Throughout my career as a milliner, I have enjoyed exploring recycling themes and materials. So I am delighted to have researched and designed a new taster workshop which explores this theme again making use of an everyday item so often discard in the recycling bin.
I will be launching the new workshop at the seasonal monthly arts fair taking place at the charming village hall of Etal TD12 4TL, on August 14th. The Tin Shed‘s Wednesdays monthly art fairs at Etal Village Hall welcomes visitors from 10.30 to 4.00 and entry to the Art Fairs is free. The art fairs are curated and hosted by The Tin Shed so whilst visiting its an ideal opportunity to take part in the exciting new taster workshop that features using recycled materials, that I have just designed.
The model villages of Ford & Etal offer a varied and interesting day out, with activities for all the family to enjoy. Nestled in the rolling Northumberland countryside and located just off the A697, they are equidistant from Newcastle and Edinburgh (60 miles in either direction).
So – what you may ask made me think of this particular project? Well I enjoy a fruit infusion topped up with fizzy water, one day whilst noticing the empty bottles amount up I remembered the saying “Once is not enough, Recycle” so a new concept for a millinery project for empty water bottles was born!
I enjoyed sampling the natural spring water in the bottles of course whilst exploring the various options of different manufacturers’ bottle designs and the shapes it was possible to create from the bottles – be it from the cap, neck, sides, waist or base.
And here we have the result of my experimentation – may I present the Miss Crazy Daisy headpiece!
Made using a combination of the various curved areas of the 500ml Co-Op Natural Mineral Water – Sparkling – bottles, Miss Daisy utilises various parts of the bottles and also introduces the classic millinery material crin, to soften the centre, making the flower heads more decorative. At this point I feel I must commend the Co-Op group for their creative and sensitive design of such a functional item.
Miss Daisy has been further up-cycled by the the application of colour, so this piece features three colourways in fact – au natural, matt white and the on-trend pastel lilac
If you would like to reconnect your creative inner soul and learn more about this innovative recycling concept – please enrol to join our millinery taster workshop and learn the skills needed to create your very own Crazy Daisy brooch on Wednesday, August 14th at Etal Village Hall from 11.30 to 1.30.
The workshop will also cover the millinery tips and techniques you will need to go on to create your own Crazy Daisy corsage or Miss Crazy Daisy headpiece, in your own time, using the add-on materials kit which should be ordered in advance and collected when you attend the workshop.
So in the spirit of the times – just think before you bin it, there could be some use in it!
The seasonal Wednesday monthly art fairs at Etal Village Hall welcomes visitors from 10.30 to 4.00 and entry to the Art Fairs is free.
If you would like to attend the Crazy Daisy Brooch Millinery Taster Workshop – please reserve your spot at the workshop on my website using this link. (The workshop is not suitable for children under 13) Workshop spaces are limited to just 6 participants. Please use the contact page if you would like any further details or have any questions about the workshop. Finally, the Lavender Tea Rooms located just opposite the Village Hall make a great place for a cup of tea or lunch after the workshop finishes.
On behalf of Lesley, the creative genius who curates and organises The Tin Shed events, as well as the other artists and craftspeople, I look forward to welcoming you to Etal Village Hall on August 14th, when I will also have a small selection of couture millinery on show for you to browse after the workshop.