My home-based classes are are for small numbers which means you get lots of individual attention and can then make something you want to make, rather than having what you make dictated to you. It also means there is less sharing of resources and less waiting around for tutor help if you get stuck, or have an idea that you want to try. This week I have run an Artclass clay class at the request of a student who wanted to try this unusual type of clay and I also catered for a newbie to Flamework, who wanted the chance to try making animals off mandrel. I am always happy to guide you in your learning. It’s great for me too as it means I am constantly updating skills and keeping my interest fresh. 
Email me to find out more.
Parrots in the workshop
I’ve just had some lovely feedback regarding a recent class, which you can read here. I always try to tailor a class to what my students make – this is one of the main benefits of teaching small classes here in my garden workshop. It is great to know that this is valued, it gets my brain working and it also means if you have a design in mind – in this case a felted Hahn’s Macaw – 
I can try to help you achieve it. Occasionally we’ll have to simplify but usually (as in this case) things work out brilliantly.
CG Crafts Summer School 2019 – Colchester
This summer back by popular request! Summer School – 20th to 23rd June
Thursday 20th June from 10 – 1.30pm
Silver Clay Jewellery for Beginners
Friday 21st June from 10 – 2.30pm.
- 10 – 12.30 – Encaustic Art.
- 1 – 2.30pm Flamework taster
Saturday 22nd June from 10 – 3.30pm
- Enamelling including cloisonné techniques
Sunday 23rd June from 10 – 1pm
- Needle-felting: animals, flowers, pictures
Fees including all materials – just bring your lunch
Silver Clay – £85 (including £25 worth of materials)
Enamelling – £85
Encaustic Art – £55
Needle Felting – £55
Flamework – £30
Book as many or as little as you want. 10% discount when booking 2 or more classes, contact me about this: 07847 098849. Spaces limited. Book online or email me.
The Creative Craft Show & Cake International – ExCel London
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
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.
Classes at other venues
I’ve become a bit more choosy about where I teach over the last few years. It’s got to be beneficial to my students in some way, or there is little point in me loading all my boxes into the car and driving somewhere else I may as well teach my small tailored classes in my garden workshop – those that have seen me pack up at the end of the day know exactly how many boxes I need to load up! One such worthy venue is Simply Handmade based at the Woodhall Business Park in Sudbury. It’s run by Debbi and Colin and Simply the dog who have a lovely premises which is full of colour, lovely handcrafted items for sale and garments awaiting adjustments. Included with your course is a freshly made lunch and a genuinely friendly environment. Oh and there’s lots of parking too. coming up soon is Enamelling (16th March), Silver Clay (20th July) and Encaustic art classes (11th May). All are now available to book on the Simply Handmade website – click on the links above to go directly to those classes. There is plenty on offer, I might have even booked on some of their classes myself.
Enamelling Classes
Crafts beginning with E!
This year I am trying something new at FSC Flatford Mill. A crafting weekend involving two unrelated crafts (rather than my usual jewellery weekend). So if you’ve set yourself the task of learning something new in 2019 this could be just the thing. Spend the weekend in lovely Constable country and benefit from good food, good company and learning not one but two new crafts! I will be covering Enamelling – fusing glass to metal to make several items of jewellery and Encaustic art – painting with molten wax to produce small paintings, it is also ideal for card makers. So what are waiting for? Book here.
1st – 3rd March 2019. Residents and non residents prices are shown on the FSC website (click on the book here link above to take you there). Wish me luck getting all my equipment in the car!!
Any questions please email me.
More magical silver clay dates added
It’s always the same – where did January go? Although this year I can admit to having decorated my bedroom, which is something I can attribute to that ghastly month. Now almost back on track I’ve started by adding more silver clay dates, which can be booked here. Silver clay is a wonderful way to create a unique piece of treasured jewellery in a fraction of the time it would take with traditional silversmithing, the silver is hallmarkable so no need to compromise on quality. It’s great fun to come with a friend and I offer a discount on the price per person if you do so. Classes in Colchester, dates to suit if those on here do not! Email me for more details.
Book a Craft gift experience (voucher/class) here
This year I have noticed an increase in the number of students who have had a class as a gift, the pictures included in this blog are just some of the wonderful items made in one of my classes. Vouchers have become popular mainly to the fact that there are so many people out there who love crafts, but also because lots of people simply don’t want more stuff! A class is the best of both worlds, you get to have a craft experience and go home wearing the items you’ve made. Some people even choose to make something for someone else….a very efficient use of a gift voucher!
