1076 Educators providing Fashion courses delivered Online

Mandy Nash

mandy nash

Llantrisant RCT

I set up my workshop in 1983 after leaving the Royal College of Art. In 1990 I established my studio in Model House Craft and Design Centre in Llantrisant. I work primarily in anodised aluminium producing one off and batch production jewellery. As the material is light and not too expensive I can make large, bold pieces which are both wearable and affordable. Most importantly, by anodising it, I can achieve bright and brilliant colour effects. My passions My three passions are colour, pattern and technique. I love making things and exploring the possibilities of different materials. Although I trained as a jeweller, my work has been heavily influenced by both traditional and contemporary textiles. Over the last twenty years I have also been developing work in felt. I combine this with my jewellery practice to create both functional pieces and work that is purely decorative. My creative ancestry inspires me Much of my recent work has evolved from looking back at my creative ancestry. It was my grandmothers who initiated my fascination with making objects. They passed on their traditional textile skills and started my passion for creating anything from colourful materials. In 2010, I received an Arts Council of Wales grant to help me purchase a laser cutter which enabled me to develop new work. I have used this to explore different materials such as taffeta, acrylic, cardboard and wood. This has opened up many exciting possibilities and I feel I have only just started this journey. I am involved in many craft groups and associations. I am regional co-ordinator and Chair of the International Feltmakers Association. I am a member of the Makers Guild in Wales, of the Association of Contemporary Jewellery and of MaP, a textile group. I have exhibited widely in the UK, Europe, Japan, USA and Canada.

Gill Arnold Dressmaking Training

gill arnold dressmaking training

West Midlands

I live and work in Solihull and am married with two boys. I have an obsessive love of sewing, which has driven my career through a wide range of sewing related experiences. I came from a family of sewers and from a very early age was encouraged to be creative. My love of embroidery and needlework led me to pursue a career in teaching. I attended a specialist needlework and home economics teacher training College in Liverpool. I always enjoyed "hands on work" and gained experience working with an expert team of fitting and alteration seamstresses at an exclusive dress shop the summer I finished at Liverpool. I wanted a creative career, so I applied for the position of wardrobe assistant at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. This was a wonderful work experience, sewing fabulous fabrics and making a diverse range of costumes. The theatre wardrobe mistress encouraged me to continue studying and I enrolled for a City and Guilds course. Although theatre working hours were long, they were flexible and I could study and work full time. I achieved merit for City and Guilds Creative Studies; two years later I received a distinction in Fashion and Design and won the year prize. My qualifications and experience opened another career opportunity in the fashion industry. I wanted to work fewer hours and the job I was offered provided training in production planning and buying. Working regular hours I decided to think again about the teaching career I had abandoned. I was employed by Birmingham Adult Education Department to work in evenings teaching Embroidery and Needlework. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching, so when I married and the family arrived I gave up full time work in industry. I returned to college, updated my teaching qualifications and became a part time teacher In the early 90's I wrote the Tailoring Programme for the West Midlands Access Foundation, later used by Open College Network. By 1996 I was determined to offer my own courses, now known as Gill Arnold Dressmaking Training. In 1997 I became Sewing World magazine's pattern specialist. Over 20 years teaching has given me a wealth of experience and knowledge to produce articles on patterns and fitting. I have also written for Sew Today and American publications. With the support of the sewing industry I enjoy being a regular exhibitor at shows all over the country including the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham. My yearly programme provides a full range of sewing events, exhibitions, seminars, cloth sales, trips and courses.