Wire-Working: Flower Stems and Grasses

Online booking will be available on Monday 2 March.

Use wire as you would draw a line to create a beautiful contemporary piece for your home!

Think of the wire as a pencil line and then take it for a walk. This one-day workshop is ideal for absolute beginners and those with some experience of metal working who’d like to try something new.

In this wire working class you will create a two-dimensional picture or three-dimensional flower heads and leaf stems. You will learn how to bend, weave, fold and wrap various types of wire, using the different colours and thicknesses to create detail and add interest.

You’ll learn some techniques of working with coloured craft wire, thin copper wire and iron binding wire, mixing and matching the different colours to add interest and contrast to their designs. Tools and equipment used to shape and bend wire include various types of pliers and snips and a board to hammer pins into to help keep the wire under control while working. Jigs to create repetitive patterns will also be available.

Craft wire in particular is quite soft, making it easy to bend and use and wire wrapping, weaving and snipping are not tiring techniques. During the four hours there is plenty of time to master the technique and create a beautifully made outcome or two.

There are a few optional outcomes for this class and tutor Emma-Jane will have samples and ideas for some inspiration. Photos of your pet or a favourite landscape might be a great way to personalise your designs and if it could be printed out at A5 to A4 size and brought with you, then you can directly trace those lines with the wire, using the wire as you would draw a line. If you have any other ideas of what you would like to make then I’m sure we can make that happen too.

One design option is a flat two-dimensional picture that is up to A4 in size that can be hung on the wall or in a window. Clever placement in the home gives fabulous shadows when the sun comes out. Starting points will be with drawing a pattern or a picture onto paper and using this as your guide to follow as you weave, knot and bend the wire into shape.

Another option is to create the 2d picture and add some 3d elements, which extend from the surface of the flat design.

Finally, flowers and leaves are a lovely 3D project and stems can be displayed in a vase or turned into a garland. Take inspiration from nature or make up your own bloom and create it in wire – it will never wilt!

All materials and equipment will be provided. Please come in old clothes and/or bring an apron as crafting can get messy! We do have aprons available to borrow if you prefer.

About the tutor:

Tutor Emma-Jane Rule is an award-winning contemporary Metalsmith and Silversmith, with a workshop at StudionAme in Leicester. She is a member of Design-Nation and has exhibited nationally at contemporary art, craft and design events. Her handcrafted contemporary metalwork is created using traditional silversmithing skills as well as a metalworking technique called foldforming. This involves folding sheets of metal and using hammer blows to stretch certain areas, when unfolded and manipulated by hand they are transformed into three-dimensional forms. Taking inspiration from the rhythms and patterns found in nature, Emma-Jane’s portfolio includes decorative vessels and wall art in silver and base metals, lighting and jewellery.

Further information:

Recommended for ages 14+. Under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult at all times.

The workshop will run on Saturday 2 May 2026, 10.30am-3pm.

There’ll be a short break for lunch. Our café will be open or you’re welcome to bring your own refreshments.

If the course/workshop you’d like to book is sold out, we do operate a waiting list – simply contact our box office team on 0116 252 2455 / arts-centre@le.ac.uk and ask to be added to the waiting list. We’ll then contact you if a place becomes available, with absolutely no obligation to accept it if you’ve made other plans!

Please ensure that you agree to our updated Terms & Conditions before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable if cancelled within 21 days of the start date for any reason.

We aim to make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome – just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you’d like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email arts-centre@le.ac.uk, pop in or call 0116 252 2455, open 7 days a week.

We have four blue badge parking spaces outside Attenborough Arts Centre, plus double yellow line roadside parking very close to the building for blue badge holders for up to three hours if our parking spaces are occupied.

Free parking for all customers is available after 5pm on weekdays and all day at weekends in the University of Leicester car park next door to Attenborough Arts Centre on Lancaster Road.

The closest public car park for parking at all other times is Victoria Park, 5-10 minutes walk from us (near De Montfort Hall).