The Visual Arts Centre (VAC) is a gallery and workshop space owned and managed by the Frances Bardsley School for Girls and was built when the school gained specialist status in the Visual Arts in 2004. Since opening in June 2006, the VAC has welcomed over 3,000 visitors and has hosted exhibitions by both local and international artists. The building is open to the public on a daily basis and is fast becoming a hub for creativity.
This October, the VAC is hosting a whole Craft Month of workshops and other happenings including two free How to Sell on Etsy beginners workshops with yours truly. There is more info on that and a full calendar of events below. But first, we’re going to kick off the Craft Month in style with an Etsy Craft Party! We hope you’ll join us.
Throughout the evening (and the entire Craft Month) you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Craft Council‘s exciting new CraftCubes (walk-in installations with audiovisuals allowing you to explore makers’ studios and processes) and get tactile with a selection of pieces from their Handling Collection dating from the early 1970s up until today. All ages welcome!
When: Thursday, September 23, 2010. 7 – 9 p.m.
Where: The Visual Arts Centre, Brentwood Road, Romford, Essex. Map.
What: Chat with fellow crafters, delight your senses in the exhibitions and keep your hands busy at the Craft Stations, which will include projects such as bookmaking, felting, jewellery making, crocheting and knitting.
How: Please RSVP to djh_fbs@yahoo.co.uk. Closest train station is Romford, easily accessible from Liverpool Street and Stratford. From Romford station, it’s a short walk or Bus Ride to the venue.
Who: Anyone and everyone!
What to Bring: Feel free to bring along any portable crafts you’d like to work on during the evening.
VAC Craft Month Full Programme Of Events — 2010
The courses and workshops are suitable for those aged 16 and above. An exciting programme for the underaged will also take place during October Half Term. Contact Deborah for more info (details below).
Short Day Courses cost £17.50
2 Hour Workshops cost £12
Prices include materials and refreshments.
Thursday, September 23, 7 – 9 p.m. — Free to attend!
Craft Month officially opens with an Etsy Craft Party!
Saturday, October 9, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
1) Paper making course.
2) Wire-wrapping techniques jewellery course.
Saturday, October 16, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
1) Bookmaking course.
2) Cupcake decorating course.
Thursday, October 21, 4 – 6 p.m. or 7 – 9 p.m. — Free to attend!
Beginner’s How to Sell on Etsy workshop with AmityUK.
These workshops are intended for newcomers to Etsy, but Amity will also be happy to share the tips for selling successfully, which she’s accumulated since setting up her shop in 2006.
Thursday, October 28, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. or Friday, October 29, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Traditional Japanese paper-making course: Creative Landscapes.
Saturday, October 30, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. or 1 – 3 p.m.
Screen-printing Festive Cards workshop.
Saturday, October 30, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Finding Felt workshop: Simple felt ball purses with a festive twist.
Saturday, October 30, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Free to attend!
Craft Market. £10 per stall.
For more info or to book your place:
Contact Deborah Holland on 01708 477 368 or email djh_fbs@yahoo.co.uk
Will we see you at the Craft Party or any of the workshops? Let us know in the comments!
59 comments
Sign in to add your ownWoolnFelt says:
I wanna make paper!!!
1 year ago
tomatored says:
wish I could attend! wonderful space!
1 year ago
molMolly says:
Love it! Thank you!
1 year ago
lucie0ellen says:
sounds like a super event! thank you for featuring my bunting necklace!
1 year ago
Ayca says:
Sounds good! So fun!
1 year ago
Weaselfactory says:
Awesome! I didn't know such a place existed right up the road from us! Will RSVP ASAP.
1 year ago
poppyswickedgarden says:
WoW! What a fantastic Event! I wish I could be there, It looks like Way too much fun:) I have to say I adore that necklace and I've never seen the shop before, Very happy that you've showcased it here!
1 year ago
abbyberkson says:
Wish i could be there, sounds wonderful!
1 year ago
VintageEyeFashion says:
That space looks fantstic!
1 year ago
daintyprettythings says:
wow what an amazing looking venue.
1 year ago
akcArt says:
Sounds like a blast! Looks like a lot of fun! Enjoy!
1 year ago
monatao says:
!!!!so many things to do!!! very interesting.
1 year ago
hausofgmone says:
Wish I could come but can't make it :( have a great time tho
1 year ago
VelveteenHabbit says:
There will always be a place in my heart (art) for handmade crafts!!!!!
1 year ago
EverybodyElse says:
Looks like fun...I wish I lived where the fun things happen :p
1 year ago
dollyfeatures says:
Sounds fun! I reckon if I come straight from work I can make it...but I'll be coming on my own so say hello! :D
1 year ago
Addy says:
That is right down the street from us! How exciting to have so close. I'll try my best to make it!!
1 year ago
teasemade says:
Sounds fabulous, but not my neck of the woods sadly, I especially love book binding too it's been ages since I've had a play. Thanks so much for featuring my Scissor Love Token pendant. Best of luck with the events.
1 year ago
littleteawagon says:
I wish I was nearer, would have loved to go. have Fun x x
1 year ago
Addy says:
I'm so excited - just RSVPed for your thing Amity, the thing on the 23rd, and the Bookmaking course. My partner, who also sells on etsy is planning to see if he can get a booth at the craft fair as well as go to the above things with me. Things so rarely seem to happen out in my side of London - this is just fantastic!!
