Introducing Robin Dudley-Howes!!

Bowen Hive are pleased to announce the very talented Robin Dudley-Howes, jewelry designer extradonaire will be arriving on  Bowen Island on the 25th, 26th and 27th of March 2011 to run three  of her sell out courses just for you guys!!!  Space is limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment.   We feel very privileged that Robin has given us her time from her very busy  schedule  to come and teach here on Bowen!  We will be hosting a little trunk show on the evening of the 25th, so students can meet and greet Robin. 

A little background to Robin….she has been a creative free spirit since the age of 5.   Currently her passion lies in creating and teaching mixed media jewelry, tassels and assemblage.  Her style is an eclectic blend of Bohemian Chic channeling Mata Hari, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Frida Khalo with a dash of glitter.  Her work is the epitome of mixed media using paper, metal, fibers, paint, beads, wax, rust, ribbon, collage, fabric, polymer clay and lots of recycled ephemera inspire her creations. Her work has been published in over 15 issues of Somerset Studio (twice as featured artist), The Gallery, Stampers Sampler and 3 books.  She conducts fun and energetic workshops at her art studio in Southern California, Gilding the Lily in Fullerton, Piecemakers in Costa Mesa and other Southern California establishments.  She has also had the privilege of teaching at national art retreats such as Art Unraveled in Arizona and Teesha Moores Art Fiber Fest in Washington.

We have chosen three courses we feel will suit different ability levels and also different tastes.  Robin will share her expertise in showing you how to create beautiful works of art from items you have lying around in your treasure box at home, that you have always held onto, knowing there will be something to be created with them.  The full day courses will include lunch (buffet style).  You are welcome and encouraged to bring along your own treasures to work with, however kits will be available to purchase to make all of the items shown.  Location will be advised closer to the time of the course.  Please check out Robins websites for more information on the courses she runs and more about her style:

www.robindudleyhowes.blogspot.com

www.robindudleyhowesclasses.blogspot.com

Tube Earrings

Date: 25^th March 2011 3-6pm

Level: beginning to advanced

Cost:  $65 including all supplies

Make these great earrings in 3 hours!  Learn how to make these show stopping earrings using genuine garnets, pearls and Sterling Silver wire.

TREASURE NECKLACE and SOLDERED GLASS CHARMS

Date: 26^th March 2011 10am – 5pm

Level:  All Levels

Supplies: Kit available at an additional $20

Cost : $125 per person, lunch included

A swath of fabric from a treasured garment, a petal from your wedding bouquet, a marble from your grandfather….these are treasures that are unique to you and will become forever preserved in this special class.  We will explore various techniques to encapsulate and preserve your precious treasures by learning to cut glass and solder it into charms and explore uncommon objects like miniature viles, dice, dominos, small china or bisque items (old doll arms etc), small pieces of a plate you couldn’t throw out….you get the picture.  This is a process based class, great for beginners or those who want to hone their soldering skills. Bring in a box of your favorite treasures and we’ll see if we can make them into charms to begin your very own treasure necklace! 

Mermaid Cuff

Date: 27^th March 2011 10am – 4pm

Level: beginning to advanced

Supplies:  $20  (optional)

Cost:  $125 per person, lunch included

The siren of the sea beckons you into a world of make believe! Construct a bracelet cuff encrusted with wire, pearls, azure beads and sparkling jewels. Learn about design and composition as we unravel the divine order of adornment in all its splendor!  Learn free form wire and bead work, how to attach odd shaped ephemera and/or velvet trim and how to make a sturdy wire foundation to attach it all.   Finish off the underside of your cuff with a lush piece of vintage lace.  All students should walk (or swim!) out of class with a sparkling new cuff!

All courses must be pre-booked by January 21^st and paid in full.  The courses can only be refunded if there is a waiting list or if someone can take your place.  For further information on the courses and a supplies list, all enquiries should be directed to Ellen White at bowenhive@gmail.com.  Please sign up for our newsletter and we will keep you informed of our latest courses and news.   

Our First Courses!!

