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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
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
This September I am taking part in Colchester Open studios.
What is Colchester Open studios you may ask?
It’s an opportunity to visit local artists (free of charge) and take a look at what they offer, this might be a show of their paintings, things they make, or demos of what they do…it might be a mixture of all three. No need to book. There might even be a chance for you to have a go at Encaustic art.
In the case of CG Crafts I have handcrafted items on display but I am also taking the opportunity to demonstrate some of the things I teach, in the hope that you, or someone you know, might like to book a class. I will be demonstrating a mixture of Flamework (making glass beads), Encaustic art (painting with molten wax) and Enamelling (making glass jewellery using a kiln). I also teach Felt making and Silver Clay jewellery.
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.
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.
Silver Jewellery classes using metal clay
Enamelling Classes
A student painting a landscape with the encaustic iron
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.
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!
Silver Clay
Flamework
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
Needlefelting
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!
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
Flamework – making glass beads class
Enamelling class
Needlefelting class
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.
I am always amazed at how quickly time flies, especially at this time of year. One minute we are settling the children in after the summer holidays and the next minute, the planning for our families November birthdays and then Christmas events galore…it seems only moments ago I thought I had ages to get my prototypes made for Christmas fairs…to be fair for once I have actually made some Christmas themed jewellery but never in the amount I was planning….ah well there’s always next year!
I thought I’d share a few photos from some recent classes/events with you.
Last week I taught at the beautiful Flatford Mill (Constable country), we did a full day of Encaustic art and these are some of the resulting pictures. For next year’s classes at Flatford Mill see their website.
I also helped run some taster sessions at the Craft event at ExCel London, last Friday, resulting in some lovely enamelled pieces.
Plus there’s the classes in my garden workshop, recently I have done some Encaustic classes as well as a tailoring a class to a request for enamelling on silver clay and embedding stones.  I really love the clock, which was made using a mould and an old piece of costume jewellery.
Don’t forget all of these classes can be booked either on my website or by emailing me so that we can tailor dates and times to suit. Prices per person are reduced the more people that attend, a perfect excuse to bring a friend or two. Gift vouchers are also available directly from me – I write you a gift letter, detailing the class and how to book.
A further £5 discount per session if you book 3+ sessions for Jewellery club only
Sat 17th/Sun 18th February
Available for Class vouchers and dates to suit
Saturday 24th February
Silver clay rings
10 – 4.30pm
£125
£95
£85
10g of silver clay included in the price.
Sunday 25th February
Flamework – making glass beads beginners
10 – 1pm
£75
£45
N/A
Beads will be annealed and are then available for collection/to be posted out.
Weds 28th Feb
Jewellery Club: Enamelling the basics
10 – 2.30pm
N/A based on minimum of 2
£60.00
£46.50
A further £5 discount per session if you book 3+ sessions for Jewellery club only
My pricing structure, is based on the more people that come the less you pay per person. If you want to have a one to one, or are happy to come on your own then you pay a little more – not as much as many venues but a bit more to reflect having total tutor attention. If you want to save costs, simply bring a friend or 2 and the costs per person go down. I am also happy to advertise any dates to suit, so that if you don’t have a friend with the same interests I may still be able to get more students to come to share the cost – I can’t guarantee this but I can try, you can also help by sharing the info so that others might join too.
