Children's art and craft workshops using all sorts of materials and techniques

3 colour lino cut print. Design was inspired by a slapstick circus routine

I’m an artist who enjoys working with a wide range of materials. 
Back at Lichfield College when I had finished my Foundation Course in Art and Design the external examiner commented that because of my abilities in such a wide range of techniques and materials I actually had a choice of artistic directions that I could follow.

As it turns out since graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2006 I have mainly been making mixed-media sculptures (using textiles, found objects and industrial scrap) but more recently I have also made collages and now two short films too. www.frillipmoolog.co.uk 

In my outreach work www.allsensesart.com I have mainly specialised in wet felt-making. 

This has been for two reasons. Firstly I discovered the therapeutic properties of the wet felt-making process and have found that it is an amazing medium for relaxing participants and I have devised a range of techniques which have made it accessible to people with a wide range of abilities. I am very proud that I have been able to work with people of all ages and abilities and that I have helped to empower them and to raise their self esteem.

The second reason is simply the practical issue of storage space for workshop equipment and materials.

But it is good to remind myself of all the other creative activities that I have led over the years and which I am sure I will continue to do as and when opportunities arise.

Some of these have been workshops led on a voluntary basis and others have been me working as a professional freelance artist.

At Lichfield College I did several years of life drawing which I was quite accomplished at however my heart was always in non figurative work and especially in mixed media. 

Collage of images from magazines on a handprinted base. 

I had a very strong art education a school and we did a lot of drawing. I found that I especially enjoyed dramatic pencil work and also using indian ink for drawing.

Study of butterfly wing- watercolour and indian ink

I was delighted when I was able to include a drawing session in the felted firebird project for Wirksworth Festival  
The children’s bird drawings were so wonderful that I digitally scanned each of them and resized them and then made a digital file which could be printed and assembled into a beautiful little zig-zag book. 

 

Drawing with non-conventional materials is also great fun. In some of my sessions children  and young people have used pipe-cleaners to ‘draw’ 

Pipe-cleaner 'drawings' made by a young person in Ocean Ward Birmingham Children's Hospital

or in my sessions with Foundation 3D design students we have used wire, springs and straws amongst other things.

3D Drawing made by a Foundation Level student at MMU

Of course these mixed-media materials lead onto sculpture so making vegetable creatures is an obvious creative session. It is especially good as it is enjoyed by children of all ages from the very young upwards.

Vegetable Creatures made by children at John's Lee Wood Family Camp 

Since 2004 I have run several creative workshops for children and families at an annual  family camp John’s Lee Wood in Leicestershire.

We have done glass painting sessions several times. Painting on jam jars which we later used as tea-light holders and also using offcuts of glass supplied by a local glazier. 

A beautiful angel painted by a 10 year old at John's Lee Wood Family Camp

We have made our own paper by making paper pulp from shredded, old maps, paper bags etc.

I enjoy working with recycled materials so I developed a workshop where we made badges by embossing designs on recycled aluminium drinks cans. This was an idea that I developed which was inspired by metal artist, Val Hunt’s, work. 

Making Peg Dollies was a lovely session. Once made, the children used the dollies as puppets and we even had a session where we interviewed the children and asked them all about their dolly; his or her favourite food, hobbies and favourite TV programme etc.

Peg Dollies are always a favourite with all ages of children. I made this one!

On occasions at John’s Lee Wood Family camp I have also assisted in workshops which have been led by other artists - willow weaving workshops and mini hooked rug making sessions are two which I assisted with. 

Chris and Jack doing some willow weaving at John's Lee Wood Family Camp

small patches of hooked rug are really effective addition to this teenage boy's bag

In the last couple of years I have broadened my skills even more and have experimented with Fimo polymer clay. Using a pasta maker to make millefiori patterned beads which are then assembled to make a butterfly brooch is simple when you know how! 

And finally, Card-making is a relaxing activity and even more fun when you do it with a friend for company. 

And I have even had a hand-made card sent to me by a young lady to say thank you for the craft birthday party that I ran for her. 

Kirsty’s Craft Birthday Parties: Happy kids and parents from Birmingham to Sheffield and further!

