Blog

Interview with Mollie Makes magazine

I’m passionate about the benefits of sharing creative skills so it was fabulous to be asked for my thoughts by one of my all time favourite magazines – Mollie Makes.

I was completely delighted (and slightly start-struck) to be interviewed recently by Mollie Makes magazine on the subject of teaching creative classes. I’m passionate about the benefits of sharing creative skills so it was fabulous to be asked for my thoughts by one of my all time favourite magazines. It’s true that nowadays we all want to spend on experiences to savour rather than just buying more ‘stuff’. We’d much rather tell friends where we’ve been and what we made rather than what we bought. Social media has been a huge driver behind this and the ‘experience economy’ is now the fastest growing retail sector. If you’re a maker and finding it tough selling on Etsy or in galleries, it’s worth considering how hosting a pop-up class might introduce you to an exciting new audience. If you’re already interested in teaching why not spend a day with me learning how to plan, price and promote your classes. Email me for more information. Read more about how I prepare for my classes and why teaching can be a great boost to any creative business, Mollie Makes summer issue out now of grab a copy of my book ‘Teach What You Do’.

NEW Class: Summer Special – Bees & Roses

If you’re quick, there’s still time to join me for this summer special class learning new techniques with silver clay. There’ll also be strawberry’s and cream for tea and a glass of fizz to toast our success !

If you’re quick, there’s still time to join me for this summer special class on Sunday 11th August – learning new techniques with silver clay . On the day you’ll learn

  • How to create a delicate filigree rose using silver in a syringe.
  • How to make a ring from silver clay – that fits!
  • Forming a super cute little bee to adorn your ring

There’ll also be strawberry’s and cream for tea and a glass of fizz (alcohol free of course) to toast our success….!

Book your place now – click here 

That was fun !

Kits with the essentials for each project are now available from me. Feeling inspired ?

I had a brilliant time last night on the late show with JewelleryMaker TV. I would like to send enormous thanks to all the crew for making me so welcome, it really was just the best fun ! 

But it’s really important to me that everyone watching at home found my projects interesting. It really is quite easy to make beautiful real silver jewellery at your own kitchen table, and I do hope that I’ve inspired you to have a go at home.

To make it easy the essentials for each project – and signed books, are now available from me as a kit, so you can watch and make with me! Don’t worry if you missed the show, I’ve got the link for you here .  

If you’d like further information about the kit contents, prices or book drop me an email

Jewellery Maker TV – next week!

I’m back on JewelleryMaker TV next week, with two more brilliant silver clay projects. My show is Monday April 29th with my first project at 7pm, the second at 9pm ! Find JewelleryMaker TV – Sky Channel 674 – Freeview HD Channel 74 – Virgin Media Channel 756

I’m very excited to share with you that I’m back on JewelleryMaker TV next week, with two more brilliant silver clay projects. My show is Monday April 29th and for the first time, I’ll be on in the evening. So great for those of you who are at work or busy during the day. I’ll be demo-ing and talking about two easy projects that both have the real wow-factor. A simple, textured pendant that’s great for beginners and a beautifully detailed pendant made with the moulding technique. And, once you’ve watched the show, to save time,  you’ll be able to order project kits directly from me – another first. The first project is at 7.00pm, the second at 9.00pm. Tune in early to catch them both and don’t forget you can send in your comments and questions to me live in the studio. See you there!

Find JewelleryMaker TV – Sky Channel 674 – Freeview HD Channel 74 – Virgin Media Channel 756

Anyone In Oxfordshire?

Relax and enjoy our expert-led sessions on looking good and eating well for summer. We’ve included a delicious, healthy lunch & masses of easy tricks and tips to inspire you. There’s even a take-home goody bag …

It’s another first for me ! Join me for an inspiring day-retreat in the beautiful, peaceful surroundings of the Oxfordshire countryside. Relax and enjoy our expert-led sessions on looking good and eating well for summer. We’ve included a delicious, healthy lunch and masses of easy tricks and tips to inspire you. There’s even a take-home goody bag to keep those new intentions going. I can’t wait to welcome you … !

Our morning session will be led by Ashley Keen. Ashley is a trained chef who has cooked all over the world keeping the uber rich well fed on their super yachts. She is also a qualified personal tariner with a special interest in free-from, fermentation and plant based cooking.When not giving talks on fermentation at Soho Farmhouse or inspiring the Adidas team, you may have spotted Ashley live on stage at Country File Live, last year. Or caught her on the BBC Sounds podcast talking about the Art of Fermentation.

