Monday 8 November 2010

Workshop in Leamington this coming Thursday

This workshop is suitable for complete beginners and improvers wanting to learn something a little bit different. You will learn all the basics needed to complete a piece of crochet loop jewellery. The workshop will last for 3 hours, from 6.30 pm until 9.30 pm. 

All materials are included in the price, as well as tea and homemade cake. 
Get in touch if you would like to book a place. :)

Crochet Loop Jewellery
I have listed Crochet Loop Jewellery on ooh.com

Tuesday 13 July 2010

Beginner's Crochet at C.O.W

Just a reminder that I will be leading a beginner's crochet workshop at C.O.W in Birmingham on Saturday 17 July, from 1-4pm.

You will learn basic stitches and how to read a crochet pattern. Suitable for complete beginners or improvers that would like to learn some more techniques.
 

Ring/loop bracelet - crocheting basic stitches over rings that will then be sewn together to make a stylish bracelet.
Finger crochet flower - using our fingers and basic crochet we will create a big flower that can be worn as a brooch or in your hair... etc.
Bow - we will learn how to crochet bows that can embellish any number of things. Basic crochet stitches but working on a flat piece.

There will also be a few more flower patterns if you fly through all of the above and would like to expand your crochet stitch knowledge. :)

Email Francine to book your place. 

Hope to see you there,

Denise x

Tuesday 6 July 2010

Sunshine crochet

I'm all for crochet on the go at any time and it being summer and hot has not put me off crocheting by any means - who says you need to crochet warm clothing?!  I make the most of the summery weather by bringing my crochet projects with me wherever I go - on the train, to the park, to the pub. Nothing beats sitting in the shade in the park or outside the pub with some nice light weight yarn, hook in hand, making stitch after stitch. Time is relaxed and breezy on afternoons like this.


Summertime is the perfect time to concentrate on crochet accessories and smaller projects. I'm currently making jewellery - earrings and a necklace.

It is also the perfect time to crochet flowers.  Crochet flowers are perfect for embellishing all manner of items, as well as sewing them together to make bracelets and necklaces.  At the moment, I am also crocheting my sister's wedding bouquet! (pics to follow).
Summer is also the ideal time to make amigurumi. I just love Cute Design's Amigurumi Black Penguin on MyEhive - what better way to cool down in summer than making a chilled little penguin.  There are so many cute little amigurumis that you could make, you should have no problem keeping busy all summer long. :)
 

So you see it's easy to continue to crochet during the sunshiny days - just choose something light weight (no-one wants to be buried under a half-made afghan in the heat of summer) and keep on crocheting.
If after reading this, you're thinking - 'I wish I could crochet' or 'I wish I could crochet more flowers or amigurumi', why not come to a workshop and learn how! Get in touch for more information.

Enjoy the weather (while it lasts) and get those crochet hooks back out of hiding.
Denise x

Wednesday 16 June 2010

Happy coincidence

I've taken a little deviation from crochet today to make a special father's day card for my dad.  It took me ages to think of something interesting to put on the card - shifting from a drawing to random scraps of paper making a patchwork-like picture on the front.  Eventually I decided that because I am so far away from him, that I would take a photo of me holding a sign that said 'Happy Father's Day" and stick it on a card with some embellishments. 

I have some very masculine looking paper stock, so armed with a pencil and my craft knife I set to work.  I drew out all of the letters first, then started to cut them out. Seven letters later, I was beginning to arrange them on my white paper sign and this is what I saw:

 
I love that this is when I noticed! Being Irish, I don't call my father dad or daddy, I call him da. :)  This little happy coincidence has made me smile so much that I'm tempted to send the card with it saying "Happy Da". Although maybe I'll just send da here to see the post instead. :)
I'm delighted that I didn't give in and buy a pre-made card that would fail to capture the correct sentiment. Handmade is always much better and I would not be so smiley now if I hadn't spent this time making for my da. 
I hope there are lots of happy da's about this weekend. :)

Monday 5 April 2010

A little reminder of good things to come :)

Handmade is this coming Saturday 10 April, from 11-5.

