Workshops and Demonstrations

Learn, share, take part!

Each year, we bring together talented craftspeople and artisans from across the region to provide guidance and instruction for workshop participants. Workshops range from a couple of hours to multi-day affairs, where participants get to create beautiful works to take home with them, along with newly acquired skills and often new friendships! Workshop space is limited, so please be sure to register early to avoid disappointment.

WORKSHOPS

Moose & Caribou Tufting Workshop

Location: Town Hall, Cow Head
Instructor : Duncan Chisholm
Date: September 18th, 19th & 20th Beginning at 10am each morning
Cost: $300
Materials included
Maximum number of participants: 7

Learn the ancient art of moose tufting using caribou and moose hair to produce your own framed work of art.

Duncan is a retired policeman who lives in Pasadena, NL. He is an expert in the ancient art of moose tufting, which involves weaving animal hair into beautiful works of art. Tufting is Duncan’s passion, and he donates thousands of dollars in artwork each year to various charities. Register for his three-day 2025 workshop. Join Duncan for three days of instruction and take home a beautiful framed (15” x 15” approx.) artwork of your own creation.

info: www.facebook.com/tuftingsbyduncan/photos_stream

To book contact: (709) 243-2023 / 2466 or email: grosmornefallfest@gmail.com

Introduction to Framed Weaving - cancelled for 2026

Location: Cow Head Public Library
Instructor : Denika Kelly
Date: Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20 10am-4pm
Cost: $200
Materials included
Maximum number of participants: 12

Denika Kelly is a textile artist who blends her Mi’kmaw heritage with a deep respect for the environment through evolved weaving techniques. Born and raised in Newfoundland, her textiles reflect the intricate details, textures and tones of her homeland. From the vibrant hues of moss to the flowing blues of the ocean, she thoughtfully selects materials that echo the palette of the natural world, offering an expression of her wholehearted connection to the land and waterways that sustain us.

As an emerging artist, Denika exhibited her first collection of framed textiles, Threads of Land and Sea in 2024. This collection was made up of woven landscapes and seascapes, translating the spirit of natural elements into a tactile experience through natural fibers - a dialogue between human creativity and the raw beauty of our land, a connection spanning generations. These artworks have developed connections across a wide range of audiences, leading to international and national commissions of her handwoven landscapes and ongoing exhibition of her work in local restaurants. This growth within her art practice was supported by ArtsNL as a recipient of the New Professional Artist grant. Denika first exhibited her work at a local fundraising market in 2022. She continues to develop and share her weaving practice through connecting further with her Indigenous ancestry and land stewardship. She continues to grow community connections, engage in knowledge sharing opportunities and appreciation for the environment.

This hands-on workshop offers a beginner-friendly introduction to the art of framed weaving. Participants will learn the basic principles and techniques of weaving, using a variety of natural materials and tools to create their own unique woven pieces. This workshop requires no previous weaving experience, just the willingness to explore with colours, textures and patterns, with guidance from the instructor where needed. Workshop participants will leave with a finished 18”x10” piece of their own woven artwork in a handmade frame - and the knowledge to continue weaving! This workshop is ideal for those who are curious about weaving, have an interest in fibre art, or would just like to enjoy creating with your hands.

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To book contact: (709) 243-2023 / (709) 215-7582 or email: grosmornefallfest@gmail.com

Introduction to Wet Felting

Location: Nurse Myra Bennett Centre for the Performing Arts
Instructor : Doris White
Date: Saturday, September 19 10am-4pm
Cost: $100
Materials included
Maximum number of participants: 8

Doris White is a fibre artist from Newfoundland who has been a seasonal resident of Cow Head for the past 28 years. Her felt work ranges from wearable art to decorative pieces. She discovered felting sixteen years ago, and it has been her passion ever since. Doris draws inspiration from the natural beauty that surrounds us all.

She has taught workshops for the past twelve years, and her favourite part of teaching is witnessing the delight of first-time felt makers as they experience the magic of the craft firsthand. What she loves most about this art form is its freedom—there are few restrictions, encouraging participants to follow their imagination and enjoy the process.

No prior felting experience is required to create your own beautiful piece of art.

This five-hour wet-felted vessel workshop teaches participants to create 3D, seamless containers using wool fibres, soap, water, and friction over a flat "resist". Suitable for beginners, these hands-on sessions cover laying out wool, wet felting techniques, shrinking by 30-50%, and shaping. Workshops often include all materials, resulting in a unique, sturdy felt bowl or pod. All you need to bring is a towel.

