Meet the Makers Day

September 2, 2025

Makers Barn was born from my passion for rural crafts and from my job as a coppice worker and hedge layer. Being a craftswoman myself I know how important it is to have a way to showcase my work and this goes for all of our makers here at the barn, these skilled people quietly making amazing things in their workshops, studios, sheds and woodlands.

In our fast paced world it is all too easy for us to lose touch with the skills that were once commonplace in society, and once lost, that knowledge is gone for good. This desire to shout from the rooftops about rural crafts is the reason the barn came to life and the very reason that we have Meet the Makers Day here every year.

On Saturday 6th September, you’ll be able to see first hand the skills of these wonderfully talented creatives, talk to them about their crafts and, the bit that I’m really excited about, HAVE A GO!! Making something with your hands is one of the most rewarding processes. So do come along, roll your sleeves up and try some of the brilliant crafts that we have to offer. There’s so much to choose from and no need to book, so come and learn some new skills with us!

The following activities will be available to have a go at, with a charge:

Sweet Briar Forge - Blacksmithing - Make a snail/snake

The Burning Bright - Candle decorating

Lydia Asscher - Make a copper bangle

Nigel Dipple - Make copper/titanium earrings or a copper cuff bracelet

Cade Street Pottery - Make a pinch pot cup

Kat Wootton - Make a nettle cordage bracelet

Sooz Makes - Book binding

Southon Fox - Make a paper flower

Caro Tovey - Weave a table mat

Hand Thrown Pottery - Throw a pot

Katie Netley - Hand built ceramics

Les Brannon - Make a mini leather pouch/ key fob

The following makers are offering free try-outs of their crafts:

Alison Ingram - Weaving with fleece

Claire Gaudion - Willow frame basket weaving

Finn’s Fire and Carving - Mark making on our Makers Day pyrography board

Chris Matthews - Wood turning on a pole lathe

Harry Godman Dorrington - Have a go with a drawknife and shave horse

Steve Scott - Brush making

And more makers will be demonstrating and chatting about their crafts:

Catherine Beaumont - Willow Basketry

Jacko Leaver - Hazel Hurdle Making

Chris Letchford - Sussex Pimp Making

Toni Brannon - Spinning

Join us on Saturday 6th September to experience this brilliant range of rural crafts.

If you love having a go at these crafts, and want to experience more we would love to welcome you back to the barn for one of our workshops.

There will also be live music during the afternoon and delicious food. The barn shop will be open. There will also be fresh flowers for sale as well as plants and lots of delicious fresh bread will be available made by Exec. Chef Simon Dixon who is also cooking for us on the day from 12pm. Take a look at this menu!