Should I attend? ....      Editorial by Lisa Walker

Hello everyone and welcome to the August edition of Polynews.

I was asked to do the editorial this month and what better subject than our 20th Anniversary weekend as yes, it’s just around the corner. I have titled it “Should I attend?”, as I am sure there are many of you out there still debating on whether to attend or to do a workshop.

Some of you may be wondering: ‘Who is Lisa?’, well, I am one of the BPCG committee members. You may have met me at the Guild’s NEC stand over the last few years. I also have my studio in the Bondworth/Simply Limitless building where I run the Kidderminster branch of BPCG from my Lisa Walker Designs studio. We meet every month alongside my many other workshops. I also have the privilege of working with the Simply Limitless team using polymer clay to help clients from the Reconnections program. I would also like to mention the building is completely disabled friendly, which I don’t think we have mentioned enough.

The first thing to talk about is the way we have designed this event. It is an event created by polymer clay artists and enthusiasts for artists and enthusiasts. To my knowledge there has been nothing like this before. We have spent months in discussion and planning to bring you everything under one roof. Workshops: how often do you find so many very different workshops to choose from? Make & Takes going on all day, every day, with so many different themes; Artists Tables: a huge array of artists showing and selling their work; Christmas: dare I mention it is just around the corner - why not get those amazing pieces to buy for presents and perhaps bring a friend that’s not into clay? They will have a ball shopping and of course plenty to buy from clay to tools; as well as all the experience to feed on through demonstrations and talks.

What about cost? Well I think what we have pulled off is incredible: discounted workshops; an entrance fee of just £3.00*; and refreshments at normal, sensible prices. It is bursting with positives. Just pick and choose what you would like to see and participate in.

How many times have you looked at the Facebook page and thought “Wow she/he is incredible!” well the chances are they will be there: take the opportunity to chat to your favourites and pick their brains for help and advice. I am personally looking forward to meeting several of the tutors who I have known of and have never got to meet in person and of course meeting so many of you. Meet the committee members, we are very open to new suggestions for future events. Come and find us, give us your thoughts: perhaps you are interested in getting more involved with the committee - we will be running the AGM after all the activities on  Saturday at 4:30pm – please do come along.

So please, if you are still debating, take the plunge and come as these events can only continue with your support. Help us be a great guild giving the members amazing events and support on all levels. Contact us if you are struggling for transport or would like to travel with a clay friend - we might be able to put you in touch with someone in your area. Alternatively, join our Facebook group created especially for people going to the event.

I look forward to seeing many of you and I hope if you are still on the fence, get on the website, take the plunge and come along.

Happy claying!

Lisa

*£3 entrance fee on the door or £2.50 for BPCG members and when purchased online.

Send us your articles, show us your work and share your story with us. Email us at britishpcguild@gmail.com or post on our Facebook page or in our community group.

BPCG20 Website Updates

We have updated the website with more details of the events and activites that will be going on during the 20th Anniversary weekend. Some of these are repeated, so you will have more than one opportunity to attend and participate. Pick and choose what you would like to see and do and plan your day/s accordingly.

Presentations

Saturday 23rd September

11am to 1pm

"The history of the BPCG and polymer clay in Britain and abroad"

Sue Heaser - Artist, BPCG Founder

2pm to 3pm

"Applique techniques - embroidering with clay"

Sue Heaser - Artist, BPCG Founder

4:30pm

British Polymer Clay Guild Annual General Meeting

All guild members welcome

Sunday 24th September

1:30pm to 2pm

"My Polymer Clay Journey in Photos"

Carol Blackburn - Artist, London Polymer Clay Group

2pm to 3:30pm

"The history of the BPCG and polymer clay in Britain and abroad"

Sue Heaser - Artist, BPCG Founder

Demonstrations

Make & Takes

Learn some quick and easy techniques and projects with our tutors and guild members.

Full instructions will be given for curing your finished pieces at home.

No booking required - £2.50 per person - max 12 people per session - first come, first served

New Regional Groups and Branches

We have another new group since the last Polynews: West Cornwall - based in St Ives and run by Terri Bunn - welcome! The Guild now has 19 groups around the UK. If you want to join this group, or any of the other groups, just click on the pin on the map on our branches webpage and it will take you to the Branch’s/group’s page.

To finish this round up, let me tell you which groups have meetings scheduled for the next few weeks, and / or give you the contact details for those still arranging their next dates. They are:

Midlands – UPDATED! Now 3rd September & 12th November in Longdon, near Lichfield, further details from Ange Smith

Wales – further details from Penny Vingoe, via the BPCG website

West Midlands - 30th September, Making Masks, at Stourbridge

APCG - 17th September, 5th November - Wortham village hall, near Diss, Norfolk

Coventry - details of future meetings from Nikki Killinger

East Midlands - 3rd September, Long Eaton Art Room

South Wales - details of future meetings from Helen White

Devon (Exeter) - details of future meetings from Sherrill Olive

South Midlands - 10th September, 21st October and 11th November 2017 at Hanslope village hall, near Milton Keynes

Southern (Nr Lancing) - further details from Kay Vincent

Bristol – contact Cara Jane Hayman via the BPCG website for more details

Kidderminster – 30th September - further details from Lisa Walker

Embsay (Skipton) –  5th September, further details from Andrea Moorhouse

North West - not currently meeting, but seeking new members

Oxfordshire -  20th August, 1st October, 26th November, Weston-on-the-Green village hall, near Bicester

Scotland -  21st October, venue in Edinburgh - further details from Valerie Anderson

Basingstoke - Thurs 7th September, Tues 12th September, Sat 30th September - further details from Heather Robertson

Leeds - Open day 19th August, first clay day 13th September, at Heckmondwike, further details from Ana Townsend

West Cornwall - First meeting, Thursday 28th September - further details from Terri Bunn

Friends of the BPCG, London Polymer Clay Guild have their next meeting on 17th September and their theme is Hollow Beads. Please visit their dedicated website for more information.

If you are travelling to other parts of the UK or even the world, contact the local branch or guild leader and see if you can join in with another group. It's a great way to make new friends!

Please do support your local groups and branches, as the people who organise these do so on a purely voluntary basis, in order to provide a local venue for Polymer Clay enthusiasts, but are of course completely reliant on your support in order to survive.

Fiona Abel-Smith

Group Liaison Officer BPCG

2 for 1 OFFER only for BPCG members

Stitching, Sewing & Hobbycrafts at the NEC, Birmingham

2-5 November 2017

 Get in the festive spirit with Simply Christmas; Stitching, Sewing & Hobbycrafts; Art Materials Live; and Cake International at Birmingham’s NEC this November. Art, crafts and cake lovers will be able to access all four shows for the price of one, making it an exceptionally good value day out.

With fantastic installations and demonstrations, catering for every genre from quilting to decoupage, inspiration is in abundance at Stitching, Sewing and Hobbycrafts. Learn something new at the daily demonstrations and workshops and get those creative juices flowing in time for the festive season. Shop till you drop with hundreds of exhibitor stalls selling supplies galore!

Terms and Conditions: To take advantage of the 2 for 1 deal, go on line at ichfevents.co.uk and use code BIPC on the ticket selection page.  Advance tickets cost: Adults £12, Seniors £11. Children under 16 go free when accompanied by an adult.  For more information visit ichfevents.co.uk.  This offer is an on line offer only.  Offer closes 30 October 2017 

"The creative adult is the child who has survived." ~ Ursula K. Le Guin