Craft Arena 3 January 2020 No images? Click here WelcomeWelcome to the New Year, with a fresh new look to the newsletter, to go with our new website which you can visit here. I'm writing this at home during our New Year break, so it will be another shorter newsletter this week, and we will be back to normal next time. Don't forget that our sale starts on Saturday 4th January at 10am with many items at half-price or more, and of course our usual £1 table. We will also be offering 10% off non-sale stock (a few exceptions apply), including Rowan yarn, books, Sakura pens and Zentangle packs just for this weekend. Happy New Year, and we look forward to seeing you in the studio soon. Denise and Ray Holiday Opening Times
You can always visit our website for up to date opening information. Free PatternI'm sharing Rowan's Daisy Beanie had with you this week. Knitted in Big Wool, it is great to keep out the Winter chill. Add a bobble for extra pizzazz! In the StudioBlackwork is a traditional type of counted-stitch embroidery. Monochromatic, with superb shadow effects, it has been revisited in this book by Bernadette Baldelli in a magnificently graphic, contemporary style highlighted with occasional splashes of colour. The 13 patterns designed modernize the technique by adding a touch of red to the traditional black and white, and by including both geometric and more figurative styles. You’ll discover a lush, graphic world with embroidery that is simple to do and gives stunning results. You can make a basket, a pouch, wall hangings, place mats, an embroidered shirt, throw blanket and more. Simple diagrams make them easy to do, and there is a wealth of tempting patterns to choose from. What's On
We will be holding our annual workshop exhibition in March and I look forward to seeing all the work you have done which has been inspired by our workshops. It doesn't need to be finished by the way, as our visitors do like to see the processes involved in the work. The application form is available here.
The theme for our 2020 Tantalising Textiles competition is MYSTERY. You can read more about the competition and get some ideas on our old blog. If you have any questions, please get in touch. The exhibition will be held in the Alchemy Gallery during April 2020 and the application form is available here. Workshops 2020Look out for news of our exciting future workshops here first! Online booking is now available, call the studio on 01268 5238 or pop in to see us. You will find more workshops on our brand new website. Beginners Zentangle® with CarolineSunday 19th January 202010.30am - 4.00pm £65 Caroline McNamara will be introducing you to the basic techniques of Zentangle® in this session. Your designs will be perfect for a stand alone work of art or translating into hand or machine stitch and mixed media work. The example shown here was made at a previous Craft Arena workshop Caroline is a certified Zentangle® tutor. THERE ARE FOUR PLACES LEFT ON THIS WORKSHOP Group 2 Valentine Zentangle with CarolineFriday 31st January 202010.30pm - 4.00pm £65 For those who have been on one of our Zentangle® classes before, this workshop will take your knowledge further. Caroline McNamara, a certified Zentangle® tutor, will help you extend your skills. THERE ARE SIX PLACES AVAILABLE ON THIS WORKSHOP. Group 1 Valentine Zentangle with CarolineSaturday 1st February 202010.30pm - 4.00pm £65For those who have been on one of our Group 1 Zentangle® classes before (our longest running group), this workshop will take your knowledge further. Caroline McNamara, a certified Zentangle® tutor, will help you extend your skills. THERE ARE SIX PLACES LEFT ON THIS WORKSHOP. Machine Embroidery GroupSunday 2nd February 202010.30pm - 1.00pm £10A series of informal monthly social groups to help you get the most from your embroidery machine. A different machine embroidery technique will be discussed each month. Bring along any challenges or questions you have, and there will bound to be someone here to answer them. This month we will be focusing on Valentine’s Day. THERE ARE FIVE PLACES LEFT ON THIS SESSION Zentangle with CarolineSaturday 8th February 202010.30pm - 4.00pm £65For those who have been on one of our Zentangle® classes before, this workshop will take your knowledge further. Caroline McNamara, a certified Zentangle® tutor, will be showing us how to work with the new Zentangle® grey tiles using some of the equipment you already use in your Zentangle® work. THERE ARE SIX PLACES LEFT ON THIS WORKSHOP. Credence of Stitchers GroupSunday 9th February 202010.30pm - 1.00pm £10Join our stitching social group where you can stitch, chat and get a bit of advice if you need it! Any type of hand embroidery is welcome. You will receive a gift worth at least £5 when you attend, this will consist of