A fab collection of hand-felted cushions made at Aimee's 11th birthday party. Brilliantly creative kids!

I know it sounds like blowing my own trumpet but I just can’t help having a warm glow inside myself when I have just finished one of my AllSensesArt felting parties; it is such a rewarding feeling to know that not only is the birthday girl or boy happy and satisfied but their friends and mum, and dad and even their grandma is excited and happy too. 

My felting parties seem to be even better than expected!

“Couldn’t think of any negatives as everything went even better than planned!”
Sarah Brindley, Cannock, West Midlands May 2014

When people book me to do a felting party for their child they will usually have Googled something like ‘Craft Parties’. They might also have Googled ‘Craft Parties Midlands’, ‘Craft Parties Staffordshire’, ‘Craft Parties Derbyshire’ and more but actually I have travelled all over the UK to deliver AllSensesArt felting parties. Fife in Scotland, way over in the East of the East Midlands and up to Sheffield in South Yorkshire too. 

Parents who like my parties like something a bit different.  They know their child and know what they and their friends like. They know that their child likes making things and loves to create and usually has friends who are into making and crafts too and a felting party is usually a completely new experience for everyone. 

When I describe an AllSensesArt kids felting birthday party I always say that they are lively and full-on. Not mayhem but simply buzzing with creative energy. And what we achieve in two hours of craft activity always amazes people. 

Me, Kirsty E Smith, having fun with Sienna's friends at her felted bag party 

“Just wanted to say a huge Thank you for  the fabulous workshop you carried out for Laura’s party yesterday.

All the girls had a wonderful time and I  had some lovely texts last night from their moms thanking me and saying how the girls were still buzzing and hadn’t  stop talking about it all evening!!!!

They are all so proud  of their cushions and the parents were amazed to see what they had produced when they collected them.” 
Jaki Hingley, Stourbridge, West Midlands 

Happy and proud children at various AllSensesArt craft birthday parties

It is such a nice surprise to start with just fluffy sheep’s wool fibres and use just soap and water to make, not only make a piece of hand-made felt, but to actually make an item such as 
-a cushion
-a bag
-a piece of jewellery-a picture
or 
-a mini-beast creature.

there are so many many gorgeous colours to choose from 

The children have an exciting time working with materials that they usually haven’t handled before. 
And everyone always loves the soapy water rubbing part of the process of making hand made-felt. Felting is a very sensory process. 

The various stages during an AllSensesArt kids craft party are:

-First choosing colours

-Then learning how to break the wool fibres into short tufts and lay-out a bed of fluffy fibres.

-Designing a picture or pattern is a favourite part of the process for children who enjoy designing,and planning.
In an AllSensesArt party you learn how to ‘draw’ with wool.

-Next wetting the wool, adding some lovely mild soap and rubbing to felt the fibres together. This is such a relaxing process and totally different from other craft processes. 

At yesterday’s cushion making party Aimee and her friends burst into song while they were felting; this is not the first time that I have had a merry band of felters who enjoy it so much that they start to sing!

-And then before their very eyes the fluffy wool fibres have transformed into a piece of hand made felt.

When making a felted bag we wrap up a rock to begin with. 
Well that’s an unusual craft party idea! 
And we make a felted bag with no sewing at all.... okay we do sew on the button at the end.

a rock wrapped up in sheep's wool fibres. All ready to be transformed into a cute and colourful bag 

Detail of Sienna's felted bag. It was her 8th birthday party. 

"It was lovely to meet you and be introduced to a new skill. The flow of the party worked really well, the only downside it went far to quickly! You engage well with the children and adults making us all at ease and encouraging us to just enjoy it which we all did. There were some proud girls (and one Grandma) at the end of the party. They make a wonderful substitute for the standard party bag and could be used to put a few goodies in!  Oooh and my hands felt so smooth with the use of Olive oil soap!
Sarah Brindley, Cannock, West Midlands May 2014

Sienna's craft party for her 8th birthday

At a felted cushion making birthday party the children first make their piece of hand-made felt, then they cut a matching shaped piece from some shop-bought felt. Next they sew the front and back together using running stitch and then they stuff their cushion and sew up the gap.

