Making Place Irregular News: September 23

Hi all

If, like me, you landed back into a different pattern this week - having spent the summer holidays balancing kids/attempting to work/keeping your creative spirit alive/your house in some semblance of order - then you may, like me, be feeling like the holiday season is truly over despite the sun trying to tell us otherwise.  And it's a bit sad isn't it?  However, I think creativity holds the answer to keeping the brilliant chaos and excitement of summer alive.

So here are a couple of ideas to keep you bouncing into the Autumn.
 
Go to a festival for free
Summer hols might be over but the Fest's haven't stopped.  My passion for outdoor art is born out of the democratic space it inhabits - on streets and in parks where we wander when we want - anyone might happen across something unexpected and amazing for free, even if they are someone that's never stepped foot inside a theatre or art gallery before. There are still some magnificent, free outdoor arts events on the horizon this year and Outdoor Arts UK have a myriad of options for us here. 

Run away to the circus
Having worked for a number of very happy years in a circus school (no....I can't balance on anything, hang from anything or flip, but I can juggle 3 balls badly) I'm always super happy to see Giffords arriving in Cirencester. And if Giffords is not enough circus for you, coming up soon just down the road in Bristol is the Circus City Festival which programmes amazing, thought provoking, funny, unexpected shows. From a circus edition of Tess of the D'Urbervilles to the acrobatic adaptation of Chris Hauton's award winning children's book Oh No, George! it's a rich and joyful programme for all ages.
 
Learn a new creative skill
There isn't a month that goes by without me making something - current project almost done: I'm nearing completion of my 'Up the Arts' macrame panel at last. And I'm already yearning to get my fingers into a new skills this Autumn so I've been swooning over a myriad of options.  Prema Arts Centre's is one of my 'go to's' as they always have a great selection of one-off and regular workshops: from Bath Bombs to Fascinators; to silver rings and socks.  The choice here is immense.

And a bit closer to home, I noticed that the wonderful Becky Kimberley is running an series of evening workshops at The Bothy starting 20th September, introducing lino cutting and exploring seed shapes through pattern, collage and print. Contact Becky for more info and to book [email protected]

If you have more ideas to keep creative juices flowing this Autumn I'd love to hear about them!

Crafty Bundles
If you came along to our recent CRAFTY BUNDLES event during New Brewery Arts fabulous summer Craftival, you'll already know about the huge buzz that swapping unwanted arts & crafts materials created. It was magical to meet over 50 'Bundlers' who donated items they no longer wanted, shared their stories, and left the space with inspiring new to them materials and tools. Many members of the general public joined us too and we were chuffed to hear that we tripled the usual footfall of our perfect hosts, New Brewery Arts, on the day!

We rehomed 287 items and left over materials and tools have already gone to, or are soon destined for, organisations doing brilliant creative things locally including Sunflowers Pre-school & The Churn here in Cirencester; Can't Sit Still who are starting Creative Clubs for autistic girls and non-binary young people in Cheltenham and our recycle/reuse partners Gloucester Scrap Store.

We will be putting more Crafty Bundles events in the calendar once we've reflected on the valuable feedback we've received and worked out when, where and how the next one will happen, so do watch this space for more info in due course.

Makers & Menders
Our regular monthly meet up is coming up really soon at Stratton Village Hall, on Sunday 17th September from 2.00 - 4.30pm.

It's always a joy to welcome everyone to the space and I'm excited to see what projects will be joining us too. And it's a special one this month.... Makers & Menders is ONE YEAR OLD! Please wear your party togs if you are coming along (and wear them anyway even if you're not able to join us #partytogseveryday). There will be cake - there's always cake - there will be extra cake.

The session will be Pay What You Like as usual. We suggest £6 per person as this ensures we cover the costs of our room, refreshments and admin costs. If you can afford a bit more it helps make it possible for someone to come that might not have the money this month. And if we make a surplus this builds a pot for extra things like paying for Scrap Store Membership for the group, or specialist materials to play with, or fuel for a trip. Pay What You Like is our way of supporting each other and keeping our sessions running without the need to rely on start/stop project funding.

If you aren't able to join us, don't worry, you can follow along on the Insta @itsmakingday and we'll be back in touch before you know if with more thoughts, ideas and opportunities to connect.

With love
Jay xx