Crystal and copper bangle making workshops
A FREE course of 3 workshops for Redbridge residents aged 18+, that will take place at SPACE Ilford on the following dates:
- Thursday 3 October 2024
- Thursday 10 October 2024
- Thursday 17 October 2024
Join Chrissy Henry of Chrissy’s Crystals to design and create your own unique ‘wearable art’ copper bangle. Over the course of three workshops, you will learn the simple art of ‘wire wrapping’, adding crystals and charms to your design to create a truly individualised bangle to take home with you.
All equipment and materials will be supplied.
To sign up to these free workshops, please email Daniel Picone at daniel@spacestudios.org.uk with your
- FULL NAME
- EMAIL ADDRESS
- AGE
- POSTCODE
- TELEPHONE NUMBER
Places are limited to 15 people so please ensure you are able to commit to all 3 sessions before signing up.
About the course:
The use of copper in jewellery has many benefits: from its robust structure, ability to be manipulated into any shape you desire and its positive impact on circulation and pain relief. Copper is a natural mineral used by the body in the manufacture of red blood cells, nerve cells and to boost immunity. Copper is an antioxidant, it can reduce free radicals, stress, menopause symptoms and aches and pains. Copper has been reputed to boost self-esteem, grounding and enhance positive energy.
More recently copper has been identified as being beneficial for menopause as it can assist in balancing thyroid hormone levels (WebMD). Historically, copper has been believed to have spiritual energy, offering protection from negative energy and promoting positivity.
Crystals have their own individual energies, strengths and powers. For centuries people have believed in their abilities to heal and enhance the life of the wearer. Crystals can be found in ancient jewellery, crowns, urns, daggers, coffins etc. People have been attracted to crystals throughout time and this continues in varying degrees in different countries amongst different groups of people.
Currently crystals – precious stones, gemstones, and gems – are seeing an increase in general popularity as people look for more natural ways to enhance their lives, manage stress and cope with modern life.
You probably know about ‘birthstones’: the crystal related to our birthdays and said to bring luck, peace and enrichment to our lives. Just like Astrology has different signs for when a person is born, so there are stones that are historically linked to our time of birth.
However there are hundreds of crystals/precious stones, including diamonds, emeralds, pearls, amethyst, carnelian etc and there are new crystals being ‘discovered’ all the time. Even if you do not believe/follow the idea that crystals have their own energy you can not help being attracted to their individual beauty and energy.
During the workshops we will spend some time looking at the ‘properties’ of different crystals and hopefully share our personal experiences of their impact on our lives. My overriding belief is that we are attracted to crystals because when we look at them they make us feel warm, happy, excited etc. The power of the crystal is the effect it has on you however small.
Jewellery making can be challenging especially when trying new ideas but it is also supremely rewarding when it goes to plan or even when it doesn’t: the outcome brings pleasure and joy to the creator and the person wearing it.
Outline of workshops:
In workshop one you will learn the process of making an individualised bangle from copper (or aluminium) wire. Your bangle will be special to you and you are invited to bring along any stones, beads or other pieces of jewellery to incorporate into your design and hopefully share the significance of this with the group. Participants will sketch a rough outline of the bracelet using inspiration from their own jewellery, the internet and examples made by Chrissy’s Crystals. Step by step we will select the best gauge of wire and start the process of creating a beautiful unique piece of wearable art.
In workshops two and three we will make another unique piece of art in the form of a ring or pendant or if you choose another bangle or bracelet. Again we will start with a sketch, ideas and outline the process of making our piece. Practice items can be made to ensure the idea/ design looks good.
Help and support will be available from our team throughout the workshops to overcome any challenges or issues and offer encouragement.
We will take photos of our completed designs as we model our jewellery (optional).
We will complete affirmation cards for each piece sharing a little about what it means to us (our intention) including brief information about the crystals, charms used.
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About your tutor
I am Christine, a self-taught artist with a lifelong love of jewellery and semi-precious crystals. I got into copper-wrapping when I was leaving my long-term full-time career and wanted to make personalised gifts for my colleagues. Happily I was able to make them personalised bracelets using some pre-made findings, crystals and charms. Seeing the delight on my friends’ faces as they opened their gifts and read the individual dedication cards confirmed to me the healing, empowering effects and importance jewellery has in our lives.
I always have crystals and shells around my home and I decided to try wrapping a shell that was sitting on my window sill. Many sore fingers, frustrated (‘blue’) hours and a mountain of ‘mistakes’ and tools later, I found my flow and managed to wrap the shell, some stones and a conker.
I believe we all learn from each other, so used YouTube videos to learn the basic techniques of wire wrapping. I continue to develop my style and skills in creating unique jewellery and I am motivated by things all around me: trees, leaves, people, jewellery etc. I am motivated to share my pleasure, fulfilment, joy and skills with others as I believe building our connection with each other and nature enhances and enriches our lives.
