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I just wanted to wish all my fellow crafters a well, safe and creative time during this difficult period.
If you have a class booked and I haven’t already messaged you, please accept my apologies for not getting in touch but obviously given the current lockdown I will be out of action for a couple of months at least. I will postpone anything booked and we’ll reschedule dates as soon as it’s safe to do so. If you are interested in classes, I am happy to pencil in dates but for much later in the year.
I am planning to post a few videos on YouTube – which is a great source of crafting and other info so do check it out if you are looking for creative inspiration (not necessarily from me!)
Do get in touch if you are stuck at home and have any questions regarding the crafts I teach but most of all keep safe and well and I look forward to seeing you on the other side.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
It’s still not too late to book a craft experience voucher with me for a Christmas gift – prices range from £50 upwards depending on the course and duration – all are detailed on my website. A craft experience is a fabulous gift for any crafty friend or family member, especially as they will take something home that they’ve made as well as picking up a new skill, all organised at dates to suit them.
These classes are available:
Enamelling (glass jewellery)
Flamework (making glass beads)
Feltmaking (needle and wet felting)
Encaustic art (painting with molten wax)
Silver clay (making pure silver jewellery).
Payment can be made in the following ways. You can pay online at www.curly-girly.co.uk via Paypal. I can send you an izettle invoice to be paid by card. Or via bank transfer. Once paid I will email over a gift letter detailing exactly what they will learn in a class and how to book a date to suit. Don’t forget to give me the details of who the gift is for and who is sending it so that this can be included in the personalised letter. What are you waiting for?
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.