We're hoping for sun shine and lots of visitors.
There will be some very talented sun-shiny artists at the Creative Open Workshops indoor market.
If you will be in Birmingham, do pop in and support local designer-makers. The Custard Factory is only a 5 minute walk from the Bullring.

Check out the COWblog for details of stallholders and directions.
Hope to see you there :)

Oh, and of course there will be cake. Check in during the week to find out what will be up my culinary sleeves for Saturday! :)

Friday 12 March 2010

Lady Snail

Introducing Lady Snail..

She is really cute and you could make one of your very own tomorrow at COW HQ in the custard factory. 
I was really pleased with how she turned out.  I have changed my amigurumi snail pattern quite a bit since Monsieur Slow last summer, but I am delighted with the results. 


We will also be making cute little ladybirds. 


I may even get time to do some baking... (but don't hold me to that!)
Places still available too, contact us for details
CreativeOpenWorkshops@gmail.com
077 0781 4140


Looking forward to tomorrow! :)

Wednesday 10 February 2010

Valentine's roses

Hello!!

I just wanted to share what I have been making in the run up to Valentine's weekend. 

 

I will have these beautiful little roses with me at Handmade this Saturday, so if you're looking for something a little bit special for a special someone, come on over to the Custard Factory.  If I don't have anything that tickles your fancy, I'm sure one of the other 13 other wonderfully talented artists will. 

There will also be lots of yummy cakes to delight your tastebuds!

Looking forward to seeing you! :)

Monday 8 February 2010

Valentine's Handmade Market - 13 February, Birmingham

This weekend will be our very first Handmade Market of 2010, so we're really excited it's also coinciding with Valentine's Weekend!!
For those busy people & late shoppers amongst us... this will be the perfect opportunity to get that special handmade item for your loved one!! (But hey, it'll still be a fab market for those of us who are single too ;))

We chose an intimate atmosphere of 7 local artists & designer-makers in our indoor market space, as well as offering you the work by another 7 artists for sale in our shop.

For a list of our lovely stallholders for the coming weekend please see the COWblog

We look forward to seeing you at our shop in the Custard Factory, from 11am - 5pm!
To find out how to get here, please click here.

Oh, almost forgot, I am planning on baking some special yummy treats for this weekend, so if you do pop by, you might be able to buy some, providing there are some left ;)

Thursday 14 January 2010

C.O.W announces 2 very special weekend workshops!!

At C.O.W we have just announced that there will be 2 guest artists coming to lead 2 very special workshops for us in February.  

Designer Maker Judith Williamson will lead a Tinplate Jewellery Workshop on Saturday 6th February, from 1pm to 4pm.  
Make a unique piece of wearable art using recycled biscuit, sweet and storage tins.
Learn hot to cut, hammer, pierce, distress, burn, bend and twist the metal to create your own special piece of jewellery.


Celebrated Ceramicist Jo Davis will lead a Porcelain Button Making Workshop on Saturday 20th February, from 1pm to 4pm.
She will bring along a series of plaster moulds of larger buttons in which various porcelain slips can be poured.  The cast button will be applied with shellac after which it can be treated with different textures to creat a unique surface pattern. 


Click here for more details  :)


I'm really looking forward to both sessions!!   :) :)






Monday 11 January 2010

Hello 2010 :)

After a relaxing Christmas, I'm now back and ready for 2010!!
I have been working on a new range that will be released on the website very soon.  It was very exciting developing this new technique and I am eager to find out what you think, once it is launched. 


Meanwhile at C.O.W, the new workshops programme has been announced.  The favourites, paper craft, textiles and crochet will be running weekly, with special weekend workshops in ceramics, recycled materials, and much much more!! Click here for all the details.
The Handmade markets will be up and running again shortly too. :)


It is going to be a very exciting year for C.O.W!!  :) :)  and for me!!  :) :)