Summer is here…or is it?

ToniLeave a comment on Summer is here…or is it?

Well it’s certainly warm isn’t it?

As usual, I have had all these plans to write a regular blog and they all go out the window as time evaporates around me.

This last year has been so busy trying to navigate teaching accredited classes for the ACL (19+ education – what a lot of people know as the old adult evening classes). I have learnt how to write a scheme of work for Silver Clay, administer evidence for the examiner and tackle the admin that goes hand in hand with teaching at a college – it’s been most time-consuming. Plus then all the usual prep that goes into writing lesson plans and preparing examples…still I survived. Plus my eldest daughter, Harriet has been doing her GCSEs and that has been stressful (although she works really hard, I just felt like I was taking the exams with her).

The new courses for the ACL are now online. I have a Tuesday day class in Basildon which is the Level 1 in Silver Clay and a Thursday day class in Colchester also a level 1 class in Silver Clay – if you search the ACL website for Silver clay they should come up with the following course codes:

Basildon link

Colchester Link

I will also be running a mindfulness art class running in Basildon on a Tuesday evening – more info as I find out.

The Seasons art classes have moved to a new location this term and once more we are on the move! Hopefully to a more comfortable location at Tiptree Community Centre, where we can offer tea and cake and lots of art. The new term will start on 2nd September or 4th September. They are 3 hour classes and the 14 week term includes drawing, oil pastels, watercolour, acrylic, mount work and an exhibition. To book for our classes contact 01621 8181593 mention that you’ve got the details from this website an that you’d like to book the Tiptree class., or take a look at this Facebook link

Toni’s one-to-one classes

My tailored classes are still running in my garden workshop. I offer dates to suit and can offer a discount per person if more that one person books. If you are interested in learning, or building on your skills in any of the following, do get in touch:

Enamelling

Silver Jewellery (silver clay)

Encaustic art

Feltmaking

Making glass beads

Other venues

I also have a few classes booked elsewhere.

Watershed studios, St Osyth – 01255 820466

Tuesday 13th August – Silver Clay jewellery at the lovely Watershed studio

Saturday 5th October – Enamelled Jewellery and kiln fired pictures at Watershed studio

That’s all for now with my updates. I’ll soon be blogging about my Silversmithing diploma, which I am starting in September, run by At the Bench Academy, I can’t wait to get started but I really do need to find that time machine to make sure I have the opportunity to fit everything in.

Meanwhile, I’m planning to have lots of fun with my girls over the summer, visiting friends, camping, and not thinking about those exam results.

What plans do you have for summer?

Hope to see you soon, Toni

Seasons art class Tiptree and Witham
Work with Occupation Health referred Student
level 1 Silver Clay at Basildon
Intro level Silver clay Basildon
Intro level Basildon
Intro level Basildon
Student notebook
objectives set
Student work
My practice fox – Seasons art
Student’s work Seasons art
My practice for acrylics – Seasons art
ESOL class
Practice Seasons art
Enamelling class
Enamelling class
Unique silver jewellery

New ways to shop this Christmas

ToniLeave a comment on New ways to shop this Christmas

Are you feeling Christmas ready? I know I’m not! I am trying to think of where to hide the presents I’ve already bought, whilst stopping my kittens getting into the boxes and destroying the contents – they do believe a box arrives everyday in this house!

What I now need to do is tell you about what my small business can offer you for Christmas!

I teach small classes in Colchester – these are not your bog standard classes but more specialised crafts: Enamelled Jewellery, Silver Clay Jewellery (fine silver), Encaustic art, Felt making and Flamework (making glass beads). My workshop fits 2 people for a class (not including me), comfortably so if you are worried about mixing in big groups you don’t need to. I offer a gift letter for you to purchase a class but detailing how the recipient can book a date to suit them. These classes are intended for adult crafters who have already done the usual things and are looking for something a bit more challenging.
You can book class vouchers here, or by emailing me. I have a few handcrafted items on sale here too.

I also make jewellery for sale. My Etsy shop is up and running and you can buy items here – if you are local get in touch as I may be able to offer delivery rather than posting items out.

