jewelleryclasses – CG Crafts

Long term Creativity

October 18, 2023 ToniLeave a comment

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

Regular Art

November 30, 2022November 30, 2022 ToniLeave a comment

No matter what my good intentions are, something always gets in the way of writing regular blog posts! Well here is an update on what has been going on in the past month or so.

In October I started teaching art for The Seasons Art Classes – Witham and Tiptree. It is a 14 week foundation class in art and covers the basics of drawing, pastels, watercolour and acrylic – the course Manager, Tyler and myself cannot wait until week 14 which is exhibition week – it is so lovely to watch student’s confidence grow in these classes. It is also quite a challenge for me to use a flipchart to demonstrate – I’ve never taught such a big class before. If you are interested in learning more, get in touch and I can pass on the details.

I’ve also continued to teach my specialist craft classes at home which includes: enamelling, silver clay, feltmaking, encaustic art and flamework. I gave a talk to a lovely W.I group about ironing – well encaustic art ironing, and I managed to drop off some new handcrafted cards and jewellery to Dedham Art and Craft Centre – if you’ve never been do go, there are plenty of unique presents to be found.

I’m still in the process of updating the website for dates next year, but don’t forget if there is a suitable date listed you can always buy a gift voucher and contact me to organise a date to suit.

Anyway hopefully, I’ll update again soon. Happy Crafting, Toni x

Summer holidays are coming

July 4, 2021 Toni1 Comment

For those of you embracing an actual staycation – i.e staying at home and going to visit places, here are a few courses coming up during the summer at the beautiful FSC Flatford Mill – technically you can stay there but I will leave that up to you.

The main course I want to tell you about is my Jewellery making weekend at FSC Flatford Mill, here’s the link to book, which you need to do with them directly. During the weekend I will cover both Enamelling and silver clay techniques and you will have the opportunity to add to your skills, or learn from scratch as a complete beginner. By the end of the class you will have enamelled at least 5 pieces and using 10g of silver clay you’ll have made 2 – 3 items of fine silver jewellery. It’s a lovely venue and as we work into the evening (if you want to) it is a chance to take a more relaxed look at jewellery making and talk over ideas with fellow students.
The jewellery weekend class runs from Fri 23, July 2021 16:00 – Sun 25, July 2021 16:00

I also have one day classes running at Flatford Mill in the summer, so if you prefer to just concentrate on one craft at a time then these may be for you.

Silver Clay Day – Friday 20th August 9.30 – 5pm – book here

I have recently completed my PMC instructor certification and so have some new tips to share with you. We will be using 10g silver clay but also a choice of either syringe or sheet clay too, so something new to add to your designs or experiment with.

Enamelling day – Sat 21st August 9.30 – 5pm – book here

There’s plenty of time on this one day class to learn some of the techniques involved in the ancient art of enamelling, or to add more to your repertoire. We’ll be fusing lead free enamels (glass powders) to copper using a table top kiln which fires at 750 degrees C and higher.
You’ll make around 5 pieces in this relaxed one day class.

Hopefully that’s given you a few ideas for the summer and don’t forget there are always individual classes here at my workshop in Colchester and other class venues listed on my website. Have a safe and great break – if you get a chance.
Do get in touch if you have any questions about classes or crafts in general.
Best wishes, Toni