student – Evancliffe Leathercraft

Posted on 31st August 202029th March 2021 by Clive Elsdon

We’re Good to Go!

Updated 18.01.2021

Evancliffe Leathercraft are pleased to announce that they have achieved Visit England’s “We’re Good to Go” badge.

The ‘We’re Good To Go’ COVID-19 industry standard and consumer mark provides a ‘ring of confidence’ for businesses, attractions and destinations as well as reassurance to local residents and visitors that clear processes are in place and that as a business you are good to go.

Following achieving the badge Evancliffe Leathercraft ran its first Two Day Bag Making Workshop on Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August where our student congratulated us on making them feel relaxed and confident that everything possible had been done to reduce the chance of spreading Covid-19.

Unfortunately, following introduction of the tier system and the national lockdown which followed Christmas 2020, we have had to postpone the two workshops we had scheduled for January and early February 2021. We have re-scheduled these for weekend dates in March 2021 instead in the hope that this National lockdown will come to an end

For details and to book on any of our workshops please visit our What’s On page. Please note that one of the measures we have introduced in order to provide a safe learning environment is to reduce our capacity. This may mean that workshops sell out quicker than they previously did. We have many other measures in place which will be outlined in our new Covid-19 Joining Instructions Supplement sent out to anyone who has booked a workshop.

We have also decided to offer workshops on a 1-2-1 basis or for small family groups for those students who would rather reduce any chance of catching the virus further. Please contact us for further information.

Posted on 16th March 202028th December 2024 by Clive Elsdon

Your Workshop Booking and the Coronavirus – Covid 19 Pandemic

Amended 18/01/2021

Your Workshop Booking and the Coronavirus – Covid 19 Pandemic

Unfortunately in line with Government advice we have now postponed any workshops that were scheduled to run before February half term 2021. These workshops have been rescheduled for March 2021.

We know that many of our students will be disappointed, but hope that everyone understands. Please rest assured that we will be monitoring the situation daily and if the situation or government advice changes we will of course update you.

Why have we left workshops listed?

We have left workshops beyond February half term 2021 listed and those with spaces still open for bookings in the hope that things may have returned to nearer normal by the time they are due to run. We will also be putting into place the measures mentioned in our “We’re Good to Go” news item.

Please feel free to book onto any workshop with availability knowing that if that workshop is postponed this will give you first chance of being on it when it is rescheduled. We have outlined our revised cancelation policy below.

Once the workshops are going ahead we want to make the environment in which they are held as safe a place as possible.

We ask that all our students follow the general guidance about regular hand washing.

We will have information sheets available and posters in key areas.

As usual we will have soap available for handwashing, however, instead of providing a traditional towel as we usually do, we will have disposable towels for drying your hands and a bin to dispose of it. We don’t currently have access to hand sanitiser for student use, however, please bring along your own if you wish.

We already thoroughly clean the surfaces you will come into contact with during the workshop including the door handles, floors and work tables. This will continue.

*If you have been advised to self-isolate or you are unwell and feel unable to attend a workshop please let us know as soon as possible.*

Temporary relaxation of our Cancelation Policy:

We have put in place a temporary relaxation of our cancelation policy for all existing bookings. This will come into play at the point where our existing cancelation policy would not allow a refund or transfer. Our existing policy remains in effect up to that point.

If you feel that you are showing symptoms or that you or a family member you are in contact with are at risk from the virus then we will allow you to transfer to a future workshop instead right up to the day of your scheduled workshop. This can either be the same workshop or a different workshop of your choice. A difference in cost will be payable if booking onto a dearer workshop.

More Information:

For more information on how the virus please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Posted on 4th November 201929th March 2021 by Clive Elsdon

Evancliffe Leathercraft receive Craft Courses Platinum Award – Their Highest Accolade!

Evancliffe Leathercraft are proud to display the Craft Courses highest award based on 50 or more 5 Star Student Reviews.

Reviews

Reviews are really important to small independent businesses offering training or services of any kind. They help our future students decide if the course or workshop on offer is for them. They give a taste of how people feel about the training and the product they will take away with them at the end of the day.

Expert Tuition

Many people are expert in their craft , but not everyone can teach. We hope that you will agree from the reviews that our students really believe that we can! We hope that they also show that there is fun to be had along the way and that each and every one leaves with a quality product.

Our Craft Courses Platinum Certificate of Excellence awarded for 50 or more 5 Star Reviews

Thank You To Our Students

Each and every review means a lot to us. Each student that leaves a review helping us achieve this goal has taken the time to log onto the Craft Courses website and compose it. We really appreciate that effort in a day and age where everyone is asking for reviews on almost everything you do or buy! Thank You to each and every one of you.

