Smisby WI Crafts
Smisby WI Crafts
This group started in February 2013 and Dorothy has been organising the craft section for our WI for seven years and she felt it was time for her to hand over to someone else.
Two willing volunteers, Julie and Jane, came forward to fill Dorothy’s shoes and we are looking forward to our monthly craft sessions held every first Thursday of the month in 2020 with the many ideas that they have.
If you would like to put you name down for any of the sessions, please respond to the emails and sign up board in advance, because sometimes numbers are limited/ a craft kit has to be prepared for each participant..
The WI purchase of Zoom has enabled members to continue to enjoy the craft sessions. Here is some recent work - click on images to enlarge.
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March 2020 - WILLOW WEAVING A DRAGON FLY
Anna who lives locally and grows the willow was our tutor today to sixteen members who had come to learn the art of Willow Weaving.
After selecting seven pieces of willow of varying sizes we were shown how to make the wings for our Dragon Fly. Its not as easy as it looks and after several attempts the wings were ready to add to the body which was three pieces of willow bent to form the head and body.
After attaching the wings to the body, it did start to resemble one that Anna had made earlier. There was lots of laughter and chatter and Anna was on hand to help and give advice, we all went home feeling very happy and proud of our Dragon Fly which I am sure will have pride of place in our gardens.
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February 2020 Small World
January 2020 Block Printed Bags and Origami Boxes
November 2019 Corn Dollies
Dorothy’s last morning was to invite Rosemary Salt to show us how to make corn dollies. Twenty two ladies thoroughly enjoyed learning the art of making various Corn Dollies, they enjoyed it so much we will be asking Rosemary back again so that we can learn more intricate designs
5th September 2019 Fabric Pictures
Members used scraps of material and felt pieces embellished by a variety threads, beads and lace to make fabric pictures, with advice from Suzanne and Marie. These were then placed in frames by Suzanne. ( Click on photos below)
Further Glass Fusion days at Smartsy July and August 2019
The photos show members making glass pictures, bowls, coasters and ornaments at Smartsy and appreciating the air conditioning with 30oC temperatures outside. A further visit was made by mebers with their families.
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Beaded Garden Ornaments July 2019
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Easter Wreath and Basket with Julie Cooper : April 2019
We are so lucky to have such talented crafters in Smisby W I, so it was one of our members who showed us how to make an Easter Wreath and Basket.
After choosing whether to make a basket or wreath we decided the colours. Then we were shown how to wire the feathers into place and decorate the wreath with eggs and flowers. The basket seemed a little easer with just glue to put everything in place. Once again, a lovely and interesting morning with something to take home.Click on photo to enlarge
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Glass Fusion At Smartsy: 28 March 2019
A number of members went to a Glass Fusion workshop at Smartsy in Ratby. Ali Groschi’s daughter, May, made us very welcome and then showed us what we could achieve in the two hours that we were there. We were all like children in a sweet shop so many items we could make, but what! some made birds that could be hung up or put in the garden, others flower designs on a piece of glass which would be made into a wave to allow it to stand on a shelf. Everyone made something different all individual unique pieces. We received our finished items which had been fired in the oven, a week later. It seems like we will be making further visits to Ratby, as everyone was delighted with what they had made and want to learn more.
Glass Fusion coaster or a flower planter; March 2019
Vanessa Thompson-Lowe from Ginger Cat Glass a glass designer and artist was our tutor for this mornings craft session. We could either make a coaster or a flower planter. We were shown some of Vanessa’s samples to give us some ideas of how to precede, then it was up to our imagination. Flowers and abstract designs in assorted colours were glued on to pieces of glass. When we were happy with the finished article, Vanessa took the pieces away to fire in her special glass oven. When we received the items back, everyone was thrilled with what they had achieved and will want to certainly do this craft again.
Please click on glass pictures below to enlarge
Cynthia has been flower arranging for many years and was very willing to pass on some of her knowledge.
As you can see from the photographs, the arrangements that the ladies took home were absolutely beautiful.
Well done Cynthia, who will be back next year with another creation.
Spinning August 2018
Thirteen members enjoyed a talk given by Margaret James on the history and art of spinning.
We were all given a piece of sheep's wool and shown how to pull a few threads that would be
the start of the process towards using a bobbin or spinning wheel.
Margret showed us many examples of what can be spun, plastic, dog hair, flax, lots of beautiful
different types of lambs wool, even silk from silk worm cocoon.
