Crafts with an elderly group

Recently I had the pleasure to run two workshops in a Care Home in Sherwood, Nottingham.
The elderly people were with various levels of dementia and other health conditions. They transformed the empty boring jars into Christmas Vases for dry flowers, tinsel, sweets... using glass markers, paints, stickers, yarn, herbs, wild flowers...
 We all enjoyed the process and the end results. Seeing their faces light up with pride was very touching. I even received a Christmas card from one of the ladies I've just met! There were also songs, chat, lots of praise and laughter.

It was a fabulous workshop for health and well-being!

Witch- past and present

My nick name at school was Witch (just few boys called me that so wasn't a big deal). I didn't like it, was embarrassed and annoyed. The reason was  may be my big for my face classical nose and looking a bit mysterious, so quiet and shy.
Now if somebody uses that nick name or even better the Good Witch I wouldn't mind.
I enjoy picking up, drying herbs and edible flowers and then using them for health and well-being- for cooking, teas, pot pouries, dry flower arrangements. The shapes, smells, colours are amazing. They bring back memories and assossiations...

Wishing healing cake at a private charity event

Herbs drying in the garage

Drying elderflowers

Lavender(from Nottingham) and Thyme(from Bulgaria) in a decorated jar- In2Art exhibition, 2012

I love to learn and share my skills and knowledge (nutrition, sustainable craft/art) running workshops and talks for small groups a bit like a good witch. But I'm just an ordinary person passionate about nature, art, health and well-being in our community.

Creative social gathering

Ellen's friends and family booked a workshop with me and spent 2hrs glass painting inspired by the glorious autumn in Nottingham, chatting, drinking tea...
The venue was the friendly and quirky Fade and the hard to find cafe
We all had brilliant time!
Beautiful transformed jars and bottles too!

 

Mediaeval Fete at Sherwood Community Centre

Jars inspired by the garden and imagination

My plot in spring

  Fun and useful Eco events to visit 16th September, more information  here.

Last minute changes of the timetable for our activities at Sherwood Community Centre:

• Glass painting inspired by the Transition Sherwood Garden, drop in 12.15- 13.15 with Vesse
• Living from the Woods walk 14.30- 15.15 with Joan C. and Vesse

The Transition Garden is much more colourful now, come to see and join us harvesting, digging, planting, painting, hunting for mini beasts...
Some photos from the garden during the Open Day:

Fun with Glass at the Pirate Park

Some photos from the Family Fun Day at the Pirate Park, Nottingham, 10th August.
Olympics and Summer lovely painted jars, activity led by Vesse from Crafty Glass.

Details of more events coming soon.
Why not follow my blog for up to date info, a mixture of craft, art, family, eco-living...

Vesse

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Summer Holiday Ideas

My daughter and me created a Summer Holiday Ideas Jar during one of my environmental workshops re-purposing a coffee jar with glass paints, markers and sponges.
The whole family writes their ideas on pieces of paper and posts it in the big jar. It helps us to plan and organise our days.
Some of the ideas:

• Watch the Olympics on the telly,
• Play with friends,
• Walk in the countryside,
• Visit a Castle

We have completed some of the activities, more to go.

If you are in Nottigham and are ready for play visit the Pirate Park in Carrington, Nottingham for their annual Family Fun Day on the 9th of August 2012, 12-3pm. I will be running Glass Painting activity plus lots more fab things to make and see.

Vesse

Crafty Glass

Crochet creations

I want to share some of my latest crochet creations.
I learned basic crochet recently and enjoy it very much. Find it relaxing, absorbing, versatile, pretty...
The pale blue cushion with the cream is mine, then Mum came from Bulgaria and asked me to make one for her- brown cushion with green connections. So happy that I finished them!

A bendy stick dressed in yarn in the colours of the Bulgarian flag (white, green and red stripes).

 A glass jar dressed and re-used as a lantern.

For the 1st and last item I used Bamboo cotton from Knit Nottingham (very pleasant yarn and shop).

