Cambridge Art Makers
Cambridge Art Makers provide facilities for courses in a wide range of media including: textiles & mixed media, drawing, jewellery & silversmithing, stained glass, wood working, dyeing, patchwork and quilting and so much more.
The facilities provided by Cambridge Art Makers offer adults an opportunity to express their ideas and creativity in weekly classes and short courses under the guidance of professional artisans.
Cambridge Woodwind Makers
Cambridge Woodwind Makers have created a workshop to preserve and promote the art and artisanship of woodwind instrument making and repair.
The facilities provided by Cambridge Woodwind Makers offer professionals and novices a chance to learn more about how to make and repair instruments. It also offers the general public an opportunity to observe and appreciate the skills used.
Open Weekends
Join us in July and November for our open weekends; admire and shop for handmade, local gifts made by our wonderful tutors!
We always appreciate donations large and small. They enable us to buy more resources for our courses and offer bursaries to course participants.
If you are a UK tax payer and would like to make a donation on which we can claim GiftAid please do so from the following page: https://www.cambridgemakers.org/i-would-like-to/support-us/
Testimonials
“The oboe making course with Paul was a fantastic experience and being able to use your workshop with all the necessary machines and tools was a privilege and pleasure. You have a remarkable place there, a wonderful hub for sharing knowledge.”
The Cambridge Art Makers is a not for profit organisation for teaching Art and Craft in a beautiful two storey building in Linton, just on the border between Essex and Cambridgeshire. It is run by the Bangham family, and Susannah and Rosemary Bangham organise the workshops.
Of all places I have taught throughout my long teaching career and in many settings as a community artist/teacher, this has been the most uplifting and happiest. There is a wonderful atmosphere engendering good craftsmanship in all disciplines, and if teaching is something that floats your boat I cannot recommend this place highly enough. Have a look at their website and the courses they offer.
“Amazing and encouraging. Enough tuition and plenty of time for practice.”
“I really enjoy Jacquie’s class she is brilliant and I certainly need to learn more!!”
“I am really enjoying the classes and I am learning so much. Jacquie is a brilliant teacher and a lovely lady.”
“Elia is by far the most inspiring tutor I’ve ever had to work with.”
“I just wanted to thank you both for setting up such an excellent facility. I have been attending the Innovative Painting course this term and it has far exceeded my expectations. Clare is an excellent tutor and so far I have enjoyed every minute of the experience.”
“I’m absolutely loving Cläre Basel’s Innovative Painting course on Thurs afternoons”
I would like to thank all at Cambridge Woodwind Makers for another enjoyable course. It was great to be back in the workshop and to learn some new techniques. I am pleased with the finished instrument. I haven’t been able to play it yet but I have a reed on order and hope to try it out soon
‘I absolutely loved the candle making, thank you!’
“I would like to thank you for your hospitality while I was with you in Cambridge. I feel very proud to have been on this course with the quality, professionalism and dedication that you demonstrated with Carol and I. We are lucky!!!!
I have returned to my real life to work, but I feel with more energy and motivation to do things. To spend time out of my workshop and to learn from other people is very important for me. This helps a lot for my work daily.
I hope to meet with you on my next course at Cambridge Woodwind Makers!!!!
Once again, thanks a lot.”
“I just wanted to drop you a line to say how much I enjoyed the saxophone repair course. I learned a huge amount and will have a greater degree of confidence if I need to repair my own instrument in the future. Daniel is an inspiration not to mention a very patient instructor, I learned a lot. I shall look forward to the next repair course as and when.”
‘Gill’s Textiles & Mixed Media course has been a highlight of my week and, apart from my family, the thing I missed most during lockdown.’
“A really enjoyable and productive day, using a technique that was completely new to me”
“The facilities were just about right; I didn’t want a pristine, aseptic environment. I wanted to feel I was involved fully and able to make a mess if I needed too!”
“I took a break from my workbench to spend an idylic day @cambridgeartmakers in a drawing and watercolour class. Such a creative environment, it’s left me feeling happy, inspired and invigorated!”
“The company was great. I learnt a lot and I will be back for this class!”
Were you happy with the facilities and equipment provided for the course? “Yes, we had everything we might need, and more!”
