Festival of Stuff

Thursday 08 June 23 - Saturday 17 June 23

The Festival of Stuff runs yearly in June or July and consists of a week of bookable masterclasses and a big public street festival of materials and making. 

Masterclasses have included basket weaving, 3D print finishing, paper cord weaving, pewter casting, shaker box making, pyrotechnic displays, linoleum printing, the art of kintsugi, glass whistle making and much more. The festival culminates in a dazzling Saturday Extravaganza of making stalls and materials demos, taking over the whole street outside the Institute of Making. The day revisits our favourite activities of the year as well as fresh discoveries such as cyanotype printing, sugru throwing, coffee bean roasting, yellow road mark painting, cube embroidery, carbon teeth cleaning, copper bowl hammering and not-so-expanded-polystyrene boiling, to name a few. 

The full schedule is published each year in May, be the first to hear by signing up to our mailing list here

The Festival of Stuff is free an open to all. Booking is required for all masterclasses. There is no need to book for the Saturday Extravaganza which is drop-in from 1-5pm. 

Watch a film of our 2014 Festival of Stuff open day here.

Past Events

Festival of Stuff - Saturday Extravaganza

Festival of Stuff - Saturday Extravaganza

Saturday 06 July 2024 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Save the date! The our spectacular festival is back to celebrate all things making and materials.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Saturday Extravaganza

Festival of Stuff: Saturday Extravaganza

Saturday 17 June 2023 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Join us at the Institute of Making to celebrate the sheer joy of stuff as we host our greatest public extravaganza of the year on Saturday 17th June to mark the finale of our Festival of Stuff.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Experimental Mirror Making Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Experimental Mirror Making Masterclass

Sunday 11 June 2023 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Transform a clear pane of glass into a one-of-a-kind experimental mirror, with designer and artist Attua Aparicio in this fun and creative session.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Lamp Noodling Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Lamp Noodling Masterclass

Sunday 11 June 2023 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Join glass maker Jochen Holz for a unique demonstration of lampworking, an especially versatile form of glassblowing. As part of the session, participants will have the chance to manipulate glass themselves.

Part of Public Events,  Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Experimental Mirror Making Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Experimental Mirror Making Masterclass

Sunday 11 June 2023 10:00am - 12:00pm

Transform a clear pane of glass into a one-of-a-kind experimental mirror, with designer and artist Attua Aparicio in this fun and creative session.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Lamp Noodling Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Lamp Noodling Masterclass

Sunday 11 June 2023 10:00am - 12:00pm

Join glass maker Jochen Holz for a unique demonstration of lampworking, an especially versatile form of glassblowing. As part of the session, participants will have the chance to manipulate glass themselves.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Online Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - TinkerCAD for Absolute Beginners Masterclass

Online Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - TinkerCAD for Absolute Beginners Masterclass

Saturday 10 June 2023 2:30pm - 4:00pm

Join us to learn the basics of CAD design using TinkerCAD, a fun and simple online CAD (Computer Aided Design) program. The session will take place on Zoom so you can design on your own computer and follow along from anywhere.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Fusion 360 (CAD) Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Fusion 360 (CAD) Masterclass

Saturday 10 June 2023 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Get up to speed on CAD (Computer Aided Design) software - fast. Fusion 360 is a programme used for technical modeling, for example for woodwork, mechanical engineering, design, fine art and more.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Silver Twisting Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Silver Twisting Masterclass

Saturday 10 June 2023 2:00pm - 4:00pm

In this workshop, Rahel Pfrommer and Bine Roth will teach you how to twist and bend silver wire to create your own unique piece of jewellery: a ring, earring, cuff or pendant, the choice is yours!

