CONTEMPORARY CRAFT RETREAT

Explore making unique polymer clay veneers which are then constructed into several two sided triangle veneers, these are sewn together to form - a book or a puzzle or a coffee table focal piece.

This is a 1-day class to sculpt a whimsical bird with a human face. You will learn about clay sculpting, mold/texture plates use, building a base form and working on capturing an expression.

If you are totally new to clay, that is fine, this clay is wonderful to work with. We are going to be using a face mask that I have sculpted for you and turn that into a head, then attach to a bird body you have made and patterned. It is a layered approach right the through to the painting and lots of fun to do.

You will end up with your own unique Quirky Bird and skills to develop your own ideas later.

This year we’ll be creating a fabulous necklace and earring set using mixed media; copper metal clay, enamels and some makins clay beads (along with some fabulous paints, guilders paste and UV resin).  

This is a 1-day class to make a small bird or 2 on a creative upcycled base. You will learn about clay sculpting, mold/texture plates use, building a base form, balance and capturing a sense of an expression.

Your bird can be as real as you like or just out of your imagination. Please bring images either printed or on your phone if you have a particular bird you want to create.

If you are totally new to air dry clay, that is fine, this clay is wonderful to work with regardless of your level of practice.

This form of sculpture is a very layered approach, right the through to the painting and lots of fun to do. You will end up with your own unique sculpture and skills to develop your own ideas later.

Painting and Bleaching

 I will give you the choice of using CosClay or Premo (as Cosclay is a bit tough on sore hands).

The Workshop consists of.....

Sculpting a bust of an animal/ dragon/ elf....or whatever!!! .... using a  blend of 2 colours. We will then create a foil pattern, cut and add fur.

Because we need to fit the finished piece in the oven we will keep the size to approx. 18cm high and 19cm wide.

           (Metal Base plate and rod pictured)

Add a dash of Paverpol

Paverpol is a versatile non-toxic product used as a stand-alone art product as well as an enhancement for other mediums.

Come and try this simple sculpture and see how Paverpol might be useful for your art works.

We will be making a frame from polystyrene, skewers, wire and aluminium foil. 

To give our sculptures some life we fashion a face out of Apoxie sculpt clay using a mold and to adorn our creations we can use fabric and found organic or inorganic objects to create an individual sculpture.

Students work can be as minimalist or detailed as desired

Painting silk.

Learn to sculpt a face and torso using Apoxie Sculpt, then dress the figure using Makins Clay. 

(A face mould will be available if you prefer to use one).

With Apoxie Sculpt you achieve amazing detail and Makins Clay has flexibility so you can "go to town" with your creativity.

PLEASE NOTE: It is likely a full body will not be completed in this workshop, 

but its easy to create a tail !!    

(I will run a sculpting Workshop on the Tuesday after the Retreat if you wish to complete your Mermaid).

NB: Sculpture in pic is not yet painted.... you will paint yours at home!!!

Come and make your own solid silver jewellery inspired by the seashore in this fun and informal workshop. We will be using natural forms such as found shells, leaves and flowers to make moulds and texture the silver clay. The silver pieces can be earrings, pendants or bracelet charms.

Come join Bobbi and make this Greenman plaque.  20x15cm

Working with air dry clay over an armature, Bobbi will work with you to create the male facial anatomy using the classical sculpting rules thumb technique and help you explore the versatile medium of air dry clays.

Bring your favourite sculpting tools or Bobbi will have tools you can borrow. Everything will be supplied that you need to complete this piece. You may need to take home to paint as drying completely might not be achieved. It will firm up enough to transport though.

A bit of history about Greenman.

An An enigma spanning thousands of years, the Green Man is a symbol of mysterious origin and history.  Permeating various religious faiths and cultures, the Green Man has survived countless transformations and cultural diversities, enduring in the same relative physical form to this day.  Although specifics about his beginnings and his worship are not fully known, due in large part to how far back and to what initial cultures he can be traced to, it is a testament to the widespread reach of his character that he is still remembered and worshipped to this day. 

The Green Man is most highly believed to have begun as a pre-Christian entity, a spirit of nature personified as a man.  His earliest images have been dated long before the coming of the Christian religion, depictions dating back before the days of the Roman Empire.  However, it is with the coming of the empire that his images are noted as spanning religions, as he has been found both within the empire and at its borders, and then similar versions in other far reaching cultures such as India. Despite the range in locations of artifacts of the Green Man, he is most often associated with the society of the Celts, sequestered particularly in today's Britain and France, because of the high number of images found in these regions and the stylized way in which he has been portrayed.  enigma spanning thousands of years, the Green Man is a symbol of mysterious origin and history.  

It has to start somewhere and earrings and pendant are are perfect place to start your Gin Bottle Passion.

Other than the gin just tasting good the bottle is so pretty especially once it is fused. Gin bottle art is becoming a real art in itself and many glass artists are using it.

In this 3 hour workshop you will definitely make a pair of earings and then if time permits a simple pendant.

You will learn how to cut the bottle, cut and shape the glass and fire it in a microwave kiln.

This workshop is designed for a beginner but if you have done any of my workshops previously you still might get something from this.

You can do so much with recycled glass as I will demonstrate just what can be achieved. It is not an expensive art if you have access to the bottles. This can be just the start of something bigger and better.

The sky's the limit with any recycled glass once you know the basics.

Come join Jane and make these great little gifts!
Your kit will include every thing you need to make one of these beautiful reusable Christmas Crackers. You fill with all your own treats for a unique Christmas lunch gift for your guests.....  or the Christmas cracker can be used as a table decoration. 

It’s made with a combination of paper, fabric and Christmas embellishments. 

This little book has a sticky note pad inside and can be refilled. It’s a great stocking filler or just a nice gift for someone special.

Using skinner blends and easy canes explore the possibilities making a polymer clay cane that can easily be made into a variety of kaleidoscope pendants or veneers.