Archive for the ‘friendly plastic classes uk’ Category

Victoria Stampers Class in the UK by Liz Welch

Sunday, June 13th, 2010
Friendly Plastic is fun the world over!!! Very popular in the UK thanks to artist Liz Welch, who's textural techniques with Friendly Plastic are absolutely stunning.   I wanted to share highlights of one of her recent classes.


What a hot one Saturday was, not only from the point of view of the weather, but also the class I took at Victoria Stampers in Rainhill, Mersyside, everyone was red hot keen to discover how to use Friendly Plastic to it’s best advantage.
Meeting in the function room over the Victoria Pub, these talented and dedicated ladies know how to apply themselves to their craft! Not only was it all superbly organised by Lynne Wilkinson, but everyone came prepared with the right kit, the right attitude and bucketfuls of friendship and humour (plus the odd chocolate!).
This was a larger class than normal due to very special circumstances and I was a little anxious that it might be tricky to give everyone enough attention. However, they listened, made notes and eagerly tried out all the things I threw at them to do, helping each other along the way. I was so busy and involved that I managed to only take one or two photos, and I am reliant on some photos generously donated by others.
Unfortunately, because I did not take all the photos, I can’t remain behind the camera!
Busy learning Lacework
Here are some great samples made by Jo
You can see how hard they worked, and in this example, it is obvious that Jo’s energy and enthusiasm did not stop when class was over as I think all of these were made after the class! Thanks Jo for all your photos.
Neet sent me this photo of the work she had done in he class, finishing off her Angelina hearts and putting them back to back to make a pendant when she got home.
The last two images I have pinched from Carol and Olive’s blogs – thank you ladies!
Finally, here I am demonstrating a technique to the ladies of Victoria Stampers, and as you can see, they all paid close attention.
Judging by the flurry of head-swelling emails I received, they enjoyed themselves and liked what I did with them. I was very touched by the lovely hand made card (complete with Friendly Plastic motif) which was signed by them all.
Thank you Victoria Stampers for a really great day, I thoroughly enjoyed being with you all, you are a great bunch of people and I look forward to working with you all again.




Liz teached Friendly Plastic throughout the UK.  Please visit her blog for details of her upcoming classes.

For those of you who are not able to travel to the UK but would like to take a class, I am happy to say that we are working on that possibility thru CrafTECH University.  It is just a matter of finding a time suitable for her and everyone and working out the logistics.  This will truely be a class you don't want to miss!!  Please keep checking the class calendar on http://www.craftechuniversity.com/ home page for updates to the schedule.



Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.

Liz Welch Class Schedule for 2010 – UK Friendly Plastic

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Direct from RareLizzies blog (aka Liz Welch) here is the information about her upcoming classes in the UK. Liz writes:


I have updated my web site with the class dates for 2010. To save you the effort of checking it out, I am detailing them below just in case you might be interested in any of them. They are not exhaustive, and I am open to ideas and suggestions.


19th January 2010 moring class @ Gillians Crafts in Derby. See Gill’s web site for more details and to book the classes.


By The Book (morning class)



This little book is only 2 inches square, and can easily be made in the 2hr class. Texturing and colouring techniques will be covered, as well as “Beads on Strings”.

Linda's Notes: I personally have one of these beautiful books by Liz Welch and I can assure you this is a class that you do NOT want to miss!! Both Liz and Gill (owner of Gillians Crafts) will keep you laughing all day long!!

Dancing Dolls (afternoon class)



Learn how to make a Lizzie Doll using free form modelling techniques.. You may well have time to make more than one of these little ladies.


9th March 2010 10am – 3pm Bend It Shape it Gillians Crafts in Derby Book directly with Gill



A day full of wonder and exploration. Learn as many techniques as you feel able to – an excellent way to really get to grips with what Friendly Plastic can do for you. I always try to tailor the class to the needs of the students attending, and we cover all the favourites of Lacework, Oooze, Impressions, Patchwork, simple beads, inlay and much more.



7th April 2010 Morning – First Impressions – Buttons and Motifs for Textiles and other crafts @ Husqvarna Studio Nottingham Book Directly with Husqvarna please.



Create buttons and motifs to adorn your textile and sewing projects as well as for jewellery and paper craft applications. We will explore dragging and marbling, cutting and hole making, and you will learn how to seal your work. Buttons are hand washable.


7th April 2010 Afternoon - Going Mouldy – making moulds and using them with Friendly Plastic Husqvarna Studio Nottingham Book Directly with Husqvarna please.



Learn how to use 2 part silicone putty to make moulds. We will then fill them with Friendly Plastic and make our own motifs or embellishments for textiles, scrap booking, paper crafts or jewellery. We will be using inks, paints and Friendly Plastic Pellets to achieve the effects want.


24th April Oooze and Aahhs – Full day workshop @ Husqvarna Studio Nottingham Book Directly with Husqvarna please.



Spend a day Ooozing and extruding with Friendly Plastic and assorted things with holes in, and you will be “aahhing and ooing” at the effects you discover. Whether you are a paper crafter or a textile person or love jewellery, this is a very versatile technique that creates incredible textures and effects that will have you rushing home to try it out some more!


22nd May Get Stuck In – full day workshop @ Husqvarna Studio Nottingham Book Directly with Husqvarna please.



Multimedia approach to Friendly Plastic – how to stick lots of different things in your FP projects so that they won’t come out again without the aid of glue! If you want to you can make a fun note book cover with all the pieces you experiment with. Embed mirrors, beads, buttons, wire, yarn, feathers, sequins, motifs and whatever takes your fancy. Then piece it all together to make a panel for the front of a book or the top of a box.