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Online Festival of Stuff: Morning - TinkerCAD for Absolute Beginners Masterclass

Online Festival of Stuff: Morning - TinkerCAD for Absolute Beginners Masterclass

Saturday 10 June 2023 10:30am - 12:00pm

Join us to learn the basics of CAD design using TinkerCAD, a fun and simple online CAD (Computer Aided Design) program. The session will take place on Zoom so you can design on your own computer and follow along from anywhere.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Fusion 360 (CAD) Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Fusion 360 (CAD) Masterclass

Saturday 10 June 2023 10:00am - 12:00pm

Get up to speed on CAD (Computer Aided Design) software - fast. Fusion 360 is a programme used for technical modeling, for example for woodwork, mechanical engineering, design, fine art and more.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Silver Twisting Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Silver Twisting Masterclass

Saturday 10 June 2023 10:00am - 12:00pm

In this workshop, Rahel Pfrommer and Bine Roth will teach you how to twist and bend silver wire to create your own unique piece of jewellery: a ring, earring, cuff or pendant, the choice is yours!

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Experimental Indigo Dyeing Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Experimental Indigo Dyeing Masterclass

Friday 09 June 2023 2:00pm - 4:00pm

In this experimental dyeing masterclass, Samantha Russell from Tens Studio will teach participants how to dip fabric into an indigo dye vat without aerating it, and investigate the invisible histories of natural indigo as a material that is closely linked to both slavery and cultural expression.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Altering Denim Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Altering Denim Masterclass

Friday 09 June 2023 2:00pm - 4:00pm

This masterclass focuses on a much-loved, hard-wearing fabric: denim. Together with expert seamstress Ayat Salimane, participants will learn how to adjust jeans and other denim items by adding in darts, sewing flat seams, and upcycling.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Altering Denim Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Altering Denim Masterclass

Friday 09 June 2023 10:00am - 12:00pm

This masterclass focuses on a much-loved, hard-wearing fabric: denim. Together with expert seamstress Ayat Salimane, participants will learn how to adjust jeans and other denim items by adding in darts, sewing flat seams, and upcycling.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Experimental Indigo Dyeing Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Experimental Indigo Dyeing Masterclass

Friday 09 June 2023 10:00am - 12:00pm

In this experimental dyeing masterclass, Samantha Russell from Tens Studio will teach participants how to dip fabric into an indigo dye vat without aerating it, and investigate the invisible histories of natural indigo as a material that is closely linked to both slavery and cultural expression.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Screen Printing Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Screen Printing Masterclass

Thursday 08 June 2023 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Join artist and printmaker, Ella West, for an introduction to the screen-printing process, using hand-cut stencils to create graphic designs, and with the option of printing onto fabric if you would like to breathe a new lease of life into an old tote bag.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Screen Printing Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Screen Printing Masterclass

Thursday 08 June 2023 10:00am - 12:00pm

Join artist and printmaker, Ella West, for an introduction to the screen-printing process, using hand-cut stencils to create graphic designs, and with the option of printing onto fabric if you would like to breathe a new lease of life into an old tote bag.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: All Day - Paper Making Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: All Day - Paper Making Masterclass

Thursday 08 June 2023 10:00am - 4:00pm

Join book artist and papermaker Mandy Brannan at this all-day masterclass to discover the creative possibilities of papermaking techniques; including traditional Japanese papermaking, recycled papermaking, and papermaking with garden plant fibres.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff

Festival of Stuff

Thursday 08 June 2023 10:00am - 5:00pm

This year’s Festival of Stuff runs across several weeks in June. It begins with four days of brilliant bookable making masterclasses and culminates in a big drop-in Extravaganza of materials and making on 17th June.

Part of Public Events,  Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Fermentation Masterclass (Online)

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Fermentation Masterclass (Online)

Sunday 19 June 2022 2:30pm - 3:45pm

In this online masterclass, fermentation expert Jelena Belgrave for a foray into the world of metabolic food-processing, organic acids, bacteria and yeast. We will explore what drives people to ferment, how to do it safely at home, and look at different fermentation types before settling on lactic acid fermentation and natural yeast.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Pigmented Clay Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Pigmented Clay Masterclass

Sunday 19 June 2022 2:00pm - 4:00pm

This two-hour workshop will introduce the process of colouring and inlaying clay to create experimental ceramics with playful designs, as well as teaching the basic techniques of clay preparation, using drape moulds and preparing pieces for the kiln.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Fermentation Masterclass (Online)

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Fermentation Masterclass (Online)

