Monday 19 December 2011

'A Felted Christmas' Workshop

Felt making Class with Nicola Farrell


On Saturday, 17th December, Flowerfield Arts Centre hosted a felt making workshop led my Nicola Farrell.  The participants were introduced to the craft of felting by making their own unique decorations. With just water, soap, wool and some elbow grease they made flat decorations, baubles and finally the 'enclosed resist' technique to make a seamless stocking!


To see some of Nicola's own creations check out her blog:www.nicolafarrell.blogspot.com/







Monday 12 December 2011

Saturday 17th Dec, Open all day for shopping!!


This Saturday, 17th December Flowerfield Arts Centre will be open from 11am -4pm, giving you the chance to buy some lovely little stocking fillers or a unique piece to be loved for a life-time.

The exhibition will continue until 22nd December.  For more opening times please call Flowerfield on: 028 7083 1400

Adam Frew Ceramic Lidded Jars

Alison Fitzgerald Woven Willow Baskets

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Crafts enjoyed by lots of happy shoppers

Our festive open day, last Saturday 3rd Dec, was a huge success.  There was a constant flow of visitors all day and the till didn't stop ringing!!

There was mulled wine and minced pies aplenty while the public browsed the high quality and very affordable range of crafts.  The craft demonstrations proved particularly popular, with Adam Frew creating 2 large pots in coloured clays and Catherine Keenan bringing an element of pyrotechnics in the form of her bead making!!

The stocks have been replenished and the crafts will continue to be for sale until the 22nd December, Monday-Saturday, please call Flowerfield Arts Centre on 02870831400 for specific opening times.



Potter Adam Frew putting the finishing touches to his demo pot.

Catherine Keenan lampworking a bead.

Friday 2 December 2011

Exhibition set up and ready for viewing

A Christmas Craft Showcase

A wide variety of craft items by some of N.Ireland's top makers.
Pop in to Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart to purchase a special gift.
On until 22nd December.

Blown glass vases by Scott Benefield

John Piekaar's wooden bangles and box

Silver and fresh water pearl necklace by Lotus deWit

'Basalt', Framed ceramic wall piece by Rachael Mather

Adam Frew Ceramics

Willow baskets by Alison Fitzgerald

Porcelain napkin rings by Gail Mahon

Jewellery and framed pieces by Lesley Frew

Ceramic teapot by John McKeag

Catherine Keenan Glass jewellery

Felted decorations and purses by Nicola Farrell

Matt Pothecary glass jewellery

Friday 25 November 2011

3rd December: Festive Open Day


Christmas Craft Showcase: Festive Open Day
3rd December

Come along to Flowerfield on the morning of Saturday 3rd December for some mulled wine and minced pies and meet some of the craft artists in a special morning to celebrate the Christmas Craft Showcase.

Potter Adam Frew will give a throwing demonstration on the wheel from 11am-1pm, while glass artist Catherine Keenan will be teaching a one day workshop on glass bead making.

You will also have the opportunity to enter our prize draw and be in with a chance to win some wonderful pieces of craft!

All items in the exhibition are for sale.
Admission free.


Monday 21 November 2011

Lampworking Class: glass beads for jewellery



Friday and Saturday 2nd and 3rd December
10am-4pm each day

Tutor: Catherine Keenan

Day 1: Learning the basics
Turning on the torch, familiarisation with tools and work space, health and safety.
Making a round bead, ways of pattern application and experimenting with form.

Day2: Refining technique
Practising techniques learnt on day one, thinking of design and working towards a completed jewellery piece, ie. necklace, earrings, bracelet.

Students should bring a packed lunch, something to tie hair  back with, and a bottle of water.

Maximum 5 students.
Fee: £80 (includes materials)

contact Flowerfield Arts Centre on 028 70831400  or email: info@flowerfield.org


Saturday 19 November 2011

A Christmas Craft Showcase (perfect for your Christmas Shopping!)

THE FINEST in craft from across Northern Ireland will be on show for the festive season at Flowerfield Arts Centre, as the building prepares to welcome a special Christmas Craft Showcase from late November through to Christmas.
The event promises to offer a host of interesting ideas for Christmas gifts for the style-conscious, including work by top designers in ceramics, wood, glass, textile and willow – and there’s a chance of winning hundreds of pounds’ worth of crafts in a special prize draw.
The showcase is NOT a craft fair, stresses Malcolm Murchison, the borough’s Arts Officer, but rather a two week selling exhibition with everything available for immediate purchase: ‘We decided to bring the best in contemporary Northern Ireland craft and put it on display at the centre for a longer period.
‘The idea is that people will have the chance to come along, see the work on display, perhaps meet the craft makers and find out more about their work – and pick up a unique handmade gift for a loved one.’
The morning of Saturday December 3rd will offer a special chance to see the work and meet some of the craft artists – Catherine Keenan will be hosting a bead making workshop for jewellery that morning and Adam Frew will offer a pottery demonstration on the wheel in the reception area, from 11am to 1pm. The centre will be offering some seasonal hospitality in the form of mince pies and mulled wine all morning.
Among the works on display throughout the showcase will be textiles by Nicola Farrell, glass by Matt Pothecary, exquisite wood gifts by John Piekaar, ceramics by John McKeag, lovely recycled jewellery by Lesley Frew, glass by Scott Benefield, silver gifts by Lotus de Wit, painted ceramic landscapes by Rachel Mather, willow baskets by Alison Fitzgerald and ceramics by Gail Mahon, among others.
Also taking part will be the trio of artists based at Flowerfield, all of whom have been involved in pulling the showcase together – glass artists Catherine Keenan, offering some of her popular jewellery and Pia Raeymaekers with her amazing glass creations, and ceramics artist Adam Frew, who makes unusual and attractive jugs, pots, bowls and much more.
The works will be on display and clearly priced on the ground floor corridor throughout December. Some of the artists have donated lovely pieces to the centre to help promote the event, and those attending the showcase are invited to sign up for the Flowerfield mailing list – to be in with a chance of winning a piece of contemporary crafts by one of the artists.

Monday 28th November- Thursday 22nd December
Festive Day: Saturday 3rd December