The Midlands Regional Branch
Of the British Polymer Clay Guild

To view the Gallery Pictures from the Midlands Regional Branch
please go here

May 2008 Newsletter

Our most recent workshops were held on Sunday 10th May. In a change from the usual food, our miniaturists workshop was modelling a figure - in fact a sleeping baby with optional wings with tutor Pat Goodall McIntosh. This was a much more challenging workshop for our regulars and numbers were down (scared off?) - this was probably quite helpful with the lower ratio of student to teacher. Anyway, those present had a really good time. Baby was very cute - I haven't yet added the wings to mine but the eagle-eyed amongst you will notice the pointy ears - and NO, his father was not Mr Spock!

 

Numbers were down with the jewellers also, but 4 turned up for the decorated plaque/notebook cover challenge and I think they enjoyed the session. Certainly they were very imaginative and artistic - producing more than one design each. The miniaturists were roped in to select the winning design. We did not dare to judge on a standard of work or artistic merit - just the one we liked best and this proved to be by Rachel Warren and we presented her with blocks of clay as a prize. Well done Rachel.

We are planning another challenge later in the year making a Christmas decoration from polymer clay.

I have sent photos for the website - unfortunately I did not make a note of who made what - if you can identify your work PLEASE let Shelley know and she will credit you. Photos are now up on the website go here to see them - please e-mail me so I can credit you with your work - shelley@bpcg.org.uk

For 2008 we decided to run a raffle at each Guild meeting. Everyone present that has paid to attend a workshop has their name entered into a free draw - the lucky winner to have their next workshop free, the only proviso being you can only win once throughout the year so everyone gets a chance. The lucky winner for May was Ann Griffin, congratulations Ann! So everybody - book now - and Good Luck.

Our next meeting will be on Sunday 13th July 2008 with tutors Pat Goodall McIntosh and Alison Gallant. The miniaturists' workshop will be the second day of our sweet shop weekend; the workshop on Saturday 12th May being aimed at complete beginners.

For our jewellers, Alison Gallant will be helping you come up with jewellery ideas and finishing touches for those polymer clay projects you have previously made but are just keeping in store - and it won't be just making beads!

For more information please do not hesitate to contact me: -

Gaynor Fryer e-mail gfryer@waitrose.com OR at 7 Norwich Close Lichfield Staffs WS13 7SJ

If writing please enclose a stamped self addressed c5 envelope for reply.

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March/April 2008 Newsletter

Our March workshop was held on Sunday 9th March and in a change from our usual routine consisted of a series of round table make and take workshops. These included making marble, miniature pizza, beads, simple models, conquering Mokume Game and the diverse uses of liquid clay as well as stamping into clay and making and using moulds.

I would like to especially thank the tutors - Pat Goodall McIntosh, Jan Hill, Angela Smith, Janice Cooper and Rachel Warren for all their hard work.

Pat Goodal McIntosh and students hard at work in the conservatory -our usual venue

Despite the usual unforeseen complications due to the slightly senile organiser - yes ME, everyone seemed very pleased with the day's programme and we have had several requests to repeat something similar again next year.

Certainly the variety on offer seemed to attract attendees from far and wide - Kathleen Boyland attended from Ludlow in Shropshire, Janice and Cherry came down from Cheshire but the prize for the longest distance travelled goes to Maria Alexandrou and Aphrodite Constantinou, who flew in from Cyprus for the weekend! It was an exhausting weekend but thoroughly enjoyable.

Maria Alexandrou and Aphrodite Constantinou from Cyprus

For 2008 we have decided to run a raffle at each Guild meeting. Everyone present that has paid to attend a workshop has their name entered into a free draw - the lucky winner to have their next workshop free, the only proviso being you can only win once throughout the year so everyone gets a chance. The lucky winner for March was Angela Smith, congratulations Angela! So everybody - book now - and Good Luck.

The Guild's Midlands Region fielded a team of volunteer members to attend Miniatura again this Spring - Miniatura's Golden Anniversary. Our workshops were sponsored by Steadtler - who provided the liquid and block clay. The workshops proved to be very popular with both adults and children and the participants were invited to make donations to Cancer Research UK. We seem to have been the victims of our own success and may now be expected to run these workshops again in September.

Sue day - a Guild member for only 2 months and already manning the guild Stand at Miniatura - together with Shona Kelly

My 1/12th Club - the Lichfield & District Miniaturists, also ran workshops and - sharing a collection tin, we managed to raise a total of £222.16.

