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Sometimes it seems like I fall off the edge of the cliff in terms of updating the website, so I thought I would just pop on now and say I am still here, busily working on various projects and hoping to soon get a little time to add some new dates to the website. Over the last few months, I have successfully run 2 accredited classes, which I wrote myself. My students were extraordinary – they had so many skills to bring to the class and so many ideas, that I found teaching them an amazing experience. I will share some of the pictures of their work in this post. I have also recently won an art competition that was close to my heart as it was about the climate crisis – I used a piece I made in my level 2 art award (higher GCSE level). Speaking of art, our 14-week art class at The Seasons (Tiptree and Witham) has just started up again and we have a record number of new students, we’ve just finished sketching and I cannot wait to get them started on oil pastels. We are now at the serious end of school for my eldest daughter – as I write she is halfway through her Graphics exam (and enjoying it) many more exams to go though. Mimi is just about to do her D of E expedition. So it is a time of stress, decision-making (which jobs are actually worth it) and hoping the weather gets better, so I can tackle the enchanted forest that is my back garden…especially as I have a few classes coming up in my garden workshop. Oh, and I need to get back to my writing work – this reformation piece isn’t going to write itself. When you read all that back, no wonder I am tired. 🙂 That’s all for now, hope all is good with you. If you are interested in classes, do get in touch. Toni x
Adapting We now have two C words that we use with trepidation (well o.k there are more) and I apologise in advance for mentioning Covid and Christmas.
Since covid, we’ve all had to adapt, one of the things I have done is increase opportunities to teach longer-term classes. I love teaching one-day classes but the opportunity to help students build on their skills and reflect about their learning is really lovely for me as a teacher.
I do continue to teach one-day classes in fact the last 10 days have been truly unique in that I have taught Enamelling, Silver clay, Scratch coding, Oil pastels, Watercolour and Acrylics! I have been to Basildon, Witham, Waltham Cross and St Osyth! It almost seems like an opportunity to write a short story about a series of crimes that have taken place in seemingly unconnected places….
Art Classes in Witham I love teaching the 14 week art class with Seasonsartclassestiptreeandwitham – these are opportunities to build on all those skills you may have never learnt at school – drawing (using grids, perspective etc), oil pastels, watercolour and acrylic – with tips and inspiration along the way. The classes are also an opportunity to learn in a lovely, friendly environment – often our students become friends who lunch after the class – we love that. The next term starts on 4th December, with a break for Christmas and New Year.
ACL Basildon I am also delighted to be running weekly Silversmithing with Metal Clay classes at Basildon ACL. The accredited courses starting at Entry level (2nd November) and moving on to Level 1 and level 2, will cover a range of techniques such as building bails, embedding gem stones, applying patina and once we get to level 2 we will also look at some cross over skills to more traditional silversmithing including soldering. The non accredited courses will follow a similar pattern but do not offer funding opportunities, once the courses get more popular we hope to run an evening course too.
One-Day classes I still offer one-day courses in Enamelling, Silver clay, Feltmaking, Encaustic art and Flamework, so if you are interested in any of those get in touch, this year as I’ve been busy getting used to teaching regular classes, I have tended to try to fit dates to suit as students enquire about them, I will add some more to the calendar for next year. This is where Christmas comes in…I’ve been told that classes make lovely presents, so on my website (if you so wish) you can signpost your loved ones towards gift vouchers for classes, or indeed buy for a friend – I do offer discounts per person on my classes if you book for 2 or 3 people (email me about this). Tailored gift letters are provided for you to pass on to the gift recipient.
I also run classes for other venues (if I like them).
The next class I have coming up is at Benchspace, Brightlingsea. Enamelling on Silver clay which is running on 28th October. This is an opportunity to design your silver clay jewellery whilst considering how to apply glass (enamel) to add to the design.
I am also teaching a silver clay day at the lovely FSC Flatford Mill on 2nd December.
There is around £60 worth of materials included in the course fee, giving you the chance to make 2 to 3 pieces of jewellery. We’ll be looking at two different techniques during this class.
Making a silver leaf using silver paste Creating a piece of jewellery that incorporates fireable gemstones. Adding patina (Suitable for beginners and improvers)
Next year I will continue to run classes for Watershed studios in St Osyth. The 2024 programme can be found here.
That’s my current summing up of classes, any questions please do ask. Thanks for your continued support, Toni x