“Thank you for organising such a great course. I loved it and learned so much.”
“I still can’t believe how nice you were with me. Once again I would like to thank you for your hospitality, your kindness and to share with me your knowledge and overall, your advice.”
Delighted thank you. I will be keeping an eye out for future courses and think the space is amazing.
“Well, 3rd time lucky and it was worth the wait!
A brief note to express my thanks for the Barrel Workshop last week. I think you pitched it just right – the emphasis on debate and understanding rather than detailed step-by-step methodical instructions. For me that was perfect – I needed an understanding of the issues to enable me to talk to and understand more informed barrel specialists. It would have been too easy to let wood-turning tuition get in the way of the fundamental clarinet/barrel thinking.
The day was well organised, excellent facilities with friendly and accommodating tuition. The flexibility to go “off-topic” and discuss related clarinet issues (pads etc) enhanced the workshop without distracting from the end result. In fact it enhanced the event.”
“The course was everything I could have wished for. The actual space was spotless and full of visual interest. The warmth of the welcome by Gill was even better than the cup of tea offered to shake down the fluster of getting there on time.
With seamless consideration and care we were guided into the beginning section of the course. Gill explained everything with such clarity that even a tired mind could manage the instructions and her demonstrations were helpful and brief so we could all tackle our project as soon as possible. We were all given individual attention with the sometimes tricky interface of machine and aspiration. We each had a simple sheet of instructions to refer to to take away and use when we returned to our own less clear and less skilled selves once home.
Covid conditions were clear and non intrusive. Friendliness and competence helped us all from different starting points succeed and enjoy the process. Thank you Gill and thank you CAM Makers. I will definitely be returning!”
“It was such an enjoyable day! Thank you SO much for showing me that a piece can be completed in less than a week (or more!) A totally different approach for me and I’m grateful for Janet Edwards’ patience, encouragement and skill.”
“Thank you for another great course. I thoroughly enjoyed the key making course over the last few days. It was great to learn some new ideas, and to get an introduction to key making skills. The time went by so quickly. I think that was because there was so much to do and we had a lot of information to take in. I appreciate how you and Peter were so open about sharing knowledge and techniques. And as always, it was great to meet some interesting and friendly people on the course.”
“Just returned from this wonderful workshop. Fiona is a great teacher, and I learned a great deal from her. A very productive and enjoyable day.”
“I had my window fitted into my bathroom door! I’m so excited and absolutely love it. I’m hugely proud of myself as when I started Jill’s classes I ouldn’t even cut a piece of glass straight. The fact that I managed to make a whole window is testament to Jill’s expertise and patience. Please can you thank her profusely as I’m chuffed to pieces that I’ve achieved my little dream. Thank you so much for making me feel so welcome.”
“Thanks for the day Daniel, your style is perfect for me, it was very enabling. I learnt a lot and feel I have the basics to look at repair & maintenance. I am looking forward to tackling the bassoon.”
“Jacqueline is an excellent tutor; she really knows her craft/skill, and I feel very lucky to have been given an insight into the professional world of pattern cutting and adjustment.”
“I had a wonderful time this morning. Studio set up worked perfectly, plenty of space, a joy to be back.”
‘I enjoyed Helen’s day. She is a super teacher, really kind and totally organised. And I love my box even if it is full of mishaps.’
“Elia is one of the most talented jewllers that I have had the pleasure of being tutored by.”
“Thank you for a wonderful afternoon – I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed it! I’m totally in awe of your skill and ingenuity and also relished our wide-ranging discussion.”
“Thank you so much for a fantastic day last Sunday. I always come away from such a presentation having learned something new. But the thing that impressed me most was your vision in preserving the detailed information on instrument making which could so easily have been lost. The way you managed to purchase workshops intact was truly inspirational. Not only that but it was great talking to you. And the flapjack……”
“I have looked for a pattern making course for many years and was delighted to find this one. The venue, teacher and facilities were all excellent.”
“I am so glad that Sheila provided my introduction to Enamelling. There was a great atmosphere and Sheila was so professional in sharing her knowledge and skills with us and your workshop an ideal venue. I do so hope that there might be a followup “Revisited Course” as I am keen to do more now that the seed is sown.”
