All categories – CG Crafts

2024 dates

December 21, 2023 ToniLeave a comment

Just updating the diary for 2024 so if you are after last-minute present ideas, or looking to take up a new skill next year, do get in touch. Prices listed on website are for 1 to 1 but discounted prices are available when booking 2 or more people so please ask about this.

CG CRAFTS, Colchester (booking 07847 098849) or click here

Sat 30th March – Encaustic Art

Fri 19th April – Silver Clay Beginners

Sat 20th April – Enamelling Beginners

Fri 26th April – Enamelling Beginners

Sat 27th April – Silver Clay Beginners

Fri 10th May – Flamework (Making glass beads)

Sat 11th May – Encaustic Art

Fri 24th May – Feltmaking – needle and wet felting

The Seasons art classes

I teach a 14 week class covering Drawing, oil pastels, watercolour and acrylics. The class currently takes place at The Oaks Golf Course, Rivenhall Essex. Click here to find out more on our Facebook page or call 01621 818 593

19+ Adult Learning at ACL

I am now teaching weekly Metal (Fine Silver) clay classes at Basildon ACL

The Thursday classes are accredited which means they are funded if you meet the criteria, plus you get a shiny certificate at the end. The listings are a little confusing at present as the courses are quite new but if you are interested and can’t find the course let me know and I’ll do my best to help.

Watershed Studio, St Osyth – 01255 820466 or click here

Sat 16th March – Silver Clay Jewellery

Sat 29th June – Felt Making Landscapes using wet felt

Sat 7th Oct – Enamelling

A quick update

August 9, 2023 ToniLeave a comment

Life has, as usual got a bit busy, so I just wanted to quickly update you on forthcoming dates and news.

Firstly the most exciting thing is that Harriet is currently rehearsing and will be in a play at the Mercury theatre, next weekend (17th – 19th August). https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/myc-show-gogols-underdogs/

Secondly, we are now in our third season at The Seasons Art Classes in Witham. These are great classes for beginners, for those who lack artistic confidence, or for people looking for company whilst being creative. https://www.artclass-tiptreewitham.com/

Thirdly, I am now working with Benchspace silver school in Brightlingsea and my first class will be on Sunday (13th August). We’re hoping to run lots of follow on courses to build up your skills – if there is enough interest. https://bench-space.com/classes/

I have just completed the level 2 Art and Design course at ACL Colchester and we’ll be having an end of course exhibition at the minories pop up in the centre of town (18 Long Wyre St, near The Works) starting on 12th August. This is the link to the info on Facebook – https://fb.me/e/18Ts3dC2S

And finally, I am pleased to tell you that I will soon be teaching for ACL Basildon (once the paperwork is completed). This will be a Silversmithing with Metal clay course and will start with taster sessions but will hopefully move on to level 1 and level 2 certification – some spaces will even be funded. More info about that once we’re in action.

I hope you are making the best of the summer, if you are looking for weather-friendly ideas this is what I have coming up, and don’t forget, where I can I will also organise dates to suit. Hope to see you soon, Toni

www.cgcrafts.co.uk

CG CRAFTS, Colchester (booking 07847 098849)
23rd Sept – Silver Clay Jewellery beginners at CG Crafts FULL
14th Oct – Encaustic art at CG Crafts
4th Nov – Silver Clay beginners at CG Crafts

FSC Flatford Mill – (Booking FSC 01206 297110)
8th – 10th Sept – Silver Clay and Enamelling Jewellery weekend
2nd Dec – Silver Clay jewellery day

Bench Space, Brightlingsea (booking 07855 768017)
13th Sept – Silver Clay Jewellery – FULL
30th Sept – Enamelled Jewellery day
28th Oct – Enamelling on Silver clay

Watershed Studio, St Osyth
7th October – Enamelling day (01255 820466)

Essex Classes

May 9, 2023May 9, 2023 ToniLeave a comment

I am really excited to update you that the next lot of Seasons Art classes which will start at the end of July are being planned. The gallery shows a selection of what the students have learnt over the 14 week classes. Starting with drawing techniques we build up the basic building blocks and then move on to oil pastels, watercolour and finally acrylics before completing our time with a session to mount our pieces and then the exhibition – which is an opportunity to enjoy the work created over the 14 weeks. If you’d like to know more message me and I can pass on booking details or you can take a look at our website which will be available for bookings soon.