Our next meeting will be on Sunday 18th May 2008 with tutor Pat Goodall McIntosh. The miniaturists will be practising their modelling skills on making a sleeping baby. To quote Pat - " Cute as can be and no bigger than your thumb, our baby has fallen asleep on his (or her) tummy - knees tucked under and bottom in the air, with that sweet little face turned to one side. But is she human? Or is she from fairy land? For the more ambitious - and those addicted to fantasy - there is an optional set of tiny wings. Aaahhhhhhh! "

Unfortunately we have no formal tutor for our "non-miniaturists" - but - as they are keen to play with clay - I am issuing a formal challenge. You are invited, at half fees, to attend and produce a clay collage book cover. We anticipate that the covers will have individuality and personality and perhaps a little whimsy! You may mix all your mediums to produce an original design. At the end of the session - there will be a vote for the most admired and a prize of sorts will be awarded.

For more information please do not hesitate to contact me: -

Gaynor Fryer e-mail gfryer@waitrose.com OR at 7 Norwich Close Lichfield Staffs WS13 7SJ

If writing please enclose a stamped self addressed c5 envelope for reply.

2008 MINIATURISTS PROGRAMME

No.	DATE	WORKSHOP	TUTOR
1	Sun 13th January	Open Day	Pat Goodall-McIntosh
2	Sun 9th March	A series of round table workshops	Various
3	Sun 11th May	Modelling babies (optional wings)	Pat Goodall-McIntosh
4	Sun 13th July	The Sweet Shop	Pat Goodall-McIntosh
5	Sun 13th July	Finishing Touches	Alison Gallant
6	Sun 14th Sept	"You shall have a fishy on a little dishy"	Pat Goodall-McIntosh
7	Sun 9th Nov	Old Fossils	Pat Goodall-McIntosh

Sunday 18th May: A miniature sleeping baby.
Cute as can be and no bigger than your thumb, our baby has fallen asleep on his (or her) tummy - knees tucked under and bottom in the air, with that sweet little face turned to one side. But is she human? Or is she from fairy land? For the more ambitious - and those addicted to fantasy - there is an optional set of tiny wings. Aaahhhhhhh!

Sunday 13th July: The second day of our sweet shop weekend
For the grown ups in your dolls house, we shall be making a stunning box of chocolates (Gordon Ramsey - cry your heart out!) But we aren't forgetting the children. They will get a sugar mouse, while Aunt Edith has brought them rock from the seaside. We mustn't forget granny either. She gets a jar of liquorice allsorts. Something for everyone!. (If you can't make it on Saturday, this workshop is complete in itself.)

Sunday 14th September: You shall have a fishy on a little dishy . . .
No need to wait until the boats come in. Just come to our September workshop and make cod, plaice, salmon, prawns and lots more. (Perhaps Pat's dressed crab too.) You'll be making moulds as well, so that you can fill a fish stall without having to model hundreds of separate fish.

Sunday 9th November: The gentleman collector - fossils and archaeology
The Victorian gentleman demonstrated his erudition by showing visitors his collector's cabinets, full of fossils and examples from local archaeological digs. No Time Team then! We'll be making trilobites and Paleozoic ferns, hand axes and arrow heads, maybe a gold coin or Roman brooch too.

To book contact Gaynor Fryer: gfryer@waitrose.com

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February 2008 Newsletter

Our programme for 2008 began on Sunday 13th January with an open meeting at the Conservatory, Curborough Hall Crafts Centre, Watery Lane, Lichfield, Staffs.

Altogether twenty-one polymer clay enthusiasts attended and we were delighted to sign up a new member - Sue Day. Sue had attended before as a visitor but we were very pleased she decided to join the Guild on this visit.

Together with our residential tutor - Pat Goodall McIntosh, a new programme of miniaturist workshops has been put together for 2008 and we are pleased to present this to you. Members present at the Open Day have had the first opportunity for booking workshops and many of the workshops are already half way to being fully booked.

Group picture

Whilst Guild members have priority in booking - non-members are welcome - spaces permitting. For everyone that feels Lichfield is just too far from home to attend a workshop - we already have two bookings from Cyprus!

Pat also updated us on our problems with Fimo Classic and her visit to Eberhart Faber in Germany last December. I'm sure there will be more about this on the Guild website shortly.

In the afternoon there was the opportunity to play with clay and Pat repeated her often requested "Fish 'n Chips" in newspaper workshop. This proved very popular and very successful yet again.

