Dreams of travelling to India may remain just dreams, but if you would like to taste the culture more than by simply devouring a spicy Jalfrezi, then why not join an ‘India Inspired Crafts’ workshop in Barrow library one day? The lovely objects you make are a pleasure in themselves but, according to Harsha, the act of creating them gives you a space to escape your familiar world, meet new people and improve your well-being.

And all starting from £15 per person for a two-hour workshop including all the materials you need and refreshments. Tempting, isn’t it? The next two-hour workshop in Barrow is on Saturday June 8th (botanical mandala) but a three hour session, 1-4pm, on Saturday July 13th again in Barrow library (£25 per person) needs longer as you will be learning how to block print.

But who is Harsha? Well, she’s the force behind the workshops and married to Wayne Brooks who also goes along and helps in any way he can. Harsha’s family background is from Gujarat and she is so immersed in the Gujarati culture she doesn’t feel an urgent need to visit the country at present. Indian culture is such a big part of her everyday world.

I asked Harsha how she became the skilled craftswoman she is today. It seems it all began in childhood as she was a ‘crafty’ child, making handmade gifts and greetings cards for friends and relatives. They were so admired that much later she began making handmade gifts to sell at craft fairs but then moved to setting up workshops as she found them so much more enjoyable. Harsha is self-taught as her day job is in administration at Loughborough University.

The workshops are always held at weekends and in local libraries as Harsha and Wayne like to support community activities and know the income from room hire helps volunteer-run libraries. So far workshops have been held in Barrow, Kegworth, Hathern and Sileby. A workshop will concentrate on one project at a time which could be making a botanical mandala with pressed flower petals, Indian block printing, macramé, book binding or wall decorations. At the end of each session a photograph is taken of each participant’s craft project and uploaded to their online Workshop Gallery. One workshop can lead to another, for example making a small, portable flower press will produce the petals used in decorating a glass candle holder.

As I write this, in late April, Harsha and Wayne are excited about their first one-day Craft Retreat at Ulverscroft Range on May 18th. This costs £60 as it lasts from 10am to 4pm and includes an Indian buffet lunch. Barrow Voice readers will have to miss this, as our summer issue is only distributed in June, but Harsha hopes more will be held in the future.

These craft workshops are aimed at adults, both men and women. Although classes may be as large as ten Harsha and Wayne put a special emphasis on helping crafters individually so each has a creatively fulfilling session. Undoubtedly, Harsha has the perfect name for ensuring an enjoyable workshop – it means happiness!

For more information contact: harsha@indiainspiredcrafts.com or visit her website https://indiainspiredcrafts.com/.

Gaynor Barton