1 year ago
PoisonGarden says:
How cool!
1 year ago
abstractartgallery says:
Wish I could be there, looks like fun.
1 year ago
DecoFamara says:
Beautiful.
1 year ago
ohbabydotcom says:
I'd love to take that exhibit : )
1 year ago
KMalinka says:
SUPPER COOL.
1 year ago
bambisboutiqueshop says:
Great! I'll hopefully be at all of these events :) xx
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Looks great, hopefully more UK people will get the Etsy bug : )
1 year ago
MegansMenagerie says:
Sounds like fun! Wish I could be there! MegansMenagerie.etsy.com
1 year ago
julessabjewelry says:
Wow, what a neat looking building! Just inspires creativity! Have fun for all those able to attend - wish I could be there!
1 year ago
ezliving says:
Nice space! wish i could be there!
1 year ago
delectabledenim says:
looks absolutely amazing! and *dancing* am actually going to be in London on Thursday but.. cannot leave a train full of students to go out to Essex for the party! grr. Have a fab time though!
1 year ago
bhangtiez says:
Sounds amazing...
1 year ago
ezezez says:
What a great space and great to see something so close by on Etsy too. Hope to make it to one of the events!
1 year ago
ElvenWreathsJewelry says:
my wooley friend will love this site! i'll tell her about it! visit mine too!
1 year ago
recycledwares says:
sounds like some wonderful workshops :))
1 year ago
heidiadnum says:
Sounds fantastic! Thanks, Amity :)
1 year ago
imynda says:
Looking forward to it! :)
1 year ago
thecrochetloft says:
Wish I could be there
1 year ago
lorenabr says:
Wish you all a great time :)
1 year ago
EquilibriumDesigns says:
Looks great, and close by to me! Definitely will attend a couple of these.
1 year ago
marceletbobine says:
Don't think I can make the party (have lots to catch up at work from missing all of last week due to bronchitis) But will get to the craft market, looking forward to it!
1 year ago
ShabbyEnglishRose says:
Really hope to go, it's only about 10 miles away from me! :)
1 year ago
pennymasquerade says:
Oh this is amazing! I wish it was nearer to me though, I'm up t'north!
1 year ago
KatieEula says:
Any mention of cupcakes and I'm in!
1 year ago
GreatestJoyDesigns says:
Fabric and paper are so like painting, just not with paints! Not in my area but hope all goes well.
1 year ago
AmelieFrenchie says:
Damn i wish i could teleport to England for those cool events!
1 year ago
amandarinduck says:
Naaa! I passed by . again! :(
1 year ago
ColoursandTextures says:
Sounds fun, wish it was a little nearer.
1 year ago
fromchaoscomesbeauty says:
i have been trying to get a place at the craft market but im not getting any response......help??
1 year ago
ariannacadwallader says:
Hello, Calling all SW Londerners. I am going to the 'How to sell on Etsy' on the 21st October 4-6 workshop and would anyone like to car pool with me up to Romford? I have a lovely bright green car and room for 3 more. Let me know x
1 year ago
imynda says:
fromchaos - I emailed about the craft market and had a form sent to me, which I sent off with my cheque, but had no confirmation that I have a place, have left phone msg and email asking if she received my cheque and if I have a space but nothing back. Anyone else?
1 year ago
polkadotsandblooms says:
Just booked myself onto the bookbinding workshop. Really looking forward to it. Thanks Amity!
1 year ago
Lubsy1 says:
I attended the Etsy Launch Evening and had a fantastic evening learning some new crafting skills and meeting some wondeful people. I came away with a lovely rosette button brooch that I was taught to make, a finger knitted necklace (knitted on my fingers), a folded paper booklet and a free Etsy Purple bag and some badges and to top it all Deborah had laid on a array of goodies to feast on. Thank you all for such a wonderful and enjoyable evening :-) Also attended Amity's "How to sell on Etsy" talk yesterday afternoon and found it fascinating and very informative. It has made me renew my endeavour to get up and started with Etsy again since my initial sign up 2 years ago and I hadn't even touched it since then. Now, after Amity's presentation I'm all fired up and ready to unlock, stock and open up shop! :-) Yay! Thank you Amity for a motivational presentation:-) Also Thanks to Deborah at the VAC for once again laying on a lovely spread:-)
1 year ago
imynda says:
I thought the 'How to Sell on Etsy' session was fantastic yesterday. Thanks Amity for sharing great ideas and knowledge. Very inspiring, I came away with lots to do!
1 year ago
Avarae17 says:
Looking forward to meeting other Etsy peeps on Saturday! xxx
1 year ago
VisualArtsCentre123 says:
We're really looking forward to the Craft Market on Saturday! Apologies to those who didn't get a stall this time. We are hoping to run more Craft Markets in the near future. Just off to the shops to buy the ingredients for the mulled wine....mmmmmmm.... Deborah Visual Arts Centre Manager
1 year ago
imynda says:
Getting ready for tomorrow's craft market, will be great to meet other sellers too :)
1 year ago
Weaselfactory says:
The craft market was awesome. It was lovely to meet all of the Etsy people. I hope to join in next time. Oh, I bought - then devoured - the most delicious cappuccino flavoured cupcake ever there.
1 year ago