BPCG Newsletter #1: February 25, 2012
Thank you for signing up for the BPCG's new email newsletter. Since moving the BPCG website to a new host last month, the Guild has seen plenty of activity - below is a roundup of our news for the month.
Thank you for signing up for the BPCG's new email newsletter. Since moving the BPCG website to a new host last month, the Guild has seen plenty of activity - below is a roundup of our news for the month.
Exhibition Season Approaches
March is a busy time of year for the BPCG, with stalls at two of the largest crafting events in the country: Miniatura 17th/18th March, and Hobbycrafts 22nd to 25th March (both at the Birmingham NEC).
If you are a BPCG member and are able to get to the NEC on any of the above dates, we would love to see you. Better still, we have an opportunity for members to gain FREE ENTRY if they are able to help for a few hours on the stall. It is great fun and a brilliant learning experience - see here for reports by previous participants. Please contact Allan Marshall to find out more.
March is a busy time of year for the BPCG, with stalls at two of the largest crafting events in the country: Miniatura 17th/18th March, and Hobbycrafts 22nd to 25th March (both at the Birmingham NEC).
If you are a BPCG member and are able to get to the NEC on any of the above dates, we would love to see you. Better still, we have an opportunity for members to gain FREE ENTRY if they are able to help for a few hours on the stall. It is great fun and a brilliant learning experience - see here for reports by previous participants. Please contact Allan Marshall to find out more.
www.millefioristudio.com/POLYDAYS-2012.html
Alison Gallant Announces the Date of "Polydays 2012"
Alison Gallant (co-founder and life member of the BPCG), contacted us to inform us that she is organising a Polydays for 2012.
This is being run independently of the BPCG, but as Alison was the main organiser of most of the Guild's own Polydays events, previous attendees will know what is in store!
For those who have not attended one of these events before, it is a whole weekend dedicated to learning and sharing polymer clay techniques, with internationally-renowned tutors as well as an opportunity to meet like-minded polymer clay enthusiasts from all over the country.
Polydays 2012 will run from 14 to 16 September, at Toddington, near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. There will be three full day workshops with Carol Simmons from the US, Bettina Welker from Germany and Alison Gallant. Full details can be found at: www.millefioristudio.com.
In the meantime the BPCG committee are currently in discussion with other international polymer clay artists, with the intention of running similar event in the future. If you have a favourite polymer clay artist that you would like us to contact, please contact any of the committee via the 'contacts' link to the left of the Guild webpage.
Alison Gallant (co-founder and life member of the BPCG), contacted us to inform us that she is organising a Polydays for 2012.
This is being run independently of the BPCG, but as Alison was the main organiser of most of the Guild's own Polydays events, previous attendees will know what is in store!
For those who have not attended one of these events before, it is a whole weekend dedicated to learning and sharing polymer clay techniques, with internationally-renowned tutors as well as an opportunity to meet like-minded polymer clay enthusiasts from all over the country.
Polydays 2012 will run from 14 to 16 September, at Toddington, near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. There will be three full day workshops with Carol Simmons from the US, Bettina Welker from Germany and Alison Gallant. Full details can be found at: www.millefioristudio.com.
In the meantime the BPCG committee are currently in discussion with other international polymer clay artists, with the intention of running similar event in the future. If you have a favourite polymer clay artist that you would like us to contact, please contact any of the committee via the 'contacts' link to the left of the Guild webpage.
BPCG Regions Spreading...
The last few months have seen new regional branches starting up around England and Wales, to the extent that we now have groups meeting in the North, South, East, West, Midlands and Wales, plus several other groups in between. (see here for full list)
If you are able to visit any of these clay days or workshops they are a great opportunity to share tips and techniques for working with polymer clay. If the existing groups still seem too far away, there are still occasional opportunities for a travelling tutor to come to a town near you, or even for members to start up their own groups.
For members still unable to visit these groups personally, the BPCG encourages the use of its Facebook and Flickr pages.
The last few months have seen new regional branches starting up around England and Wales, to the extent that we now have groups meeting in the North, South, East, West, Midlands and Wales, plus several other groups in between. (see here for full list)
If you are able to visit any of these clay days or workshops they are a great opportunity to share tips and techniques for working with polymer clay. If the existing groups still seem too far away, there are still occasional opportunities for a travelling tutor to come to a town near you, or even for members to start up their own groups.
For members still unable to visit these groups personally, the BPCG encourages the use of its Facebook and Flickr pages.
New Member's Page Added
Lynne-Marie Doherty is a new BPCG member who has taken advantage of the BPCG website "Members' Pages" facility. Please click here to read more about her and her lovely miniatures.
All BPCG members are eligible to have their own page on our website, to share their enthusiasm for polymer clay and to showcase their work. The pages are viewable by everyone - not just Guild members - so if you are a polymer clay artist it is well worth considering this service to help promote your creations. Please contact the webmaster for more info.
Lynne-Marie Doherty is a new BPCG member who has taken advantage of the BPCG website "Members' Pages" facility. Please click here to read more about her and her lovely miniatures.
All BPCG members are eligible to have their own page on our website, to share their enthusiasm for polymer clay and to showcase their work. The pages are viewable by everyone - not just Guild members - so if you are a polymer clay artist it is well worth considering this service to help promote your creations. Please contact the webmaster for more info.
New Tutorial
Thank you very much to Cara Jane Hayman, who has put a new tutorial on the website. It is in the members' section of the website, so if you are a BPCG member and would like to know how to create this cute little cat, please click here.
Thank you very much to Cara Jane Hayman, who has put a new tutorial on the website. It is in the members' section of the website, so if you are a BPCG member and would like to know how to create this cute little cat, please click here.
Clay Day Report
Penny Vingoe, organiser of the Welsh branch, reports here on the great clay day that was held on 4 February. If you haven't yet been able to attend your nearest BPCG branch meeting, perhaps 2012 is the year to give it a try! These are a great way to learn more about polymer clay techniques, and also to meet other friendly clayers.
Penny Vingoe, organiser of the Welsh branch, reports here on the great clay day that was held on 4 February. If you haven't yet been able to attend your nearest BPCG branch meeting, perhaps 2012 is the year to give it a try! These are a great way to learn more about polymer clay techniques, and also to meet other friendly clayers.
Forthcoming Events
Speaking of Clay Days, please don't forget to check the 'Events' page on the website. There are at least four workshops and clay days being held in March - plus demonstrations and workshops at the Hobbycraft and Miniatura shows. For most events you do not need to be a BPCG member - if you are interested in finding out more about polymer clay techniques or sharing your own tips then we would love to see you!
Speaking of Clay Days, please don't forget to check the 'Events' page on the website. There are at least four workshops and clay days being held in March - plus demonstrations and workshops at the Hobbycraft and Miniatura shows. For most events you do not need to be a BPCG member - if you are interested in finding out more about polymer clay techniques or sharing your own tips then we would love to see you!
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