Emma Leith Is Front Page News!

I recently made headline news on the front page of the Somerset Business Leader Magazine, which I am very proud of, read all about it here.

The story is about my art, my workshops and my creative history and foundations, some of which, naturally, stem from my father and his work as the animator for The Wombles and my mother too, who was also extremely creative and had a sound business mind.

I was brought up surrounded by The Wombles, my father was the animator for the original series in the 1970's, he was also the set designer and animator for Paddington Bear.

Uncle Bulgaria was my favourite character I treasured him and would look after him and cuddle him like he was my favourite teddy - I spent every summer helping my dad to build the models and the set.

My Mum and Dad inspired me to believe I can achieve anything which is why I set this business up during the recession.

To find out more about and the creative workshops I run - get in touch.

Christmas Gift Inspiration

 Are you looking for some gift giving inspiration? Would you like to give something memorable that will last? I have just the answer for you: a craft workshop.

Giving the gift of learning is a such a long-lasting present to give to your friends or loved ones, not only is it unusual and unique it provides the receiver with an entirely new experience - and is even one you can do together.

Buying a friend or family member a craft workshop gives you the opportunity to get one for yourself - or even the entire family! 

By buying this unusual present you are buying them a wonderful memory and a creative gift - an experience you can share together.

Together you will create a piece of art work to take home, you will also take home the longevity of the skill you have just mastered!

My craft courses, which include making a mosaic, felting or crocheting, start from just £20 - so not only is this gift affordable it will last a lifetime.

I can arrange with you for a suitable time and date so do not worry we can organise a time when you buy the present or we can do it after you have given the gift.

If you would like to give a gift that lasts a lifetime - then get in touch with me today!

Help Emma Leith Raise £500 for Jessie May Trust

I am excited to announce the launch of my brand new campaign... Like my Facebook page and I will donate 25p to the Jessie May Trust for every new like, up to 2000 likes.

And what do you get from hitting that little like button? You could learn a new skill from my tutorials, hear about the latest arts-based news and events in the area or just feast your eyes on the beautiful photos that I share of the work from my collection and from artists that inspire me.

I will also be holding milestones at every 500 likes, including give-aways, challenges and a fantastic secret finale. When I hit my first milestone, I will be giving away a mosaic workshop worth £65 to one you lucky people who like!

I am in awe of the work of the Jessie May Trust, who gives the families of terminally ill children support in their own home. Luckily for me, my lovely marketing team at Omni Media support my enthusiasm for this inspiring local charity and are running this campaign for free so that I can donate up to £500 to them.

I will appreciate any support you can give for this campaign, so get sharing, liking and tweeting!

Felting Christmas Cards & Decorations

Creating, crafting and making homemade gifts for friends and loved ones at Christmas is such a wonderful and satisfying way to give at this time of year. 

To give someone something that has taken you time and effort to produce has so much more meaning than another pair of socks or a box of chocs. 

I have created lots of workshops which focus directly on making Christmas themed decorations, cards and presents and are a real joy to do with friends or strangers - the entire process is totally relaxing and enjoyable and is 100 times more fun than trawling round the shops looking at over-priced rubbish made in China and probably not wanted in the first place!

If you would like to find out more about the Christmas workshops I have got planned or if you would like to book one up then get in touch with me today! 

Yarnbombing - Wooly Street Art

Last week we talked about wool week and this beautiful, natural material continues to make an impact in modern life and it is becoming more and more fashionable. Yarnbombing is a kind of street graffiti using wool as the medium and bringing art to the people. 

I myself am a yarnbomber and have been known to leave explosions of wooly art on the streets and in public places for people to enjoy and to show people that art is not just a picture on a wall in a gallery but can span so many different mediums, cultures and experiences and that it is always, always for people to enjoy. 

Last week some artists approached me and asked me to yarnbomb their town hall as part of an installation for the launch of a visual arts exhibition they are currently holding. Of course, I could not resist, and although I just had days to pull it together - I did and created a showstopper for the town hall and it's stunning staircase. 