“You run such a brilliant artistic community!”
“The Gypsy Stone Setting jewellery course with Elia Rizzo was by far the best short course I have ever done. I am exhausted and delighted!” (she’s done a LOT of good short courses in her time!)
“I learnt skills I have wanted to learn for years. Jacqui was brilliant and it was a lovely, friendly atmosphere in a well equipped space.”
“Fab day, excellent tutor, thanks so much. Fab venue too.”
“Lovely relaxed and friendly environment. Thank you x”
“Many thanks for the course yesterday, it was hugely instructive and rewarding. I’d recommend it to anyone even faintly intimidated by their clarinet. Plus, the bass articulation is now considerably quieter, not least because of the custom felt pad you applied.”
“Wednesday evenings are highlights of the week for me (or as my husband says my time to calm down)!”
Are you confident that you have achieved the intended outcomes of the course? “Yes – I have an adaptable pattern block and the ability to make variations to it.”
Were you happy with the quality of the teaching you received? “Yes, the tutor was very experienced and confidently assisted each individual with their varied requests.
Were you happy with the facilities and equipment provided for the course? “Yes, the materials required were all provided and all the necessary tools were provided and of good quality.”
“It looks easy when Elia does the stone setting but there’s a lot to learn! Elia is a great teacher and made the course both interesting and rewarding. I can recommend the tutor, course and venue which are all excellent.”
I really enjoyed the course on recorder knowledge. It was a good reinforcement that what I was doing was correct and also it has challenged me to look further at the instrument and be able to offer further services in my business. Jacqueline is an excellent communicator….
I think Cambridge Makers is a lovely creative venue and I have really enjoyed the company and creative stimulus within the group. A happy place! I’ll be very pleased to attend one-off workshops from time to time.
‘Really enjoyed your class, a great blend of interesting things to do and skills to learn in a relaxing environment with lots of laughter thrown into the mix. Thank you.’
“A thoroughly enjoyable day with lots of individual attention given. Also a pleasant environment in which to work.”
“Thank you for the excellent tuition and hospitality while clarinet making recently. I really did have an amazing time and am now enjoying practicing on the finished instrument!”
“I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed it. It was the best moment I have had in quite a while …just pootling away learning/relearning a skill that is so useful with someone as competent and kind as Gill.”
“This course was really useful in developing my dressmakers ability and giving me the confidence to adapt patterns as well as create my own. I had a lot of fun and met some very interesting people.”
I love the atmosphere at Cambridge Art Makers, the facilities and enjoy time with my colleagues and the inspiration they provide!
“I loved the first session! I really enjoyed the experience of learning something new and being in your wonderful studio space. I thought Elia was great, and it was lovely to meet everyone else on the course.”
“Thank you so much for an amazing couple of weeks! As you know, when I arrived I was somewhat daunted, to say the least! So I am now feeling an enormous sense of pride and achievement. Thanks for your patience, persistence and “gentle” persuasion!”
“Your workshop was a very good place for this kind of activity. I could not ask for anything better. And the lunches were just right!”
Just to say thanks ++ for organising such a superb day yesterday. It is a great testament to what you have achieved that while other courses are closing, you are able to get together such a gathering of top makers and an interested public of all ages in such a splendid workshop. (And that gun drill is wicked!).
“Yesterday I started my first art course in years. Ten Thursday afternoons playing about with paint. It felt really good doing something creative again. I felt surprisingly tired by the end of the three hour session though, my creative muscles need work! Thanks Susie and Rosemary for creating such a wonderful arts and craft centre at Cambridge Art Makers.”
“It was amazing! We both really enjoyed it and Leah was great – we’d love to do more!!”
“Please thank Rebecca from me for an excellent course and a very pleasant and productive weekend.”
“The course was everything you could ask for. I love coming here!”
“Thank you very much for this superb course with Paul van der Linden. The oboe made is very nice and works well….really good, nicely made, in tune and easy to play! I have learned a lot of things and would enjoy participating in other courses with Cambridge Woodwind Makers! I was happy to discover you and to work in your nice workshop…I was very happy to work with Paul and Adam, very nice and serious people!”
Such a lovely supportive creative space to learn and be in!
