Cumbrian Mell Doll Online Workshop | 19 November 2026

Thursday 19 November 2026, 7pm–9pm UK time

£35 includes a two-hour live online workshop with Penny Maltby and a materials kit posted to your UK address. Suitable for beginners. Your kit will be sent one week before the class. 

The workshop will be delivered via Zoom. Attendees will be sent a joining link.

Did you have apples growing in your garden or on your allotment? Would you love to create a heritage straw dolly which celebrates the apple and learn more about the customs of harvest.

Join straw artist Penny Maltby on Thursday 19th November, 7pm–9pm UK time, for an online event to celebrate the Autumn harvest and the humble apple. Learn about harvest customs and corn dollies before having a go using heritage wheat straw and make your very own Cumbrian Mell Doll Harvest Trophy.

Perhaps you are craft curious, enjoy working with natural materials, marking the seasons or would like to take your first steps into straw plaiting, then this fun online workshop is for you. The workshop is suitable for beginners and anyone with an interest in harvest and working with natural materials. Penny will also guide you on ways you can adapt these techniques to other materials.

📦 Kit Dispatch – Once you have booked your place, your kit will be sent to you one week before the class.

what's included –On booking you will be asked for your address so that a kit which includes the items you will need to take part in the workshop and this will be mailed out to you in advance. Please note this is only available to UK addresses. Please contact me prior to buying a ticket if you wish to attend the class from outside the UK and have your own supply of suitable wheat.

Some pre workshop instructions will also be emailed you in preparation for the class, which includes a small list of items you will need to provide yourself such as scissors, an old tea towel and somewhere suitable to soak your straw, such as a large sink, long planter, large plastic container or even the bath. You will also need to provide an apple, a cooker or an eater, the larger the better!

What will you learn and make

There will be a short presentation on harvest trophies and celebration & information about heritage wheat and preparation for plaiting. Learn two types of plaits to use in your Mell doll. Complete and decorate your own Cumbrian Mell doll to celebrate the autumn harvest or as a gift for a celebration meal. 

FAQ's

I have never worked with straw before is this workshop still
for me?

Yes, it is suitable for all levels

Will the workshop be recorded?

No, the workshop will not be recorded, this is a live event

About your tutor

I am a straw and textile artist with a passion for heritage crafts and working with natural materials. I regularly teach workshops for summer schools, museums, craft organisations and groups. I also work to
commission for fashion, film TV and more.