If you find yourself in Trowbridge - then be sure to make a bee line for the town hall and my yarnbomb and see what you think of a yarnmbomb for yourself, please do let me know as I am always intrigued to hear how people experience this kind of art. 

Wool Week - A Celebration of Beautiful Natural Wool!

Last week was wool week and across the nation there was a spectacular show of wool making and creating, from sheep drawing, to wool pop ups at the Design Centre in London, meanwhile, at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, a flock of Bowmont Merino sheep made an appearance and spent the weekend in the courtyard at the Royal Academy, alongside their farmer!

Wool week was launched a few years ago by the Campaign for Wool, which is aimed at promoting better understanding of the natural and sustainable benefits of using real wool. 

I adore using wool and work with real wool throughout my art work. As a teacher I use wool for both crocheting and felting classes and love the softness and gentleness wool brings with it - it is a fantastic medium to work with, its texture is compelling and its beauty unique. 

I help people to create a myriad of wool based creations using the skills of crocheting and felting and making pieces including bunting, flowers, broaches, bags, Christmas cards and decorations, woollen throws, even coats for dogs, the list really is endless!

If you would like to learn more about working with this beautiful natural fibre then come along to one of my classes, I will show you how to use wool to create something stunning and natural and homemade. 

Crochet Workshop

 

Crocheting is such a beautiful art form, you can use a myriad of colours and weave all sorts of shapes and designs, create pieces of art or woollen covers. Teaching people the skills and tradition of crocheting is a truly wonderful craft to share and I always recommend to clients that they start with the Granny Squares workshop first. 

Granny Squares are the ultimate in traditional crocheting and have been around for many, many years and have formed the cosy cover of so many beds in homes and on sofas and knees up and down the country. The original Granny Square is simply a joy to produce and once you have mastered the technique you can go on to make more and, of course, to attach them together. 

Once this skill is learnt - your crochet skills can step up a gear and learn how to make flowers, garlands and other pieces of art. 

If you are interested in learning this craft then book yourself onto one of my workshops and find out what it is all about, there is always lashings of tea and freshly baked cakes!

Christmas is coming!

I've had a wonderful day gathering together lots of sumptuous felt as I prepare for the upcoming Christmas Felting Workshops. Yes I know it's October but christmas will soon be upon us and to get us in the mood I've rustled up a few examples of the sort of tree decorations you can make in these 2 hour workshops.  Places are filling up fast but if you would like to join the fun then you can book your place here! 

Yarnbomb Film & Video

Following the news in the media in Wiltshire that I had yarnbombed Corsham - we created a short video which would showcase the event as it was being put up.

[video width="960" height="540" m4v="http://emmaleith.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Yarn-Bomb-Corsham.m4v"][/video]

Take a look it really was lots of fun and hard work but well worth it. 

There are also lots more images of the Yarnbomb, which I have made a board from on Pinterest. 

If you would like to learn how to crochet, or find out more about yarnbombing get in touch with me or join me on a crochet workshop.

Yarnbomber Makes Front Page News in Wiltshire

Last week I single-handedly (with the help of my friends :) ) Yarnbombed Corsham, a market town in Wiltshire. I did it to promote the launch of The Peacock Arts Trail which launched on Saturday 28th September and has seen a raft of open artists studios across Wiltshire - including mine! 

The Yarnbomb took me more than two months to create, everything was hand-crocheted for the bomb including pompoms, love hearts, sausage dogs, little girls and pieces like the Lion's coat and mane above.

The Yarnbomb which took place last week made news across the county as the town woke up to a wool explosion - most of the independent shops received a crocheted love heart on their door handle, lampposts, benches, trees and doorways were all targeted and adorned with the Yarnbomb. 

The Yarnbomb was really well received by residents of the town who had not expected art-work to be strewn across their town - but took to this unique graffiti with real aplomb. 

I took a video of the actual Yarnbombing, which I shall upload over the next week as well as show you more images from the event, both here, on my Facebook page and Pinterest.