Build-a-Bear is nothing compared to an AllSensesArt Felted Cushion Making party!

Stuffing the cushion with some super soft filling

Sewing up the last gap to complete the cushion

For more craft party options and more feedback from previous parties visit www.allsensesart.com

and you can also watch a short video of one an AllSensesArt Felted Flower Jewellery Craft Parties. 


Prices start at £105 for 7 children with £15 per additional child.

I travel all over the country to lead kids creative craft parties - most are in The Midlands, Derbyshire and South Yorkshire but don’t hesitate to contact me even if you live further afield as travel costs can be discussed. 

e mail Kirsty Smith  allsensesart@btinternet.com
phone 0773 995 9951

If you want an extra-special, very unusual and memorable Craft Party for your child then an AllSensesArt felting party is the perfect choice!

Fantastic Creative Craft Parties for Children in Solihull

Yesterday I had a fun day at a Children’s Party Event in Dorridge, (near Solihull). 'Get The Party Started' was an event organised by Melanie Bramich. 

Melanie like many mums feels that it is really important to meet face to face with the people that you are entrusting your child’s birthday party to.

So, yesterday’s event at Dorridge Village Hall was fantastic as parents were able to come and find out about everything party.

Since setting up AllSensesArt back in 2007 I have provided the entertainment at lots of unusual and interesting children’s craft parties for all ages of children and in so many lovely venues.

I chose to specialise in the felt-making early on as it is such an unusual and sensory process. We start with just fluffy sheep’s wool fibres and using soap and water almost anything can be made!

I have been making hand-made felt now for 15 years so I have lots of experience and have been able to devise some very cool craft ideas for birthday parties.

I am absolutely in love with the process of felt-making as it is so exciting to see how much fun people of all ages have. Felting isn’t just for children it’s a fantastic craft party activity that suits all ages.

At AllSensesArt I offer several children’s party options. 

• Felted Teddy Bear Coats
• Felted Cushions and Pictures
• Felted Bags
• Magic Ball Mini-Beasts and Jewellery
• Felted Flower Brooches

Everyone loves their teddy so why not make your own felted teddy coat.

Felted cushions are so snuggly and of course with with wool fibres in so many colours children can make their own felted cushion to perfectly compliment their bedroom. It will be treasured!

"We just wanted to say a huge Thank You for the fabulous workshop that you carried out for Laura's party yesterday. All the girls had a wonderful time and I had some lovely texts from the mums last night thanking me and saying how the girls were still buzzing and hadn't stopped talking about it all evening. They are all so proud of their cushions and the parents were amazed to see what they had produced. We look forward to seeing you again which I am sure we will!" 

J. Hingley, Stourbridge, W. Mids Dec 2011

A birthday party making felted bags and purses is brilliant. A party bag and gift made all in one!

For younger children my felted mini-beasts party is still the biggest hit. 

"Kirsty came to do felt-making mini-beasts for my daughters 6th Birthday. It was a fabulous party, the children were totally absorbed and very creative. It was a world apart from the usual ball pool parties! The children were absolutely delighted with their creations, which were all so different. A very special and memorable day, A big thank-you." S. Wilson, Hamstall Ridware, Staffordshire 2011

The great thing about this party is that you can either make lots of mini-beasts or make a mini-beast and then a necklace or bracelet too.

For 'Get The Party Started' I made some gorgeous multi-colored bracelets to sell, but I also offered children the chance to have a go at felting and make their own magic felted ball.

Here I am at 'Get The Party Started' (Solihull).

Ellie made a lovely felted ball she was definitely the type of girl who would love the creative parties that I provide. 

And as I’ve said before, “Felting isn’t just for boys!” Read my Hand-Made Felting Projects for Boys

I couldn't resist matching this young felter's nail polish with the same gorgeous wool colours. Here at AllSensesArt we must be doing something right!

For the party event in Dorridge, we had parents and children coming from all around the Solihull area including Knowle and Dorridge. 