Sunday 19 June 2022 10:30am - 12:00pm

In this online masterclass, join fermentation expert Jelena Belgrave for a foray into the world of metabolic food-processing, organic acids, bacteria and yeast. We will explore what drives people to ferment, how to do it safely at home, and look at different fermentation types before settling on lactic acid fermentation.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Pigmented Clay Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Pigmented Clay Masterclass

Sunday 19 June 2022 10:00am - 12:00pm

This two-hour workshop will introduce the process of colouring and inlaying clay to create experimental ceramics with playful designs, as well as teaching the basic techniques of clay preparation, using drape moulds and preparing pieces for the kiln.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Session 4 - Blacksmithing Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Session 4 - Blacksmithing Masterclass

Saturday 18 June 2022 3:30pm - 5:00pm

Come and learn about what contemporary blacksmiths do: play with fire, hit things with hammers, and fettle some metal, with blacksmiths Richard Pace and Lizzie Hughes and their mobile forge.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Silver Ring Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Silver Ring Masterclass

Saturday 18 June 2022 2:00pm - 4:00pm

In this workshop, Bine Roth will teach the simplest and most important shape within jewellery making: the ring. Participants will spend the session learning how to cut, shape and file silver and will end up forming their very own piece of jewellery.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Session 3 - Blacksmithing Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Session 3 - Blacksmithing Masterclass

Saturday 18 June 2022 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Come and learn about what contemporary blacksmiths do: play with fire, hit things with hammers, and fettle some metal, with blacksmiths Richard Pace and Lizzie Hughes and their mobile forge.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Session 2 - Blacksmithing Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Session 2 - Blacksmithing Masterclass

Saturday 18 June 2022 11:30am - 1:00pm

Come and learn about what contemporary blacksmiths do: play with fire, hit things with hammers, and fettle some metal, with blacksmiths Richard Pace and Lizzie Hughes and their mobile forge.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Silver Ring Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Silver Ring Masterclass

Saturday 18 June 2022 10:00am - 12:00pm

In this workshop, Bine Roth will teach the simplest and most important shape within jewellery making: the ring. Participants will spend the session learning how to cut, shape and file silver and will end up forming their very own piece of jewellery.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Session 1 - Blacksmithing Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Session 1 - Blacksmithing Masterclass

Saturday 18 June 2022 10:00am - 11:30am

Come and learn about what contemporary blacksmiths do: play with fire, hit things with hammers, and fettle some metal, with blacksmiths Richard Pace and Lizzie Hughes and their mobile forge.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Session 4 - Blacksmithing Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Session 4 - Blacksmithing Masterclass

Friday 17 June 2022 3:30pm - 5:00pm

Come and learn about what contemporary blacksmiths do: play with fire, hit things with hammers, and fettle some metal, with blacksmiths Richard Pace and Lizzie Hughes and their mobile forge.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Session 3 - Blacksmithing Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Session 3 - Blacksmithing Masterclass

Friday 17 June 2022 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Come and learn about what contemporary blacksmiths do: play with fire, hit things with hammers, and fettle some metal, with blacksmiths Richard Pace and Lizzie Hughes and their mobile forge.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Session 2 - Blacksmithing Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Session 2 - Blacksmithing Masterclass

Friday 17 June 2022 11:30am - 1:00pm

Come and learn about what contemporary blacksmiths do: play with fire, hit things with hammers, and fettle some metal, with blacksmiths Richard Pace and Lizzie Hughes and their mobile forge.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: All Day - Steel Punch Making Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: All Day - Steel Punch Making Masterclass

Friday 17 June 2022 10:00am - 4:00pm

Join artist, metal worker and tool nerd Linda Brothwell for an all-day punch making masterclass, through which you will learn a range of metal-working processes including how to saw, dremel, file, harden and temper steel.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Session 1 - Blacksmithing Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Session 1 - Blacksmithing Masterclass

Friday 17 June 2022 10:00am - 11:30am

Come and learn about what contemporary blacksmiths do: play with fire, hit things with hammers, and fettle some metal, with blacksmiths Richard Pace and Lizzie Hughes and their mobile forge.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Experimental Ceramics Repair Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Experimental Ceramics Repair Masterclass

