Virtual Creative Therapy For All

Virtual Creative Therapy

My passion is 'inclusive education'. I studied it at Masters level and implement it whenever I can. I truly believe that creativity should be available to all, whether an individual feels they are 'good' at something or not.  The chances are that that person was told early on that they were 'not good'.

But, do you know, being 'good' at art really doesn't matter. Unless you want to earn a living at it, in which case, it matters on a different level.

We are all creative beings but from an early age creativity seems to be passed over as a less-than-valid-activity. I was forever getting told 'don't play with your food' but, boy, did I make some AMAZING creations when I did! I would be gently reprimanded for being distracted with creative ideas. I know I am not the only one.

All that said, once a person has got over the hurdle of believing they can and want to give creativity a go, the next one may be the physical access to it.

I have been toying with the idea for a long time now - should I offer Skype tuition? My workshops are great fun and everyone benefits from working in a friendly group atmosphere but there are some people out there who cannot get out of the house. Now youtube is great and all but sometimes you just need a real-time workshop and an experience tutor to SHOW you how to do things and look at your work to help you improve.

I think I will explore this further - in the meantime, if you or anyone you know would be interested in this, please get in touch.

Love and creativity!

Deb

:-)

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Back to the grind again but that is just what we love, here at The Creative Space Studio.

Here is a photograph of one of our club member's mosaic project, completed just before Christmas for her guest room.  It is amazing what you can do with a cheap Ikea stool, some glass and some guidance from a mosaic tutor!

We still have some places left if you want to join our Mosaic Club - either Monday 5 - 7 or Wednesday 10 - 12.30.

Mosaics and More at Adelphi Mill - Barnaby Mosaic and Macc FC Mossaic

What would I do without my trusty mosaic mentees, Ruth and Moira! 

Thank you, girls for coming to help finish the Barnaby

Also to Pat, our new recruit, doing a stellar job, finishing the mosaics which the children at Ash Grove School started

And not forgetting Chris, our Young Creative who has some real mosaic staying power.

No rest for the willing...

Concentration and copious cups of tea!

As you can see, there is still lots to do! Please call us now to book a place to come and help on the Macclesfield FC community Mosaic.

Not forgetting the Barnaby Mosaic....

Father's Day Mosaic Coasters - Mansfield

Can I say that the weather was unbelievably glorious on Saturday in Nottingham!

When I actually got home and called into our local Co-op, Debra looked at my red sunburned head, chest and arms, tried very hard to not look horrified and simply said 'you've not been in Macc today then!'

Absolutely right Deb!  Apparently it persisted down all day which was a shame as it was the Barnaby Festival.

Saturday at Yeoman Hill Park in Masfield Woodhouse, I set up my stall with John and we helped 60 children make a special mosaic coaster for their Dad for Father's Day.

We had a lovely helper - Jenny - who was brilliant. 

Thank you Jenny!

It was a stunningly beautiful day with lots of families having fun and creating colourful coasters

Thank yo also to all the parents who helped and were happy to have photographs taken at the event.

Here is a small group of mosaics, ready for grouting.

Although I would not ordinarily grout the same day, I used quick drying adhesive and we did manage to grout 60 tiles!

If you were at the festival and made a mosaic - I hope you find your photograph here.

Ok - Ok - THAT's the photo! 

Joining the gym this week, folks!

And the Mayor visited too!

Macclesfield Town FC Community Mosaic

I am very fortunate to be the project manager/artist for the Macclesfield Town FC community mosaic mural project.  Funded by Cheshire Peaks & Plains Housing Trust and the Football Club, I have designed a 96 sq' mosaic which will be installed at the Moss Rose Ground.

Although an enjoyable experience, researching football history and designing the concept is hard work. However, I have thoroughly enjoyed sitting at my desk in the wonderful Adelphi Mill, colouring in the design.  It has to be done but, boy, it took me back!

I will be running Mondays as Mosaic days at the Mill from next week so please phone to book a place as places are limited.

We have a printer!

What a gorgeous day!  I can see White Nancy from the window of the studio and the sun is bouncing off her.  Ben from Nestable has just popped upstairs from his office in Adelphi Mill to put the wireless printer online. I can print!

I just wish I had my Mac here so I could download the template for all my invoices instead of having to start again on Vista. C'est la vie!

Once I have this quote finished, I can get a few more boxes tidied - I did say I would empty the five remaining. Hmm. Fingers crossed!

I hope there are plenty of people out there who want to learn mosaics and crafts!

See you later.

:-)

Glass, glass and more glass!

Well, I'm sitting here surrounded by chaos! I've sorted tubs and tubs of coloured glass and I keep finding more. Mike tells me I will never have to buy glass again but it's like I told him 'it's like a girl's need to buy handbags or shoes - you just don't have any control over it!' Don't think he's convinced.

I've just been downstairs to 'Art Graphics' and spoke to the lovely owners. How convenient is that, a framing service a floor below me!

I can actuallysee the floor now and when the bookcase arrives, there sill be more room.  I hope to have a kind of library that my students can use.

I still haven't worked out an 'open day' yet.  Should I do it in February or March? Or should I wait until April? Hmm. Suggestions on a postcard, please!

I will post photographs of the mess and the progress into organisation.

The Adelphi Mill is fabulous. It has such a good buzz about it and everyone I have met so far is great - I'm so excited about working here.

Ok - time to do a bit more, I can see five cardboard boxes and I think I clear one of the shelves before I empty them. Tomorrow I will have emptied them and then I might even be able to think about getting down and dirty with some glass, my trusty pair of Leponnits and some cement based adhesive.

Night all!

:-)