Three of our "non - miniaturist clayers" also attended our Open Day. This was particularly useful as I had been unable to put together a specialised programme for them. Between us we have come up with a workshop on finishing touches and a series of challenges - intrigued?

As with 2007, Pat and I are running the Miniature Cookery School polymer clay workshops for complete beginners alongside the Midlands Region Guild Workshops. They have proved very popular, successful and a breeding ground for boosting Guild membership.

Our next Guild workshop is on Sunday 9th March. There will be a series of round table make and take workshops - to include making marble, pizza, beads, simple models, conquering Mokume Game, the Skinner Blend etc. Exact details are yet to be finalised and I have to put in a small disclaimer that it is always possible that changes may be made with the programme.

For 2008 we have decided to run a raffle at each Guild meeting. Everyone present that has paid to attend a workshop will have their name entered into a free draw - the lucky winner will have the cost of their workshop refunded to them, the only proviso being you can only win once throughout the year. So book now - and Good Luck everyone.

For more information please do not hesitate to contact me: -

Gaynor Fryer e-mail gfryer@waitrose.com OR at 7 Norwich Close Lichfield Staffs WS13 7SJ

If writing please enclose a stamped self addressed c5 envelope for reply.

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THE MINIATURE COOKERY SCHOOL
2008 WORKSHOP DETAILS

Salad days - Saturday 8th March
An exercise in caning, using texture moulds and a different approach to the Skinner blend. Starting with very easy boiled eggs, we'll move on to the more involved ham, maybe some home pressed tongue and pork pies. Also salad vegetables like lettuce, coleslaw and spring onions. Along the way, you'll get a chance to learn how to use ready-made canes like Angie Scarr's tomato and cucumber.

Digging for victory - Saturday 10th May
Whether your dolls house is set in the 1940s or not, you'll want plenty of vegetables and fruit in your larder - maybe even a kitchen garden outside. Or perhaps you have a shop or market stall you'd like to fill. Following on from last year's dirty vegetables and very cute fruit, this workshop will include peas and beans, tomatoes and mushrooms, plus delicious, juicy plums and strawberries.

Sweets for my sweet - Saturday 12th July
Something completely different for July. We are going to stock an old fashioned sweet shop with humbugs and liquorice bootlaces, wine gums and winter cough candy, fudge and coconut ice.

For the more experienced - or enthusiastic - this workshop continues on Sunday 13th July as part of our British Polymer Clay Guild programme. We'll be making a box of chocolates - dark, milk and white, all beautifully decorated - with some chocolate bars, liquorice allsorts, traditional rock and sugar mice. Perhaps even 1/12 scale jelly babies too. Email Gaynor for more information.

An apple a day - Saturday 13th September
Apples are one of the most useful fruits in the kitchen - and in the dolls house too. We'll be making a peeled apple, apple tart, apple dumplings and apple sauce. Oh yes, and a joint of roast pork with delicious crackling to go with the sauce.

Christmas delicacies - Saturday 8th November
An eclectic mix of all the things that don't form part of traditional Christmas meals. The star of this workshop will be a tiny Hansel and Gretel gingerbread house. (Pat is inspired by a visit to the Christmas market at Nuremburg in Bavaria, its original home.) Then we'll make edible tree decorations like candy canes and dried oranges, plus old fashioned pomanders - oranges studded with cloves and tied with narrow ribbon. The perfect Christmas present for your dolls house.

Slight changes may be made within the programme depending on supplies.
Remember - numbers on these workshops are limited so book now, by contacting Gaynor Fryer

e-mail: gfryer@waitrose.com OR at Gaynor Fryer, 7 Norwich Close Lichfield Staffs WS13 7SJ

If writing please enclose a stamped self addressed c5 envelope for reply.

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January 2008 Newsletter

Firstly - Best Wishes for a very Happy New Year to all Guild members. I must admit that 2007 wasn't the best for me on a personal level but I look forward to 2008 with optimism.

We had another good year here in the Midlands - with workshops being well supported in both enthusiasm and numbers! Our complete beginners workshops were also popular and prove there is a market out there.

For our final workshop of 2007 - last November, I passed on tips and tricks of the trade that I have developed for producing flowers and foliage in polymer clay for miniature scenes easily but in large quantities. It was a very relaxed workshop as we had no final project to complete but I am hoping that we will receive pictures of work that has been made following on from this workshop.

