Welcome to The Drum House
Where sacred drums are born, medicine keepers are nurtured, and the ancient heartbeat continues.
Nestled beneath the ancient Preseli Hills of West Wales, where the Bluestones of Stonehenge were first awakened from the Earth, lies The Drum House.
However your journey begins, you’re welcome here…It may begin by adopting a drum, or birthing your own, perhaps you want to learn online from the comfort of home, or you may feel called to become a drum midwife, guiding others through this ancient craft. Along the way you’ll gather the materials, wisdom and confidence to deepen your practice.Wherever you are on your journey, The Drum House is here to support you. The heartbeat has been waiting for you.
For over twenty years I have walked the path of the drum maker, although I have come to realise that drum midwife is perhaps a truer description of my work. Every drum begins with listening….listening to the spirit of the animal, the wisdom of the trees, the rhythms of the Moon, the Stars, The Sun, the voice of the Land and the quiet guidance of Spirit.
Each drum is born through ceremony, prayer and deep reverence.
Each carries its own medicine, its own name, its own story and its own song. No two are ever the same.
Whether a drum is created as a companion for daily prayer, commissioned to honour a life’s threshold, or born to become a treasured family heirloom, every one is made with the intention of reconnecting us to the ancient heartbeat of our Earth Mother.
The Drum House is also a place of remembering.
Here, I welcome people who feel called to birth their own drum in intimate one-to-one sessions or small ceremonial groups. Together we honour the spirit of the animal, learn the ancient craft with care and reverence, and create a drum that becomes a lifelong companion on the journey of the soul.
For those who feel called more deeply still, I offer my Drum Apprenticeship.
This is not simply a course in making drums, it’s an apprenticeship in presence.
A journey into craftsmanship, ceremony, ethics, intuition and the sacred relationship between maker, materials and keeper. Together we explore not only how to create beautiful medicine drums, but how to hold the space in which they are born.
At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief:
A drum is not merely an instrument.
It’s a living companion, a bridge between worlds, a keeper of prayers, a vessel for remembrance.
Whether you are searching for the drum that has been calling your name, longing to birth your own, or feeling the ancient pull to become a drum maker yourself, you are warmly welcomed here.
May your path lead you to the heartbeat that has always been waiting for you.
Welcome to The Drum House.
Choose your path…
Adopt a Drum
One-of-a-kind ceremonially birthed medicine drums seeking their keeper.
Explore my collection of sacred drums, each born through prayer, ceremony and deep relationship with the land, the Moon, the trees and the spirit of the animal. Every drum has its own name, medicine and story, waiting to find the person it was created for.
Birth Your Own Drum
One-to-one and small group drum making journeys beneath the Preseli Hills.
Experience the ancient art of drum making in ceremony. Whether you come alone or join a small group, you’ll be gently guided through the sacred process of birthing a drum that will become a lifelong companion. I also teach Ancient Stone Drums, Red Moon Drums and Advanced Hoop Style drum workshops
Become a Drum Midwife
Professional Drum Apprenticeship for those called to carry this ancient craft into the world.
My apprenticeship for those who feel called to birth medicine drums for others. Together we’ll explore craftsmanship, ethics, ceremony, holding sacred space and the deeper wisdom of becoming a keeper of this ancient lineage.
Gather Your Materials at The Drum Maker’s Store
Ethically sourced drum-making supplies for makers, apprentices and medicine keepers.
Whether you’re making your very first drum or have been crafting for years, you’ll find a carefully chosen collection of quality materials to support your work. I offer ethically sourced hides, handcrafted beaters, drum bags, hoops, lacing, medicine pouches and other sacred supplies that I personally use in my own drum making..
“The journey of a sacred drum begins long before the first knot is tied.”
Learning- both in person and from Home
Courses to deepen your relationship with the drum.
Whether you’re taking your very first steps into medicine drumming or you’re an experienced maker wishing to refine your craft, my online courses allow you to learn wherever you are in the world. Journey at your own pace through professionally filmed teachings filled with practical guidance, ceremony, mythology and decades of experience.
