Live summer crafting event with ICHF

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Encaustic art pictures – art from molten wax

I’m very excited to be trying a Facebook live event this weekend with ICHF – book here.

From 12 – 2pm on Saturday 10th July, I am going to be myth busting Encaustic art. What do I mean by that? Well I just want to give you some ideas about how versatile and vibrant it is as an artform. Of how it can be used in conjunction with many different crafts and tools that you already do or have. It is also a great artform in its own right. I like using it for mixed media work and sell my watercolour/encaustic art work in the form of printed cards.

Like everything else, skill level depends on how much you practice and you’ll find your own style but it is really satisfying for the absolute beginner too – the artwork being dry in moments. I’m going to demo at least 6 different things in my two hour slot.

So grab yourself a cuppa to watch, or if you want to join in you’ll need a travel iron, non absorbant card, encaustic waxes, backing paper and tissues. I will also have my heated stylus out and some rubber stamps. All supplies can be purchased from Michael Bosson (my original teacher and the master of UK Encaustic art as we know it) at Arts encaustic ltd – mention me if you order as it would be really useful to know how many people took the plunge after the session.

Lessons coming up – I generally teach in Essex and Suffolk and also on zoom by request

I am doing two short classes in August (Sat 14th and Thursday 19th) at EjartCreative in Woodbridge, Suffolk – book here

I also run regular small classes in my workshop in Colchester, Essex – you can book dates here, or contact me to arrange a date to suit.

I hope the tech all works smoothly and my demos help you to get a flavour of the fun and creativity you can unleash when doing Encaustic art. Thanks, Toni

Summer holidays are coming

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For those of you embracing an actual staycation – i.e staying at home and going to visit places, here are a few courses coming up during the summer at the beautiful FSC Flatford Mill – technically you can stay there but I will leave that up to you.

The main course I want to tell you about is my Jewellery making weekend at FSC Flatford Mill, here’s the link to book, which you need to do with them directly. During the weekend I will cover both Enamelling and silver clay techniques and you will have the opportunity to add to your skills, or learn from scratch as a complete beginner. By the end of the class you will have enamelled at least 5 pieces and using 10g of silver clay you’ll have made 2 – 3 items of fine silver jewellery. It’s a lovely venue and as we work into the evening (if you want to) it is a chance to take a more relaxed look at jewellery making and talk over ideas with fellow students.
The jewellery weekend class runs from Fri 23, July 2021 16:00 – Sun 25, July 2021 16:00

I also have one day classes running at Flatford Mill in the summer, so if you prefer to just concentrate on one craft at a time then these may be for you.

Silver Clay Day – Friday 20th August 9.30 – 5pm – book here

I have recently completed my PMC instructor certification and so have some new tips to share with you. We will be using 10g silver clay but also a choice of either syringe or sheet clay too, so something new to add to your designs or experiment with.

Enamelling day – Sat 21st August 9.30 – 5pm – book here

There’s plenty of time on this one day class to learn some of the techniques involved in the ancient art of enamelling, or to add more to your repertoire. We’ll be fusing lead free enamels (glass powders) to copper using a table top kiln which fires at 750 degrees C and higher.
You’ll make around 5 pieces in this relaxed one day class.

Hopefully that’s given you a few ideas for the summer and don’t forget there are always individual classes here at my workshop in Colchester and other class venues listed on my website. Have a safe and great break – if you get a chance.
Do get in touch if you have any questions about classes or crafts in general.
Best wishes, Toni

  • Silver clay day
  • Enamelling day
  • Jewellery weekend – incl silver clay and enamelling

May we be moving in the right direction

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Here’s a little video put together by the PMC Studio for all instructors who have successfully completed their PMC training. I am really looking forward to sharing all the tips I have built up as well as introducing you to Camp 101 and a few other courses I now have ideas for. The video shows you a little about my PMC journey. I hope it inspires. Do get in touch if you’d like to book a class.

I know I have been a little quiet for a while but this is one of the things I have been doing. I have now completed my PMC training and am now officially a PMC Instructor ®

Creations

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You can sign up to my mailing list to get up to date class info and subscriber discounts as well as hearing more about my experiments and discoveries.

I know I won’t be the only one who has spent a great deal of the last year building on existing skills or learning new ones. Creativity is something that can really keep you going at the best of times and most especially now. It has also given me time to have a think about offering themed classes or classes focusing on a specific technique, which I do to a certain extent but I think I need to be clearer about it! Haha she says as she waffles along.
I’m going to post some photos of work I have been doing with @pmcstudio as part of my silver clay certification, some of which I already offer but have learn some extra tips for you. Do let me know which techniques particularly intrigue you, or what others you might like to learn. Some of the classes may be taught online (I am offering a few via @ejartcreative at the moment). Later in the year I hope to be able to tell you more about Camp PMC 101 which I hope to be able to teach soon.

I am also learning papercutting (pictured is a great kit by @KatySuedesigns but I am working on some basic ideas for a class for those who need to be guided a little more and this will be @watershedstudio later in the year (hopefully).

I know some techniques get people really excited, whereas others they can take or leave, so it would be really great to get some feedback.

I’ll tell you a little more about dates etc in my newsletter. If you’d like to sign up do get in touch.

Keep safe and creative.

