2-Day European Marbling and Leatherwork Course
23rd - 24th May: This two-day marbling and leatherwork course, give you the opportunity to try your hand at the art of marbling, perfectly complimented with learning basic leatherworking skills. Creating a unique marble-lined, leather wrap journal.
- Booking essential
This two-day course is a great introduction to leatherwork and heritage marbling techniques. Students will learn about the history of marbling the basics of leatherwork to create a leather wrap journal.
Day 1 of the course, students will marble on a variety of smaller papers and build up pattern knowledge to create a more complex heritage pattern using simple tools and rakes.
On day 2, students will create 3 stitched paper notebooks, using their marbled papers and line their leather wrap journal. They will use simple leatherwork tools, learning to cut, hole punch and attach eyelets, as well as edge their leather and personalise their journal with embossed initials and a marbled bead made on day one.
This course is suitable for beginners, over 18 only.
Marbling is a surface pattern made when ink or acrylic paint float on a surface of treated water and a marbled effect occurs. Marbled paper was used for book covers, and endpapers and by the 19th century was popular, latterly mechanising book making caused this to wane. Today this craft is included in the Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts 2025.
Your tutor Rachel O’Connell is a multi-media marbling artist, leatherworker and an educator, with over 30 years marbling experience. Rachel turned professional, launching her sustainable brand, ROCWORX®, in 2021.
This course takes place on 23rd - 24th May, 10.30am - 4pm. Each day there will be a short break for lunch and tea/coffee will be provided.
Times
Prices
| Ticket type | Ticket category |
|---|---|
| Adult | £295.00 |
| Concession Young Person (18 -25) | £220.00 |
The basics
- Booking details
Call 0344 249 1895
- Suitability
Suitable for those aged 18 and over
- Meeting point
The Heritage and Rural Skills Centre is located in Coleshill village. Follow signs from the main road.
- What to bring and wear
All tools/materials included. Wear practical clothes suitable for crafting, with sturdy shoes (no open toes). Please bring your own refreshments (or the means to purchase these from the on-site café).
- Accessibility
Toilets on site, including accessible toilet. Level access into the teaching space. Some uneven surfaces such as cobbles due to the historic nature of the building. Please contact us if you require an accessible parking space or if you would like to have an informal chat about access before you book.
- Other
Mess room available for course participants to use during breaks. Drinking water and facilities for making tea and coffee available. Refreshments/lunches available to purchase from on-site café. Accommodation not included.
Upcoming events
Traditional Decorative Paint Techniques: Fundamentals, Preparation and Application
22nd May. This one-day introductory foundation course is designed for new-comers to the world of traditional and heritage decorative paint effect techniques like faux marbling, wood graining & broken colour work
Sold Out: Suminagashi Ink Marbling on Paper and Silk
Sorry, this event is now sold out. 22nd May: Spend a day exploring the origins of marbling, by learning the art of Suminagashi ink marbling, creating unique patterns on paper and silk.
Gold Leaf & Stencil Tea Tray Workshop
23rd May. Use heritage decorative finishes to create a beautifully decorated tea-tray.
Guided Tours: Secrets of Coleshill
Monthly from March to October: find out more about some of the lesser-known chapters of the estate’s history and look behind the scenes of the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre.