Ceramics, Art, Poetry and Connection - London

This Valentine’s Day, take a moment to turn love inward.

self-love letters is a cosy, creative workshop celebrating friendship, tenderness, and connection (with yourself and each other). Set in a cosy Hackney cafe, this afternoon is designed to feel relaxed and nourishing.

Using pressed flowers, moodboard collage and free-flow writing, we'll create an artwork infused with self love and positive affirmations. No writing or art experience needed; this is about expression, not perfection.

What to expect:

Pressed flowers and collage materials to embellish your letter
Time to create a meaningful keepsake to take home
A relaxed, no-pressure atmosphere
Space to connect with yourself and with new or old friends
Gentle optional writing prompts
What’s included:

All materials provided
One barista-made drink of your choice
Come solo or bring a friend - this is a space for softness, laughter, and love in all its forms.

Any questions, contact me on instagram @viola.vessels

Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make this event more accessible for you

I look forward to welcoming you 💝

Deepen your connection with the tarot through art at this relaxed workshop
Join us for a creative session, learning about tarot and deepening your understanding of the cards through collage making.

Set at Damsel Collective, a beautiful, cosy, welcoming womxn -centred space, this will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with your creativity and a welcoming community.

We will begin the session by each pulling a tarot card, and taking a moment to reflect and mindmap the meanings of the card. Then, we will use a wide range of collage materials to create an art piece inspired by the card we drew, as a way of exploring both widespread and personal meanings of the card. This practice will allow you to deepen your personal connection to the cards, learn more about the tarot from others and yourself, and create a personal memento of the messages you received from the reading.

No prior collage experience or tarot knowledge necessary - this is a great way to learn!

All materials provided.

Any questions, contact me on instagram @viola.vessels

Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make this event more accessible for you

I look forward to welcoming you 💝

A four-day spiritual and creative journey with artist and facilitator Nancy-Violet Downs.

Step into a cocoon of connection — to yourself, new friends, nature, and the divine.

This intimate retreat, led by interdisciplinary artist and facilitator Nancy-Violet Downs, is inspired by The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. Over four enriching days at the beautiful Rydal Hall in the Lake District, we’ll explore creativity as a spiritual practice — using nature, meditation, writing, and making as pathways to reconnect with our inner artist and with something greater than ourselves.

Through a mix of guided meditative activities, automatic writing and drawing, natural dyeing, and textile art techniques, you’ll learn to listen deeply, let go of perfection, and make art from a place of honouring nature, intuition and faith. The retreat includes walks to waterfalls, wild swimming, outdoor creative sessions, nourishing shared meals, and quiet time for reflection.

We will practice The Artist’s Way Morning Pages, a simple yet transformative daily writing practice described by Julia Cameron as “special time between you and God.” You’ll also learn mindful creative techniques, from natural dyeing and frottage to knitting and monoprinting, using sustainable and found materials from the surrounding landscape.
This retreat offers space for both spiritual renewal and creative growth, held in the supportive energy of nature and community. You’ll leave feeling grounded, inspired, and reconnected, with a personal artwork or textile piece that reflects your unique journey.

Includes:
• 4 days of guided creative and spiritual workshops, including tuition in natural dyeing, free flow writing, intuitive drawing and other textile techniques
• All materials provided
• Shared meals and refreshments
• Time for rest, reflection, and gentle exploration of Rydal Hall’s beautiful grounds
• Live acoustic music on the final evening

No previous art experience is needed, just an open heart and a willingness to explore.

Find Nancy at https://www.instagram.com/nancyvioletartist/ and https://www.instagram.com/viola.vessels/