So we have had our first couple of courses, yay!  Our first course to run was crochet, which was fun.  I myself, took this course and have finally learnt how to crochet, lets hope the information stays in my brain!  I figure if Leah can teach me to crochet, she shouldn't have a problem with any other students!  We learnt how to cast on, start our row and then how to stitch into our rows.  We learned double and triple stitch and we even learned how to do circles.  The rest apparently will just become very apparent......

Our other course held was How to Work Your Sewing Machine.  We held this at my place and Ily was able to go through lots of different types of stitches with students and show them how to sew a button hole and also a zipper.  Both ladies went away ready to take on all those sewing projects that have been sitting and waiting for quite some time!  

This week, we have our knitting class starting, which is for all levels.  Eva will take you through every stage of your knitting project and show you how it is done.  All you need come with, is a pattern, needles and yarn, Eva will show you the rest.  This is a 5 week course, so if you complete one project, you can get started on another!  There is still space on this course should you wish to join.  This is $125 for a 5 week course.

I will also be taking a class on Tuesday, how to make a simple stuffie.  I am planning on having a few creatures ready to make and take the students through simple sewing stitches and also how to sew everything together, stuff your creature and give him / her their features.  There is still space on this course as well, should you wish to book.  $40 and all supplies are included.

Courses, courses, everywhere!

Bookings are coming in slowly which is great.  These are the courses that are running at the moment.

How to work your sewing machine, we have a couple of spots left on this course.  This will be running at my house on Saturday the 30th October at 9.30-12.30 (time to be confirmed, but should be good).  A cost of $45 per person.  If you are thinking of buying a machine, but want to have a play first, I am willing for my machine to be used in this class as well.  You will learn how to thread the machine, the tension and needles used, the different stitches, how to do a button hole and a zipper (time permitting).

We have a space or two left for the adults beginners crochet.  This course will be running on the 3rd of November at 6.30 - 9.30 at Serious Play at a cost of $45 per person. Kits are available to order for this at a cost of $15 each.

We have consolidated our knitting class, so we have Eva teaching all levels of knitting, whether you are a beginner or just need the watchful eye of an expert whilst knitting a sweater, Eva will be able to help you.  This class starts on Monday the 16th of November at a cost of $125 per person for 5 weeks, at the Serious Play studio.

Children's crochet, I need a couple more children to run this course on Sunday the 28th of November, $45 per child, 10am -1 pm at Serious Play.

Simple Stuffies, would love a couple more children to run this course.  $40 per person, all supplies included. This will run on Tuesday 17th November 3.30 - 5pm.  I will show children how to make a stuffie of their choice, including the stitching and decoration and finishing.  Children should go home with a completed stuffie creature.  There will be a few patterns to choose from depending on their sewing level.  

Please drop me a line to enquire about all of the courses we are running this year, or even better sign up to our facebook page and newsletter.

Halloween Owl

Saffron takes us step by step through a class of how to make a Halloween Owl.  This is a combined class, so adult and child, therefore no age restriction, as parents are on hand to help their younger ones.  If you have children who are quite capable of making the owl by themselves, we can cater to this as well.  The cost of this class will be $55 for the parent and child or $35 for a single child.  

Saffron provides you with all the materials you will need to make Tweet (made up name) and will show you the simple stitches in order to make this owl and and which you can take on for future handmade projects.  

I, myself will be teaching some simple stuffie classes later in the year, so the skills you learn in this class can be easily transferred into future classes.  

This is a fun afternoon project for parents and children alike and you go away with your own little Tweet for Halloween night.

Knitting Courses

We are pleased to offer two types of knitting courses, a beginners and an advanced.  Our beginners knitting is taught by Saffron Guerny and our advanced knitting is taught by Eva Kepesova.  

