Thinking About Running a Workshop?

At Craggy Pear Emporium, we love supporting artists and makers to share their skills, build confidence, and grow sustainable creative businesses.

If you’re considering running your first workshop — or refining your offering — this guide is here to help you understand what’s involved and how to get started.

Is Facilitating a Workshop Right for You?

Running a workshop is more than just knowing your craft. It involves:

  • Teaching and guiding others

  • Managing time and group dynamics

  • Creating a safe, welcoming environment

  • Communicating clearly and confidently

You don’t need to be perfect — but you do need to be prepared.

Workshops work best when facilitators are:

  • Passionate about their craft

  • Comfortable explaining processes step by step

  • Organised and reliable

  • Open to learning and feedback

What Makes a Strong Workshop Idea?

A great workshop:

  • Focuses on one clear outcome

  • Is achievable within the time frame

  • Is suited to beginners or clearly defined skill levels

  • Offers participants something tangible to take home

  • Is priced realistically for materials and time

If you’re unsure, start simple. Many successful workshops begin as half-day sessions.

What You’ll Need to Prepare

Before hosting a workshop, you’ll need to consider:

1. Workshop Content

  • A clear description of what participants will learn

  • A basic session plan or outline

  • Realistic expectations of what can be achieved in the time

2. Materials & Tools

  • A list of materials participants will use

  • Whether materials are included in the ticket price

  • Any tools participants need to bring themselves

3. Group Size

  • The ideal number of participants for a good experience

  • The maximum number you can safely and comfortably support

Understanding Your Responsibilities

As a facilitator, you are responsible for:

  • Delivering the workshop safely and professionally

  • Managing risks associated with your materials or tools

  • Providing clear instructions and support

  • Creating an inclusive and respectful learning environment

You don’t need formal teaching qualifications, but experience and preparedness matter.

Pricing Your Workshop

When pricing your workshop, consider:

  • Your time (preparation + delivery)

  • Materials and consumables

  • Venue and platform costs

  • Your experience and expertise

Underpricing can lead to burnout. Sustainable pricing supports better workshops and better experiences for everyone involved.

Promotion: What to Expect

Depending on how you host your workshop, promotion may include:

  • Sharing with your own audience

  • Collaborating with Craggy Pear Emporium on promotion

  • Using clear, engaging descriptions and images

Even when we promote workshops, facilitator involvement in promotion is important.

Support at Craggy Pear Emporium

We offer different levels of support depending on your needs:

  • Studio hire for independent facilitators

  • Promotion through our channels

  • Fully hosted workshops with admin and booking support

We’re happy to guide you toward the option that best suits your experience level and goals.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you have a workshop idea and feel ready to explore it further, we’d love to hear from you.

APPLY FOR A WORKSHOP ON THIS PAGE

If you’re not quite ready yet, that’s okay too. Take time to refine your idea, gain experience, and come back when it feels right.

A Note on Growth & Confidence

Many facilitators start small. Confidence grows with experience.

Running a workshop is a skill — just like any other — and it gets easier with practice. 😊