Macramé, reflective journalling, foraging, and an herbal medicine ceremony.

Let's welcome in the Bealtaine energy with a nourishing creative, connecting workshop—one that marries the hands-on craft of macramé with the deep indigenous wisdom of herbal medicine.

Marking a special twist in the workshop offerings of pacie grews, this workshop carries a theme: "connecting to landscape". Our time together will be an invitation to explore and examine our own landscapes; the inner through reflective journalling, a sharing circle, and many a meditative moment; the external through a guided foraging tour and the creation of our nature-inspired macramé designs.

Foraging and herbs, you say?

The herbs and foraging element will be led by Jen Doran, a qualified and practicing herbalist in West Cork who comes from a lineage of past herbalists in her family. She has a deep passion for helping people connect back with their own natures—in turn, creating the space for them to connect with the living world all around.

In this workshop, Jen will be bringing us on a foraging walk around Myross Woods, where she'll share knowledge on how to identify specific plants, their medicinal uses and the folklore surrounding them. We'll infuse what we forage into the macramé creations back at our outdoor (and yes, well-protected) studio space.

Jen will also be bringing along pre-prepared herbal medicines which will include herbal vinegars, tinctures, infusions, balms and oil to bring us deeper into connection with the medicine of the plants we forage. 

What will the macramé element look like?

Drawing on traditional knotting techniques, you'll be guided through the basics of the craft of macramé from a beginner-friendly level. You'll learn how to combine fundamental macramé knots to create a beautiful, unique plant hanger of your own design using entirely natural fibres.

You'll also have the chance to incorporate some of your foraged finds into your finished piece, if you wish.

A chance to connect + reflect

This workshop is both creative and connecting, nourishing and nostalgic of a time when communities would gather—be it around a loom or a campfire—and be deeply present with each other.

In our modern, post-industrial, late capitalist society, these small pleasures are too few and far between.

It's a space to meet new friends, enjoy the company of old ones, learn some new skills, and reacquaint ourselves with the natural world unfurling around us after a long, dark winter.

We'll invite you to bring a notebook and pen, and to take part in a reflective journalling session—followed by an optional sharing circle—where we'll explore and unfurl our own intentions for being there and touch on our individual internal themes.

Sliding scale payments

Accessibility is an important value to us, so we have chosen to set up a sliding scale for the pricing of workshop tickets. Please pay whatever value feels affordable and accessible to you; everyone will receive the same workshop experience.

Event details at-a-glance

Date: May 11th, 2024

Time: 10.30am-2.30pm

Location: Cecas, Moyross House, Leap, Co. Cork

Exchange: sliding scale €55-75