For those Guild members that were unable to join us here - I am hoping to repeat a similar workshop for Polydays.

Members of the Midlands branch again represented the Guild at both March and September Miniatura at the NEC in Birmingham and we continue to generate interest and admiration with samples of our work.

Our 2008 programme will begin again on Sunday 13th January with our meeting to be held in the Conservatory, Curborough Hall Crafts Centre, Watery Lane, Lichfield, Staffs. as usual.

This will be an Open Meeting. The Conservatory will be open from 10am. There will be no charge for attendance and all day tea and coffee will be provided.

Together with our residential tutor - Pat Goodall McIntosh, a new programme of miniaturist workshops has been put together for 2008. This new programme will be announced - with members present having the first opportunity for booking workshops. This programme will be posted here on the Guild website following our meeting. If you wish to be informed when the programme of events is posted, please e-mail shelley@NOSPAMbpcg.org.uk (removing nospam).

For all those Guild members that feel that the Lichfield is just too far from home to attend a workshop - we already have a 2008 booking from a member in Cyprus!

Pat will also update us on our problems with Fimo Classic and her visit to Eberhart Faber in Germany in December.

In the afternoon there will be the opportunity to play with clay and Pat will repeat her often requested "Fish 'n Chips" in newspaper workshop.

I am hoping that many of our "non - miniaturist clayers" will also be able to attend our Open Day. I have several ideas, which I would like to sound out and put to you.

Pat Goodall McIntosh and Sarah Brander (new member) at Miniatura 2007

So remember to bring your clay and workboxes. Please make your own arrangements for lunch - the telephone number for bookings at Mabel's restaurant is 01543 264050 or you may bring your own packed lunch.

For more information please do not hesitate to contact me: -

Gaynor Fryer e-mail gfryer@waitrose.com OR at 7 Norwich Close Lichfield Staffs WS13 7SJ

If writing please enclose a stamped self addressed c5 envelope for reply.

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July 2007 Newsletter

We had all been looking forward to our workshop on Sunday 8th July with Angie Scarr as our Guest Tutor for "A romp with liquid polymer clay" - with the workshop being fully booked from last January.

And we were not disappointed; in fact with the weather being so bad it was a bit of sunshine in an otherwise miserable Summer.

I would like to thank Pauline Newland Smith for her write up for the day - I caught a cold that weekend - which developed into sinusitis and pleurisy and am only now making a recovery. A lot of the details of the last month are a bit fuzzy!

We also dedicated an hour to discussing the problems with the new formulae Fimo Classic and doing a few experiments - the details of which you can read on Pat's report on this website (this is in the members only section).

Following on from this - we have had to make changes for our September workshop, see details above.

We wish Alex Blythe and her family all the very best for her future.

I would like to thank Pat for filling the breach with the "Leather" workshop. Apart from completing luggage, I think the techniques learned at this workshop will be very useful for a whole range of items.

We shall also be welcoming Alison Gallant to the Midlands with her Mica Shift effects.

For more information please do not hesitate to contact me: -

Gaynor Fryer e-mail gfryer@waitrose.com OR at 7 Norwich Close Lichfield Staffs WS13 7SJ

If writing please enclose a stamped self addressed c5 envelope for reply.
Gaynor

 

8th July Summer Workshop Report
by Pauline Newland Smith

The Summer Workshop was held in the Conservatory at Curborough Hall Farm, on the 8th July, with Angie Scarr as the Guest Tutor. We felt very privileged to have Angie come to be with us to lead us all in a "Romp with Liquid Polymer Clay".

Most of us arrived a little early giving time for a cup of tea and a chat before settling down to work.

The morning session started with creating caviar (black and pink) with a salad in a little bowl. The moulds for the lettuce leaves were created using real leaves from outside. We then proceeded to make cakes using moulds for the basic shape and then adding our own decoration using liquid Fimo and other materials with some amazing results.

By this time we were ready for lunch and most of us had a lovely meal in the restaurant and a chance to look round the Crafts and Plants. For once the sun shone!

Back again refreshed we had a challenging afternoon, firstly making our own mould for little doilies (a lovely idea!) then remembering our childhood the real challenge of making "Rocket Ice Lollies". Changing tack completely we ended up by making moulds for false teeth. You cannot say it was boring!!

As you can imaging the day seemed to fly and we all managed to complete (just) by 4.45.

Our thanks go to Angie for an informative and instructive session, (and to Frank for his support) it was a really enjoyable day.

