Hazel Walking & Talking Stick Making Workshop

BEGINNING
Join us for a hands-on walking stick and talking stick workshop, guided by Paul Ritchie—artist, biologist, and passionate tree expert. We begin by exploring the story of Coll, the Celtic word for hazel, a tree long associated with wisdom, inspiration, and poetic insight in Celtic tradition.

CHOICE
You’ll then be invited to choose your own stick, each one recently and ethically harvested especially for the workshop. Take your time and select the piece that calls to you—trusting your instinct as you begin your personal connection with the wood.

CRAFT
Guided by Paul, you’ll learn how to prepare and refine your stick, working with simple tools and techniques to bring out its natural form. The focus is on honouring the character of the wood, allowing its shape, grain, and story to emerge.

CREATIVITY
If time allows, there will be space to add decoration and personal touches. You’re encouraged to bring along any items you’d like to incorporate—feathers, stones, shells, or other meaningful objects. That said, Paul is a strong advocate for simplicity, embracing a wabi-sabi approach that celebrates the quiet beauty and individuality of the stick itself.

CONNECTION
This workshop is an invitation to slow down, work with your hands, and deepen your relationship with trees and natural materials, leaving with a unique piece that carries both practical use and personal meaning.