Vesse

Holiday Fun or Frump – Families making the most of What Notts has to offer this Summer

Check out this link full with ideas:
Holiday Fun or Frump – Families making the most of What Notts has to offer this Summer
I can add another idea particularly for rainy days:
Activities at Nottingham Contemporary inspired by the current exhibitions: http://www.nottinghamcontemporary.org/event/family-weekends-july
or create a model of yourself...details here 
More holiday activities in Gedling  details here , some pre-bookable some drop in, like the events organised by the Rangers at Arnot Hill Park.
Plus watching the Olympics of course.

Have fun!

Vesse

Olympic jars

Last week I ran a Glass painting activity at Arno Vale Juniours School, Nottingham with a theme: London 2012 Olympics jars. The children created fabulous colourful jars decorated with the Olympic rings.If you want an eco-activity for children, families or adults in Nottingham, can contact me on info@crafty-glass.co.uk to discuss  and arrange a workshop. For more details visit my web site .      Vesse

 

Reflection on TextDuality Workshop

Last month as part of the TextDuality exhibition, more details and photos  here   and here, I ran a Glass painting Workshop 'Oasis in the city'.
First we visited the calm garden behind St. Peter's Church in the middle of Nottingham, noticed and remembered interesting sights there and then went back to the gallery.
We painted on jars inspired by our walk and the exhibition.
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The result was colourful and meaningful vessels to take home.


 I for example painted inspired by the reflections I saw: Gothic on Art Deco windows on a pickle jar, interesting combination...
I would love to see comments reflecting on our exhibition...

My Sherwood Art Week 2012

Again I enjoyed  being part of SAW as an artist and also helping as a volunteer, it is a really creative community event.
The Art in the Shops and the Exhibitions were vibrant and inspiring. Lots of really good workshops too.






 My lanterns at Anya (the lovely Polish restaurant) on Mansfield Rd looked good reflecting the decor and the cuisine, e.g. some paprika and black pepper embelishments.

My workshops at Sherwood Community Centre -Guided walk at the Transition Sherwood Garden followed by glass painting on recycled jars went well: everybody learned about and tasted edible herbs and flowers, then painted on the jars inspired by the walk and at the end took them home to use as lanterns, vases, collection holders...
What are your reflections from SAW 2012?

TextDuality

You are invited to an exhibition of artwork by students who have completed the 'in2art:in2exhibition' course designed and delivered by Chris Lewis-Jones - Associate Artist at Nottingham Contemporary.
 Nottingham Society of Artists Gallery
Preview Friday 15th June from 6.30-9pm. The exhibition continues daily until Thursday 21st June. Opening Times 11am-3pm.

Events at the gallery during the week:

Chris Lewis-Jones will reminiscent of the In2Art Classes in the last 2 years: Sunday 2.30 

Louise West will be demonstrating her skills creating beatiful bobbin lace: Monday 11-1, Wednesday 11-1 and Thursday 1-3 

Vesse Ashley  will be demonstrating how to create simple pretty crochet flowers and bunting: Monday and Wednesday 11-1

Vesse Ashley, photos from previous workshops here, will lead a Guided Walk nearby followed by Glass painting Workshop re-using jars and bottles 'Oasis in the City' Wednesday 1-3 pm, for adults and children over 7, £2 per item 

Plus all the artists will be invigilating at different times so feel free to talk to us about our work and course experience.

 I'm so excited to be part of the team. We have designed, created art work, discussed, marketed, set up, invigilate the exhibition expertly guided by our tutor Chris Lewis-Jones.

Thank you all: Chris L., Louise, Wendy, Leila, Susie, Katelina, Colette, Sarah, Judith, Chris B., Colin, John!

 Colaborative instalation 'Inequalitties of Water'  inspired by Mika Rotenberg's video 'Squeeze' 

Sherwood Art Week - Art for Everyone 16th till 24th June 2012

Sherwood Art Week - Art for Everyone.: ARTISTS STATEMENTS: Just a little reminder to all the participating artists (Art in the Shops and Exhibitions) that a short artist statement needs to be emailed...

