Feeling Crafty? 6 places to get creative in Peckham
Looking for creative things to do in Peckham?
It may be called the Camberwell school of Arts but its creative presence on Peckham Road has ensured a bohemian vibe here in SE15 ever since it opened in 1898.
We may not all be able to exhibit in the nearby South London gallery but if you fancy stretching your creative side then Peckham has plenty of workshops and courses on offer that will have you feeling crafty in no time. Here’s our guide to the best design classes and workshops in Peckham.
written by SouthEast15 contributor Tracy Davis
Protest in style
Create your own protest posters, slogan T-shirts or just make risque T-shirts for your mate’s hen do. 3rd Rail Print Space in Peckham Levels run monthly courses on fabric, paper and T-shirt printing. They also have specialist courses through the year such as Natural Dyeing and Indian Block Printing.
Full day - weekends
Cost from £65
3rd Rail Print Space, Unit 107, Peckham Levels, 95a Rye Lane, SE15 4ST
Create a desert oasis
Jar and Fern, based in Peckham, run terrarium classes all over London including regular evenings in Brockwell. But they have a Succulent Terrarium class coming up on 11th July at Form SE15 on Bellenden Road.
Make your own beautiful jar garden – it’s suitable for beginners and all ages.
Evening class
£35
Form SE15, 186 Bellenden Road, SE 15 4BW
China in my hand
Create your own unique ceramic artwork. The Kiln Rooms has two studios in Peckham – Bellenden Road and Peckham Levels – and offer classes, studio hire and gallery space.
The 5 hour taster day will get you started throwing on a wheel and hand building pieces. You can then fire and glaze some pieces of work to be collected 3-4 weeks later.
The Kiln Rooms
1 day taster sessions - £85
Taster course, 4x 3 hour sessions - £120
The Kiln Rooms, Unit 202, Peckham Levels Carpark, 95A Rye Lane, SE15 4ST
Boxing clever
Learn your way around a plane, chisel and hammer with a beginner’s woodworking course at the Thomas Carlton Centre. Build your skills over 10 weeks and leave with a handmade box and shelf.
Evening classes over 10 weeks / Cost - £125
Thomas Carlton Centre, Alpha Street Peckham, SE15 4NX
‘Ear - ‘ear
3rd Rail Print Space has also started running monthly Earring making workshops in conjunction with These Fair Hands. Create your own designs from Polymer Clay - colourful, playful and very easy to create with. You can create a range of studs and drop earrings in just one evening.
Evening class
Cost - £35
3rd Rail Print Space, Unit 107, Peckham Levels, 95a Rye Lane, SE15 4ST
Stuff that
This beginners upholstery course at the Thomas Carlton Centre provides an introduction to this traditional skill; beginning with a ‘drop in seat’. Over 10 weeks you will learn safe use of hand tools plus all the skills needed to strip and reupholster your chair or stool.
(Note: You need to bring your own chair!)
Evening classes over 10 weeks
£150
Thomas Carlton Cente, Alpha Street Peckham, SE15 4NX
SouthEast15 contributor - Tracy Davis
Tracy has lived in Peckham for 7 years - ’ being just up the road in Borough for 10 years before that. I love dressmaking and the fabric shops of Peckham are my heaven.’