To book contact: (709) 243-2023 / (709)215-7582 or email: grosmornefallfest@gmail.com

Introduction to Nålbinding

Location: Nurse Myra Bennett Centre for the Performing Arts
Instructor :
Date: Friday, September 18 10am-4pm
Cost: $100
Materials included
Maximum number of participants: 12

Nalbinding is a one needle knitting, worked in a series of loops and knots. Each stich is done individually and because of this, it will not unravel like other knitting. There are said to be approximately 1000 different stitches you can do with one needle - determined from the variety of stitching in items found in the Danish bogs.

This technique was used by the Norse to make hats, mittens, socks and smaller garments of clothing. Larger garments of clothing were later done using looms (beginning in approximately the 9th century). They would use materials such as wool or linen, with needles being made of antler, bone, or wood.

To book contact: (709) 243-2023 /( 709) 215-7582 or email: grosmornefallfest@gmail.com

Bisque Pottery Glazing

Location: Cow Head Town Hall
Date: Sunday, September 20 6:00-8:30pm
Cost: $75
Maximum Participants:

Denise Hynes is the founder, owner, and artist behind Crimson Art Studio. Born and raised in Cow Head, Newfoundland, in 1980, Denise has spent a lifetime creating. Growing up in a family of artists, creativity was simply a way of life. With both her father and mother sharing a passion for art, it wasn’t long before Denise discovered her own. By the age of four, she was already selling her artwork, marking the beginning of a lifelong artistic journey.

Over the years, Denise has worn many hats. She is a certified school teacher, college instructor, chef, aromatherapist, electrologist, aesthetician, and, most importantly, a proud mother of three amazing children. While each career has been rewarding, art has always remained at the heart of everything she does.

Fifteen years ago, life took an unexpected turn when Denise was diagnosed with cancer and was forced to step away from work. During that challenging time, she made a decision that would change her life forever. Rather than letting her circumstances define her, she chose to pursue her dream of opening an art studio—a place where creativity, learning, and community could come together.

Today, Crimson Art Studio has grown into much more than a pottery studio. It is a welcoming space where people of all ages and abilities can discover their creativity, build confidence, learn new skills, and create lasting memories. Denise believes art should be accessible to everyone and is passionate about giving back to the community through workshops, youth programs, fundraisers, outreach events, and creative experiences that bring people together.

For Denise, every piece of pottery tells a story, every brushstroke has meaning, and every student who walks through the studio doors becomes part of the Crimson Art Studio family.

Bisque Pottery Glazing Experience
Our Bisque Pottery Glazing Workshop is a fun, relaxing, creative experience, perfect for beginners, families, community groups, schools, seniors’ organizations, corporate events, and anyone who wants to create a one-of-a-kind keepsake. During this 2½-hour guided workshop, Denise will lead participants through the glazing process step by step. No experience is necessary—just bring your creativity!

Participants will choose one bisque-fired pottery piece to decorate. Available options include: (choice will need to be identified at time of registration)

Mug
Bowl
Ramen Bowl
Plate
Dory Boat
Tree

You’ll have access to a wide variety of beautiful glazes and colours, allowing you to create a design that’s uniquely your own. Denise will demonstrate techniques, explain how different glazes react during firing, and provide individual guidance throughout the session to help bring your vision to life. Once your pottery is complete, we’ll professionally kiln-fire it in our studio. After firing, your finished piece will be food-safe, functional, and ready to enjoy or give as a meaningful handmade gift. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, spending quality time with family and friends, or simply trying something new, this workshop offers a creative experience you’ll remember long after your pottery comes out of the kiln!
**Note that due to the glazed pieces needing to be kiln-fired back at Crimson Art Studio, your finished pieces will not be available to take home at the end of the workshop.

To book contact: (709) 243-2023 / 709 215-7582 or email: grosmornefallfest@gmail.com

Pillow Top Weaving Workshop- Craft at Risk

Location: Cow Head Public Library
Date: Friday, September 18, 1:00-4:00pm
Cost: $25
Maximum Participants: 10

Join HeritageNL’s Andrea O’Brien and learn the techniques to make your own pillow top.

Pillow tops are woven square-shaped textiles made with wool on wooden frames. Women would make various sizes and use them around the house as pillow covers, table toppers, throws, place mats, and backs for chairs. Pillow tops were also made by men working in the lumber camps. Cutting and collecting lumber was arduous work and the only day the men in the camps had off was Sunday. To pass the time some men would make pillow tops to give to girlfriends, wives and mothers.

About the workshop: This class will teach you the skills needed to make a pillow top using a simple wooden frame, and wool. There will be weaving, knot making with net needles, and cutting using scissors. No experience necessary, suitable for beginners.

What to bring: All tools and materials provided, but if you have a favourite pair of scissors you are welcome to bring them. You will leave with a finished pillow top.