hand embroidery related items - it may be threads, patterns or accessories or a combination of both. In case you were wondering, Credence is a 15th Century collective noun for a number of stitchers! THERE ARE EIGHT PLACES LEFT ON THIS SESSION Mixed Media with Nick KimberFive sessions on the Second Friday of each month starting 14th February 2020 10.30pm - 1.00pm £45 per session or £200 for all five This series of workshops has been compiled for students who are new to designing their own work or those who need a kick start because of a creative block, which all of us have from time to time! By the end of the course you will have ideas on how you can produce your own original piece of work from the designs and samples that you have done over the 5 month course. A requirements list will be provided but most materials will be available on the day. If there is enough interest, it may be possible to extend the workshop into the afternoon. THERE ARE FIVE PLACES LEFT ON THIS WORKSHOP Tambour BeadingSaturday 15th February 202010.30pm - 4.00pm £65 Join Angela Woodget for a whole day of Tambour Beading. This delicate form of beading onto fabric can be used to enhance garments, make accessories or pictures. Angela will start with the basics in the morning and show you more advanced techniques in the afternoon.This class is perfect for beginners or those who wish to refresh their skills. THERE ARE FOUR PLACES LEFT ON THIS WORKSHOP PE Design with LisaSunday 16th February 202010.30pm - 1.00pm £35 Join Lisa to learn more about using Brother PE Design Software. This class is for those who know the basics of PE Design software for Brother Embroidery machines. On this class Lisa will be showing you how to import and digitize. Ask about our next beginners class. THERE ARE TWO PLACES LEFT ON THIS WORKSHOP Yarn ForwardWednesday 19th February 202010.30pm - 1.00pm £10 Our regular Yarn Forward knitting and crochet social group. Bring your own yarn work along to knit or crochet and if you have any challenges, there will sure to be someone here who can help. Whatever your skill level, you can work that yarn and chat at the same time, and you always leave with a free gift! THERE ARE FOUR PLACES AVAILABLE ON THIS SESSION Goldwork with WendySaturday 7th March 202010.30pm - 4.00pm £65 Join Wendy on her latest journey into the wonderful world of goldwork embroidery. You will be stitching one of her exclusive designs. Suitable whether you are a complete beginner or wish to refresh your skills. THERE ARE EIGHT PLACES AVAILABLE ON THIS WORKSHOP Spinning with MicheleThursday 12th March 202010.30pm - 4.00pm £65 For those who are new to spinning, Michele will provide some prepared fibre and teach you to spin using a drop spindle. You will then be shown how to prepare your own fibre. After lunch you get to start spinning what you have prepared, and will have a little time on a spinning wheel. THERE ARE FIVE PLACES LEFT ON THIS WORKSHOP Babylock Training 2020We are again offering our 'Learn to Love Your Overlocker' training on Thursday 30th April with Jan Wright from Babylock. On the following day, Friday 1st May, Jan will be holding Advanced Overlocker Training. Both these sessions are between 10.30 and 4.00 and will cost £50 each, with a £25 reduction on one session if you have purchased a Babylock Overlocker from Craft Arena (and not already had a discounted training). Places are going fast, so don't leave it too long to call 01269 523780 and book your place. THERE ARE FOUR PLACES LEFT ON EACH OF THESE CLASSES Alchemy GalleryOpenings, the 9th exhibition from the Minerva Textile Group,is now on and runs until the end of January 2020 - see our website for Christmas opening hours. What people are saying about our exhibition:
Future ExhibitionsMarch 2020: Craft Arena Workshop Exhibition April 2020: Tantalising Textiles 2020 May 2020: Denise Gannon - Inspired By September 2020: Liz Neave October 2020: Denise Gannon and Wendy Mansfield - Print & Stitch November 2020: Emily Johnson Innov-is VQ2 sewing and quilting machine is £1,999 with Free wide table and Mettler thread case with 96 thread spools worth £279Allow your creativity to reach new heights with the Innov-is VQ2 long arm sewing and quilting machine. Enjoy smooth, precise stitching on all types of fabric, from silks to heavy denims, with a large workspace and intuitive features. Features include:
Find out more about the Innov-is VQ2 To take advantage of this offer or find out more, contact us or pop into the studio. The current Brother promotions finish on 31st January. Ring me on 01268 523780 if you would like any more information. Don't forget I offer a consultation to help you choose the right machine for you plus free training with all machines over £200. Contact us to book a demonstration or for more information. |