Welcome to the Home of Joyful Makes!

The Birch Tapping & Instillation combines being out and about on our Dartmoor farm learning how and why we tap our trees. The first part of this workshop is an interactive demonstration. Nick and myself will take you through the process of tapping.

Sap is leaf food, the life force of the tree. To conserve resources when losing their leaves in the dwindling light of Autumn, birch trees store important nutrients in their roots over the winter. In the spring, the sap is used to transport these nutrients back up to where the new leaves develop. As it flows through a part of the outer tree trunk called sapwood, the sap delivers water and nutrients throughout the tree. Tapping birch captures sap it on its journey to nourish the budding leaves.

Please note nature really does dictate whether the time is right for the sap to flow.

After the demonstration, we’ll head to the home of joyful makes for a well deserved brew and where you can get your craft on!

Making your own birch instillation, you’ll combine harvested birch bark, papers and dried flowers (grown onsite) to create your own beautiful piece of art.  We’ll create shapes from the natural beauty of the wood, whilst looking at how to create birds in flight. This make is perfect for hanging as a decoration in your home, or perhaps made as a thoughtful gift.

 

Important Info:

This workshop involves some walking and the terrain is hilly, so please make sure you’re up for a hillside yomp and bring suitable footwear (wellies / walking boots are perfect).

We’ll be heading out whatever the weather for tapping, so raincoats are essential. Might be a good idea to pop a brolly in your bag too.

We’re located on the edge of Dartmoor, sandwiched between Ashburton and Bovey Tracey. Full directions will be emailed to you.

The studio is located up steep granite steps, so not suitable for those with access difficulties.

Please allow 3 hours for this workshop.

This workshop is laid back and friendly, so if you’re coming by yourself, don’t worry. It’s relaxed and you’ll meet some lovely like minded people. This is suitable for adults only.

The craft part of this workshop will take place across two rooms, the main studio and the garden room.

Any questions, feel free to email me on thedartmoorartist@gmail.com