During our full-day workshop, you'll learn how to craft your very own keepsake box from scratch! This workshop offers a fun and creative way to spend a day. By the end of the session, you'll have created a unique, handcrafted box to store keepsakes, knicknacks, or doodads.
GATHER is a fantastic craft shop and workshop space in Kildare town. It's a co-operative initiative between the Kildare Local Enterprise Office and Kildare-based artists and makers, and stocks a range of local, handmade and designed items. It is staffed by the makers themselves, a perfect opportunity to learn more about the creator of your new favourite item and discover how the item was made. SQUUSHED is stocked in GATHER so be sure to check it out!
GATHER is located in the centre of Kildare town in market square, and is surrounded by fabulous eateries such as Firecastle, Hartes, and Agape. Kildare Village is only a 10 minute walk from the venue, not to be missed!
This workshop is one of my favourites 💖 I can't believe I made this beautiful box from start to finish (although there's no way I'd have been able to do it without Amanda, she's amazing) She even taught us how to cut down the metal on the knob to fit the box. I'd highly recommend this workshop 😍❤️
Thank you for your lovely review! Delighted you enjoyed the workshop, and learned something new. Making the keepsake box is a lovely process, and your box is very impressive. The papers you chose are gorgeous! Thanks again!
I attended Amanda's keepsake box making workshop today and had a fantastic time. Amanda was so patient and explained each step in detail. Her passion and her enthusiasm came through in her presenting of the workshop. I came home with a beautiful keepsake box and will be signing up future of Amanda's workshops in the future.
Thank you so much for your lovely review! I had a fantastic time too, and am delighted you enjoyed the workshop. Your keepsake box turned out beautifully! See you again at another workshop some time soon.
Thanks again,
Amanda
The most beautiful picture I’ve ever received. I’m obsessed 😍😍 100% recommend squushed ! Very talented 💖
Thank you so much for your lovely review! I'm glad you love your new picture and thanks for your recommendation! ❤️
-- Amanda
As part of our 2025 local culture festival in Donabate Portrane north county Dublin, Amanda ran two workshops for us - chain stitch notebook making and lampshade making. Everything was provided and the workshops were very well recieved by all participants. The workshops were wonderfully relaxed, friendly, and enjoyable. Everything we needed was thoughtfully prepared and ready to use. Her deep knowledge of both crafts shone through - not only did she explain each step clearly, but she also shared other hints and tips . Both workshops were fantastic experiences from start to finish. Participants went home with beautifully self-crafted pieces and were delighted to have learned a new skill.
From the perspective of a festival organiser; Amanda was very professional and a pleasure to deal with. I would have no hesitation in providing a recommendation for Amanda and her workshops. We will definitley welcome her to Donabate Portrane again!
Hi Ann,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We were delighted to take part in the Bleeding Pig Festival, and thouroughly enjoyed running the lampshade making and bookbinding workshops. Seeing people's creations come to life is always a joy, and we love when people learn a new skill and also take something home with them that they made themselves. Thank you for including us in your festival schedule, and we hope to work with you again in the future!
Amanda
Purchased the most beautiful hand made lamp shade from Amanda in Squushed. Stunning quality and amazing service 💕
Thank you for your lovely review! We're delighted you love your new lampshade
Went to a market and came across Sguushed, wow wow wow so much beautiful stuff. I purchased a beautiful hand made lamp shade the quality so beautiful. I love it so much I booked myself into a workshop for making lamp shades, I can't wait. Thanks Amanda looking forward to my experience.
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're delighted you like your new lampshade, and looking forward to welcoming you at our lampshade making workshop!