Workshops Overview
Details further down or click on a picture for more info
Macrame Tree of Life with a Twist
A New Technique
Duration: around 3 hours
Fee: £48.50 per person
Deposit: £10 pp
Minimum of three people
My wire Tree of Life is very popular, but I have now developed a new Tree of Life workshop, whereby softer materials are used.
This tree is made of a combination of pliable cord and wire, making it a bit gentler on the hands.
It stands in a 25.5cm/10" metal hoop, and the matching beads make it come alive. Alternatively you can choose different beads from my extensive collection of colourful beads.
If there's enough time, you can make two little birds during the workshop or you take the clay home to make them at your own leisure.
I will need a minimum of three people to run this workshop, so find some friends/family and make it a creative party.
The workshop is for 4 hours and starting times are 13:00 or 18:00 (not on Mondays). Please get in touch via the 'message the tutor' button with any enquiries.
This workshop is for 12+ and anyone under the age of 18 needs to be with a participating adult.
Gel Printed Tote Bag
Duration: 2.5/3 hours
Fee: £45 per person
Deposit: £10 pp
Minimum of three people
I'm sure you'll have a great time creating with a gel plate.
First, you'll make some practise prints on rice paper and then you'll move on to changing a plain tote bag into a gorgeous accessory with ink and fabric markers.
No experience is needed and you don't need to know how to draw; we'll use creative materials.
Once you've got the hang of the gel plate, you'll experiment with adding texture to your prints.
This is followed by adding details using stamps and textile ink and textile markers.
It's also perfect as a celebration (bring a bottle of bubbly!) or group activity.
People under 18 will need to be accompanied by a participating adult.
Come and experiment with printing with a gel late. It's fun!
Almost too pretty to use
Birds on a bag
Some of what you'll be using
Almost too pretty to use
Tree of Life
A Classic with a Colourbuzz Twist
Duration: around 3 hours
Fee: £49.50 in person
Deposit: £15 pp
Minimum of two people
Choose a season for your tree or make up your own combination of wires and beads to create your unique Tree of Life.
If you prefer, you can make a sycamore to commemorate the beautiful tree that made Sycamore Gap.
This workshop will give you a feel of the different types of wires used in wire weaving and wrapping and it introduces you to the twisting and wrapping techniques typical to tree making, but also used in jewellery making.
No experience is needed.
Mokume Gane; Polymer Clay, Gift Making
An ancient Japanese technique with a modern twist
Duration: around 3 hours
Fee: £55 in person
Deposit: £15 pp
Minimum: 2 people
Mokume Gane is an old Japanese technique used with metals that is adapted to use with polymer clay resulting in magically beautiful pieces of art.
You will be guided through the steps and once you have created your own, unique sheet of Mokume Gane clay, you can make items of your choice with the help of templates and shapers.
You will be provided with the findings to make some key rings, pendants and templates for ring-dishes, but I'm sure you will come up with ideas of your own.
All items need to be baked in a conventional or fan-assisted oven.
It’s a great introduction to the versatile polymer clay and it is fun!
Maximum: 10 people (in the colourbuzz studio, other venues might differ)
All items need to be baked in a conventional or fan-assisted oven.
This is a great workshop to do with your friends, family members or as a group activity with colleagues.
Playing with Fire
Make copper jewellery using traditional techniques
Duration: around 4 hours
Fee: £60
Deposit: £15
Min 2, max 4 persons
I love the Playing with Fire workshop as it gives me a chance to use my silversmithing tools, equipment and experience!
Fire is the crucial element when working with copper, silver and gold.
Fire alone isn't enough, so you'll learn how to prepare, anneal, form and cut copper using a variety of tools and techniques.
You will make your own jewellery to take home!
It's an amazing feeling to transform a flat copper sheet into a three-dimensional piece of jewellery you will be proud of to wear or to give away as a very special gift.
With your new-found knowledge you will never look at a piece of jewellery the same way again!
This workshop is a great introduction to the age old craft of copper smithing. It lasts around 3 hours and as always the kettle is ready to boil.
A minimum of two people is required for the course and there's a maximum of four participants.
 Lou's Wonderful Pendant |  Glorious Copper Earrings |  Lou and Katey |
|---|---|---|
 Emma and annealing |  Katie hammering |  Celia working |
 Tools |  Rings and dome |  Daniel's Creations |
 Celia set of 2 |  Close up 1 |  Mandy and Emily |
 Emily |  Filing |  Cleaning |
 Result! |  Emma's earrings |  Katies earrings |
Luscious Lampshades (with lamp)
Using gel printing and other techniques
Duration: around 3.5 hours
Fee: £59.50 in person
Deposit: £15 pp
Minimum: 2 people
This workshop has you experimenting with gel plate mono-printing on rice paper, creating a feast of colours and patterns of your making.
You will become adept at emphasising patterns or adding your own and use stamps or maybe even do some gilding for additional features to the lampshade.
You'll go home with a gorgeous lamp, lightbulb and all ready to brighten up any space.
I love using the gelli plate, so come and join me in this enjoyable workshop!
