Beautiful Arundel, Paint workshops, chests and other stuff
Good Morning
from
Arundel Eccentics
It's dawned wet and grey here in Arundel,
but we have had some beautiful mornings just recently.
Dancing horses
On Monday, I had a paint workshop here,
at the Riverside Studio
studio and hence was up
and around early, preparing.
I glanced across the field opposite our little Victorian cottage,
and here was the lovely scene that met my eyes.
It was frosty and still cold, but the sun
was just up and the ground
was starting to warm,
so there was steam rising.
You could see the horses breathe as
they gambolled around the field.
The light was just stunning.
I ran in for my trusty camera.......
Watch the sequence...
the three horses were dancing
around the field together.
a little roll around..........
but...dont' leave me behind
Until eventually, they had a little conference in the middle of he field.
It was a lovely sight first thing n the morning.
vintage chests
We have had several paint and distress and decoupage
workshops over the past week.
Somehow, though, I'm still managing
to finish chests of drawers
and get them down to our antiques warehouse.
I'm really pleased with how this one has finished up,
as it was in a bad way when we found it.
We can send him on his way for another 100 years now. Ha Ha
Arundel Walks
As you walk down Mill Road in Arundel,
you might notice that the last
of the adolescents in the Swan family
appear to have flown the nest.
I noticed just one staying put, last week.
It feels very much as if Spring is approaching
The ducks are getting pretty frisky,
so, no doubt, it wont be long before
we can watch the new life
on the streams down there.
Each year we watch the swans and their new brood.
On my walk on Sunday, I went down Mill Road...
and around Swanbourne Lake
 |
| Swanbourne Lake |
 |
This sign made me feel sad as we wont be seeing the horses galloping again, in Arundel Park  early in the morning was watching John Dunlop's racehorses being exercised. |
you find the most stunning views up there..........
back down to Swanbourne lake
First signs of Spring in Arundel Park
Paint workshops
I had a great workshop day on Saturday.
Nancy was lucky enough to have the day by herself and my undivided attention,
so we managed to transform two pieces and she went home a very happy person.
This was the box she had found.
It's probably 19th century , heavy lovely old pine.
She said it cost her about £40
We took all the tacks and bits and pieces off first.
This chair had been hers as a child and had been either in loft or garage, and was in quite a state.
She wanted to restore it for her little girls room.
We had a great day and she went home with her pieces really happy.
paint workshops
Do you have an old wreck of a piece?
Ha Ha
No, I'm not talking about spouses.
An old sad looking item.
Actually, even a new sad looking item
You can manage to change
it's entire persona,
have a fun day,
eat a great veggie munch at lunch time
with a glass or two of wine,
(if you promise not to fall asleep in the afternoon)
make friends,
and learn a new skill.
It will open up new worlds, if you haven't had a go already.
People leave our little studio,
proudly clutching their transformed pieces and
head straight for the nearest car boot sale to buy more items,
or the paint shop for more materials,
or they empty out their garden shed to use as a workshop.
We've had them all.
One friend who was on a workshop,
went home and was inspired to begin a whole new sideline.
Working in a punishing full time job,
she said returns home and paints until silly o'clock
in the morning,
and has sold loads of the pieces
she makes from driftwood.
We, at Arundel Eccentrics
are excited to see how the one day we offer
does not exactly change someone's life,
but certainly it seems to add a new dimension for many people
Workshops early 2013
Learn to
paint & distress,
wax and age,
crackle and craquelure
decoupage,
& gild.....
make an old piece of furniture
you
found unloved,
looking seriously
destined for the rubbish tip,
into, at the most, a work of art
& treasured heirloom
at the very least
very much more beautiful than it did.
At the same time, enjoying
the tranquillity
of our
Riverside Studio
in the beautiful,
country town of Arundel,
where
you will be learning in a small friendly class
and enjoying a tasty, vegetarian lunch
with a glass of wine.
Introduction to gilding with decoupage
on a small item of furniture
Course Code 4
Friday 22nd March
Sunday 14th April
Saturday 27th April
So saying,
if absolutely
none of these
dates are any good to you
and you would like
to come on one
of our workshops
please email me
a few dates that
are convenient
to you
and lets see if we
can coordinate something
arundel.eccentrics@sky.com
paint & distress,
wax and age,
crackle and craquelure
decoupage,
& gild.....
make an old piece of furniture
you
found unloved,
looking seriously
destined for the rubbish tip,
into, at the most, a work of art
& treasured heirloom
at the very least
very much more beautiful than it did.
At the same time, enjoying
the tranquillity
of our
Riverside Studio
in the beautiful,
country town of Arundel,
where
you will be learning in a small friendly class
and enjoying a tasty, vegetarian lunch
with a glass of wine.
I know, I know, LOL, they really are as fun as they sound
We have met some lovely people and had
some great workshops over the past few months.
some great workshops over the past few months.
Here is what some of them have to say.....
"What a wonderful, inspirational day,
I loved every minute of it"
"What an incredible experience
doing decoupage with Brenda."
Ha ha this person added
"her ideas and her talent are endless,
her charm is delightful,
now add her scrumptious lunch
and you won't want to leave"
Thank you Sandy,
I only just noticed all those
wonderful things you said,
and now my head is
so large I cannot get
out of my house through the door.
I would also like to officially
sign you up as my agent.
Ha Ha
" I never thought I could
do anything remotely usable"
said Chrissie,
who turned this
 |
| and this |
 |
| into this...she had NEVER done anything like this before. |
We use all sorts of products
and introduce people to
painting, distressing and waxing,
crackle glaze,
craquelure
gilding,
decoupage,
and aging pieces in all different ways.
Dates for workshops
A day costs £95, but if you would like to do the whole weekend,with a friend or two,
we will do both days for £150 per person.
Dates for workshops 2013
Preparing, Paint, distress,
crackle glaze and wax a small item of furniture
Course code 1
Saturday 16th March
Monday 25th March
Thursday 4th April
Tuesday 16th April
Introduction to decoupage
Paint , distress and
then decoupage and finish
a small item of furniture
Course code 2
Sunday 17th March
Tuesday 26th March
Friday 5th April
Thursday 18th April
Introduction to Craquelure,
varnish, wax and
finish a small item of furniture
Course code 3
Wednesday 20th March
Saturday 13th April
Friday 26th April
Introduction to gilding with decoupage
on a small item of furniture
Course Code 4
Friday 22nd March
Sunday 14th April
Saturday 27th April
So saying,
if absolutely
none of these
dates are any good to you
and you would like
to come on one
of our workshops
please email me
a few dates that
are convenient
to you
and lets see if we
can coordinate something
arundel.eccentrics@sky.com
If you would like to join us
just print off the booking form
(link below)
and send a deposit cheque with the completed form.
All the details are on the form.
or email me
arundel.eccentrics@sky.com
arundel.eccentrics@sky.com
