Lacquer Marbling Workshop

Float natural lacquer on water and marble your own bookmarks and folding fan, in a small Edinburgh studio.



1.5 hours

Class size 1 to 10 (public classes), 10 to 30

  £35 - £40 (£40 per guest when you book for 1+ guests, £35/guest for 3+ guests) (PayPal Pay in 3 available)

Discover a craft that's barely taught anywhere in the UK.
Natural lacquer — known as urushi in Japan, and used across East Asia for thousands of years — has always been prized for its depth, durability and unmistakable surface. Traditionally it went onto furniture, bowls and boxes. In this workshop you'll use it in a contemporary way: floated on water, drawn into ribbons of colour, and lifted onto paper and silk. Every piece is unpredictable, and no two are ever alike.
Here's how the afternoon runs:
  • A short illustrated introduction to lacquer — where it comes from, how it's harvested, and why it's been treasured for millennia
  • A live demonstration of the floating and combing techniques
  • Hands-on practice on test paper, so you can feel how the colours move before committing
  • Marbling your own set of bookmarks
  • Marbling and assembling a traditional fan
  • Finishing touches, tassels, and a cup of tea while everything sets
No experience is needed — not in art, not in craft, not in anything. The process rewards curiosity rather than skill, and people are almost always surprised by what they pull out of the water.
Groups are capped at 10, so there's plenty of hands-on time and individual help throughout.
What you'll get
You'll take home 10 to 20 finished marbled bookmarks with tassels, and one traditional fan — all made by you, all one of a kind.
All materials, tools, aprons and tea are provided. Just bring yourself.
Knowledge required
Complete beginners are very welcome — no drawing or craft experience needed.
This works beautifully as a date, a mother-and-daughter afternoon, a birthday treat, or a small hen do. Suitable for ages 12+ (under 16s accompanied by an adult).
Suitable for

This class is great for individuals and couples as well as for a date idea, team building activity, birthday or hen do.

Suitable for adults, and kids (minimum 16 years old).

An adult must accompany any attending kids (the adult may observe for free).

This experience would also be a unique gift for her, gift for mum or gift for couples.


FAQ

Is the lacquer safe to work with?
Yes, with one thing to check first. We work with raw natural lacquer (urushi), and gloves are provided and worn throughout — you won't touch it with bare skin at any point. Raw lacquer does contain urushiol, the same compound found in poison ivy, and a small number of people are sensitive to it. Please don't book if you've reacted to poison ivy or poison oak, are allergic to mango skin, cashews or ginkgo, or get contact dermatitis or eczema on your hands. If you're not sure, message me before booking and I'll happily talk it through.
Do I need to bring anything?
Just yourself. All materials, tools, aprons, gloves and tea are provided.
Is this good as a gift?
It's one of the better ones, honestly — it's unusual enough that almost nobody has done it before. You can gift this class directly, or gift a ClassBento gift card and let them choose their own date.
Location

Silvan House, 231 Corstorphine Rd, Corstorphine, Edinburgh EH12 7AT

The studio is at Silvan House on Corstorphine Road, directly opposite the main gates of Edinburgh Zoo — the bus stop is right at our door.

Lacquer Marbling Workshop location
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Your teacher

Ash lab art studio
Ash lab art studio

female Women-owned

Ash Lab is a creative studio in Edinburgh where art becomes part of everyday life.
We bring together traditional craftsmanship and contemporary creative practice, transforming heritage techniques into hands-on, playful experiences. We believe making art should be inspiring, approachable, and joyful.
At Ash Lab, we learn, make, experiment, and create together—sharing ideas, celebrating the creative process, and building a community where everyone feels welcome.

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class 1E57MXLBSX b30fa37a8c654059964d2a78c24cea95 production edinburgh Edinburgh Scotland GB edinburgh