{"id":14025,"date":"2015-12-13T15:09:19","date_gmt":"2015-12-13T15:09:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/greensideup.ie\/?p=14025"},"modified":"2016-01-07T13:56:57","modified_gmt":"2016-01-07T13:56:57","slug":"back-to-basics-workshops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greensideup.ie\/back-to-basics-workshops\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Gift Ideas for Getting Back to Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Back<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the last week or so my family have asked what I\u2019d like for Christmas and I don\u2019t know about you, but I\u2019m really stuck. Bar a new pair of cozy pyjamas or a delicious smelling soap, I can\u2019t think of anything. <\/span>As our children grow into their teenage years and along with them all the fears that challenge us, the health and happiness of everyone close really is\u00a0uppermost.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our timelines and news sources are full of tales of uncertainty so rather than material goods, perhaps offering a gift of a skill is the way to go. Getting back to basics was one of the reasons I began tutoring vegetable growing<\/a>. If all of a sudden the shops ran out of food, or perhaps more likely, we run out of money, how would we eat? A bit dramatic I know, but I’m not comfortable leaving my entire food supply to others, are you?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Workshops in Ireland<\/h3>\n

There have been a few workshop ideas floating around that have caught my attention; they eventually prompted me to come up with some of my own workshops here at Greenside Up (see number 15)<\/strong>; but I was particularly drawn to Riot Rye’s natural bread making course that I spotted after my recent soda bread efforts (number 5), and I can personally vouch for the South Kildare Beekeepers workshops (number 1). <\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a meaningful gift for a friend, loved one or even yourself, perhaps some of the following might appeal.\u00a0<\/span>Not only is learning a new skill a present that will keep on giving, you might even make it extra special by combining it with a weekend away in one of Ireland\u2019s beautiful counties<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Beekeeping<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"BackI\u2019m beginning with a Beekeeping course as it\u2019s one that I took in the Spring of 2015 and set me on the path of our beekeeping and honey making<\/a>.\u00a0It also provided us with contacts full of experience and advice as well as insurance for our honey bees.<\/span><\/p>\n

South Kildare beekeepers in Athy\u00a0<\/span>have a series of six classes starting in February 2016, cost \u20ac50.00 (see here for details)<\/span><\/a> but if you look on the Federation of Irish Beekeepers website<\/a>, you might find other courses close to you. Definitely the place to start if you\u2019re thinking of keeping bees.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Felting<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"BackFelt making is one of those crafts that I\u2019ve been wanting to learn for years but have never managed. I was sad to have missed a couple of sessions provided by <\/span>Roisin Markham of Creative Dynamics a few weeks ago in Wexford<\/span><\/a> but will be keeping my eyes peeled if she runs more in 2016. <\/span><\/p>\n

There are several felt making workshops mentioned online; this one from Cork Textiles caught my eye<\/a> as learners are taught to make clothing. I was given a huge bag of black Zwartbles wool by Suzanna Crampton<\/a>\u00a0last year in the hope it would solve our slug problem. It didn’t but maybe I\u2019ll find a use for it after all one of these days!<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Dressmaking<\/span><\/h2>\n

Talking of making clothes, this is another skill I’m now very rusty with. <\/span>Miriam Lloyd of Sewing Concepts<\/span><\/a> runs beginners dressmaking classes from her studios in Ballon, County Carlow. I was tempted to ask for a sewing machine for Christmas as mine hasn’t worked for years and Miriam came up with a great recommendation; could 2016 be the year to brush up on those long forgotten skills?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Want to learn how to sew? Need a sewing machine? I am asked regularly what do I recommend. The Janome 2060 is perfect…<\/p>\n

Posted by Sewing Concepts<\/a> on\u00a0Sunday, 19 October 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

4. Cookery<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"BackThe School of Food in Kilkenny<\/a> opened its doors in 2015 and they offer a multitude of cookery classes, from the basic skills right through to chef training. <\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019re also blessed to have <\/span>Anne Neary\u2019s Ryeland House cookery school<\/span><\/a> nearby. There are cookery schools dotted all around Ireland that offer classes on everything from jam making and vegetarian dinners to preserving and butchery, though I’d suggest you’re careful about how you present this voucher if you don’t wish to offend your friend or partner!<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Bread making<\/span><\/h2>\n

It was Joe Fitzmaurice\u2019s tweet about his sourdough bread making classes that prompted this blog post. We\u2019ve been trying to cut processed foods right out of our diets here in Greenside Up but fail when it comes to bread. However, <\/span>this recommended bread making course from Joe might just swing it.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you buy a voucher before Christmas for one of the Riot Rye courses<\/a>\u00a0in Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, before Christmas, you\u2019ll get 10% off.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Sour dough, naturally fermented flour \ud83d\ude42 #realbreadIreland<\/a> #realbread<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/NxrbKeIbn6<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Joe Fitzmaurice (@RiotRye) December 7, 2015<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n