August is Craft Month

But don’t despair – the centre still has a few classes left for those who would like to expand their creativity!

Catherine Keenan has a few places left on her very popular two-day Lampworking class, offering students the chance to Make Glass Beads for Jewellery, on Tuesday and Wednesday August 28 and 29. The first day is spent learning the basics, with students making a round bead and looking at different methods of making forms and patterns.

On the second day, students work towards a finished piece, such as a series of beads for a necklace, earrings or bracelet. The workshop runs over two days, from 10am to 4pm, including a break for lunch, and the fee is £85.

Another fascinating one day workshop is offered by Lesley Frew on Saturday August 11 – how to Make Jewellery from Recycled Plastic Bags. The process for making beads is cutting the plastic into strips and wrapping it round a skewer, pinning it into place and then using a heat gun to seal the plastic together.

When beads are strung into a bracelet or necklace, a hand stitched flower is then added using the technique of heat fusing (using an iron) to the piece. It’s a fascinating technique – and a lot of fun! The fee for the class is only £35, which includes materials costs.

Popular tutor Nicola Farrell returns to Flowerfield on Saturday August 18 with her one day workshop on Feltmaking, offering students the chance to make a felt bowl. Nicola is fascinated with the natural qualities of wool – its ability to shrink and to felt; to cushion and protect.

The class is suitable for beginners and those with some feltmaking experience. Participants will make a three-dimensional felt bowl using the ‘enclosed resist’ technique, and the class, which runs from 10am to 4pm with a break for lunch, is suitable for anyone aged 16 and up. The fee is £35, which includes all materials.

If you’d like to enrol for any of the above classes, get in touch with the reception staff at Flowerfield Arts Centre on (028) 7083 1400 for details.