Craft Retreat Course: Japanese Repair and Renew

Start the new year by slowing down, reconnecting with yourself, and embracing the beauty of imperfection. This four-week Wabi Sabi series explores Japanese-inspired repair and craft techniques through mindful, hands-on making.Across four two-hour sessions, you’ll explore Kintsugi, Boro and Sashiko stitching, Nerikomi pottery, and Esho/Shodo-inspired painting. Each workshop offers a gentle opportunity to pause, learn a new creative skill, and reflect on themes of repair, renewal, resilience, and letting go.Session 1: Kintsugi – Repair with Gold: A gentle introduction to symbolic ceramic repair.

• Break and mend a vessel using Art4Space’s signature Kintsugi method
• Explore themes of resilience and renewal

Take home: repaired piece with golden threads.Session 2: Boro & Sashiko Stitch – Textiles that Hold Stories: Slow stitching for grounding and visible mending.

• Learn Sashiko patterns and Boro patching
• Create a stitched sampler

Take home: textile piece and mindful repair stitching practice.Session 3: Nerikomi Pot – Recycled Clay & Slicing Technique: Lightness, simplicity, and reuse.

• Work with recycled clay (marbled) to form a Nerikomi-style vessel
• Use slicing and reduction techniques to create form and flow

Take home: fired pot (collection later or posted).Session 4: Esho/Shodo Painting – Repair Through Colour: A contemplative painting session inspired by Japanese aesthetics.

• Layering, soft gradients, and colour symbolism
• Explore symbolism and renewal through pigment and gesture

Take home: finished artwork and a small canvas.Designed as a calm and reflective January reset, the series encourages you to enjoy the process rather than focus on perfection. You’ll create something meaningful in each session and leave with four unique handmade pieces, new repair-craft skills, and time to simply slow down and be present.Proceeds go towards our community art projects, providing mental well-being and creative health, especially for those facing barriers.

• All materials included in each session.
• Tools and aprons provided throughout the session.
• Refreshments will be served, including matcha tea, Japanese crackers and sweets, with the option of a glass of wine or a bottle of Japanese beer.

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