Also on behalf of us all, our grateful thanks to you Gaynor for all your hard work in arranging such good tutors for us, and for organising the whole event. Now all we have to do is practice!

Pauline Newland Smith

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Midlands Group - May 2007 Newsletter

Our 2007 workshop programme continues with high numbers of "miniaturists" regularly signing up and our "jewellers" - whilst fewer in number - prepared to travel greater distances in order to enjoy their workshops.

Our usual venue - The Conservatory at Curborough Hall Farm Craft Centre on Watery Lane in Lichfield continues to serve us well.

The miniaturists' workshop - with in-house tutor Pat Goodall McIntosh, entitled Indian Summer Harvest (as it was originally planned for September) was a much more challenging event this time - well 1/12 scale blackberries, raspberries and red and black currants - for goodness sake, we must be mad. Strangely enough with a good tutor our 3rd, 4th and subsequent berries became much easier and we were all quite amazed at how well our finished Summer Pudding looked. Have a look in the Gallery! The field mushrooms we completed in the afternoon were as impressive but rather less "stressful" to make!

Group picture L - R Janice Cooper, Cherry Dolden, Julie Ginns, to front Nina Stone and Ester Peyton (from Scotland)

Hard at work June Chapman, Liz Ford(with magnifyers for those raspberries) and the flaming red hair of Maggie Jackson.

Group Picture L - R Pauline Newland Smith, Lynne Timmins, Ann Griffin

For our jewellers' workshop we were delighted to welcome Julie Ginns as tutor. Once again - it was a smaller, more "refined" and certainly less raucus group making faux ivory and patchwork canes. We were delighted to welcome back Esther Peyton to the Midland Region again - with Ester flying down from Scotland to be with us! So less complaints from other people about travelling to Lichfield please! Regulars Cherry Dolden and Janice Cooper also travel regularly from Cheshire. That's what I call dedication to polymer clay!

I have already seen some of Janice's completed pieces on the web site gallery and dearly hope that other members will submit photographs to Shelley for us to admire.

We now look forward to our next workshops on Sunday 8th July when Angie Scarr will be our Guest Tutor for "A romp with liquid polymer clay" - Is that legal? (This workshop is fully booked)

For more information please do not hesitate to contact me: -

Gaynor Fryer e-mail gfryer@dsl.pipex.com OR at 7 Norwich Close Lichfield Staffs WS13 7SJ

If writing please enclose a stamped self addressed c5 envelope for reply.

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Midlands Group - March 2007 Newsletter

Our 2007 workshop programme began in grand style on Sunday 11th March at our usual venue - The Conservatory at Curborough Hall Farm Craft Centre on Watery Lane in Lichfield.

The miniaturists' workshop with in-house tutor, Pat Goodall McIntosh was fully booked with 20 enthusiastic "Miniature Pastry Cooks" making a wonderful selection of tarts and pastries including lemon meringue pie, Danish pastries, chocolate cheese cakes and sugary doughnuts bursting with jam.

Group Picture

With quantity in mind for this workshop, Pat had come up with the idea of working in pairs to make the rich sweet and shortcrust pastry for tarts. After basics it was a pick'n'mix for the assortment of fillings and Pat had made samples of the most delicious looking desserts.

The Clay Pack and Workshop Notes provided made this an exceptional "value for money" workshop and it was wonderful to see the variety of pastries members completed to take home.

Group Picture with Alison

For our jewellers' workshop we were delighted to welcome Alison Gallant as tutor and it was a smaller, more "refined" and certainly less raucous group making the most intricate looking and colourful kaleidoscope canes. I dearly hope that the members that made these canes and go on to make pieces of jewellery with their work will submit photographs to Shelley for us to admire. (Yes - please - send to shelley@bpcg.org.uk - Shelley )

We now look forward to our next workshops on 13th May.

Our miniaturist workshop is entitled "Indian Summer" Harvest with tutor Pat Goodall McIntosh. Originally planned for September, this workshop will feature some of Nature's Autumn abundance of berries and fungi and will feature a mouth watering Summer Pudding.

For the jewellers, tutor Julie Ginns will be making Faux Ivory and will demonstrate different ways to make sculptured and carved pieces. Julie will also make quilted and retro canes (forgive this ignorant

iaturist). With today's protection of elephants this workshop will provide you with an alternative supply of realistic ivory but Julie will also demonstrate ageing techniques for that antique look.