Thursday 16 June 2022 2:00pm - 4:00pm

This masterclass, led by Bridget Harvey, will introduce you to a multitude of experimental repair interventions for broken ceramics.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Creating Colour Masterclass Series (3 days)

Festival of Stuff: Creating Colour Masterclass Series (3 days)

Thursday 16 June 2022 10:00am - 4:00pm

Lovers of pigment can sign up for our series of masterclasses: Creating Colour with Lauren MacDonald. Using food waste, foraged organic matter, and spices we will transform textiles and paper with handmade dyes and inks.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Experimental Ceramics Repair Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Experimental Ceramics Repair Masterclass

Thursday 16 June 2022 10:00am - 12:00pm

This masterclass, led by Bridget Harvey, will introduce you to a multitude of experimental repair interventions for broken ceramics.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Crazy Materials Golf

Festival of Stuff: Crazy Materials Golf

Saturday 06 July 2019 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Bring your A-game and your love of materials to our ultimate Festival of Stuff Saturday Extravaganza. This year we’re taking our love of mini golf as the starting point for a whole host of great making and materials related activities. We are also building a special mini golf course, where holes will pose all manner of material challenges in true Institute of Making style. Our events are free and open to all.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Body Embroidery Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Body Embroidery Masterclass

Thursday 04 July 2019 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Using two or three simple stitches, embroiderer and artist Sally Hewett will show you how to make a unique nipple or pair of lips with thread, embroidery hoops, felt padding and other materials resulting in a sculptural body embroidery piece.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Kintsugi Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Kintsugi Masterclass

Thursday 04 July 2019 10:00am - 2:00pm

This masterclass, led by Iku Nishikawa, is a beginners guide to kintsugi: the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with precious metal powders such as gold, silver, brass or platinum.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Body Embroidery Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Body Embroidery Masterclass

Thursday 04 July 2019 10:00am - 12:00pm

Using two or three simple stitches, embroiderer and artist Sally Hewett will show you how to make a unique nipple or pair of lips with thread, embroidery hoops, felt padding and other materials resulting in a sculptural body embroidery piece.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff talk: Plastic Fantastic with Mark Miodownik

Festival of Stuff talk: Plastic Fantastic with Mark Miodownik

Wednesday 03 July 2019 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Join our Festival of Stuff evening talk by Institute of Making Director Mark Miodownik to reinvigorate your relationship with plastics, and explore the materiality of the plastics with demos and samples from our wondrous Materials Library.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Circuitry & Headlight Building Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Circuitry & Headlight Building Masterclass

Wednesday 03 July 2019 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Dead batteries are not as dead as they seem. With a little voltage booster circuit and soldering equipment, we can turn them back into something useful and build a small, punk, super-bright headlight that will squeeze the last juice out of all the dead cells you have lying around at home.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Enamelling Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Enamelling Masterclass

Wednesday 03 July 2019 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Explore the process of enamelling and its historical context with artist and metal worker, Helen Carnac, who will teach the basic principles and methods of fusing vitreous enamel, also known as porcelain enamel, to metal.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Midday - Circuitry & Headlight Building Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Midday - Circuitry & Headlight Building Masterclass

Wednesday 03 July 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm

Dead batteries are not as dead as they seem. With a little voltage booster circuit and soldering equipment, we can turn them back into something useful and build a small, punk, super-bright headlight that will squeeze the last juice out of all the dead cells you have lying around at home.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Circuitry & Headlight Building Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Circuitry & Headlight Building Masterclass

Wednesday 03 July 2019 10:00am - 11:00am

Dead batteries are not as dead as they seem. With a little voltage booster circuit and soldering equipment, we can turn them back into something useful and build a small, punk, super-bright headlight that will squeeze the last juice out of all the dead cells you have lying around at home.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Enamelling Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Enamelling Masterclass

Wednesday 03 July 2019 10:00am - 12:00pm

Explore the process of enamelling and its historical context with artist and metal worker, Helen Carnac, who will teach the basic principles and methods of fusing vitreous enamel, also known as porcelain enamel, to metal.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Circuitry & Synth Building Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Circuitry & Synth Building Masterclass