“The learning doesn’t end when the drum is born—it is only just beginning.”
Stories from The Drum House
The chronicles from the people whose lives they have touched.
NOTE- as I’m mostly focussing on teaching this year, I’m not holding many group drum days myself, if you would like to host one, contact me for my availability- anyone arranging a day for me will have a 25% reduction on their drum.
Sign up to my newsletter for future dates.
1-1 sessions and mixed groups are available on request, or maybe you have a group that would like to birth drums with me? I can arrange a drum day for you and your friends, contact me to discuss.
Spend a day in beautiful and magical West Wales…Pembrokeshire, come and immerse yourself in the creating and birthing of your medicine drum, tuning in with the natural materials, giving thanks and prayers as you use your hands, putting your love, energy and intent into this medicine tool to create a truly special drum for yourself!
Feedback from my Drum making days-
“I had wonderful day with Rachael – teacher of ancient wisdoms. We spent a day together crafting my medicine drum. Until that point I really hadn’t worked with a drum in any great capacity – and certainly not for ritual / sacred practice.
In that day I got to choose my deer hide, wrapped it carefully around the drum hoop, and knocked out 52 holes to lace the hide to the frame of the drum. The cutting of the hide was a surprisingly emotional process and I really felt the presence of the animal who had gifted their skin for the drum – it was a humbling experience. We also mixed ochre to paint my own personal symbology onto the hoop, hidden artworks that only I know the meaning of. The whole day was wonderfully held and left me feeling like I had a whole new world to discover and step into.
That drum I have since used in evenings when I feel the need to shift some energy, simply tune into ancient vibrations, or call in some higher power.
I’m still figuring out what my drum practice is. The last time I used it, in candlelight I realised that the mottled – moon-like face of my drum was changing in the light of the candle and it could be used for scrying!” Jennifer
“Thank you so much for today. It was really magical, calm and your energy made it a beautiful experience. We are chuffed with our drums and looking forward to all the drumming we will be doing.”
“I cannot thank you enough for such an amazing day. I had high expectations for my Birthday treat. From the moment we saw your house and were greeted by you. To the journey home with our new drums. The whole day was amazing & beyond all expectations. “
“Thank you with all of my heart for such a special day. It was incredibly nourishing and enriching. You created a beautiful space for us not only physically, but also spiritually. I loved all the elements you included into the day and how patient you were teaching us! You are an incredibly inspiring and powerful being, full of so much light and love and it’s been an honour to meet you. I very much hope I get to meet with you again before too long. It felt a magical connection between us all that day. Thank you so much again for all you brought to the day.”
“A very big ‘thank you’ for such a beautiful day, way beyond what my imagination had given me.
I feel a wholeness within.”
“You are an amazing woman & such a natural teacher & leader & we all had just a totally magical day.
Thank you from my heart.”
“Thank you for making the day so special”
Hides come from within the United Kingdom and are either from culled wild horses/ponies/deer/stags or animals that have naturally died. The hide is a waste product so by using it we are honouring the animal. As a life long vegetarian I’ve wrestled with the ethics for a long time, in the end my calling to make drums and bring people to the heartbeat of our Mother was too strong! I source them as ethically as possible, supporting local crafts people. (read more here)
Drum Supplies and kits available.
Stories from The Drum House
Drum repair * remake* re-lace
Stag-Deer-Oak-Ash- Drum Apprentice Training
Intimate Medicine Drum Birthing Day
Learn to make a 14/16” medicine drum & beater from natural materials The day runs from 11AM – 4PM (approx) Cost 1-1 £444/ couples £333 each- includes all teaching, materials for a 14/16″ deer drum, drum beater ...
The Drum Maker’s Store
Ancient Stone Drum Birthing Day
Red Moon Medicine Drum Making Workshop
Hoop Style Drum Making Day
at my home Pembrokeshire
Learn to make a 16″ Hoop Style Medicine Drum & Beater from natural materials 10.30 AM – 4.30 PM At the moment I have no dates scheduled. Sign up to my newsletter for future dates- link ...
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