Blog

Judge’s Palace

Yesterday, 27th July, 2024, we were part of a mini Fun Palace event, stationed at the Judges’ Lodgings in Lancaster town centre.

We brought parts for Sue’s laser-cut, doll’s size wooden dining chairs and park benches – the public was encouraged to decorate them, glue them together and take them home. We do creative, interactive events like this through the year and always need extra bodies to help out, if you are interested.

Another laptop goes to a good home

Today, we passed on a nice refurbished laptop to Grant, from the Employment Support Team. He took it to give to a vulnerable person, who is trying to get back to work – we wish them the best of luck!

If you have an old computer that you don’t need any more, why not drop it off with us and we can try to give it a good home!

Last chance to whittle

Our last two wood events of the summer are near the beginning of July and on the bank holiday at the end of August. Both of these events are facilitated by Woodies Woodland Craft Training & Education.

Spoon carving – Monday 8th July, 6-8:30pm (£5-20)

Whittling day – Monday, 26th August, 10am-3pm (£10-40)

Kids, from 10, can attend, assuming they are accompanied by an adult.

More wood that needs carving

We have a couple of whittling events coming up soon, including a full day of woodcrafting fun on August bank holiday, which lets you really get your teeth stuck in! All our events are pay-what-you-can, so we expect them to be very popular indeed, just like the two spoon carving events we’ve already successfully run this year. Both of these events are run by the talented Rick from Woodies Woodland Craft Training & Education.

Spoon carving – Monday 8th July, 6-8:30pm (£5-20)

Whittling day – Monday, 26th August, 10am-3pm (£10-40)

There is also still a single place left on Bil’s bench top carving class in a couple of weeks:

Relief Carving – Thursday, 6th June, 6-9pm (£5-£20)

Card games design in the city

Yesterday, we were at Tabletop Republic Lancaster, running an event as part of a city-centre wide Lancaster Fun Palace. We try to get involved in local STEAM outreach as often as possible!

Visitor were able to design their own playing cards, using blank cards that we’d cut out with laser beams. They ended up making some very innovative and vibrant designs!

We also had the first playtest of a eco-themed card game that Bil is designing. This will become part of a secret project later in the year! The mechanics were a little off, because we got completely bogged down in pollution really early in the game. Thankfully, real life isn’t quite that punishing. The volunteers gave very useful constructive criticism – thanks!

A summer of carving

After our first whittling class was such a success, in spite of it being on April fools’ day, we’ve added another two events to our summer schedule. One of those is a bumper session on August bank holiday!

First whittling class a success

Our first wood whittling session went off well today. Lots of spoons and a cute little mushroom were hand crafted with the help of the lovely lads from Woodies.

Some of the crafters also personalised their spoons by engraving them with a photography stylus.

We have another whittling session on Tuesday, 7th May at 6pm – (https://lamm.space/spoon-7-5-24). We are organising more sessions for July and August, which we’ll announce shortly.

Spoon carving – April 1st

We have a fun spoon carving event on the 1st April at 1pm https://opencollective.com/lancaster-and-morecambe-makers/events/spoon-carving-bb64e94a – come and practice some whittling, indoors, at our workshop on White Cross! It is £20 to attend, but we encourage you to pay what your can afford (minimum £5).

All materials, tools and safety equipment will be provided for you and your get to take your spoon, spatula or mushroom home! Under 18s must be accompanied, min 10 years old.

We have other events coming up in May and June and beyond: https://opencollective.com/lancaster-and-morecambe-makers/events