Tuesday 02 July 2019 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Make music from digital logic with Jakub Zalesak! Design a Printed Circuit Board, learn how to solder, explore the niche world of logic synthesisers, and consider the nature of sound and electricity.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Papermaking Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Papermaking Masterclass

Tuesday 02 July 2019 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Join book artist and papermaker Mandy Brannan to discover the creative possibilities of combining two papermaking techniques; traditional style Japanese papermaking and recycled papermaking.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Flint-Knapping Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Flint-Knapping Masterclass

Tuesday 02 July 2019 2:00pm - 4:00pm

In this Masterclass, visitors can learn to make prehistoric stone tools such as hand-axes, scrapers and possibly arrowheads from brittle flint with master flint-knapper, primitive technologist and archaeologist Karl Lee.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Circuitry & Synth Building Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Circuitry & Synth Building Masterclass

Tuesday 02 July 2019 10:00am - 12:00pm

Make music from digital logic with Jakub Zalesak! Design a Printed Circuit Board, learn how to solder, explore the niche world of logic synthesisers, and consider the nature of sound and electricity.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Papermaking Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Papermaking Masterclass

Tuesday 02 July 2019 10:00am - 12:00pm

Join book artist and papermaker Mandy Brannan to discover the creative possibilities of combining two papermaking techniques; traditional style Japanese papermaking and recycled papermaking.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Flint-Knapping Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Flint-Knapping Masterclass

Tuesday 02 July 2019 10:00am - 12:00pm

In this Masterclass, visitors can learn to make prehistoric stone tools such as hand-axes, scrapers and possibly arrowheads from brittle flint with master flint-knapper, primitive technologist and archaeologist Karl Lee.

Part of Public Events,  Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - HDPE Plastic Waste Design Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - HDPE Plastic Waste Design Masterclass

Monday 01 July 2019 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Designer James Shaw joins us to reconsider a ubiquitous material in our everyday lives; HDPE plastic, using the Institute’s wondrous Materials Library and a unique handmade HDPE waste pellet extruder.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Microwave Steam-Bending Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Microwave Steam-Bending Masterclass

Monday 01 July 2019 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Join furniture maker Stefano Santili to learn about steam-bending and how to push the boundaries wood with both steam chambers and microwaves, and create your very own a fruit basket.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - HDPE Plastic Waste Design Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - HDPE Plastic Waste Design Masterclass

Monday 01 July 2019 10:00am - 12:00pm

Designer James Shaw joins us to reconsider a ubiquitous material in our everyday lives; HDPE plastic, using the Institute’s wondrous Materials Library and a unique handmade HDPE waste pellet extruder.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Microwave Steam-Bending Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Microwave Steam-Bending Masterclass

Monday 01 July 2019 10:00am - 12:00pm

Join furniture maker Stefano Santili to learn about steam-bending and how to push the boundaries wood with both steam chambers and microwaves, and create your very own a fruit basket.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff

Festival of Stuff

Monday 01 July 2019 9:50am - 5:00pm

The 2019 Festival of Stuff runs during the first week of July. It begins with four days of brilliant bookable making masterclasses and culminates in a big drop-in Extravaganza of materials and making on Saturday 6th July.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Saturday Extravaganza

Festival of Stuff: Saturday Extravaganza

Saturday 07 July 2018 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Join us at the Institute of Making to celebrate the sheer joy of stuff as we host our greatest public extravaganza of the year on Saturday 7th July to mark the finale of our Festival of Stuff.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Introduction to Glass Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Introduction to Glass Masterclass

Friday 06 July 2018 2:00pm - 3:00pm

In this masterclass, participants will explore the remarkable material that is glass and will be able to try basic fusing, cutting, decorating and assembling techniques that can be practiced using the facilities of the Makespace.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Midday - Introduction to Glass Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Midday - Introduction to Glass Masterclass

Friday 06 July 2018 11:30am - 12:30pm

In this masterclass, participants will explore the remarkable material that is glass and will be able to try basic fusing, cutting, decorating and assembling techniques that can be practiced using the facilities of the Makespace.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Sand Mould Making for Bronze Tiles Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Sand Mould Making for Bronze Tiles Masterclass

Friday 06 July 2018 10:00am - 4:00pm

This masterclass provides an introduction to fundamental foundry techniques using readily available materials. Stephen Coles will show participants how to make moulds for sand casting in order to produce a bronze relief tile.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Introduction to Glass Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Introduction to Glass Masterclass

Friday 06 July 2018 10:00am - 11:00am

In this masterclass, participants will explore the remarkable material that is glass and will be able to try basic fusing, cutting, decorating and assembling techniques that can be practiced using the facilities of the Makespace.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - 3D Print Finishing Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - 3D Print Finishing Masterclass

Thursday 05 July 2018 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Join jeweller and 3D Print expert Hannah Cameron to learn how to finish PLA prints in the Makespace or at home with various techniques for sanding, priming, painting and glossing. You will also receive an introduction to SLS printing, places from where to order these and best practice for dyeing.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Embroidery Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Embroidery Masterclass

Thursday 05 July 2018 2:00pm - 4:00pm

This Festival of Stuff masterclass will explore texture and pattern through a combination of traditional hand stitching techniques with artist and embroiderer Richard McVetis.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - 3D Print Finishing Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - 3D Print Finishing Masterclass

Thursday 05 July 2018 10:00am - 12:00pm

Join jeweller and 3D Print expert Hannah Cameron to learn how to finish PLA prints in the Makespace or at home with various techniques for sanding, priming, painting and glossing. You will also receive an introduction to SLS printing, places from where to order these and best practice for dyeing.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Embroidery Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Embroidery Masterclass

Thursday 05 July 2018 10:00am - 12:00pm

This Festival of Stuff masterclass will explore texture and pattern through a combination of traditional hand stitching techniques with artist and embroiderer Richard McVetis.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff talk: The Molecules That Made the Perfumes with Roja Dove

Festival of Stuff talk: The Molecules That Made the Perfumes with Roja Dove

Wednesday 04 July 2018 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Roja Dove is one of the world’s most respected Perfumers, described by The New York Times as ‘a master tailor of scent’. His talk will focus on developments in perfumery through the inventions of new synthetic molecules and how this paved the way for new styles, families and effects in perfume launches through each decade since 1882, all brought to life with exciting olfactory examples.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Scent Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Scent Masterclass

Wednesday 04 July 2018 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Join Olivia Clemence and her glass distilling kit to steam distil scents. She will talk participants through the steam distilling process and how to emulate this set up at home. Participants will sniff a range of essential oils and learn how to blend together in perfect harmony to create their own reed room diffuser.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Scent Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Scent Masterclass

Wednesday 04 July 2018 10:00am - 12:00pm

Join Olivia Clemence and her glass distilling kit to steam distil scents. She will talk participants through the steam distilling process and how to emulate this set up at home. Participants will sniff a range of essential oils and learn how to blend together in perfect harmony to create their own reed room diffuser.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Concrete and Recycled Plastic Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Concrete and Recycled Plastic Masterclass

Tuesday 03 July 2018 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Come along to explore the materiality of concrete with Leigh Cameron, who has dedicated his life to working with this material, and has masterminded exciting concrete making processes that incorporate waste plastic. The masterclass will include mould-making, casting, playing with the constituent materials and looking at different processes and formulations.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Jesmonite Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Jesmonite Masterclass

Tuesday 03 July 2018 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Learn to make beautiful Jesmonite tiles which incorporate reclaimed materials. You will learn the basics of the casting and moulding processes, integrate reclaimed or natural elements, and finally sand the tiles back to expose the beautiful textures within. You will come away with two tiles or coasters with unique surface designs.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Concrete and Recycled Plastic Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Concrete and Recycled Plastic Masterclass

Tuesday 03 July 2018 10:00am - 12:00pm

Come along to explore the materiality of concrete with Leigh Cameron, who has dedicated his life to working with this material, and has masterminded exciting concrete making processes that incorporate waste plastic. The masterclass will include mould-making, casting, playing with the constituent materials and looking at different processes and formulations.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Jesmonite Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Jesmonite Masterclass

