Kids' Workshops Summer 2014!

For our kids' workshops, the focus is on creativity but also fun. Kids should feel like they can make something beautiful and amazing and have the pleasure of sharing the things they make with their family and friends. And I want them to be able to take what they learned and keep applying it even after the workshops to appreciate how things are made and to keep creating!

The workshops are open to kids from 8 to 12 years old, and we'll be having a small group of 12 kids maximum, so please register fast before spaces run out. Kids will be grouped according to their age so that their projects will be age and level-appropriate. They'll be going home with something to be proud of after every session, even if they've never made anything before!

Older kids are welcome to join our kumihimo and wirework workshops. They should have no problems learning these techniques!


Kids' Jewellery-Making Summer 2014 Workshops

1.5 hours each session
4 sessions total

Only HKD1,350 and all materials included!

Intensive August workshops
August 13 to 16
11 am to 1230 noon

If kids can't attend some of the classes, please let us know and we'll figure something out!

All classes bilingual in English and Cantonese.


TO REGISTER:

Please send us the name of the child(ren), age, parent or guardian's name and contact details, and the course you'd like to apply for (Tuesday or Friday). We'll respond letting you know if we still have space availalbe and how to pay the fees.

1) Via e-mail: jubilatehk(at)gmail.com

2) Via phone (you can text or call): (852) 9192 3729


DETAILS:

Please contact us (not the Crafties!) for payment details. We accept cash, bank-in deposit, and cheques.

All fees must be paid to confirm a place in the workshops. The fees are refundable ONLY UP TO 7 DAYS BEFORE THE START OF THE WORKSHOPS.

If the child cannot attend the workshops, you may transfer to someone else or you can use your fee towards another upcoming workshop. Don't worry, we'll work something out!

We will not take your payment if the workshops are full.


See your kids there!

Disclaimer (have to put this in):
All participants enrolled in activities do so at their own risk and we or the Crafties are not responsible for any loss, damage, or injury to students or their guests as a result of participating in these activities.

What is kumihimo?

I'm sure most people have seen a kumihimo braid at some point and just not realized the exquisite piece of art they were looking at. Kumihimo braids called obijime are used to secure an obi around a kimono, and kumihimo braids are also used to ornament all kinds of objects, from fans to cellphones.

Traditionally, kumihimo braids are done on a marudai, which you can see here.

From Wikipedia

Using a marudai will produce a large variety of kumihimo braids, which you can see here. These ones were made using thread. Just look at those gorgeous patterns!

Also from Wikipedia

For our kumihimo workshop, we'll be using a bunch of coloured wire (copper and aluminum) and beads to create jewellery like below. No beads, sorry! I'm kind of a minimalist, but I'll definitely teach you how to incorporate beads into your kumihimo work. You can see three different types of braids below, all done on a kumihimo disc.

Those of you who might be feeling a bit fancy can also choose to make kumihimo jewellery using copper, silver, and gold-filled wire, as well as semi-precious gemstones -- all of which we're happy to offer at discounted prices. You can mix together different gauges (or sizes) of the same wire for a multi-layered monochromatic look or combine different types of wires to create a more colourful effect.

Unfortunately, we won't be using a marudai because 1) it's damn expensive and 2) not exactly easy to source. Instead, we'll be using a kumihimo disc, which looks like this:

The difference is that with a marudai, you can make thicker braids and use more strands of thread. However, you can still use create a lot of complex patterns, so don't worry, there's lots to do with the disc!

Anyway, I'm going to end this post with Chabi and Nutmeg demonstrating their kumihimo skills. If those two can do it, so can anyone!

Here we have Chabi getting her tools ready.

Chabi is now contemplating the disc.

Nutmeg is hard at work.

And this is why I can't have workshops at my flat.

If you're interested in learning kumihimo, please check out our current schedules and how to register here!

An Introduction to Wirework Jewellery

I have to confess that I didn't spend a lot of time on wirework jewellery before I apprenticed as a goldsmith in Italy. I've always liked crafts and making things, but this was in the Internet Dark Ages, before Pinterest and Tumblr and all of those other new-fangled sites, and I didn't know that I could start off making really complex jewellery without knowing how to solder or buy all kinds of tools. I was under the impression that wirework was mostly stringing beads and stones together with wire and that was it.

I guess it's kind of funny that I had to do the apprenticeship first before I discovered the versatility of wirework -- so many things you can actually do! 

Here are a couple of examples of simple wire wrapping over semi-precious gemstones using copper wire, sterling silver wire, and gold-filled wire.

These are fairly basic stuff, and in Wirework I, participants should be able to come away with enough knowledge to start making jewellery using the same techniques as above. Wirework II will get a bit more advanced, with complex link-making and wire-knitting. Below is an example of a knitted necklace with peridots using 14 karat gold-filled wire.

And this is an earring made with knitted coloured copper wire.

You don't have to do Wirework I in order to do Wirework II, but you do need to be familiar with the tools and basic wirework techniques in order to be able to keep up with the workshops. 

As for Wirework I, beginners who have never even picked up a single pair of pliers in their lives are absolutely welcome. Don't be intimidated, the workshops are focussed but relaxed, and you'll likely find yourself so addicted to making jewellery that you'll be wielding your pliers any chance you get. Who knows, you might run off to Italy and take up goldsmithing, too!

If our wirework classes sound like something you'd like to do, please check out our current schedules and how to register here!