The workshop hosts of Springbank Studio

We are thrilled to introduce Margriet Straatman, or Mags for short, a local illustrator and printmaker who hosts lino tile printing workshops at Springbank Studio. Mags is a graphic designer by trade who fell in love with the rhythm of carving, inky hands and the satisfying reveal of each lino print. Her designs are inspired by her daily life, whether it's a pot of coffee, children's books or her dog Percy.

Each of Mag’s hand drawn illustrations are transferred on to a lino tile and then slowly carved to make a relief ready to print. She prints her designs on a range of different products from t-shirts to gift cards, wrapping paper to tote bags, which you can find on her Etsy shop.

Mags workshops are relaxing but also informative, you will leave feeling empowered to continue printmaking at home. Each workshop is a small group of 10 to 12 people (she always sells them out!) so you can have a good chat whilst you carve your tile. If you like drawing you can design your tile from scratch, or make the most of Mags illustration skills and use one of her templates. After you’ve finished carving you print a set of gift cards to share with the special people in your life. What a glorious way to spend a morning.

Alongside her creative practice, Mag’s runs Made Local, a series of markets, pop-ups and workshops, who another local maker Maria. Last Christmas they hosted their first ever pop-up at Springbank, and they might just be back this year… Watch this space and sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear about it.