Stitched Paper Lampshades
with Jennifer Collier

5th and 6th June 2021

10am - 4pm

£130

Paper pioneer Jennifer Collier creates exquisite sculptures from vintage recycled materials in conjunction with stitch; a contemporary twist on traditional textiles. The papers serve as both the inspiration and the media for the work, with the narrative suggesting the forms. Through this marriage of unlikely materials old papers are transformed into something truly unique, delicate and complex.

Most recently Jennifer has been collecting rarely used, heritage stitches and discovering how to translate the art of lost stitches onto paper, as these techniques are an important part of our creative heritage and she wants to continue to invest time in them to keep them in the present, offering them onto future generations. Jennifer is giving new life to things that would otherwise go unused, unloved or be thrown away.

Jennifer completed a BA (hons) in Textiles (Print, Knit and Weave) in 1999 at Manchester Metropolitan University, is internationally exhibited, and has had her work featured in over 60 magazines and over 15 books to date.

WORKSHOP: Create your own beautiful recycled paper lampshade using lovely vintage papers and by upcycling existing frames. You will be shown all steps of the process, from how to create a pattern to fit your frame, to how to stitch the vintage papers together to form the shade. You will be taught embellishment techniques, such as embossing, stamping, and various hand and machine stitches to decorate your light shade. All materials are provides, but please bring along any special maps, papers, or books you may wish to incorporate and a lampshade frame to up-cycle (panel lampshades as pictured, rather than barrel) or Jennifer will have some available to buy on the day.

Please read the covid guidelines below before booking 

Where will the workshops take place?

We will be embracing the outdoors and working between gazebos and where necessary the studio space. Outside the studio is a large patio area which houses the outdoor classrooms. The format is 2 people spaced apart at the end of the tables. All tables are separated and at the edges of the space. The tutor will have  a teaching desk to work from. Students will be mostly outdoors and asked to wear a mask indoors. Common sense will be applied at all times but even outdoors some may feel more comfortable wearing a mask. Visors are also provided for anybody who wishes to wear them. All students are expected to respect each other’s space and safety at all times. 

You are advised to bring layers of clothing as the Welsh weather is a little unpredictable.

What happens if the pandemic is ongoing and government restrictions do not allow workshops at the allocated time?

The workshops will adhere to ALL guidelines and will absolutely only take place if it is safe to do so. No risks will be taken. Please read the T’s and C;s and Covid Guidelines below.

Should I book a workshop if I am unsure what will be happening in 2021 with the pandemic?

This is a difficult one. I can give my opinion and explain my experiences if it helps. I cannot control lockdowns, travel restrictions, and the potential for us to need to postpone a workshop. In 2020 I postponed many guest workshops, but my team and I ran lots of regular classes via zoom and  returned to small in person workshops in mid-September. We worked with Welsh Government to keep creative classes running safely as they are so important for wellbeing. 

In the first term of 2021 in the second lockdown, we held all workshops online. From May onwards all in-person workshops have taken place in the outdoor classrooms. The students and tutors have adapted together and enjoyed the experience. The studio is accessible for use of machinery and materials. The students enter in small numbers to work in the studio, but are based under the gazebos just outside. I believe we are now more prepared than ever with distancing measures, PPE etc and in general people are more willing to take part in organised activities that they deem safe - whereas initially nothing felt safe! It has been so good for everybody’s mental health to get creating again at the studio and outdoors. If booking a workshop gives you something to look forward to, then it can only be a good thing. We all need a bit of hope and I sincerely hope the guest workshops will see these incredible tutors share their talents with the Beth Morris Workshops community.