Making with Me

A festive family activity

Wondering what to do with all that lovely Christmas wrapping paper? Come to Shoemakers Museum for a one-off morning of journal-making for the whole family and turn that festive wrap into a memory filled moment. Bring your leftover wrapping paper, tags, cards and turn it into treasure:

• Make your own sketchbook.
• Experiment with fun art techniques.
• Connect with other parents and caregivers.
• Create alongside your little one.

No experience needed, just bring your curiosity and imagination. Whether you are looking for a creative outlet, a festive day out with the children, an enjoyable experience or a way to meet others, this workshop offers a fun guided activity from the everyday.

Come for the art, stay for the community!

Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment

£6 for 1 parent and 1 child

£2.50 for every additional child

£3.50 for every additional adult

Designed to meet the needs of parents and caregivers, and offer a gentle fun activity, these intergenerational workshops use the familiar format of a stay-and-play group to encourage everyone to get creative alongside their little ones in a child-friendly environment. If you are seeking inspiration, support, or just a fresh way to engage with your child, these classes offer a meaningful, inclusive space for all.

In each session, we make our own sketchbooks, and we try out a new technique such as drawing, collage, and wax relief, with the classes being minimally tutored to allow time to relax and be imaginative.

While children play and explore mess-free drawing materials, the adults can enjoy time creating alongside them in their sketchbooks.

The classes are also suitable for older children, and for home educators, where caregivers bring children of multiple ages e.g. siblings.

****This is a second pilot session. We are hoping to roll out more regular sessions in 2026.

Katherine O’Shea – Artist

Katherine is an illustrator, artist, and teacher based in Somerset. Her creative practice is focused on drawing, with an emphasis on detail and a strong foundation in observational sketching in traditional mediums.

She studied illustration at Birmingham City University, Central Saint Martins, and School of Visual Arts in New York. Her first two children’s book illustration projects were published by Scottish publisher Serafina Press in 2012 and 2014.

In 2022, she wrote, illustrated, and independently published her own children’s book, ‘Molly’s First Festival’. This was released in June 2023 after a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. The book has since been featured on the children’s TV channel CBeebies, and Katherine now performs live readings at festivals each year, including Glastonbury, Camp Bestival, and Valleyfest.

She is also a private art teacher, teaching observational drawing, journaling, and sketchbook-making classes for all ages.