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| Ryoko demonstrating the technique |
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| Rolling out the dough |
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| Filling the dough |
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| Folded and sealed |
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| Frying it up |
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| Success! |
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| Time for a feast! |
Friday, 1 August 2014
Chinese Cooking workshop
This week self-professed "Chinese cooking nerd" Ryoko Takahashi completed her month-long series of Thursday evening Chinese cooking classes. The class was one of the Winter Workshops most popular, with a waiting list half a mile long. Not surprisingly, everyone had a fantastic time and learnt (and ate) more than they had expected. Here are some photos from the first class of the series. Students were making roubing - a pork mince, sesame oil, and spring onion filled folded bread. This is a very common street food in China that you are very unlikely to find in any restaurant in New Zealand. Thank you Ryoko for this very interesting and educational introduction into the heart of "real" Chinese food.
Ryoko also made congee (a kind of porridge made from millet and white lima beans) to eat with the roubing. Also on the table was freshly brewed chamomile and goji berry tea, and a "mystery ingredient" from Ryoko's pantry, which turned out to be fermented bean curd - an acquired taste!
Nuno Scarf workshops
This week tutor Shirley Wallace held two Nuno scarf making workshops for the Winter Workshops. The Nuno scarf technique was invented by a fabric artist in Australia who wanted to be able to wear felted wool scarves, but found the climate too hot. The artist then developed this technique which melds silk with merino to create a wonderfully light, soft, and beautiful scarf. Here are some photos from these very successful workshops.
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| Getting started. Hank of hand dyed wool and length of silk. |
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| Examples of tutor Shirley Wallace's nuno scarves. |
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| Shirley Wallace describing the technique at the beginning of the workshop. |
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| The finished result drying in the sun. |
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| At the end of Friday's class, there was some time left to make small felted balls. These can be used to make earrings, necklaces, or as embellishments for other projects. |
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| Wednesday's group modeling their scarves. |
Monday, 30 June 2014
Silver Jewellery in a Caravan
On the weekend, the first of two Silver Jewellery making workshops was held in a caravan in Riwaka. Tutor Olly Mitchell's caravan is out-fitted as a workshop that fits four people in jewellery making workspaces. Everyone went home with at least one completely original piece of silver jewellery that they had designed and made by themselves - and with the assistance of Olly. The benefit of such a small group, is that everyone can work at their own pace, at their own level of experience, and get all the time and attention necessary from the tutor to meet their goals.
Christine focusing hard on her jewellery
Carol getting serious with the tools
Janice's first earring
Tags for children
Olly's pirate hoard
One of Olly's amazing creations
Painting class fun
On Thursday 19th June, Motueka's Highland Pipe Band Rooms were filled with a group of very happy painters. Everyone came with a bag full of paint and brushes, ready to paint for the day. A great time was had by all. Many thanks to tutor David Ryan.
Work in progress.
Felt Dudes fun
Recently Emma Marshall ran the very enjoyable Felt Dudes workshop. As there were only a handful of people signed up to this class, we were able to run the workshop at Emma's home studio. This inspiring and cosy space contributed to a very relaxing (and relaxed) time for everyone.
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Emma's stash of beautiful pure wool felt, imported from the USA.
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Emma's handmade fimo buttons. Each workshop attendee was given one to add to their Felt Dude.
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Emma
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A selection of Emma's Felt Dudes - or Worry Freaks, as she calls them.
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| Work in progress. |
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Ingrid with her completed rabbit.
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We all thought this little guy looked like a gangster raccoon dressed for Christmas.
Saturday, 14 June 2014
Embroidery workshop success
What a great way to spend a Winter's Saturday! Today thirteen women met up at Motueka's Highland Pipe Band Rooms for a day of embroidery with Emma Marshall, of ASpankofZanz fame. Emma taught us the ins and outs of designing an image for crewel embroidery - from concept, through to tracing it on to the material, and then the stitches needed to bring the image to life. The participants spanned the full gamut - from very experienced needle-crafters, to those who hadn't picked up a needle since Brownies days; but everyone learned something, and everyone left feeling a great sense of achievement and camaraderie.
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