I have a variety of craft classes available which I offer at dates to suit – the recipient just needs to get in touch with me, using details on the tailored letter provided and let me know when they’d like to come. Classes are available in Enamelling, Feltmaking, Encaustic art, Silver Clay and Flamework/lampwork (making glass beads). Everything (apart from lunch – please bring that with you) is included in the price and I have reduced rates per person for more than one booking.
More than your budget? I am happy to discuss arranging shorter, taster session
vouchers for a reduced fee. Want to book a class? Or perhaps you want to purchase a gift voucher for a Christmas gift? It has come to my attention that my website doesn’t work brilliantly on mobile phones. I will do my upmost to rectify this but in the meantime if you’d like to book a class, or get a gift voucher you can email me or click on this link to my shop.
You can also take a look at my Facebook shop, if you are looking for last minute handcrafted items (fine silver and enamelled jewellery).
Finally take a look at my webpage for dates I teach at other venues.
Have a fabulous Christmas – best intentions and all but I doubt very much I’ll blog again before the new year!
Toni
A fabulous gift
Today Iain and Sunita came for a silver clay beginner’s class. It was a treat for Sunita’s 40th birthday. Not only did she get to make some fabulous pieces but Iain also created some beautiful earrings for her in the class, which she got to wear home. As Craig on ‘strictly’ would say FAB-U-LOUS! Message me to find out more about buying a tailored gift voucher for Christmas.
Special offer on Silver clay class – Sat 20th October
Due to a last minute cancellation I have a special offer on my Silver Clay beginner’s class on 20th October. Price per person is usually £89 including £25 worth of silver clay but for this date only it will be £75 per person. Get in touch as soon as possible if you are interested. Classes run from 10 – 2.30pm – tea, coffee and biscuits included but bring your own lunch. Takes place in my Colchester based workshop.
October already
Once again time has flown by and what was supposed to be a regular blog post is now a couple of months behind. In my defense we have been having a fabulous summer visiting umpteen castles, fighting dinosaurs, crafting, camping and having adventures. Then year 6 kicked in (first trip away from home, 11+, secondary school visits). Finally this week I feel like I am getting back to my to do’s to do list!
Photos from recent classes
So I thought I would start by sharing the news that I am now a calendar girl – in case you’ve missed the announcement and red carpet affair! I am really delighted to announce that my work was successfully submitted and I am now Miss December in the new PMC Studio Calendar 2019! Here’s a sneaky peak but don’t worry all work is appropriately dressed! 🙂 Copies can be obtained from The PMC Studio …or I think it might be available with an order if you buy your silver clay from them.
Speaking of calendars
Sssshhhh – Christmas is coming….
As it is getting to that time in the year when people start thinking about presents…oh yes! I just wanted to remind you that I offer craft courses vouchers, so if you are stuck for a Christmas present idea… you can either book on my website, or contact me directly. Either way I will send you a personalised gift letter with details of the chosen class and how to book a date to suit. Or perhaps you’d like to suggest to someone what class you’d like to take…
Classes are available in the following crafts – prices vary depending on whether you are booking a class for 1 or 2 but range from around £55 for a half day (Felt or Encaustic art) to £125 for a silver clay rings class. Do email me regarding prices.
Silver clay: Beginners. Rings. Using Syringe and silver sheet clay
Enamelling: Beginners and Further techniques, including cloisonne
Flamework beads: Making glass beads. Beginners and follow ups including sculptural animals.
Encaustic art: Beginners
Feltmaking: Wet felting. Needlefelting or both.
I can also do a general gift letter detailing what is available if you aren’t sure what a person would pick – I can do shorter taster classes if necessary.
What’s coming up at Curly Girly Crafts
I have a busy few months coming up with weekends virtually all booked here at CG Crafts until Christmas. Below are details of venues/classes with some availability.
- If you live in the Sudbury Area I am teaching Enamelling on Sunday 21st October at Simply Handmade –
book here - I will be helping the Guild of Enamellers again at ExCel during the Hobbycraft show in November – I think it runs from 15th to 17th November and I will be there on Friday 16th, come and say hello – the 30 minute taster session is only about £5!
- Saturday 24th November and Saturday 15th December are currently free for students to book a class – get in touch if you fancy a Saturday class in any of the crafts I offer.
- I am teaching at FSC Flatford Mill on 1st (Enamelling) and 2nd December (Christmas Feltmaking) – Booking page
- I also offer weekdays for classes so get in touch if you’d like to book a date to suit – usually Tuesday, Thursdays or Fridays are best. Price per person is reduced if more than one person comes.
And finally…I am doing a little bit of learning myself this term. I have just enrolled in pottery. I’ll let you know how that goes.
Happy crafting and if you have any questions please do get in touch.
Toni