My statement for the Sherwood Community Centre display of lanterns/vases from previous workshops is already emailed, just needs to be collected.
 I'm  leading 2 walks at Transition Sherwood Garden followed by  glass painting workshops at Sherwood Community Centre on 24th June, Sunday 1-2 pm and 2.30-3.30 pm for adults and children over 7, to book a place call 07864028147. Visit the Centre 22-24th June for demonstrations, tours of the Grade 2 listed Woodthorpe House, exhibits from local craft groups, the Cafe will be open all weekend, for more information click here.
I'm also exhibiting tea light lanterns at Anya Restaurant, designed to suit their decor and reflect their delicious  Polish cuisine, details about the restaurant here.

Vesse

Sherwood Art Week - Art for Everyone.: Be Creative – have a go...

Sherwood Art Week - Art for Everyone.: Be Creative – have a go...: As you know Sherwood Art Week isn't all about art and artists, it gives you the opportunity to have a go at various workshops throughout th...
 I'm  leading 2 walks at Transition Sherwood Garden followed by  glass painting workshops at Sherwood Community Centre on 24th June, Sunday 1-2 pm and 2.30-3.30 pm for adults and children over 7, to book a place call 07864028147. Visit the Centre 22-24th June for demonstrations, tours of the Grade 2 listed Woodthorpe House, exhibits from local craft groups, the Cafe will be open all weekend, for more information click here.
I'm also exhibiting tea light lanterns at Anya Restaurant, designed to suit their decor and reflect their delicious  Polish cuisine, details about the restaurant here. 
I'm excited to be part of SAW as an artist, also will attend interesting  workshops,  visit exhibitions, Art in shops, the Craft fair, volunteer invigilating at events, HQ, meet friends, have fun...
Everybody is welcome to this friendly community event in Nottingham.

Vesse

Reflection on Glass Painting Workshop: Nature Memories on a Jar

The workshop on 21st April, details here, was small but we enjoyed it.
The beer and wine bottle edging is working fine as a decorative border and keeping most of the grass off my plot.
The fruit trees are happy growing and blossoming.

The walk started with a sharp shower and finished indoors painting the jars inspired by the sights earlier. Don't know where the idea for the panda came from but is wonderfully done as are the other transformed vessels ready to use at home as lanterns, vases, collection jars...

I'm planning another similar workshop during  Sherwood Art Week, on the 24th June at Sherwood Community Centre. Hope it will be summer by then and the  Transition Sherwood Garden and Community Orchard link here  will look different.  I will display photos from the Spring Workshop to see how they have changed in  two months time and what the new glass creations will be.

Hope to see you on the 24th June and be creative together inspired by Nature!

Vesse

Nature Memories On A Jar

On Saturday 21st April, 2 - 4pm,  the Transition Sherwood garden will be hosting a  Glass Painting Workshop - Nature Memories on a Jar . 

Vesse from the garden group will lead a walk around the garden and orchard, followed by a workshop where participants will do glass painting based on  the garden. This will be a lovely chance to spend relaxed time observing plants and the fruit trees, then making your own piece of art to take home, inspired by the garden.  There is more information about this type of glass painting at www.crafty-glass.co.uk. The workshop is part of Sherwood Art Week 2012 Community projects http://www.sherwoodartweek.blogspot.co.uk/, and is for adults and for children over 6 years, and there is a charge of £2 per item made, to cover costs.

This workshop is particularly aimed at people involved with the garden and with Transition Sherwood, although also open to others. Meet at the front of Sherwood Community Centre, on Mansfield Road opposite Woodthorpe Park.  Places are limited (up to 10 people), so booking is essential - please book with Vesse as soon as possible at mailto:info@crafty-glass.co.uk or call 07810334143. 

Check out the Transition Sherwood website: http://transitionsherwood.weebly.com/index.html for more information about their events, caring for the local environment  and community.

Spring

Few days ago, as is the Bulgarian tradition I tied our martenichki on the blossoming fruit trees in the new Orchard near Sherwood Community Centre, nottingham. For more information on this ancient custom see my previous blog post: http://craftyglassnottingham.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/chestita-baba-marta.html .

 Members of Transition Sherwood Garden Group (including our family) planted the trees in January this year. They are old varieties apples and pears propagated at the St. Anns Allotments- the Hungerhill Project. They look happy and healthy.
I hope the Spring will come back soon!

Vesse