Mental Health and Art

Mosaic and Mental Well Being

The beauty of mosaic making is that is such an inclusive art form. As an artist it gives me a sense of well-being and as a teacher, I get an immense sense of satisfaction from seeing a tangible positive mood shift when working with others.

From my mosaic club students who come for a 2 1/2 hour fix of head emptying whilst mosaic making, to a 7 week course with participants in a residential rehabilitation unit - I see mosaic making giving much needed time out to all. 

We all need that time to just 'be' whether it be creative, sporty, cognitive or other ways of  'zoning out' we all deserve it.

 I love this mosaic which is to grouted next week. Produced at Lime Walk House in Macclesfield, this effective piece of artwork has been produced in just 12 hours (over a 6 week period) by a small group of people.

September Smiles

I love September! Children are back in school and the grown ups can come out to play.

It was so nice to see my regular ladies again and our newest addition to the group - all working on something TOTALLY different!

The new Yogi teas were a hit - ginger and orange but I think I might just have to get some of the chocolate tea in. Yum.

I have promised to make my ginger and banana loaf for next week so I might just have to get some fresh bananas today so they will be just right for baking at weekend. It's always best left to mature for a couple of days.

No soup recipe today - I am trying to work out how to still do soup on Wednesdays. It will come to me but in the meantime, I've put a little recipe at the end of the blog - a nice sauce to accompany chicken and steamed potatoes.

Did I say I'd missed my gang?

Georgina working on her ladybird. 

Can't wait to see her new project, starting next week!

Do ducks eat fish? Sue's mallard might!

Bridget's White Nancy is coming along nicely - loving the sky!

Anita's  tray is beginning to look delicious!

I felt like to doing a little dance before - the sun was out, brews and  biscuits were on the table and chit chat was flowing.

We did, as always, get to discussing food and I promised I would share my recipe for my favourite quick sauce:

To serve 2

1 tablespoon low fat mayonnaise

2 tablespoons natural yoghurt

1 teaspoon English mustard

1/2 teaspoon honey

Mix well and serve in a sauce bowl on your plate.

I love this with baked chicken breast, steamed beetroot and potatoes, served with green beans and cauliflower.  

See you next week!

Autumn at t'mill

Well hello my lovelies!

It has been an AGE since I last blogged.  Nearly a year!

I promise to get my act into gear now I have updated my blog page theme.  Prettier, methinks.

It has been a SUPER busy year; settling into the new, bigger studio, holding lots of workshops in and out of the studio. Here are some images of recent projects:

A lovely workshop with lovely ladies who all produced a mosaic table top.

A little girl's 5th Birthday Party with foam mosaic frames.

My new Husband and I! Our honeymoon patio. 

Yes - I finally got married in April. Told you it was a busy year!

Mosaic ducks and butterflies at a BUPA nursing home.

A3 mosaic for a local church.

Mosaic making at Barnaby Craft Cafe 2013

90 mini mosaics created and installed in the new gardens at Bexton Primary School.

Community mosaic in sheltered housing in Macclesfield.

Well dressing at local nursing home.

Well dressing designs and support at St John's Primary school, Bollington

Creative therapy at a mental health centre in Manchester

Creative therapy mosaic plant pots (and planting!) at nursing home

1m2 mosaic at Bushbury Hill Primary school in Wolverhampton

Mosaic workshops at the studio

Launch of new 'White Nancy Giftware' range. This image shows my Shamballa bead wine glass charm in a hand made origami box.

Pre-grouted White Nancy mosaic

Well, as you can see, I really have been busy. There are lots of other things going on too such as our Autumn programme for adults and children's workshops in half term.

If you would like to see how you can come and learn a new skill or even expand on existing ones, please get in touch, I would love to hear from you.

kindest regards

Debbie (Mrs!)

xx

It's started....

I cannot believe how busy I have been!

Before I start wittering on about the new studio, I have some photos from one of the recent mosaic for beginners for children.

We had a lovely day and everyone made a gorgeous mirror!

I would like to ask that you follow this link and vote for young Fiona Beeston.  A lovely young lady with a beautiful voice.  Here is the link: http://stokestoptalent.com/ please make sure you click on 'Fiona Beeston'.