3rd June Brilliant Beads – full day workshop @ Husqvarna Studio Nottingham Book Directly with Husqvarna please.



All things beady (using Friendly Plastic of course) - round ones, cylinders, wonky shapes, drops, focal beads, wrapped beads, bent beads (Tubeads), recycled beads, mixed media beads, moulded beads…. and the list goes on. We will cover as many things as you want to, and it will be up to you if you want to make enough beads for a project or, to try out as many different bead techniques as you can fit in the day.


All the classes are suitable for beginners as well as those with some experience.


This is the current list of workshops that are open to everyone to book on to, as opposed to the ones I am doing for guilds and clubs. Please book directly with the venue. If you have any queries about what we will be doing in the class then email me at enquiries@rarebird.ltd.uk


I will also be at Stitches Trade show at the NEC in February demonstrating for All About Crafts / Pottery Crafts, and some of my textile work will be on display at three venues this year, the first of which is Sewing for Pleasure at the NEC in March. I will blog about that closer to the time.


If you are in Anaheim USA at the end of this month and are going to CHA then visit Amaco at their “booth” as the Americans call it (a “stand” to us Brits) and you will find Linda Peterson and Jana Ewy demonstrating FP for the company. You will also find some of my jewellery on display if I get it to Linda in time!












Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.

Friendly Plastic Classes in the UK by Liz Welch November 21st

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Bend It Shape It (Any Way You Want It)


21st November at Stitched Up and Fleeced (Sue Lancaster’s studio) 49 Nethergreen Road, Sheffield S11 7EH

07879 424989 Email: Stitchedupandfleeced@live.co.uk 10am – 4pm £40 Please book directly with Sue.


The very best way to get to know Friendly Plastic. We work through a whole host of techniques including my Lacework and Oooze techniques, plus Piecework, impressions, foiling, embedding, some beads, and generally anything everyone wants to know. We use hot water and dry heat to achieve our aims, so you learn loads about the easiest ways to work with Friendly Plastic in your own environment. You will make between 10 and 20 sample pieces to use as you wish in whatever creative medium you are currently working in. Friendly Plastic is so versatile that it suits textile people, jewellery folk, paper artists, mixed media players, model makers, costume designers and many others that I have not even thought about. One thing you will be sure of is that you will be going home with a head stuffed full of ideas and a bag full of interesting and decorative samples. If you are a regular reader of this blog you will have seen some of the things that people get up to on these Bend It Shape It days, so beat the grey November skies and forget abut all the things you need to do and come and discover a whole new world of creativity.


FP jumble


FRIENDLY PLASTIC CLASSES IN THE UK – Liz Welch!

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

I have the next list of Friendly Plastic classes available in the UK offered by Artist Queen Liz Welch.


I personally spent a full week with Liz and although, I am quite familiar with Friendly Plastic, there were loads of things she taught me. We spent and entire evening together staying up until wee hours of the morning creating and collaborating. Now, I can not guarantee that Liz will create until wee hours of the morning, I can guarantee that you will come away from these classes refreshed, inspired and it will be one of the best days you will spend, plus you will make some great art!


So....without further adieu here are her classes:


First Impressions - 10th November 10.30am-12.30pm - £10.00

FUN FUN FUN!!!!! -

Quick ideas for simple but elegant cards using Friendly Plastic. If you have never used this material before, you will be amazed and delighted at how easy it is to create sophisticated motifs from your paper crafting or jewellery making. This class is based around stamping into Friendly Plastic using a variety of methods, ways of colouring and re-colouring and ideas for recycling scraps.


Bowled Over by Friendly Plastic 10th November 1.30pm-3.30pm - £13.00

Learn how to add colour, impress, mould and shape your Friendly Plastic and turn it into a beautiful little bowl or dish. This class is suitable for beginners and those with experience alike.


By the Book - 19th January 10.30am - 12.30pm - £13.00

Make a beautiful and unusual gift - a delightful little 2" square book using Friendly Plastic and paper. You will learn how to create a textured aged look, how to join pieces together using the hot water method, and how to use the soldering iron to make eyelets, and how to make Liz's "Beads on Strings". This class is suitable for Friendly Plastic virgins as well as those with experience.


Dancing Dolls - 19th Januiary 1.30pm-3.30pm - £13.00

(Can I say this...."this was one of my most favorite things I learned from Liz!)

Free form modelling with Friendly Plastic brings these charming little dolls to life. Learn how to use the hot water method to soften your plastic ready for manipulating it in your hand. Simple shapes, simply worked, turn Friendly Plastic into 3D forms. Learn how to attach brooch pins without using glue.Some manual dexterity required for this class, but no other experience is necessary.


Friendly Plastic Day School 9th March 10am-3.30pm £45.00 including Lunch

Spend the whole day learning about Friendly Plastic - Bend it Shape it anyway you want it
Read all about Liz's trip to the US on her blog - www.rarelizzie.wordpress.com
You can also email her thru the blog for more information about the classes.
All classes will be held at :
GILLIANS CRAFTS
8 Victoria St
Derby, DE1 1EQ,
United Kingdom
+44 1332 332133
If you are planning a trip to the UK - these classes will surely be a highlight.
Plans are underway to hold a Friendly Plastic World Conference Late Spring of 2010 in the UK. We are still in the beginning planning stages, so information will be given as soon as it's available.