Now it was our turn to have a go, it was great fun and a very informative morning
A fantastic morning was had by nine members who learnt Stained Glass Work. Melanie Pope was our tutor for the morning f
rom Leicester, see www.glassdesignworkshop.co.uk .
Mel began by encouraging us to draw a design on a piece of paper. She showed us some examples and explained that she had some designs we could copy or if we had our own idea we could use that. Each area of glass was outlined with a maker pen and then we chose suitable colours of glass to fill them. After selecting the glass, the tricky bit was cutting it to shape to match our designs. Many cuts later (one or two on our fingers!) our designs were taking shape with each piece of glass laid out ready to flux and solder together with a hot iron. Mel was fantastic, even though she needed to be in two places at once to deal with everyone’s requests for help! Her patience with us was superb and as you can see we all achieved our own work of art in stained glass.
Origami Flowers April 2018
Eighteen members enjoyed this month’s craft morning making KUSUDAMA paper flowers
Angela, our instructor, showed us many examples of what could be achieved once we had learnt how to make the flowers. These flowers can be made out of any paper or card even an old road map book can be used. After a brief demonstration on the technique of folding a 3 or 4 inch square we were ready to have a go. Our fingers are not so nimble but with a lot of help from Angela we were able to a least finish a flower and if we can remember the technique, we can always make more at home.
Our first craft session of 2018 saw us making a memory picture, eight of our members were each given a box picture frame, and scrabble letters corresponding to the names that were going to be put in the picture. The ladies were given a choice of coloured paper for the base and the rest was left to their artistic imagination.
Every picture was different, and told a story, all enjoyed the session, with most being
given away to grandchildren or parents.
A very big thank you to Lynn and Ron who scoured the country for scrabble games,
to Hazel who came with her machine that made butterflies, and all the other bits and pieces she provided. Also thanks to Suzanne for leading the group, and Dorothy for making the tea/coffee and keeping us in order.
December's craft meeting was very different to previous years as it was decided to
have a dabble day. This was a first for the craft section as we were unsure how it would
be received by our members. We need not of worried as over twenty member's attended.
They were able to make three types of christmas tree decorations, made of material,
beads, or crystals. Several ladies made crystal earrings to give as presents.
The room was buzzing with laughter and chatter, and of course we had a break for mince pies,
a slice of yule log and many other treats all washed down with a glass of Pat's mulled wine.
A huge success which I Am sure will be repeated in the future.
The August craft morning was taken by Lynne Balnves one of our member the theme was "simple embroidery". A great morning was had by the fifteen ladies who attended not forgetting the very tasty cakes and biscuits that were also provided. 
To make the embroidery pictures we were given a sewing hoop, a piece of fabric, a choice of buttons and some thread. The photo of some of the hoops, shows that that we have some very talented ladies, although the hoops were unfinished, and they have been taken home to complete.
Smisby's March craft morning was taken by Sheila Heap, one of our many talented members .
As you can see we made these very delicate butterflies (and a cat crept in ) out of very fine mesh
and royal icing.
Every butterfly was decorated beautifully and all different, some I fear flew into the bin but most
of us made an attempt to come up with something resembling a butterfly.
Thursday's craft morning at the village hall was a very lively time as some members were finishing off their Victorian Etui boxes, whilst others were learning how to make Kanzasi flower out of material.
We did succeed as you can see from the photograph and everyone was very pleased with the end results.
Everyone enjoyed the good company and the super home made cakes supplied by Lynne, Lorna, and Margaret, with Muriel volunteering for tea duty. Thankyou. Thanks to Lynne and Anne our tutors for being very patient with us.
The craft morning taken by Marie was very different, as we had to use our imagination to make these beautiful images by drawing on polystyrene, covering it with paint, and pressing it on to paper.
As you can see we do have some very talented ladies as we all managed to make something to take home. Thanks Marie a great morning enjoyed by all.
Another very successful craft morning was spent in making Christmas baubles.
Jacqui Walker one of our members showed nineteen ladies how to make these beautiful tree heart shaped decorations. Everyone had a great time and were able to take a lovely item home ready for the Christmas tree. Some members designes are shown below.
As well as providing some super craft classes for Smisby WI, Jacqui runs the Ashby Crafty Beaders, which offers the opportunity for a craft and chat every Thursday and Friday morning. Also there is a monthly craft and prosecco evening on the ;ast Thursday of each month.
Button Bracelet May 2016
Flower Arrangement Dec 2015
Cynthia Massey's popular and successful flower arrangement workshop (see photo of 2015 flower arrangments) will be repeated again in 2016, closer to Christmas, as shown in the programme.
