After completing my degree in Textile Design, I spent 15 years as a Qualified Teacher and Assistant Head. Once leaving the profession to start, The Eccentric Leopard, I couldn’t quite shake that teaching bug. I now work on Saturday mornings at The Brit School teaching, Fashion and Textiles to 7 to 16 years old’s. I also run a range of adult and child workshops ranging from upcycling to fashion illustration and embroidery.
You may want something unique to for a craft-themed hen/stag do? Or maybe you want something a little bit different for your child’s birthday party this year? Whatever the occasion, here are a list of the classes I provide, or we could work together to create something bespoke for you.
Workshops can be in the comfort of your own home (Kent area) or at my workshop in Canterbury, Kent. All materials are provided. So what are you waiting for? Get in contact today!
Table Upcycling Workshop
5.5 hours. Recommended age 16+
Take some quality time for yourself to learn a new skill and transform a vintage side table into your very own decoupaged masterpiece.
I will sand, prep and prime each table before the workshop, leaving you to do all the fun parts!
There will be a variety of prints available to choose from (or feel free to bring your own if you want something specific) and you will learn how to decoupage, and hand paint and gild.
This workshop is great fun and you will leave at the end with your very own table and a real sense of feeling really rather proud of yourself.
Bottle Lamps
2 Hours, recommended age 13+
You will learn how to make your own totally unique, fabulous bottle lamp for your home!
You will be able to choose from a variety of fabric or wallpaper prints for your lamp shade and also a selection of trims. I will demonstrate with a step by step approach, allowing you to work at your own speed, with plenty of time for questions and lots of top tip to get that professional finish.
These lamps will become a real talking point in your home and I will bring a selection of bottles for the bases, but it you have a specific tipple that you enjoy, please do bring that empty bottle along. If you choose to bring your own print/fabric-it will need to be at least 65 cm x 24 cm.
Decoupaged Earrings
2 Hours, recommended age 13+
Come and learn how to use the traditional craft of decoupage but in a very modern way!
You will be able to choose from a huge variety of prints and wooden shapes to make two pairs of totally unique sterling silver earrings. Each pair of earrings will incorporate 4 different prints-2 on the front and 2 on the back. You will also be learning how to gild your earrings with gold, silver or copper to truly make sure that your designs are one of a kind.
You may end up keeping both sets for yourself or could gift a pair as at the end of the session, you will display your designs on a personalised Eccentric Leopard earring card and will wrap them in beautiful tissue papers.
Clip ons and studs can be provided for those of you who prefer to wear these.
Decoupaged Coasters
2 Hours, recommended age 13+
Coasters may be a small item in your home but rest assured that the ones you will learn to create with me will make a big impact in your home!
You will learn the complete construction process of the coaster, starting with cutting and assembling the cork base. You will be able to choose from a huge variety of prints for your set of 4 natural wood coasters and will cut and decoupage them, adding gorgeous gilding edges.
Fashion Illustration using fabrics and collage materials
2 Hours, recommended age 7+
Send your little Coco Chanel’s and Marc Jacobs to create their own fabulous 3D fashion illustration dolls.
We will learn how to draw a fashion template doll, looking at adding shading and tone through colouring in to bring our designs to life. We will then focus on how mixed-media really brings our designs to life by adding collage and fabrics on top. If you have a budding little fashion designer at home this will be the workshop for them.
Embroidered Pendants
2 hours. Recommended age 7+
Come and learn some embroidery stitches and then use what you have learnt to create a stunning pendant that you can wear!
You will be designing a cute little motif based on something that you love, whether it be a rainbow, toadstool, flowers, moons and stars or whatever you can think of to fit in a teeny tiny embroidery hoop. These classes are aimed at 7 years to teens.
Urban Embroidery
2 Hours, recommended age 7+
Come and learn how to embroider but in a totally modern, rebellious way!
There are no rules, your stitches don’t need to be perfect and you can be totally experimental with paint, fabrics, beads, sequins, buttons, embroidery threads and more!
Fashion Illustration Embroidery Workshop
2 Hours, recommended age 7+
Come and learn how to illustrate with stitches and fun being creative with fabrics.
You will sketch your design, transfer them to fabric and then embroider your very own fashion illustration of yourself! Of course we will then add fabrics, beads, sequins, buttons and more.