Classes coming up

Other Classes coming up
As usual get in touch if you’d like to book a class in my garden workshop or click on the links below to book directly with venues
CG Crafts, Colchester – dates and times to suit
Pink Parrot Pottery – Silver clay with embedded gemstones on Saturday 3rd June
Pink Parrot Pottery – Encaustic art on Saturday 15th July
EJ Art Creative, Woodbridge – Silver clay layered pendant on Saturday 24th June
FSC Flatford Mill, East Bergholt – Silver Clay day on Saturday 1st July
Watershed Studio, St Osyth – Feltmaking: creating landscapes using felting techniques on Tuesday 18th July

art classes, colchester classes, enamelling classes, encaustic, essex classes, Jewellery classes, learnsomething new, mindfulness, seasons art classes, Silver Clay, witham classes

Regular Art

November 30, 2022November 30, 2022 ToniLeave a comment

No matter what my good intentions are, something always gets in the way of writing regular blog posts! Well here is an update on what has been going on in the past month or so.

In October I started teaching art for The Seasons Art Classes – Witham and Tiptree. It is a 14 week foundation class in art and covers the basics of drawing, pastels, watercolour and acrylic – the course Manager, Tyler and myself cannot wait until week 14 which is exhibition week – it is so lovely to watch student’s confidence grow in these classes. It is also quite a challenge for me to use a flipchart to demonstrate – I’ve never taught such a big class before. If you are interested in learning more, get in touch and I can pass on the details.

I’ve also continued to teach my specialist craft classes at home which includes: enamelling, silver clay, feltmaking, encaustic art and flamework. I gave a talk to a lovely W.I group about ironing – well encaustic art ironing, and I managed to drop off some new handcrafted cards and jewellery to Dedham Art and Craft Centre – if you’ve never been do go, there are plenty of unique presents to be found.

I’m still in the process of updating the website for dates next year, but don’t forget if there is a suitable date listed you can always buy a gift voucher and contact me to organise a date to suit.

Anyway hopefully, I’ll update again soon. Happy Crafting, Toni x

Welcome to CG Crafts

August 8, 2022 Toni3 Comments

Want to learn how to make jewellery? Or perhaps you enjoy other crafts? If you are using a mobile click on menu and it should give you options to book, or find out more.

Smarten up

February 23, 2022 ToniLeave a comment

Usually, January and February are times when I get on with planning and sorting out, but for various reasons it’s been a slow start. Who doesn’t like a deadline though? No sooner had I started sorting through all the STUFF in my workshop, I took a booking for this week. Just look at the mess! Still having a sort out is good and now hopefully most things are easier to find (she laughs). I even have a dedicated space for works in progress and believe me I have a lot of those!
I also have a few ideas brewing for classes, such as combining soldering and silver clay to make cufflinks and earrings and for myself, I always intend to build on my silversmithing skills.
What skills do you want to build on this year?

Well that wasn’t what I was expecting!

October 27, 2021October 27, 2021 ToniLeave a comment

I thought once the girls went back to school I’d be able to get on with everything again. Ha! Covid hit home with 2 positive test results, conveniently 2 weeks apart so it left us with a month of isolation. Fortunately, no one was too ill but it has meant another batch of postponed classes, lost income and admin hassles! Oh dear, get out the violins.
On a positive note, it has meant I have been able to work on my Camp PMC 103 – Soldering and fusing class (pictures below). So I am now much happier with my soldering skills and look forward to incorporating those into classes in the future.
Once half term is over I’ll update you on course dates and things planned for the next few months. Can’t believe we are at this end of the year already! Don’t forget craft class gift vouchers make great presents so do get in touch if you are interested in buying one for this class or any others that I offer: Enamelling, Felt making, Flamework, Silver clay and Encaustic art. Do get in touch to find out more.

The Creative Craft Show & Cake International – ExCel London

April 2, 2019April 2, 2019 ToniLeave a comment

Today I have been getting ready for the Creative Craft and International Cake Show at ExCel London which will run from 4th – 6th April 2019 – S08. I will be running taster Enamelled Jewellery sessions with the Guild of Enamellers – we’re on stand (Z)D28. I just love this event, for a minimal fee you can come along and apply glass decoration to a pre-enamelled blank which we will fire in the tabletop kiln for you – it really enables you to get a feel for how enamelling works. We’ll then make it into a piece of wearable art – either a necklace or a keyring. Pop along and say hello and book on to one of our sessions – I’ll be there on Thursday but the Guild will be there for all three days. You can also find out more about classes run by myself and other enamellers around the South East.

A key ring made during November’s taster session at ExCel
Another key ring made by student during ExCel event in November
Some of my enamelled necklaces ready for the stand
Some of my enamelled brooches ready for the stand

Website revamp

March 29, 2019March 28, 2019 ToniLeave a comment

My website has been running on a go slow for a while. Well who knew? I didn’t clearly. I can only apologise if you have tried to find out info and have given up hope – honestly a cave drawing would have been quicker! I have now moved over to a (hopefully) much quicker server and streamlined the website, as well as creating a new logo and generally having a good clear up – in contrast my housework has been sadly neglected. Sorry house! Do let me know what you think.