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Stages of adding embellishments…..

It’s been a whole year. It’s time to get savvy with my website again. Here we go.This is a synopsis of a key part of my workshops whether it be storytelling mats, bags, wristwarmers, hats, vessels, pods, hangings or table runners….. Stages of adding embellishments, with photos.docx

This document (in the link) is to prepare people for what to expect when they come to a wet felting workshop and to give them some idea of the process. This underwater piece that was a demonstration creation during a class, showing how all the different prefelts, fabrics, yarns and silks and more could be incorporated to create a beautifully colourful composition and design.

p.s I also lead eco-printing workshops with eucalyptus leaves and onion skins, plus plus… but that is another story. I really must update my website and write about what I am currently up to!!

 

 

During lockdown in New Zealand during 2020, I recorded 100 stories and uploaded them all on to the internet. The stories employed 100 different mediums… playdough, wooden spoons,string games, shadow puppets, crankie machines, paper folding and tearing, paper cutting, helicopter storytelling, finger verses, Waldorf table top puppetry, painting, felted storytelling mats, stories about my whanau, improvised stories, bedtime stories, healing stories, sign  language, te reo and many many more!

It began in lock-down when I figured parents would appreciate some basic coaching to learn how simple it can be to tell a story rather than only read them. And also some craft tutorials for extending stories into constructive handcraft sessions of ‘making’ and ‘doing’. My goal was very much that parents and early childhood teachers would watch the videos and then make them their own, and strengthen their own storytelling voices ( and thereby encourage children  to find theirs!!) I also  wanted to maintain contact with children with whom I had been working. And so it began. More than three months later, I  am keen to digest what I created and learn from it and  consider where it is leading me! So here we go. Read More

This is a story of a well known nursery tale and it is told with a string game. I include links here for the two string games that I use: the ‘yam thief’ and the ‘cup and saucer’. Although my hands are busy, I am able to make eye contact with the children at regular intervals for long periods and of course, there are plenty of opportunities for predictions about what will happen, and questions about how the animals might sound, and the repetitive pattern invites the children to participate. The clapping also engages them and enables them to be engaged with their eyes, their hands and their voices! a win win!