Exploring Indian Wood Block Printing: A Creative Workshop in Bury St Edmunds, with Emerald & Embers

An Afternoon of Craft, Culture & Creative Possibility: Indian Wood Block Printing in Bury St Edmunds with Emerald & Embers

Last week I spent a wonderful afternoon at an Indian wood block printing workshop in Bury St Edmunds, hosted by Jenny from Emerald & Embers. As someone who is endlessly inspired by global craft traditions, this workshop felt like stepping into a world where pattern, history and slow, intentional making come together.

Indian wood block printing is a centuries‑old art form — rhythmic, tactile, and deeply expressive. Each carved block carries the hand of the maker, the story of its region, and the quiet beauty of imperfection. As a designer, these are the qualities I’m always seeking to bring into the homes I create: pieces with soul, heritage and a human touch.

Jenny’s collection of blocks was extraordinary. Paisleys, florals, pomegranates, woodland animals, delicate leaves — each one a tiny artwork. The moment you prepare a block with ink and lift it from the fabric, you feel connected to something far bigger than the pattern itself.

Creating pieces for my own home

I made two pieces during the workshop, both of which now sit beautifully within my own space.

A tea towel that coordinates with my kitchen

I chose colours and motifs that echo the bold artwork in my kitchen. It’s a small everyday object, but it adds a layer of personality that only handmade pieces can bring. These are the details that quietly elevate a home.

A tote bag with a globally inspired pattern

Where the tea towel was deliberate, with a repeat pattern, this was a much freer design — playing with symmetry, layering motifs, and letting the design unfold intuitively, personalising it for my daughter with her initial. The result is a piece that feels both personal and culturally rich, a reminder of how global craft can influence modern living.

How this craft inspires my design work

Workshops like this always spark ideas for my interior projects. Block printing isn’t just a beautiful craft — it opens up possibilities for bespoke, meaningful design:

• Personalised artwork created from hand‑printed patterns

• Customising Roman blinds, cushions or table linens

• One‑of‑a‑kind textiles that bring global influence into a Suffolk home

• Colour stories inspired by traditional Indian palettes

• Pattern layering that adds depth and warmth to a room

There’s something incredibly special about incorporating handmade elements into a space. They soften a room, add texture, and create a sense of lived‑in luxury that can’t be replicated with mass‑produced items.

A heartfelt thank you

Thank you to Jenny at Emerald and Embers for such a thoughtful, inspiring workshop. Her passion for this craft is contagious, and the experience reminded me how powerful it is to step away from the screen and create with your hands.

If you ever have the chance to join one of her workshops in East Anglia, I can’t recommend it enough.

If you love the idea of bringing globally inspired, handmade elements into your home, I’d love to help you explore bespoke fabrics, artwork or soft furnishings that feel personal and meaningful.