Tuesday 03 July 2018 10:00am - 12:00pm

Learn to make beautiful Jesmonite tiles which incorporate reclaimed materials. You will learn the basics of the casting and moulding processes, integrate reclaimed or natural elements, and finally sand the tiles back to expose the beautiful textures within. You will come away with two tiles or coasters with unique surface designs.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff

Festival of Stuff

Tuesday 03 July 2018 10:00am - 5:00pm

The 2018 Festival of Stuff runs from 3rd-7th July. It begins with four days of brilliant bookable making masterclasses and culminates in a big drop-in Extravaganza of materials and making on Saturday 7th July.

Part of Festival of Stuff,  Public Events  

Festival of Stuff: Saturday Extravaganza

Festival of Stuff: Saturday Extravaganza

Saturday 08 July 2017 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Join us at the Institute of Making to celebrate the sheer joy of stuff as we host our greatest public extravaganza of the year on Saturday 8th July to mark the finale of our Festival of Stuff.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Bottle Joinery Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Bottle Joinery Masterclass

Friday 07 July 2017 2:30pm - 4:30pm

Join Micaella Pedros, social entrepreneur and product designer, to learn how to create joints with her unique technique developed while at the RCA; ‘Joining Bottles’ is an experimental wood-joining technique using shrunk plastic bottles.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Bottle Joinery Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Bottle Joinery Masterclass

Friday 07 July 2017 10:00am - 12:00pm

Join Micaella Pedros, social entrepreneur and product designer, to learn how to create joints with her unique technique developed while at the RCA; ‘Joining Bottles’ is an experimental wood-joining technique using shrunk plastic bottles.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Stool in a Day Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Stool in a Day Masterclass

Friday 07 July 2017 10:00am - 4:30pm

In this masterclass, led by furniture maker Emma Leslie, participants will make a stool in a day. The class combines hand and power tools, and you will learn techniques such as planing, sawing, routing, drilling, sanding and shaping.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Paint Brushmaking Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Paint Brushmaking Masterclass

Thursday 06 July 2017 2:30pm - 5:00pm

Join green woodworker Geoffrey Fisher to make a paint brush set. You will use wood hand-selected from Mop End Woods in Buckinghamshire and a cornucopia of different bristles.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Papermaking Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Papermaking Masterclass

Thursday 06 July 2017 2:30pm - 5:00pm

Join book artist and papermaker Mandy Brannan to discover the creative possibilities of combining two papermaking techniques; traditional style Japanese papermaking and recycled papermaking.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Paint Brushmaking Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Paint Brushmaking Masterclass

Thursday 06 July 2017 10:00am - 12:30pm

Join green woodworker Geoffrey Fisher to make a paint brush set. You will use wood hand-selected from Mop End Woods in Buckinghamshire and a cornucopia of different bristles.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Papermaking Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Papermaking Masterclass

Thursday 06 July 2017 10:00am - 12:30pm

Join book artist and papermaker Mandy Brannan to discover the creative possibilities of combining two papermaking techniques; traditional style Japanese papermaking and recycled papermaking.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Linoleum Printing Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Linoleum Printing Masterclass

Thursday 06 July 2017 10:00am - 4:30pm

Maker Ruby Wright will guide participants to produce printed images that explore mark-making into linoleum as well as a two-colour image using a reduction process. You will learn about creating your own printed design, using the Materials Library for inspiration.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff talk: A Potato Mash-up and Chip Chat with Martin Conreen

Festival of Stuff talk: A Potato Mash-up and Chip Chat with Martin Conreen

Wednesday 05 July 2017 6:30pm - 7:30pm

The humble Potato has been an important part of our diet for over 7000 years but what other remarkable properties and uses are there for this marvellous tuber? Join Martin to explore the materiality of the potato with demos and tastings.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Arduino Weather Station Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Arduino Weather Station Masterclass

