Add some fun, fizz and aroma to your bath time whilst learning a new craft

Cheeky Suds makes vegan-friendly, unusual and fun bath and body cosmetics, and was started by Chloe Morais from Brixton.

At Making Uncovered on 20 April Chloe will be showing how to make body products and teaching a workshop.

What do you like about your craft – and how did you get into it?

I started working on body products because I wanted a change of career and longed to do something more creative than what I was previously doing.

The thing I love about cosmetics is that it gives me a chance to be creative in terms of design, fragrances and product ranges. I can make anything, from soaps, lip balms and body scrubs to bath melts, creamers and soufflés. The possibilities are endless so I can always explore and add new products to my range.

I recently made soap for my brother that smells of freshly mown grass because he loves the smell. Chocolate is another favourite!

Why are you taking part in Making Uncovered?

I’m taking part because I’d like to share my craft and creativity with people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to try it for themselves. It’s also a nice way to meet lots of other crafts and local people and give something back to the community.

What will you be teaching at your workshop?

I am doing a workshop on making bath bombs. If you want to add some fun, fizz and sweet aroma to your bath time whilst learning a new craft, then my workshop will be a great place to be!

Bath bombs make bathing fun and fizzy – and smell lovely. They also make a fantastic gift to give to someone else.

Chloe’s workshop is at 11am at Making Uncovered / Brixton East Gallery, lasts 1.5 hours and costs £15. There are 6 spaces. The price includes ingredients and packaging, and you’ll be able to take everything home with you. You can book your space on Eventbrite: http://makinguncoveredworkshops.eventbrite.co.uk/

‘Drawing is a way of calming my mind. It’s like meditation’

Elena Blanco is a Spanish-born artist living in Loughborough Junction. At Making Uncovered on 20 April, she will be popping up different points throughout the day drawing and engaging with the public.

What do you like about your art? Why did you get into it?

I have always enjoyed being creative and had lots of ideas. I studied architecture and that gave me drawing and design skills – but I didn’t like working as an architect. It was too serious and stressful, and not that creative as in “let yourself go” which is what I like about art (although I still love drawing urban landscapes and buildings).

Drawing is a way of calming my mind, connecting with the world and myself. It’s a bit like meditating. Illustration taps into my imagination, my inner child, and also satisfies my interest in design.

Why are you taking part in Making Uncovered?

I loved the idea from the beginning: of bringing makers together to display their skills and techniques. I think it will be such an enjoyable event, because making and creating make people so happy. And getting together to make is such a beautiful sharing act. I read an article about traditional Innuit communities, how they all get together in the evenings to make their art. And I have seen that myself in Spain, my grandmother and her mates getting together on chairs outside the front door, to do their sewing and knitting, sharing ideas, doing their gossip. It was beautiful to see and listen to!

What will you be doing at Making Uncovered people and why should they sign up?

I want to teach people about the joys of making, in my case illustrating and drawing. I want them to see how art is about enjoyment, acceptance, experimenting and practising – nothing else, no good or bad. I’ve got a beautiful quote from Rilke (that amazing poet and person) that inspires me a lot: “Works of art are of an infinite solitude and no means of approach is so useless as criticism. Only love can touch and hold them and be fair with them.” I’ll teach some very fun techniques that are great icebreakers for people scared of the blank page.

“Art is a powerful learning tool…” Pam Williams at Making Uncovered

Pam Williams is a Brixton artist who has worked in the UK and internationally, from Europe to the US to Hong Kong painting, drawing and teaching art. Pam will teach a drop-in drawing workshop at Making Uncovered on 20 April at 11am.

PAMCU

Why are you taking part in Making Uncovered?

I’ve been a professional artist for over 30 years. I’ve loved art from an early age – it was the most enjoyable activity at school for me, always fun, always new and stimulating. So I love to share and teach art skills, whether to children or adults.

I’m taking part in Making Uncovered to support local artists and to help bring the awareness of the importance of drawing to the community. It is a powerful learning tool for us all as we grow in all walks of life.

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What are your plans for the day?

During my workshop I will be demonstrating and talking about ‘what to look for when we sketch’ – what we need to understand to create a strong foundation for our art.

