Dorothy Day: Celebrating Crafting Skills From A Bygone Era

Join pottery tutor Liz Danby for a special one-off workshop celebrating the life and creativity of her mother, Dorothy Lugg, on what would have been her 100th birthday.

On this course you will make and take home an upcycled coffee tin and some water colour painting.

Dorothy grew up during a time when beauty was created by hand and resourcefulness was a way of life. Born in Ivanhoe, Melbourne, in 1926 — the same year as Queen Elizabeth II — Dorothy spent her childhood during the Great Depression. Her father worked as a printer for the Herald & Sun newspaper and would often bring home brightly coloured inks, inspiring Dorothy’s lifelong love of colour, design, and creativity.  Liz would like to pass this onto you.

During this nostalgic and inspiring workshop, Liz will share some of the traditional skills and creative techniques that Dorothy taught her. Participants will explore the art of folk art / china painting, using some of the brush strokes her mum used, learning how to colour your lace with tea, composition on cylindrical form and how to press flowers.  We will discover how simple materials can be transformed into meaningful handmade gifts and decorations.

This workshop honours Dorothy’s belief that you don’t need expensive materials to create a beautiful home. The best value for money can still be found in:

• A tin of paint
• A roll of wallpaper
• A packet of seeds for the garden

Bring in anything that inspires you, you’re welcome to press some flowers in preparation.

As part of the celebration, Liz will display beautiful garments lovingly made by her grandmother for Dorothy, showcasing the craftsmanship and care that characterised generations of makers.

For the past five years, Liz has championed creativity through her work with Hive and appearances on Radio Leeds, encouraging people to craft using everyday materials found at home — a movement that began during lockdown and continues to inspire today. #LIZIZM