Thank you Craft Courses (www.craftcourses.com)

We would also like to say a big thank you to Craft Courses for running the scheme, allowing us to link into a fully independent review site and for introducing many of our students to us in the first place! If you’ve not heard of or looked at the Craft Courses Website it is worth paying them a visit. They list a wide variety of courses and workshops for anyone interested in beginning a new hobby or improving on one they already have some experience in.

Do we have a Workshop for You?

If us winning the Craft Courses Ultimate Award has inspired you to have a look at what we offer, the best place is either our listings on craft courses website or our workshop listings on own website.

Posted on 29th October 201829th October 2018 by Clive Elsdon

Training Workshop Ticketing Change Over

Training Workshop Ticketing now hosted on our own website!

Links to our Leatherwork Training Workshops on Eventbrite are now out of date. All Training Workshops with remaining availability can be booked directly on our website at https://www.evancliffeleather.co.uk/leathercraft-workshops/

Some workshops may remain visible on Eventbrite, but show up as sold out. Tickets may still be available by following the link above.

Keeping our Fees Low

We have taken the decision to add a payment / ticketing plug-in onto the events package we already use. This is because our sales come either through our listings at CraftCourses.com or from our own website / Facebook or Twitter. This decision will reduce the commission we pay on each ticket hopefully allowing us to maintain our current workshop pricing during 2019.

Existing Bookings

If you have already booked one of our workshops either directly with us or via Eventbrite, your reminders etc. will most likely still come from Eventbrite as this is a phased change over.

Any Issues?

If you experience any issues booking a workshop through the new system please contact us by sending an email to welcome@evancliffeleather.co.uk.

Posted on 29th February 201629th January 2018 by Clive Elsdon

Nerd East 2016 – Roll Playing & Gaming Event – Durham

The North East’s Roleplay & Gaming Mini-Con & Kit Fair

Saturday 11th June 2016 – 10am – 10pm – Durham Student’s Union

Tournaments, roleplay, talks, traders, gaming workshops, LARP (Live Action Role Play) and Promotional stalls from societies and organisations.

There will be activities going on throughout the event, such as computer games and board games, as well as periodic activities like sword-fighting and water gun tournaments. There will also be sessions, talks & demonstrations in hourly and half-hourly slots.

Some successful talks and sessions in recent years have included Matt Pennington’s talk on immersion in LARP; Jo Bath’s talks on medieval medicine and medieval ghost stories; Adrian Tchaikovsky and Russell Smith’s author workshops; North East Charity Daleks’ demo on dalek building; and Durham University Improvised Comedy Society’s improvisation workshop.

Check out the NerdEast website: nerdeast.org.uk

Posted on 20th January 201529th January 2018 by Clive Elsdon

We had a belting time in Newton Aycliffe making Leather Belts

Our first Introduction to leatherwork – leather belt making workshop in Newton Aycliffe went well.

Students were introduced to the principles of hand crafted leatherwork through the making of their very own hand stitched, hand dyed, leather belt in this one day hands on workshop.

Practice Piece

The students practiced all the techniques they would need for making the belt including strap cutting, cutting leather, marking out, stitching etc. by first producing a small leather bookmark.

Belting Up

With these skills mastered, the students set off to make the actual belt. First they cut a strap using a strap cutter. They then marked out the end of the belt for the buckle and made the required holes using a hole punch and knife. Following this, the stitching was marked out.

At this stage we showed them how to apply the dye to colour the belt. They both chose a different colour and applied the dye.

Once the dye was dry (it does not take long) the students practiced their new skill of saddle stitch and sewed a buckle of their choice on to the end of the belt.

Wendy Elsdon of Evancliffe Leathercraft assisting a student.

The belt was then measured, holes punched and the end shaped to the traditional “Church Window” shape.

The dye was touched up where the end had been cut, the edges were burnished and the belt was finished with a special cream. Both the students left happy with their new skills and their very own hand crafted belt!

Students Proudly Display their Finished Belts

Feedback

We have had some great feedback from people about out Belt Making Workshops:

“The hands-on leathercraft workshop that Clive and Wendy offer are first class. They explain everything in an easy to understand manner, making the course idea for total beginners. The cost of the workshop includes all material so there are no surprises or extra costs.” – Jayson G.

“Thanks to Clive and Wendy for a great course today. Karen really likes the leather belt I made for her and I now know that I will be spending any Xmas money on tools to make some more.” – Bill W.

Future Workshops

Our belt making workshop costs £60.00 per person and includes tuition, use of the tools , the leather for the belt and a buckle.

Tea & Coffee is be provided but students are advised to bring their own lunch and any soft drinks / snacks they require. (Local shopping facilities may be available depending on venue.)

You can find out about our planned workshops at www.evancliffeleather.co.uk/events or contact us to arrange bespoke workshops by email to welcome@evancliffeleather.co.uk