Experience
I have been making things for as long as I can remember, and worked my way along the craft shelf at the library when I was in high school. In 2011 I decided to teach crochet and knitting in the community, when I found it was perfect to fit around my childcare needs. I have classroom experience in both primary and high schools, and have a Level 4 PTLLS.
Past venues include:
The Spinners, Weavers & Dyers Guild
Hobbycraft’s Artisan Project
INTACT community Centre
Harris Museum and Art Gallery
46th Brownies (Notre Dame)
Lancashire Science Festival
Inspirations, Preston
Longton Primary School
Sacred Heart Primary School
… and many cafes and coffee shops!
I am also pleased to come to your venue for unique parties, or to give classes, talks and demonstrations. Please contact me for a quote.
Classes and Events Winter 2022
Geek Retreat events
Weekly sessions run in pertnership with our friends at Geek Retreat, with special offers for our crafters. Bring your own project to work on, or work on one of ours (see below for provisional activities). Free, but a donation towards materials is appreciated.
September 2022
Tues 20th Badgemaking
Tues 27th Collage masterboards
October 2022
Tues 4th Gift boxes
Tues 11th Flower brooch
Tues 18th Polymer clay buttons and beads
Tues 25th Colouring and badgemaking (half term activity)
November 2022
Tues 1st Amigurumi
Tues 8th Crochet poppies (all profits to Dig In)
Tues 15th Greetings cards
Tues 22nd Twiddlemuffs
Tues 29th Request week! TBC.
December 2022
Tues 6th Request week! TBC.
Tues 13th Gift boxes
Tues 20th Notebooks
Wild Studio!
Do you love to rummage through other people’s stash? Welcome to the Wild Studio! Lots of materials to choose from, and equipment to use (need 30 cupcakes cutting? You’re in the right place!), with help on hand. Bring your own project to work on, or get help with, or join in for the social side. Currently only room for 4 people. Includes refreshments.
Wild Studio Wednesdays – 1-3pm, Weds term time only. £5 per person. To book, please contact me.
Arts and Craft Classes
Arts and craft classes take place on a Saturday 1-4pm or other days by arrangement. All classes cost £30 per person, including materials and refreshments. To book and class, please contact me.
October 2022
Saturday 1st Seasonal woven panel
Saturday 8th Knit a Sleepy Owl
Saturday 15th Crochet Squares
Saturday 22nd Stitched notebooks
November 2022
Saturday 5th Seasonal Wreathmaking
Saturday 12th Mixed Media 3D Trees
Saturday 19th Embroidered Decorations
December 2022
Saturday 3rd Clay tealight candle holders
Saturday 10th Snowflake bib necklace
Saturday 17th Christmas quilling
June 2022
Friday 3rd June 2022 Oxheys @ the MET!
An opportunity to highlight the work of the Oxheys community. Appearing by special invitation, the Worldwise Samba Drummers, there will be opportunities to join in. Look for the big white tent-like structure behind Preston Market. Free.
Saturday 25th July 2022 Making A Mark (Oxheys)
Get down to Preston flag market and have a go at something new. Always fun – more details soon.
Saturday 2nd July 2022 Gel Printing
Gel printing is a very accessible and forgiving way to start monoprinting. Spread paint on the soft plates, then make marks using a range of materials, before pulling a print. This would be a great way to start a collection of papers to bind into a book (maybe come back for the workshop on the 16th?), or make special pieces for hanging or cardmaking.
This event takes place in a home studio in Preston – location given prior to class. Please note we do have a family dog and cats. 🙂
All materials included, various sizes of plates to use. £30 per person, 4 places available. Sat 2nd July, 1 -4pm, other dates and times available on request.
Saturday 9th July 2022 Amigurumi Crochet Pals
Amigurumi toys are adorable! During this class we will look at the construction of these amazing toys, including the sometimes confusing MC instruction! We will go ahead and make a small toy, and look at how to achieve the right expression. We’ll also take a brief look at how to make sure the toys you make are safe for small people.
This event takes place in a home studio in Preston – location given prior to class. Please note we do have a family dog and cats. 🙂
All materials included. £30 per person, 4 places available. Saturday 9th July 1 -4pm, other dates and times available on request.
Saturday 16th July 2022 Simple Bookbinding
In this workshops we will be pulling together a variety of found and commercial papers, envelopes, fabric and card to make a junk journal style book. We will look at covers and binding options, and choose a simple stitched method of binding our pages. we can then move onto making envelopes, tags, and other embellishments. There is a wide range of equipment for use, and if there is a theme or something you would like to incorporate you are welcome to bring along pictures, magazines, etc. If you require anything specific cutting out (for example a name or date) please let me know ahead of booking – with notice I can most likely accommodate requests.
This event takes place in a home studio in Preston – location given prior to class. Please note we do have a family dog and cats. 🙂
All materials included. £30 per person, 4 places available. Saturday 16th July, 1 -4pm, other dates and times available on request.
August 2022
Saturday 6th August 2022 – Preparing wool for spinning
An informative session on how wool is turned from a raw fleece into yarn for knitting, crochet, weaving, etc. We will look at cleaning methods, dyeing using natural materials such as spices and flowers, commercial dyes, and different methods of handspinning. Precise ingredients of the class will vary depending on the interests of the group! Bring a bag to take home your own dyed mini skein and anything else you make. Weather dependent – using an indigo vat (PS It’s magical!)
This event takes place in a home studio in Preston – location given prior to class. Please note we do have a family dog and cats. 🙂
All materials included. £30 per person, 4 places available. Saturday 6th August, 1 -4pm, other dates and times available on request.
Saturday 13th August 2022 – Crocheted granny squares
A classic class, one that is nearly always booked up! I used to run this as a 3 week session, so here are the main bits, condensed. Suitable for complete beginners to crochet, people who are a bit rusty and want to improve their skills, or people who know how to crochet a square but find it simply will not lie flat! We will look at how to make a square, join colours easily, and how to join them together neatly without all the hassle of sewing.
This event takes place in a home studio in Preston – location given prior to class. Please note we do have a family dog and cats. 🙂
All materials included. £30 per person, 4 places available. Saturday 13th August, 1 -4pm, other dates and times available on request.
Saturday 20th August 2022 – Collagraph printing
Explore textures by making a collaged landscape of wallpapers, card, lace and other items. This becomes your printing plate which we will use on the gel plate. Feel free to bring along any textured items you would like to capture (note paints and dyes may stain).
This event takes place in a home studio in Preston – location given prior to class. Please note we do have a family dog and cats. 🙂
All materials included. £30 per person, 4 places available. Saturday 20th August, 1 -4pm, other dates and times available on request.