So this is really the last session here at Adelphi Mill :-(

The GOOD news is that The Creative Space Studio is moving to Clarence Mill! A slightly bigger but better set out, the new studio is directly overlooking the canal and next to the very gorgeous Cafe Waterside.

I have LOTS of new ideas for courses, particularly the mosaic jewellery ones - you can also stock up on your Christmas pressies!

Ok - the sun is streaming through the studio window so I'm going to make a last mosaic in here before I start packing.

TTFN!

Saturday Morning Mosaic Heaven

What more can I ask - lovely weather, lovely people and gorgeous mosaics. Proving to be popular, my mosaic mirror introductory workshop is certain to be a mainstay of my provision. Looking forward to welcoming some new members to my wonderful regulars!

BEST MOSAIC SOUP YET!

Hi guys! Sorry I haven't blogged this week. I have been so busy! We had a brilliant session last Wednesday and the soup (at the end, as always!) was deemed by Sue to be the best yet, though to be fair, she hadn't tried the peanut and squash soup. Still, either or!

Giggle-city! We had a good old natter about our favourite films and (as promised, girls!) here they are:

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES AT THE WHISTLE STOP CAFE

BEACHES

HOOCHIE

OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN

7 LBSLET'S DANCE

THE HOLIDAY

BRIDGET JONES' DIARY

WHO WILL LOVE MY CHILDREN.

I am sure there are many more but there are only so many things you can fit into a morning.  The mosaics are coming on beautifully and I just wish I'd had my camera charged!

I have since been to the BAMM meeting in York and touched base with my Northern Lights Family and was filled up with creative love!

Not enough hours in the day!

Here is the soup recipe:

3 x parsnips

1 x sweet potato

1 x red onion

1 x carton passata

shavings of fresh garlic (I use a veg peeler)

1/4 tub full fat cream cheese (can use creme fraische if you are being good!)

2 x knorr veg stock cubes in 1 pint hot water

garlic and chili flakes and herbes do provence to taste.

Ok - wash and chop everything. Put the cream cheeese to one side and place everything else in the slow cooker.  Cook for 2 hours on high.  Blitz with a blender then add cream cheese.  Add water or seasoning to taste if required.  Serve.  Gorgeous!!!

Mosaic Addicts...

After such a productive day on Saturday, Kathryn came back to the studio this evening during our regular Monday Mosaic class, to grout her masterpiece.  I love it when students can share ideas and creative tips with each other.

Here is Bridget showing Kathryn her beautiful smalti and sea-glass mosaic in progress.

Kathryn's finished mosaics - really great for a first attempt! Well done!

Bridget and I were impressed with Kathryn's mosaic. It really is gorgeous.  Then we got to talking about how many different things Bridget had produced during her time at the studio: coaster, placemat, garden 'rock' butterfly', mirror, plant pot, bedside table, children's bedroom wall plaque and now a beautiful seaside themed picture.  PHEW!

And here's a little mosaic I designed for that perfect wedding gift.

For details on ordering a bespoke mosaic or to enquire/book on a course, please call Debbie on 01625 574 005 or email me on info@thecreativespacestudio.com.

Mosaic Workshop - Fun day!

 What a gorgeous day!

The lovely Kathryn produced a wonderful mosaic. 

Really impressed with her design and application.  

Thanks for coming today. 

Really enjoyed chatting over mosaic with you. 

Hope you learned lots!

See! Impressive or what!

Completed in one day (just needs grouting on Monday).  

We worked hard and put the World to rights plus enjoying our 

soup (recipe at the bottom).

If you fancy having a relaxed Saturday, learning the basics 

and creating something gorgeous, drop me an email for more

 details. Get a couple of friends together for a real girlie day!

BUTTERNUT SQUASH & FRESH GINGER SOUP

1/2 x leek

1 x red onion

1/2 x medium butternut squash

1 x tablespoon FRESH ginger (shaved with a peeler)

1 x pinch herb de provence

1 x pinch garlic and chili flakes

seasoning to taste

1 x tin tomatoes

1 x medium potato

2 x Knorr vegetable stock cubes

Wash, peel and chop the vegetables (I leave the potato skin on) and put in the slow cooker. Barely cover with boiled water, cover and cook on high for 3 hours.

Taste test, adjust seasoning. Blend with a hand blender to desired consistency.  Add some semi-skimmed milk just before serving.

Thumbs  up!