I’ll also be showing my new spring/summer collection of Brixton T-Shirts and Brixton sketches.

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Letterpress: 15th century art in 21st century London

Rachel Stanners of PricklePress explains her craft and her workshop at Making Uncovered on 20 April.

Tell us about letter-pressing – what do you like about it and what brought you to doing it?

Letterpress dates back to the fifteenth century. It is an old, tactile craft that requires time, focus and skill to design and typeset faultlessly, master the machinery and produce a perfect print. Each piece of card is fed through the press, piled and cut by hand. The result is something you will instantly want to stroke, collect, frame or gift away.

Press Brushes

I took up letterpress printing in 2009 when my partner and I bought a small hand-operated Adana letterpress. Although I found the amount of time and detail that went into every print run exhausting it was always worth the effort!

Until I tried letterpress I had never given so much time to one craft and it’s been rewarding to see my skill improve over the years.

Why are you taking part in Making Uncovered on 20 April?

I’d love to share the craft of letterpress. Some people have heard of letterpress but most don’t understand how it works or why letterpress goods are expensive.

I spend so much time explaining letterpress that when an opportunity came along to actually show people how it works I jumped at the chance. It’s not until you see a letterpress in action that you understand why it’s so special.

What will you be teaching people and why should they sign up?

I am going to be doing a few demonstrations throughout the day but I also want to use this opportunity to make letterpress accessible.

So, I’m giving a couple of people the chance to learn how to letterpress and print their own postcard designs: anything from a fun postcard to save-the-dates, birthday invitations, birth announcements.

You can design them yourself, ask me to help or use vintage wooden type to create something truly unique. On the day we will ink up the press and print up to fifty postcards on 100% cotton card.

It will cost between £30-150, depending on the complexity of your design. The price includes all the material costs. There’s only two spaces available so get in quick! Please get in touch before April 10 if you are interested.

To start your letterpress project and book a workshop space at Making Uncovered please contact rachel [at] pricklepress.co.uk

Try out willow-weaving and make your own plant climber! Naughty Magpie at Making Uncovered

willowyard cutends whissender

Brixton’s very own willow-weaver Sarah Lovett talks about her craft and her show at Making Uncovered on 20 April.

Tell us about your venture

I am interested in permaculture and sustainability. Four years ago I planted 600 willows in West Somerset. I call my venture Naughty Magpie Willows.

Every year in the winter while the plants are dormant I cut them all down and sort the slender wands into bundles. It is hard work but satisfying.

I then have a crop of green willow, which can be planted and grow into structures like tunnels, wigwams and domes. It can also be woven into various useful things for the house and garden.

What will you be showing at Making Uncovered?

I am very pleased to be able to share my skills with you!

I will be introducing my one of a kind bean climber – an obelisk frame which you can grow lovely orange runner bean flowers up, or clematis, cucumbers or morning glories. It is suitable for the garden, balcony or patio, and helps make the most of a small space to grow vegetables or flowers.

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While you are waiting for the plants to grow, you can hang a bird feeder in the top and watch the little birds fertilise your bean plants while they peck the food.

All you need to do is to find a big container, or plant pot, fill it with soil, plant your beans in it and plonk the frame over the top, you might have to tie it on in case its windy. Make sure it is watered and soon you will have a feature covered in free food!

I will also have with me large willow hearts designed to decorate the wall, bringing the outside inside. The hearts look fantastic on a feature wall in the living room, great as a notice board in the kitchen, or a hanger in the hallway.

Make your own plant climber!

If you would like to make a plant climber for yourself, or as a present for someone else, book your place at my workshop at Making Uncovered – there are only eight places.

I will demonstrate the easy to follow technique and then you can choose a dozen willow wands and begin to make your own climber with a little help from me. It is a lot of fun. Don’t worry about it being too big to carry, the structure collapses like an umbrella when you take the ring out of the bottom, so you have a long bundle and a ring to carry. More fun on the bus!

This activity is for adults. If you have a pair of secateurs bring them, but I have a few pairs we can use.

You can book your place at the workshop here.

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