To book contact: (709) 243-2023 / 709 215-7582 or email: grosmornefallfest@gmail.com

Wood Grain Paint Technique Workshop

Location: Nurse Myra Bennett Centre for the Performing Arts
Date: Thursday, September 17, 3:00-5:00pm
Cost: $30
Maximum Participants: 8

Wood grain paint technique, used in scenic painting, is an application often applied to antique restoration, recreating historical pieces, and home decor. In this workshop, led by Brittany Brown, participants will learn and practice the technique through step-by-step instruction. No experience required.

To register: https://purchase.theatrenewfoundland.com/Events

DEMONSTRATIONS

Speed Crafting

Location: St. Mary’s Church Hall
Date: Thursday, September 17 1:30-4:30pm
Cost: Free of charge, with kits available for purchase (cash payment preferred)

Experience an afternoon of Speed Crafting! Join the Great Northern Peninsula Heritage Network as local crafters from the coast showcase traditional craft, sharing their knowledge of diverse traditional, yet contemporary, craft. Drop by to see and to participate in how these crafts are designed and created.

Kits for the various project types will be available for purchase to try for yourself.

Rug Hooking
Nothing says Grenfell like our world famous hooked rugs:

The beauty of a Grenfell rug is only surpassed by its antiquity, mystery and charm. Originating out of the need for warm floor covering, modern hooked rugs are intended for use as exquisite wall hangings.

Rug hooking was a tradition in the northern Newfound and Labrador area before Dr. Grenfell's arrival. A bent nail, with the head removed and a nick cut into a blunt end, was used to draw strips of worn clothing, up to 200 loops per inch, through burlaps sacks, or "brin" as it was locally called. The burlap was stretched and nailed onto a four-sided wooden frame.

The true art of rug hooking continues at Grenfell Handicrafts. The process remains virtually unchanged over the years although quality yarn is used in place of rags and silk stockings. The rugs are still hooked by local people in their own homes just as it was over 100 years ago.

Crazy Quilt Making
Crazy quilts were a chance to show or practice hand sewing and embroidery skills, especially along the edges of each piece. Sometimes designs would be embroidered within the fabric scrap.

Crazy quilting does not refer to a specific kind of quilting (the needlework that binds two or more layers of fabric together), but a specific kind of patchwork repeating irregularly shaped pieces of fabric sewn together haphazardly. These quilts were made from scraps of old clothing and material and provided warmth and comfort.

Nalbinding
Nalbinding, often called Viking knitting, is a form of one-needle knitting which consists of a series of loops and knots. Each stitch is made individually, and because of this it does not unravel like other forms of knitting. Preserved items found in Danish bogs demonstrate a complex and intricate craft, and it is said that there are over one thousand stitch variations.

Nalbinding is how smaller items of Norse clothing were crafted such as hats, mittens, socks etc. while by the 9th century larger garments were made on looms, using wool or linen. Needles were made of antler, bone or wood.

Drop Spindle Spinning
Drop spindles were an early form of spinning which continues today. Norse spindles were made of a wooden shaft with a soapstone base (bases are more commonly made using wood today). Because the spindles are small and meant to be used in your hands, they are very portable and Norse ladies and children would spin wool in this manner, taking with them wherever they went.

The drop spindle found at the National Historic Site at L’Anse aux Meadows is noted as evidence that when the Viking expedition came to that area, there was at least one woman in the group. Although men would have known how to spin, it was firmly considered “women’s work”.

Embroidery
Learn the history of Newfoundland’s French Shore along with that of the making of the French Shore Tapestry, inspired by the famous 11th century Bayeux Tapestry of France. This unique work features the Bayeux stitch embroidery style.

Treadle Wheel Spinning
This form of spinning is widely recognized today and evolved from drop spindle spinning somewhere between 500 and 1000 AD. In early forms, the spindle was turned on its side and connected to a wheel by a band or cord. Over the centuries, these continued to evolve into the great wheel or walking wheel for faster spinning with a bobbin and flyer mechanism added, with a treadle eventually added to construction which allowed wheel spinning to occur while seated. Today spinning wheels can be found in a variety of modes of construction, including electric varieties.

Wet Felted Flower Demonstration

Location: Skivvers Fibre Studio & Wool Craft
Date: Friday, September 18 2:00-3:30pm
Cost: Free of charge, visitors will be entered to win a door prize

Join Doris White and watch as loose wool fibre transform into a vibrant, solid bloom using warm water soapy water, friction, and gentle agitation. Lay out wispy merino wool roving in a circular pattern, add accent fibres for texture, wet with soapy water and rub and roll, and shape the fibres until they lock together into permanent felt.