Our Arts & Crafts Activities are run by a team of professionals who have been working in Community Arts Projects for over 5 years. We regularly work with Educational Services and Schools, Youth and Community Groups, Special Needs and Learning Services, Fun Days and Family Festivals. Our activities inspire expressive and creative confidence and we are able to provide all the equipment needed. All our Making activities use recycled materials where possible.
Our artists are experienced in many forms of arts and crafts ranging from the traditional (such as drawing, paintings and sculpture, knitting, sewing, crotchet, origami, and macramé) to the extraordinary some of which are listed in the featured activities below.
We can easily tailor our session to suit the requirements of your project i.e. one off sessions of 1 – 2 hours, full day sessions or part of a fully themed programme. If you are interested in what we offer, please feel free to contact us with more information about your event with regards to group sizes and duration of activities. We can then provide more information about each of the activities that you may be interested in.
Face Painting -With our professional set up face painting is fun and always a very popular addition to any event.
Nail Art -with all sorts of designs Nail art is both creative and therapeutic. Feel pampered or just have fun with funky designs.
Dream Catchers -Make a traditional dream catcher with scrap materials to catch all your bad dreams.
Instrument Making -We
have several types of instruments that can be made by children and
adults of all ages. A workshop can be tailored to suit the group and
instruments can be used in conjunction with a drumming workshop or on it’s own as a craft activity. Instruments made at previous workshops include: Berimbau, Animal Clackers, Damaru Drums, Shakers
Wind socks -Wind socks are simple to make and fly triumphantly in the wind, decorating where ever they are displayed. Wind socks are made from either scraps of ripstock/kite material or old carrier bags so that they are waterproof. Sparkly Picture Frames -Make beautiful gold, silver and sequined picture frames using excess gold foiland sticky tape. This is a glue free simple but effective activity possible for all abilities.
Tin Can Embossed Picture Frames -Chic picture frames are made with old drinks cans using simply a biro to emboss personal designs including pictures, patterns and writing.
Rag Dolls -Rag dolls are an eco friendly way of entertaining children in a highly creative way with an outcome of unique puppets that can be used to perform a puppet show at home or as part of the workshop. Previous workshops have resulted in puppet show videos on youtube (See showtimepuppets).
Recycled Embossed Cards -Embossing is a very effective technique making simple drawing or writing look professional by using the recycled aluminium of an old drinks can. Cards are made on various backings for any occasion.
Venetian Eye Masks -This is a workshop where participants can be quite creative and at the same time learn many basic techniques for building and constructing with various materials. Masks are built up with card and paper mache and then can be decorated with tissue paper, paint, feathers, fabric, sequins and glitter. Masks can either be attached with an elastic band or held on sticks by the side of the face.
Group Collage Wall Hangings -Choose
a theme and create a wall hanging using mixed media. Wall hangings can
be built on a solid backing such as plywood or MDF or on a canvas
either with a fixed frame or with pockets at the top and bottom so it
can be hung. Materials for building up images may include fabric, pens,
pencils, paints, coloured tissue paper, magazine cut-outs.
Shadow Puppet Making -Shadow puppets have entertained people for centuries and are still relevant today. Various techniques can be used from simple drawing, colouring and laminating to more complicated stencil type cutting with craft knives. Characters and sets can be developed with a storyline in mind and then turned into a multi media performance if scheduled to run alongside or in conjunction with a musical/drumming workshop.
Costume Making -Costumes can be made with relevant themes/inspiration, for an event such as a Parade, Festival, or Catwalk or just for fun. Materials used can be selected to suit the event ranging from recycled materials to more expensive fabrics and trimmings.
Poi Making -Make and learn to use Poi a Circus Skills activity. Poi are a traditional Maori dance prop which has given rise to a contemporary style of spinning popular all over the world. Poi were used by Maori men and women in order to keep themselves supple and agile. The rhythmic and hypnotic movements are very relaxing, not to mention an excellent form of exercise. Printing -We offer various types of printing including making printing blocks and printing on flags, cards etc. Printing can be used in various projects.
