Limpsfield Parish councillor, Ashley Fosdike has embarked on her own crafty little business. The Green Room studio in Ashley’s back garden (just off the A25) is the perfect setting for small groups to while away a few hours creating and painting under Ashley’s expert tuition.

“I’ve always been passionate about crafts,” said Ashley, who is also a member of the Limpsfield WI and ran a successful wedding flowers and cake business for many years.

“It all started with flower arranging and cake making, which I actually competed in and taught for a number of years, and then diversified into painting and jewellery making,” she said.

Ashley, who is also a qualified Milliner, has a Foundation Diploma in Art & Design from West Dean college and gained qualifications in jewellery and horticulture. She even has her own hallmark and exhibited pieces at the V&A.

“I have a lot of experience of craft courses in the marketplace, but I’ve never found short tasters for people of all abilities and so I decided provide a means for people to try out new skills without costly long-term commitments. My mission really is to be able to bring out people’s creative side, to pass on skills and spread knowledge to those who have said ‘I wish I could that…’!”

The Green Room is a purpose-built cosy and creative space (fully equipped) where all the courses are run and that provides an easy and relaxed, unpressured environment to try out new things and discover skills they never thought they had!

Ashley has been testing out her courses to a small number of friends and locals, before launching properly.

OLRG councillor, Claire Blackwell was one of her first students and said (on Facebook), “Loved the Chinese brush painting course. Lots of variety and different techniques. Would highly recommend.”

Ashley will be running small boutique courses of no more than five students starting at beginner level and working up to advanced as she gets more students. She will also offer one to one tuition.

Course will cover a wide range of exciting topics, both on-trend and traditional, from drawing and painting to crafting and upcycling, e.g. creating junk journals, Chinese brush painting, flower arranging, decorating trinket boxes, upcycling clothing, canvass painting.

All equipment and materials are provided so students just need to bring themselves.

Here are all the upcoming courses for the next few months.  Courses are typically three hours and held on Saturdays and Thursdays.

More info: www.ashleylouise.com and on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Article originally written for and published in Limpsfield’s Spring edition of the Parish News with update and editions for Limpsfieldsurrey.com