Maximum: 8 people (in the Colourbuzz studio, other venues might differ)
Copper or Silver Creatures
A New Take on Wire Wrapping
Duration: around 3 hours
Fee: £49.50 in person
Deposit: £15 pp
Minimum of two people
Come to my studio for a cuppa and to learn how to work with copper wire.
You choose a (animal) frame...
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- Hare/rabbit
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- Cat
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- Scottie Dog
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- Sausage Dog
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- Elephant
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- Flask (lab one) or
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- Hen
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(Feel free to throw a suggestion my way and I'll see what I can do)
...and the creative fun commences
You will learn
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- to make cosmic copper spirals
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- to secure a frame
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- basic wire wrapping using local sea glass
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- how to lash it all together
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- two ways to patina your work (make it look vintage or even antique)
Above all you will have a few hours in which you will enjoy the experience of creating. My motto!
I will need a minimum of two people to run this course, so why not invite someone to join you!
It's a great way to celebrate a special occasion or just to spend time together.
You can also book or contact me for an individual place and I'll put you on the waiting list and I'll run the workshop when I have two or more people.
Intro to Jewellery Making
What I Wish I had Known Ages Ago
Duration: 2.5-3 hours
Fee: £45 in person
Deposit: £10 pp
Minimum of two people
This is the course I would have loved when I started my journey in all things creative; it would have saved me so much time, energy and frustration.
Knowing some of the basic techniques, often assumed, but oh so hard to find, makes making jewellery the fun experience it should be (my opinion, I know, but I stand by it).
You will learn about the basic findings, what they are, how they work and then of course play with them.
You will go home with earrings and pendants that make the perfect gift for Christmas, birthdays or just because you feel like it and you will have the skills to make more!
Suitable for anyone over 12, but anyone under 18 should be in the company of a participating adult.
This workshop needs a minimum of three people to run.
I run workshops most days apart from Mondays and prefer to start at 2pm. However I can be creative!
Bead and Jewellery Making
Unique jewellery using multi media techniques
Duration: around 3 hours
Fee: £45 in person
Deposit: £10 pp
Minimum: 2 people
This is a fun workshop where you will make unique beads using multi media techniques.
It all starts with creating colours on a gelli plate, which is one of my favourite things to do at the moment. It ends with a beautiful set of earrings, a bracelet or necklace.
The bits in between form the secret process I’ll share with you!
No experience is required and it is a great workshop to do with a group of friends, family members or colleagues or as a summer holiday activity with a creative 9-plusser!
I need a minimum of 2 people to run the workshop.
Looking forward to getting my gelli plates out!
Maximum: 10 people (in the Colourbuzz studio, other venues might differ)
Kumihimo; Japanese Bracelet Braiding
Braiding with Cord and/or Wire
Duration: around 3 hours
Fee: £40 per person
Deposit: £10 pp
Minimum of four people
Looking for something to do in the summer holiday?
This is a very relaxing workshop anyone over the age of eight can participate in. From experience, I know that once you've found your own rhythm, there's no stopping the creative process and many more bracelets will be made, because it's so much fun to do!
First, you'll make a practise piece, which looks great dangling from a bag or makes a pretty keyring. This is followed by braiding a bracelet or accessory in colours of your choice. You can embellish it with beads or even charms if you like.
After that, you can take it a step further and make a beaded bracelet, using the same technique, but with a very different outcome.
If there's still time left, you can have a go at different techniques, expanding your Kumihimo experience!
I'm convinced you'll want to make more and I will give you a Colourbuzz adapted Kumihimo disk so you can continue your Kumihimo journey.
You will also come across some very useful jewellery making skills at the start and finish of your pieces.
I will need a minimum of four people to run this workshop. Minors need to be accompanied by a participating adult.
No experience is needed.
Start a Silversmithing Adventure
Make a Silver Pendant
Duration: around 4 hours
Fee: 65 pp
Deposit: £15pp
Minimum of 2 , max of 4 people
This workshop offers you the chance to make a silver pendant from start to finish. It's a great way to learn about and use silversmithing techniques that form the foundation of almost all jewellery making.
You will be guided to create a design for a pendant (no drawing skills needed!)
Experince handling a torch to prepare your silver so you can create textures by hand or with a rolling mill.
Soldering is an exciting part of the workshop and cleaning your silver will surprise you with its various and unexpected methods.
After the session you will go home with a beautiful shiny silver pendant you will be proud of and that will last forever!
 All 5 |  Mitre |
|---|---|
 Blow torch |  Hammers |
 Annealing |  Close up |
 j 5b |  Close up |
 Close up |  Close up |
 Close up |  j 1a |
Go with the Flow
A relaxing activity for all ages with great results
Duration: around 2.5 hours
Fee: £45pp
Deposit: £10pp
Minimum of 3 people
This workshop is for those of you who want to relax for a few hours and go away with a framed art work of your own making.
This is perfect for those visiting Durham as there are some Durham themed options to choose from.
It's a workshop that works for all ages! Well, from the age 6 and up.
It can also be adapted into a bunting making session for a baby shower, birthday, anniversary or hen night to make memorable decorations for a special occasion
Let me know your thoughts of what you would like to do.