Toni

Hooray it’s February

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How are you handling the continued (and necessary) restrictions?
My go to is always learning. I have continued with my PMC certification and am now building on that with #PMCCamp101, which is new to the UK. It is effectively a course to teach you all the techniques that Mitsubishi (the makers of PMC) think cover the phenomenon that is silver clay, this includes carving, applying patina, using moulds, embedding stones, and lots of other techiques. I will be sharing my makes over the next few weeks (we have a short deadline).

If you live in the Havering area and have access to the Community Hub the classes I run for #TapestryCare have just started up again – this week we dabbled with watercolour. Learning the ins and outs of zoom is not something I am alone in achieving this year. As a family we had 5 scheduled Zooms in one day last week with one I had to watch on catchup later!

I’m still writing my 100 worder stories which can be heard weekly on Colne FM – Bill’s Bag of Onions, so if you want to tune in for some evening entertainment click here.
Right I’d best get back to some work, these courses don’t teach themselves.
Let’s hope Spring is on it’s way. If you have any questions about zoom classes, PMC Certification or any of the classes I teach, do get in touch.
Keep well. Toni x




  • Preparing for watercolour class @tapestrycareltd
  • Quilled silver pieces for PMC Certification @pmcstudio
  • How I test designs for PMC Certification.
  • My feline assistant, Roui.
  • Learning about papercutting using a wonderful kit from @Katysuedesigns

New Year new craft

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I’m always buying kits with the view of trying new things and seeing what is a good add on to what I already do. This papercutting kit by Emma Boyes available from Katy Sue Creations is brilliant. I wanted to learn the technique as I think it’ll be a great partner to Encaustic art. This is how my first attempt is going.

Using Emma Boyes’ excellent starter kit

I can already see the uses for this craft and it is surprisingly absorbing. I hope, despite the latest Covid news, you are finding inspiration in the new year. Let me know what you are getting up to, it’d be lovely to see.

Take care and a happy, healthy new year. Toni

Certified

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During lockdown 1.0 I started doing my PMC Certification. This means I have learned a whole load of additional silver skills which I am really excited to be adding to classes next year. I have now successfully completed level 1 and level 2.

The picture shows some of the techniques I’ve learnt. Did you know you can incorporate broken ceramic pieces into your jewellery? Or that a simple plain bisque bead can be jazzed up with some silver paste?

The course also enabled me to add on some extra silversmithing skills, including fitting a bezel and mirror shining my silver. I can’t wait to start level 3 and then once we’re able to pass on all these extra tips to my lovely students. Speaking of which silver clay vouchers (and others) can still be purchased as Christmas gifts until midnight on Christmas eve.
Best wishes and a Happy festive period to you. Toni x

Toni Peers – Comedy standup!

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How many of you have become acquainted with the likes of Zoom over the past 9 months? I suspect quite a few. I’ve been working with Tapestry Care over the last few months teaching one of their regular groups but it has been quite challenging as I’ve had to do it remotely on Zoom! Imagine 1.5 hours of Toni talking nonstop – I feel like a stand up comedian!
This steep learning curve has got me thinking about my students who either cannot get out due to the Covid situation, or live a long way away. What I am proposing to offer is some Zoom classes next year. At first they will need to be the more simple crafts that I teach, such as felt making as I think tools, supplies and technique should transfer over quite nicely. However, if you are someone who has access to a kiln, or a gas stove, or encaustic art equipment then I can do mini tailored classes for you too. I might even throw in the odd joke or two. Ooops I do now recall I did read some bad cracker jokes to the Tapestry care group. Ah well ’tis the season and all that.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone and don’t forget that I offer craft vouchers on my website a gift letter can be emailed out right until the last minute (I don’t need to post them) and make a great gift. Available on my book classes now page (including Zoom classes). If you want to fill up your new diaries there are also new class dates online. Keep safe and keep crafting, Toni

Black Friday weekend Offer

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Oh go on then I will do an offer plus something new!
I’m offering £10 off the price of full day class vouchers from Friday 27th November to Saturday 5th December 2020. Book now to avoid missing out.
New for 2021! I’m now offering Zoom classes for 2021 – 2 hour gift vouchers available now.

Unique silver jewellery

New ways to shop this Christmas

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Are you feeling Christmas ready? I know I’m not! I am trying to think of where to hide the presents I’ve already bought, whilst stopping my kittens getting into the boxes and destroying the contents – they do believe a box arrives everyday in this house!

What I now need to do is tell you about what my small business can offer you for Christmas!

I teach small classes in Colchester – these are not your bog standard classes but more specialised crafts: Enamelled Jewellery, Silver Clay Jewellery (fine silver), Encaustic art, Felt making and Flamework (making glass beads). My workshop fits 2 people for a class (not including me), comfortably so if you are worried about mixing in big groups you don’t need to. I offer a gift letter for you to purchase a class but detailing how the recipient can book a date to suit them. These classes are intended for adult crafters who have already done the usual things and are looking for something a bit more challenging.
You can book class vouchers here, or by emailing me. I have a few handcrafted items on sale here too.

I also make jewellery for sale. My Etsy shop is up and running and you can buy items here – if you are local get in touch as I may be able to offer delivery rather than posting items out.

I also have items for sale at EJart Creative in Woodbridge – the sell online and will also be open for business from 2nd December.

Next week Colcheco will be opening and will have a selection of my work.

This weekend I will be taking part in A Handcrafted Business online fair which will give you details of lots of lovely handcrafted items – I’ll post the link later.

That’s all for now, never have there been more ways to shop from the luxury of your own home!

Keep safe and keep in touch. Toni