Arts&Crafts

Afonwen Crafts

1st & 2nd July, Eco Silver Jewellery

by Sandra Roberts

Every piece of Sandra’s eco silver jewellery is unique. She’s happy to chat and take commissions.

8th & 9th July, local artist Gill Benjamin Gill has produced many stunning paintings and will have a selection with her.

20th & 21st July, local artist Tracey Davies Tracey enjoys painting portraits, especially of dogs, and welcomes commissions. She is always happy to pause from her work to talk.

25th July, The Crafty Sisters

The ladies make all kinds of jewellery in bright and often sparkly colours. They also have quirky tote bags, greeting cards in Welsh and English, plus cute hair accessories for children.

26th & 27th July, Marie at Earth

Deva Marie makes quirky gift items from her own designs, including mythical themes. She also sells eye-catching artwork.

5th & 6th August, Danielle McIntyre Art A self-taught free-motion embroidery artist, inspired by city and landscapes, Danielle loves working with Liberty prints. She teaches embroidery and machine skills.

15th & 16th August, Jackie at Jewels Jackie will be adding to her impressive collection of handmade jewellery and accessories, and accepts commissions.

17th & 18th August, Liz at Magpie Fairy Gifts Liz makes gift items from metal tape art, which she will demonstrate.

19th & 20th

August, local artist Thelma Evans Thelma paints on canvas, mainly pretty florals.

22nd & 23rd August, Spinning with Jenni Frost Jenni will be holding a beginner’s class, teaching the basics of this wonderful craft. To book, email jennifrost@outlook.com

24th & 25th August, Marie at Earth Deva See 26th-27th July.

Afonwen Craft & Antique Centre is near Mold. www.afonwen.co.uk

Do It Your Celf

What started as a casual group of like-minded creatives has flourished into an artistic endeavour supporting disabled artists across Mid Wales

Back in 2015 a group of four artists began meeting casually once a month in Newtown, Powys. By the following year they’d gained enough support to set up as a not-for-profit company, Celf-Able. The volunteer-led art group now has 25 full-time members and close to 100 casual members from a range of backgrounds.

Chair Sue Patch said: “Some have a formal art education, some are self-taught, others are new to art. Many join us thinking they can’t do art at all and discover a new hobby they enjoy. ”

Virtual space

Celf-Able are disabled but open to all ages and abilities. “It’s an inclusive place for people to be able to be creative and express themselves in a safe environment. It’s as much a social group as an art group. We also offer the option to join our sessions via Zoom, for those who may not wish to come in person but would like to enjoy the creative environment,” said Sue.

Meetings take place at six locations – Welshpool, Llanfair Caereinion, Llanidloes, Llanfyllin and Machynlleth as well as Newtown – and the group also runs workshops on more unusual techniques such as puppetry, glass blowing and papermaking. Their current project, ‘Birds of a Feather’, was inspired by a trip to Lake Vrnwy to capture the local bird life. Sculptor Andrew Logan is running a discounted workshop, and the group has a sponsored workspace at Focus Enterprise Hub in Newtown.

Taking part

Sue explained: “You don’t have to be a member to join a Celf-Able session. Your first session is free, and subsequent sessions are then £5. There’s an optional annual membership of £15 which gives you discounted sessions at £3, and all members get a basic art pack to get you started. Reach out to us at admin@celf-able.org or call 07928 175 902.”

Art With Heart

Gabrielle’s Gallery is a bustling venue, alive with chatter and laughter during the popular pottery painting, wheel throwing and art classes. If it’s dry and sunny, there are outdoor covered tables for painting; if it’s rainy or cold the indoor tables are available.

Inside the old school the gallery is packed with original paintings, ceramic tiles and sculptures, for sale or for inspiration. If you’re looking for hand-painted tiles or artwork you’ve dreamt of but can’t find, it can