Variety of classes at Ettalong

The Ettalong Beach Arts and Crafts Centre will be holding a variety of workshops and classes during October.

Textile artist Sabine Parge will run workshops on rug hooking on two Saturdays, October 20 and 27, from 10am to 1pm.

Rug hooking has a similar approach to patchwork in that old fabric is used to create something new and exciting.

This old craft is done on a base of hessian with strips of fabric hooked into it, forming a thick and durable pile which can be used for rugs, cushions, wall hanging, hats and many other creative fabric applications.

Sabine has her own studio at Horsfield Bay where she works mainly on textile compositions for paintings and wall hangings.

Her work also embraces creative embroidery, cloth doll making, tapestry, Japanese Temaris (embroidered balls) and many other textile techniques.

The cost of the full workshop is $40.

The Centre's Term 4 classes start on October 17.

The classes available are Pottery, Folk Art, Creative Writing, Drawing, Pastels, Contemporary Oils and Acrylics, Multicrafts, Sculpture and children's Pottery.

The Creative Writing class starts up again on Tuesday, October 16, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

This course is designed to assist anybody with a yearning to write, whether it be short stories, a novel, family history, a newsletter, children's stories, poetry or any other type of writing.

Each session covers a major aspect of successful writing: "Where Do You Get Your Ideas?", tips on developing believable characters, plot development, story openings and endings, motivation, style, effective use of dialogue and the value of well-esablished conflict.

Some time is spent on the vexing topic of how to help yourself get published, as well as a "brush-up" on grammar and the use of similes and metaphors.

Students complete exercises during many of the sessions and homework is set each week.

Drawing classes are also of special interest.

These are led by Anne Parker who has recently been further honoured for her work by being included as a Peoplescape Maker.

The Ettalong Beach Arts & Crafts Centre is in Kitchener Park, corner of Maitland Bay Dr and Picnic Parade, Ettalong Beach.

Ring Penny on 4341 8344 or 4360 1673 for further information.

Newsletter, October 2