Wednesday 05 July 2017 2:30pm - 5:00pm

Join the Institute of Making’s technicians to put together your very own weather station, with fun visual features driven by servo motors. You will connect an atmospheric pressure sensor, a wooden station kit and motors to an Arduino compatible micro controller and write a program to control it.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Arduino Weather Station Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Arduino Weather Station Masterclass

Wednesday 05 July 2017 10:00am - 12:30pm

Join the Institute of Making’s technicians to put together your very own weather station, with fun visual features driven by servo motors. You will connect an atmospheric pressure sensor, a wooden station kit and motors to an Arduino compatible micro controller and write a program to control it.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Concrete Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Concrete Masterclass

Tuesday 04 July 2017 2:30pm - 5:00pm

Come along to explore the materiality of concrete with Leigh Cameron who has dedicated his life to working with this material. The masterclass will include casting, playing with the constituent materials and looking at different processes and formulations.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Textile-Moulded NSEPS Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Textile-Moulded NSEPS Masterclass

Tuesday 04 July 2017 2:00pm - 4:30pm

In this hands-on master class participants will get the chance to work the creative geniuses from Silo Studio, an East London practice that explores industrial processes and materials. Silo Studio aim to discover possibilities that the production line does not see, developing the expressive potential in industrial materials.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Midday - Textile-Moulded NSEPS Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Midday - Textile-Moulded NSEPS Masterclass

Tuesday 04 July 2017 11:30am - 2:00pm

In this hands-on master class participants will get the chance to work the creative geniuses from Silo Studio, an East London practice that explores industrial processes and materials. Silo Studio aim to discover possibilities that the production line does not see, developing the expressive potential in industrial materials.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Textile-Moulded NSEPS Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Textile-Moulded NSEPS Masterclass

Tuesday 04 July 2017 10:00am - 12:30pm

In this hands-on master class participants will get the chance to work the creative geniuses from Silo Studio, an East London practice that explores industrial processes and materials. Silo Studio aim to discover possibilities that the production line does not see, developing the expressive potential in industrial materials.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Concrete Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Concrete Masterclass

Tuesday 04 July 2017 10:00am - 12:30pm

Come along to explore the materiality of concrete with Leigh Cameron who has dedicated his life to working with this material. The masterclass will include casting, playing with the constituent materials and looking at different processes and formulations.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Open day

Festival of Stuff: Open day

Saturday 25 June 2016 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Join us at the Institute of Making to celebrate the sheer joy of stuff as we hosts our greatest ever public extravaganza on Saturday 25th June to mark the finale of our annual Festival of Stuff.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Concrete Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Concrete Masterclass

Friday 24 June 2016 2:00pm - 4:30pm

Come along to explore the materiality of concrete with Leigh Cameron who has dedicated his life to working with this material. The masterclass will include casting, playing with the constituent materials and looking at different processes and formulations.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Sensors Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Sensors Masterclass

Friday 24 June 2016 10:00am - 12:30pm

Come along to have a try at making a wearable sensing devise.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Concrete Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Morning - Concrete Masterclass

Friday 24 June 2016 10:00am - 12:30pm

Come along to explore the materiality of concrete with Leigh Cameron who has dedicated his life to working with this material. The masterclass will include casting, playing with the constituent materials and looking at different processes and formulations.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Plant Moisture Sensor Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Plant Moisture Sensor Masterclass

Thursday 23 June 2016 2:00pm - 4:30pm

Have you ever over or under watered your plant? Join the Institute of Making’s technicians to create a low-cost moisture and light sensor allowing you to take care of your plant.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Fish Printing Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Fish Printing Masterclass

Thursday 23 June 2016 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Ever wondered how fishermen recorded the size of their catch before the invention of photography? The old Japanese printing technique of Gyotaku or ‘fish rubbing’ provided a solution.

Part of Festival of Stuff  

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Experimental Pewter Casting Masterclass

Festival of Stuff: Afternoon - Experimental Pewter Casting Masterclass

Thursday 23 June 2016 2:00pm - 4:30pm

In this masterclass lead by jewellery designer Sian Evans, you will be exploring the ancient craft of cuttlefish casting in pewter, with ‘cast in’ elements.

Part of Festival of Stuff