Introduction to the Japanese art of kintsugi ceramics repair

Give a broken dish a second life

Kintsugi artist Clara Bethell-Sacks guides beginners through a three-hour ceramic repair, using epoxy glue and putty, Japanese urushi lacquer and brass powder. Materials, hot drinks and arboretum admission are included, so the workshop can be part of a longer visit to Westonbirt.

Bring a plate, dish or shallow bowl under 20cm across, with a simple break in two or three pieces and only one or two small chips. Suitable pieces are available if you do not have one, and Clara can advise from a photograph if you are unsure. If you want to break a piece for the workshop, bring it intact.

Uncured urushi can irritate skin, so wear long sleeves and cover your legs; gloves are provided. The brass finish is decorative and not food-safe, while the alternative urushi finish must be fully cured before food contact. Discuss the intended use of your piece with Clara before choosing a finish.

Booking requires a non-refundable deposit, with the balance payable in cash on the day unless an alternative is arranged; concessions are available. Pet dogs cannot attend, though assistance dogs are permitted under the arboretum policy. Afterwards, you could look for Westonbirt's three urushi trees and see where the lacquer material begins.

Ticketed workshop. Advance booking required.

Wednesday 9 December 2026 · Learning Centre, Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8QS · 10:30am to 1:30pm