It was a really great chance to show people what felt-making is all about. 

So many gorgeous colours of wool to choose from and using soap and water really gets people’s interest! I am really looking forward to providing more fun and creative parties to lots more birthday boys and girls in the Solihull area.

To find out more about my felting birthday parties for kids visit www.allsensesart.com

I am based in The Midlands, UK but travel all over the UK.

Kate's Perfect Hand-Felted Cushion Making Party

Kate and her friends with their own gorgeous handmade cushions.

Kate is one of those girls who has lots of interests, fashion, dancing, and just having fun with her friends 

As it turned out Kate and her friends had lots of fun at her Hand-Felted Cushion Party.

People often ask me, “What exactly do you do at a Felting Party?” and, “How does it work?” 

Sometimes if the party is for younger children then they will have some party games and unwrap presents first, then make their handmade felt creation, followed by party food and then more games. 

With older children (this was Kate’s 11th birthday) they might have party food and birthday cake first, followed by the felting and then a film or their DIY makeover session.

Whatever you choose I will come to your venue and lead a two hour felt-making session. I will also need an extra15 minutes to set up and 15 minutes to tidy away but the felting activity itself will be a full two hours. 

“Can you really make something in only 2 hours?” .............Yes you can!

• Mini-Beasts - the best craft party idea for younger children. 6 year olds upwards.
• 
  
• Felted Bags - made by felting over  a stone with a hand felted strap too. Aged 9 upwards or younger children if parents can help with sewing on the strap and button.
• 
  
• Felted Pictures - children from 7 years upwards. No sewing required just ‘painting’ with fool fibres. Magic!
• 
  
• Cushions - This party option is best if done by older children (11 years upwards) and with fairly simple designs. 
• 
  
• Felted Flower Brooches - These are beautiful hand made fashion accessories and this a really popular craft party activity. Simple flowers can be made in 2 hours but teenagers and adults will need 3 hours as they just love to spend time extra embellishing their flower with some of Kirsty’s beads.  

Felt-making is a really unusual craft. Booking an AllSensesArt felting party is a great way to start.

So what can you expect at an AllSensesArt felting party?

I will get to the venue. It might be in a hall that you have hired or it can be at your home. Kate’s mum, Julie, had her party at home. It was lovely as her living room is open plan living dining room and so I had even more space than usual and it is also a lovely bright room. 

Kate had invited 5 friends to her Felted Cushion Making Party. I covered Julie’s dining room table with plastic sheeting, towels and then bubble wrap.

I am often working in people’s dining rooms so I need to make sure that their dining room tables don’t get damaged at all. Summer parties have even taken place in the garden which is fun too. 

After showing the girls the fantastic range of lovely colours of fluffy merino wool fibres we started by laying out a layer of white wool fibres.

Once they had mastered the knack of tufting the merino wool tops it was easy. But deciding on colours can be difficult, especially with so many to choose from! 

I explained that we had 2 hours to not only make our hand felted cushion fronts but to also sew on the backing fabric and stuff the cushions. With longer time more intricate designs can be made.

Here's a lovely Converse All Star logo. Simple but effective!

Kate chose lime green and turquoise to match her newly decorated bedroom. Here she is stitching the backing fabric on to her hand felted cushion front. 

Completed cushions. Stuffed with soft wadding and ready to take home. 

The beauty of this craft party idea is that it is so unusual, and that such impressive results can be achieved so quickly.

So a party which is completely memorable, where everyone’s creativity is unleashed AND every one has their own hand felted cushion.

The perfect accessory for their bedroom, something to be proud of and a great reminder of a very special birthday party.

All that from an AllSenses Art Felting Craft Party!

Children love to make their own cushions. Merino sheep's wool is lovely and soft and ....just snuggly.

AllSensesArt is based in Lichfield, Staffordshire, UK. 
Travel to parties up to 20 miles away is free but I am happy to travel further afield for a small additional fee. 


Visit www.allsensesart.com for more hand-felted craft ideas, photos, information and prices.
Make your child's birthday party a memorable one!


e mail or phone me on 0773 995 9951 with any questions or to make a booking.