylish look. My leather crafting workshops are geared towards people with little or no experience of working with vegetable-tanned leathers of various thicknesses.

You'll learn about all the various leather types, the tools and the process, as well as where to buy your own leather, tools and hardware if you wish to continue learning.

Each of my workshops are tailored so you'll come away with your very own hand stitched leather item from your session”.

Book a workshop here:

Rich’s Leather Craft Workshop in West Ealing

Two newbie makers showing off their new bags!

Greenka - Plant re-potting

During the lockdown of 2020 I became addicted to houseplants. I was lucky enough to be able to ‘feed my habit’ with beautiful plants delivered to my door by Greenka - a fabulous independent plant shop founded by two local mums, Katy and Aysha. As a result of their amazing home delivery service, Greenka now have a permanent home in bustling Ealing Broadway, selling a wonderful array of houseplants. Recently they have set up their own plant care/re-potting workshops. I chatted to Katy about how their workshop came to life:

“We know how scary it can feel to repot your plants for the first time and how it can go wrong. We want to show people how easy it is and give them the confidence to repot all their plants in the future.

We have put together a workshop where we will go through the importance of using the right soil, correct watering, pests, pruning and generally how to keep your plants flourishing for a long time”
We invite attendees to bring along two plants (up to 15cm in height) or one large plant. We will provide the rest along with a glass of prosecco, tea/coffee or soft drinks. Maybe even a few snacks! At the end you will have time to browse the shop and take advantage of 10% off any purchase.”

Aysha leading a plant repotting session at Greenka in Ealing Broadway

All you need is Plants

Ealing Repair Cafe - visible mending

As a keen ‘slow fashion’ advocate, I was over the moon when I discovered Ealing Repair Cafe’s Facebook Page. I got in touch with Mary Horesh, founder of ERC to find out how and why she started this unique creative activity. She explained that as a passionate environmental campaigner, she wanted to teach people to repair by using patching or darning techniques rather than discarding their clothes.

"The trick is to start and begin your repair journey with whatever skills you have today. There are really simple techniques that you can begin with. Your skills will improve with practice and your mends will become more creative. Make a small step today, such as fixing a hole in your socks which can lead to a huge potential of extending the life of your clothes. Once I started sewing and valuing my clothes, I looked at what clothes I was buying, the ethics and eco credentials of the brands I bought from. Now I buy a lot of second-hand clothes and alter them to fit me properly. You'll start looking at the rest of your life and wonder, what other changes can I make?"

Mary and her lovely team (Yvonne Burr and Lone Konradsen) run workshops where they teach patching, darning and embroidery at various locations throughout Ealing Borough.

Find their next workshop here

Mary, Lone and Yvonne of Ealing Repair Cafe

Repair and re-wear!

So don’t believe the haters who say that East London is the place to be when it comes to all things creative - Ealing in West London is a serious destination contender for creative workshops that are both unique and fun!