 Rose Window |  Matisse |  Elephant in Blues |
|---|---|---|
 Hen in reds |  Butterfly in Pinks |  Cat in pastels |
 At Rose Cottages |  Rose Cottages Gorgeous Results |  Anita's Elephant |
 Elephant in Pastels |  Matisse detail |  Rose Cottages |
Joyous Dots
A relaxing activity for all ages with great results
Duration: around 3 hours
Fee: £45 in person
Deposit: £15 pp
Minimum: 3 people
If you want to relax and make something beautiful at the same time, dotting joyously is for you.
I'm hooked myself and look forward to sharing this lovely technique with you; any excuse to immerse myself in another joyous dots experience.
Painting with dots is nothing new; think Aboriginal art, pointillism and mandalas. It's so much fun, it's no surprise it has been around for centuries and is still going strong.
The problem is where to start. That is where this class comes in. You will learn how to prepare your paints, use the tools given and find and make your own to make your work truly yours. You will also learn how to use the templates to make pre-made designs and then adapt them to suit your own ideas.
You can choose from 5 different colour sets (blues, greens, reds, purples and pinks).
You can also use my stencils to make your own templates for many a relaxed hour and numerous lovely creations with this unimaginably satisfactory and mesmerising technique. You can even take the stencils home to continue your joyous dotting journey.
This course requires a minimum of three people to run, so why not invite some people to join you?
You can also book or contact me for an individual place and I'll put you on the waiting list and I'll run the workshop when I have two or more people.
If a minor would like this workshop, they need to be in the company of a participating adult.
Maximum: 8 people (in the Colourbuzz studio, but for bigger groups there's a different venue)
Gel Printing, Multi Media Cards for all Occasions
Play with different techniques and colours to make wonderful cards; good enough to frame!
Duration: around 3 hours
Fee: £50 in person
Deposit: £15 pp
Minimum: 3 people
It's always nice to gather to have a good time and a catch up. You can do all that and go home with a beautiful set of cards made with joy.
You'll be using a variety of techniques to create multiple layers to give meaning, beauty and individuality to these paint-like cards in colours of your choice.
If you want a personalised message somewhere in the background, let me know.
I normally start either at 1pm or 6pm, but can be flexible.
I do need a minimum of three people to run this workshop.
Maximum: 8 people (in the Colourbuzz studio, other venues might differ)
Mirror Mosaic with Polymer Clay
You make the tiles and choose the shapes!
Duration: 4.5 - 5 hours
Fee: £65 in person
Deposit: £15 pp
Minimum: 2 people
This is above all a fun workshop!
You’ll learn how to work with polymer clay and experiment with different techniques to create wonderful patterns and gorgeous colours from a ‘palette’ of your choosing so the results will always be pleasing and reflect you!
During the workshop you’ll:
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condition the clay with a pasta machine (a surprisingly relaxing activity)
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mix colours
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try your hand at a modern version of the ancient Japanese art of Mokume Gane
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use an extruder to create a cane (intrigued yet?)
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dabble in gilding
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try out some texturing and accentuate the results with waxes and polishes
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even make some flowers to add a botanical touch to your mirror frame.
By trying out these wonderful techniques you will have created unique sheets that can be cut into tiles or shapes to design your mirror frame.
Make it a day and bring your own lunch or pop into the lovely Vietnamese restaurant a stone throw away.
Gift the Joy of Creating
Let me know which one you would like. I can arrange a gift card for any amount.
Idea: personalise the gift card with text of your choosing, take the amount away, make it for two persons or specify a particular workshop. Or maybe you want to do that workshop with the person you give the card to.
Proud and Happy to be Working with:
What People Say
Joyous Dots
We spent a very relaxing and interesting 2 hours dotting away with a variety of tools and techniques. All equipment provided and Helga is a lovely tutor. I would recommend this course 100%
S and M
Plant pot Decoupage
Crafting without the commute! Really enjoyed this online course. I never felt rushed and learned some new techniques. The tutor was positive and encouraging. Was so easy doing the course from home and i thought the 'online' experience went well and a valuable way of spending time. I felt I got value for money as Helga gave me a prep session which was very helpful. I would recommend this course.
Barbra
Go With the Flow
The 'Go with the Flow' workshop I attended was very relaxing and fun to do. A real escape from day to day stresses. Helga’s workshops are a great way to spend an evening or afternoon. Highly recommended. I was so happy with the result that I had it framed.
Anita
Mokume Gane
I really liked the Mokume Gane workshop. It was soothing to manipulate the polymer clay and watch it transform into layers of colour. I managed to produce pieces I wanted to wear and of which I was proud, having no natural talent for crafts!
Nicola
PoIymer Clay Gift Making
I loved the whole process, from preparing the clay, the combining of colours to the surprising, astonishing end results.
I was guided, but not pushed over my own creativity/capabilities to bring about amazing results. It will take a few more workshops to get as much grip on the process as Helga has, but I loved the way chance did its work. So did my wife. She often wears the necklace I made for her!
Frank