After a delicious two course lunch, we’ll meet Laura Mortimer. Professionally trained in mime and theatre Laura has also worked as an actress and voice artist. More recently, a passion for helping women to look and feel their best, inspired Laura to train as a make up artist. Laura will demonstrate for us a natural summer look for day time. Her easy style and expert advice will give you confidence and skills with makeup to enhance your everyday look. We’ll look at basic colour theory, the psycology of makeup and a range of products and colours. Bring your makeup bag, mirror and be ready to try something new … !

OUR EXPERTS

Ashley Keen ans Laura Mortiner are professionally trained experts in their very different fields. Both are passionate about bringing you new ideas and easy techniques to transform your table and your summer looks.

Read more about Ashley www.ashleykeen.co.uk                                               Follow Laura on Instagram  @lauramortimermua

OUR VENUE

Just a few miles south of Oxford city centre, our beautiful venue is part of a boutique-style country house with accommodation. Set in 6 acres of woodland and with views of the glorious Oxford countryside and adjacent to Frilford Golf course. Flooded with natural light and with plenty of parking, it’s the perfect, peaceful setting for an inspiring day out. Why not stay the night either before or after the day and enjoy all that Oxfordshire has to offer.

BOOK NOW & READ MORE  HERE.

 

 

Making & Eating – Special Event

A special two day summer event in June with a focus on creativity and eating – my two favourite things!

I’m very excited to be sharing news of my special summer event on the beautiful Isle of Wight, famous for its music festival and beloved by Queen Victoria. I’ll be hosting a special two day summer event in June with a focus on creativity and eating – my two favourite things!

We have a super-secret, special venue – pictured here – where we know Queen Victoria was a visitor on more than one occasion. You’ll arrive in time for coffee, homemade cookies and introductions.

After a short demo, you will design and make your own, unique, real silver jewellery. Working through the steps, with guidance, you’ll be amazed as you turn clay into silver. Ideal for beginners, this is a perfect introduction to the wonderful world of silver clay. All designs will be super shiny and ready to wear by the end of the class – or send for hallmarking.

The highlight of each day will be a magnificent three-course alfresco lunch ( weather permitting) of locally sourced ingredients and home cooked dishes, with a glass of fizz….!!

Come for both days or just one, find local accommodation and make it a mini break. You’ll leave relaxed, rested with new creative skills and your summer silver accessories sorted…!!

WHEN – Saturday 8 June & Sunday 9 June 2019

SAVE – Earlybird discount available NOW  (Book before end of March)

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Melanie x

SOLD OUT in March !

This March is a super-exciting month as not only will we be visiting two of our favourite teaching venues – Denman College and Ardington School of Crafts – we also have two brand new venues  – Watershed Studio and Sticky Prints.

I always feel a little skip of excitement as the calendar ticks over from February to March. It signals the start of Spring – in my mind at least. This March is a super-exciting month as not only will we be visiting two of our favourite teaching venues – Denman College and Ardington School of Crafts – we also have two brand new venues  – Watershed Studio and Sticky Prints.

But, best of all, these amazing venues have filled every single seat on all of my courses. This is a really outstanding result and we’re totally chuffed to be teaching so many new and returning students.

Big thanks to everyone and we can’t wait to meet you in March…!

(If you missed out this month do look ahead as most of these venues have spaces on my courses later in the year)

Happy Spring

Melanie x

Are You Confident?

I talk to to Joy Foster, founder of Techpixies, about confidence and overcoming uncertainty …

Recently, I had the enormous pleasure of meeting one of my all time business heroes, the totally inspirational Joy Foster. Joy is the founder of Techpixies, the Oxford & London based social enterprise dedicated to training women in digital skills.

I’ve struggled for years in getting to grips with social media, web content management and  email marketing but I know  how essential it is  in today’s world . So, I completely understand how being out of the workplace for even a relatively short time can leave women, especially, lacking in confidence and feeling out of place with technology.

Techpixies brilliant courses – online and face to face – address all of these issues. Joy is the powerhouse behind Techpixies and truly is one of the most dynamic people I’ve ever met. We talked about the importance of learning new skills and how this creates confidence which opens new career and earning opportunities. We also talked about my new book ‘Teach What You Do‘ and why I decided to self-publish.

We recorded our conversation and you can see the first part here. In this section we’re talking about confidence and overcoming uncertainty. And  Joy has some great tips for dealing with those inevitable setbacks…..!

Watch my conversation with Joy here. 

If you’re inspired to teach what you do grab your copy of my book here