Ribbon & beads workshop

[Mabel Figworthy]

This afternoon I had my ribbon & beads workshop with a couple of ladies from church, and I'm glad to say they really enjoyed it -- one of them said it was very therapeutic , and they were both thrilled with what they'd created within the 90 minutes of the workshop. They both of them had to leave (children to pick up) with a few more beads to go, so as they both live quite close they'll drop in tomorrow for a final ten minutes to put the whole thing together, but on the whole it was a good time -- yay!

It's great fun getting together and teaching/learning a new craft -- I can recommend it! Get a few friends together and make sure there's plenty of tea and possibly a biccie or two (or ginger cake -- yum), and then the 'teacher' prepares the kits for that particular workshop. Here's what I did: First made a card to show what we were going to make:

Then for each person attending put together a hoop with fabric, marked with a circle within which they had to stay; the necessary needles; a chart (one to be shared as there were only two people besides me); ribbons and beads in various colours; an aperture card with double-sided tape attached where necessary but not yet peeled; wadding cut to size:

Take them through the whole thing step by step, by doing the project along with them (by the way, I'm the one on the left ):

And here's the result so far -- not bad for their first try, dont you think? They were certainly pleased as Punch with them

[suehoward59]

Wow thats brilliant and i must say you mujst be a very good teacher and have patience. good luck and well done you xxxxxxxxxx

[agi]

Mabel, you have proved yourself to be competent in many ways - now one more thing! Congratulations, and please, give your students our best wishes, too!
(We would have recognised you anyway - we saw you on the photo with your husband by the old car - isn't that right?)

[Jilly]

I just wanted to be there when I saw the table all laid out, what a wonderful way to spend a few hours. Well done Mabel, and the ladies have done a beautiful job

[sammy_v]

Wow, well done. I bet theres so proud and greatful for there hard work and ur time, u must be a very good teacher to have taught them in a few hours.

[coffee_freak]

oh pretty!!

[carolyn61]

Do you wanna come to California?
Mabel, your talents never cease to amaze me. What a gift you gave to the ladies. Tell them for me that their work is beautiful.

[~threadbear~]

Oh didn't they do well!
Mabel, like Jilly I longed to sneak into one of those chairs so I could bribe you with chocolate to teach me as well. That ribbonwork looks SOOOOOOOOOO pretty on the card. You must be an excellent teacher, especially as you supply tea and biscuits as well, that alone would ensure I never played truant!!

[Rose]

Wonderful job. You really inspired the ladies, those look like professional finishes. Tell the ladies we are all very impressed they must continue.

[Mabel Figworthy]

We would have recognised you anyway - we saw you on the photo with your husband by the old car - isn't that right?

So you did -- I'd forgotten I had already shown you the human face behind the alpaca

Thank you all for your encouragement -- I'd like to do a series of workshops and encourage more of the ladies (and gentleman: two of them have shown an interest in the calligraphy & gilding workshop)to come, though for a first time it was rather nice that there were only two as I could give each of them lots of individual attention.

Coming to California .... hmmm ... tempting but not very likely, I'm afraid. But if ever any of you are going to be in the vicinity of Dunchurch, Rugby, let me know and you could drop in for tea and ribbons .

[Serinde]

The temptation!

[Mabel Figworthy]

The ladies had their extra half hour today, and this is the final result of the workshop -- they were all started from the same chart, and isn't it interesting to see how different they've turned out! (Click on the picture to see them in a bit more detail)

[wendywombat]

They are really pretty! Is that Aida fabric you've used there?

[Mabel Figworthy]

Yes, sky-blue 14ct. They both rather liked the brooch I'd done but I thought black evenweave might be too much of a challenge on their first try

[~threadbear~]

Oh they are gorgeous Mabel, I bet they were well chuffed with the results!

Are they going to do more with you or are you doing different types of craft each tme?

[Rose]

That is wonderful. What a great way to spend a couple afternoons of great friendship and a wonderful pressie to take home with you.

Great work Teacher.

[sammy_v]

Fantastic, please pass on to the ladies that they have done a wonderful job!!!
Well done Mabel for teaching them this also.

[lacemaker2004]

Those are so pretty!

I love the fact that we're able to share our other skills and maybe teach each other a bit. Maybe we'll make a convert out of these pages!

[Angel]

Soooooo pretty!

[mags]

They are so pretty, Mabel. I must have a go.