If you have never knitted before, but would love to learn the basics, Saffron will be able to get you started.  In this 5 week course she will take you through casting on and off, reading a simple pattern, knit and pearl stitch and being able to stitch your creation together.  As a basic pattern, Saffron is planning to show you how to make a little cat, however, if you have a beginners item you would prefer to make, this is also possible.  Scarfs, cuffs, a hood, maybe even a basic blanket.  We can provide the yarn and supplies, or you can purchase your own yarn and bring it with.  If you are going to be purchasing your own yarn and you have a pattern in mind, check the pattern to see what type of yarn and needles they recommend to use.  There will be a list of suppliers on our  Bowen Island Page which will be able to help you with your purchases.  For Saffron's creation, the yarn is included, if you have a pattern and would like us to purchase your yarn on behalf of you, please contact us and we can help you out with that.  

Once you have mastered the basics of knitting, there will be no stopping you and you will be ready to take on the next stage of Advanced knitting.  

Eva Kepesova will be our advanced knitting instructor.  Eva has been knitting from a very early age, when she used to watch the older ladies knitting on long hot summer days.  She then progressed onto reading a lot of knitting books and by the age of 13 could knit her own sweaters.  I think this probably gives her quite a bit of experience!  Eva will also be leading a 5 week knitting course, whereby, you can bring a pattern, your yarn (again, we can purchase this for you, if you are unable to get supplies) and she will lead you through the whole process.  Whether you want to make a shawl or a sweater, some baby or children clothes, toys, Eva will be able to help you.  She will be able to show you the different stitches, how to increase and decrease rows, how to ensure the tension of your stitch is correct and how to follow the pattern.  Hopefully after this course, you will feel confident to go off on your own, if not, like a lot of our courses, these will repeat every 5 weeks, so you can always take the next one!

So if you fancy learning how to knit, then book on one of our courses.  Remember, everything must be prebooked in order for the courses to run.  Please contact me if you have any questions or queries.  

Getting Going!

OK so, instructors onboard, tick box, done.  Courses scheduled, tick box done.  Venues sorted, tick box, done.  Advertising and press, tick box, done.  Tonnes of inquiries, tick box, keep on coming!  Bookings....very slow.  I am all ready to go and I am busy making items for my courses I will be running, but the bookings are still very slow. I suppose being pretty organised and self motivated, and maybe on the optimistic side, I was hoping for a few more bookings.  This is OK, we live on Bowen, everything is done on a laid back basis, however, if I am unable to take the minimum number of bookings per course, the courses will have to be cancelled.  Obviously I knew that, but I am hoping everyone out there knows that!  Because I am hiring the venues for our courses, I have to give notice if I do not need the space, otherwise I have to pay. So I am going to have to start cancelling the first of the courses scheduled, which is such a shame.  I still have to pay the instructors if they turn up and I still have to pay for the venue if no one turns up, therefore, all these courses have to be prebooked!  

On the plus side to this, I have been a busy bee making creatures.  I have just had an order to put some of my creatures into Munch, which is a family restaurant in Lynn Valley. This has been fun to do, since the size of the creatures are a lot bigger than I usually make.  I am also stocking Ashley York, which is new store on the Pier on Bowen Island.  So, you know where to find the creatures should you be looking!  

We are also just about to start renovations here at home, which I am so excited about, well I will be once they actually start.....  It is quite a big project, but I love home and interior design, so I am very giddy about all the changes we will getting to our family home.  OK, so I am going to have to make sure our veggies take next year, as we are going to have to live off the land for the foreseeable future, but hey, small price to pay!!

Everything seems to be falling into place and I am now concentrating on making sure The Hive is known on the island and working with some of the other Arts Businesses on the island to try and get our voice and courses out there!  So watch this space, I am hoping to help get Bowen Island back on the map for their Artists and what we can offer to community.    

New Course!

I am now pleased to announce an advanced knitting course adding to our ever increasing range of courses.  I will publish times and dates on the schedule's page.  This will be a 5 week course, costing $125 per person and will run on a Monday evening.  The first course will start on Monday the 18th of October at 7 till 9.30 at the Serious Play Studio.  

Ideally students will have the basic knowledge in pattern reading, knit and pearl stitch, being able to cast on and off.  (If you have taken the beginners knitting, you will be ready for this next stage!)  You can bring in a project with you to knit, and our instructor will be on hand to help you through new stitches, reading a more complex pattern and ensuring completion of your project!

Please contact me for any further information.