I also have items for sale at EJart Creative in Woodbridge – the sell online and will also be open for business from 2nd December.

Next week Colcheco will be opening and will have a selection of my work.

This weekend I will be taking part in A Handcrafted Business online fair which will give you details of lots of lovely handcrafted items – I’ll post the link later.

That’s all for now, never have there been more ways to shop from the luxury of your own home!

Keep safe and keep in touch. Toni

Still I wonder where the time has gone

ToniLeave a comment on Still I wonder where the time has gone

This year has been a strange one for all of us. We’ve all been hit in different ways and it’s important to acknowledge this rather than simply ignore it and hope it goes away.

However we do need to take our minds off things and that is where I find doing something creative really helps. I’m not going to hark on to much but do remember a craft class does make a great present and something nice to look forward to in 2021! You can book vouchers here.

I’ve also updated my Etsy shop so if you fancy buying some unique jewellery (and greetings cards) do take a look.

Finally, if you are an enameller, I have just uploaded a little video to my Youtube channel showing you how to remove fired enamel (Pam East solution that I have meant to get around to trying for a while).

Enjoy and keep well folks.
Toni

What’s been happening and what’s coming up

ToniLeave a comment on What’s been happening and what’s coming up

Once again it has been a busy few months here at CG Crafts, catching up after the summer holidays and now getting ready for (gasp) Christmas! I thought I’d share some photos of what recent students have made and also list the next few events coming up…I am nervously revisiting craft fairs this year, so it would be wonderful to see some friendly faces there! If not there, perhaps you can buy me a wine afterwards to help me recover!!

Student’s enamelled pieces made at FSC Flatford Mill

Student’s enamelled pieces made at FSC Flatford Mill

Student enamelling at CG Crafts

Student’s felted picture made here at CG Crafts (wet and needlefelting)

Student’s silver clay pieces made at FSC Flatford Mill

Student’s silver clay pieces made at Simply Handmade

What’s coming up

TONI PEERS – CG Crafts  www.cgcrafts.co.uk  

Email: toni@cgcrafts.co.uk   Mobile: 07847098849

 Christmas Fairs

  • Colchester Bazaar, Firstsite – Sat 16th Nov. 21st Dec. 10.30 – 3.30pm
  • Colchester WIGS fair – Weds 6th Nov Wilson Marriage. 7.30 to 9.30pm
  • Fennes Christmas Market, Fennes, Fennes Road. Bocking, CM7 5PL – Weds 4th December. 3.30pm to 8pm
  • Colchester United Sports Stadium Events Christmas Fair – Sunday 1st December 10 – 4pm

2019 Classes at CG Crafts (you can also book dates to suit)

  • Sat 9th November – Enamelled Jewellery – £85 I space left
  • Weds 13th Nov – Making felt – Christmas wreaths & decorations £85
  • Sat 23rd Nov – Enamelling Beginners/Improvers – £85
  • Weds 27th Nov – Silver Clay (10 to 2pm) – £85
  • Sat 7th Dec – Enamelled Jewellery – £85

Classes at FSC Flatford Mill (01206 297110)

enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org (Book directly with venue)

  • 8th December 2019 – Christmas Feltmaking
  • 13th December 2019 – Enamelled Jewellery and Decorative items

2020 dates

  • 13 – 15th March – Enamelling weekend
  • Sat 6th June – Silver clay day incl syringe or sheet clay
  • Sun 7th June – Encaustic art day – beginners and improvers
  • 4- 6th Dec – Jewellery making weekend (silver clay and Enamelling)
  • 12th Dec – Feltmaking – Christmas decorations or presents

 

New venue EJARt, Woodbridge IP13 6HN. 01473 735007. www.ejartcreative.co.uk

Fri 29th Nov – Encaustic art

Sat 30th November – Silver Clay Jewellery (Christmas Theme)

Tues 3rd Dec – Enamelling

2020 info

Lots more info about classes and how to book dates to suit on my website. I also sell class gift vouchers, which are great for you or a friend for Christmas or birthdays! Book online at www.cgcrafts.co.uk or email me for details.