COME ALONG TO OUR UNDER FIVES SESSIONS

WHITE - WOOL CARDING

Sponge Tree Under 5's sessions are colour themed. 

Each week we focus on a different colour because young children relate well to this concept. 

Colour also links to seasonal activities and introduces children to the natural world and environment around them.

Each session is tailored and prepared to suit children of 5 years old and under. 

It is also designed for carers to interact with their children and to learn new skills along the way.

As well as being educational, each colour allows children to explore using all 5 senses and to develop their natural ability to create and connect with the world outside.

The sessions last for 1 hour and every week we have themed arts and crafts, stories and music time.

BROWN - CONKER NECKLACE

CLAY TILES

PURPLE - BLACKBERRIES

WHITE - FLOUR PLAY

RED - LEAF RUBBINGS

NATURAL + RECYCLED BRACLETS

FELTED BUTTERFLIES

NATURAL INKS + DYES

GREEN - GOO

  

THESE SESSIONS HAVE A CHARGE OF £1 OR £2 PER SESSION PLEASE CONTACT THE CHILDREN'S CENTRES TO BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW!!

ORANGE - SENSORY PLAY

To ensure correct supervision at the sessions we ask people to attend on a 1 adult : 2 children ratio. 

This also gives more children and carers the opportunity to take part.

INFORMATION FOR ORGANISATIONS

Sponge Tree run sessions specifically designed for children under 5 years old. We deliver these weekly at Bradford based children centres, community centres and church halls.
The programme runs weekly, focusing on a colour and links to the seasons and the changes in nature. Each week the children learn about a colour, create a piece of artwork to take home and a record sheet highlighting what they have learnt that week. The children leave with a mission to help them connect with the natural world around them.
We have written the sessions to include activities that develop, creative, social, fine motor skills, decision making, sensory stimulation and also a school ready element which also includes brain gym. We also play a range of music linked to the chosen colour of the week.
These session have a maximum number of 15 children and a strict ratio of 1 adult to 2 children.
The sessions last 1 hour. The cost is £70 this includes all materials.
We also run family days and targeted Father’s with their children workshops for the children centres at weekends. We design activities specifically for these sessions.
The cost of these sessions are £70 per hour.  Materials are included , unless
you require a specific project and materials are costly.

PLEASE CONTACT US spongetree@live.com

Learn, make + sell event FEEDBACK

Thank you so much for all your lovely comments. We really would like to repeat a similar concept in the future as we really enjoyed delivering this project. Here's a few things some of you said about the event.

"Really enjoyed the workshop day and the selling training was really useful. The week has given me the confidence to take another stall at another craft fair, which is what I wanted from the week. Thank you for all your help."

"Good experience, has opened my eyes! Be great to do it all again soon...thanks so much for your help!"

"A great (but intense) week of learning. I feel totally prepared to take the craft market world on! I learnt lots and made lots and shall be doing more crafty business soon. Thanks."

"Lovely day, lovely week! Didn't matter that I didn't sell anything! Feel so inspired and uplifted by the warm, supportive atmosphere of the group. I'll def be finding time now to do more of this crafty business! Thank you." 

"I enjoyed the week and have become more inspired to create many different things."

Learn, make + sell event CRAFT FAIR

The craft fair went very well and we hope all the participants learnt alot from the experience. The tables looked fantastic and everyone worked very hard to get things made on time. We think all the table displays were very well planned out and each participant came across as professional and dealt with the public fantastically. WELL DONE!!!

Amy Spencer's table

Elizabeth's table

Lucy + Abigail's table

Craft fair shot

Helen's table

Sponge Tree also provided a children's activity in the meeting room.

Bee seed beads!

Which is a paper bead and a paper mulch of red clover seeds is added to the bead. This can then be planted to grow clover to attract the bees into your garden.

Learn, make + sell event Maker-Seller Training

The maker to seller training was split into two 2 hour sessions. Participants spent the first part practising and creating a display for their items. Then as a group we all discussed each others displays. We gave each other positive comments and also ways in which we would do things differently.
The next part we talked about pricing our items and how we would decide on a price for each thing we had made. Then at the end of the session participants had the opportunity to label and price their items, ready for the craft fair. Participants were then able to research on the internet other ways of selling craft items, such as Folksy and Etsy.
Nicola spent time with each participant and talked about presentation with the public and ideas on how to sell your work to members of the public.

Display ideas

Practising setting up a table

Practising setting up a table

Learn, make + sell event

Day 1 of the event was very successful. The workshop was textiles and we sectioned it into four parts.
1) Meet and greet-
When everyone was settled in the cafe area of Baildon Community Link, with a lovely cuppa, particpants were asked to look through various crafting magazines, books and examples. This helped the group to focus on which things they would prefer to create. We all introduced ourselves and talked about our craft experiences and knowledge.

Magazines recommended: Sew Hip, Handmade living, Making, Simply Homemade

Books recommended: Green Crafts for children, Sew! Cath Kidston, Making Stuff For Kids, Sew it up, Lotta Prints, Printed Pattern

2) After the short time of gathering thoughts and ideas, it was time for demonstrations.
First demonstration Wet Felting Techniques.

3)Second demonstration Hand Printing Techniques onto fabric

4)Get Creating! - After lunch it was time to select fabrics, buttons, zips, wool,tools, needles, thread, sewing machine and put all these ideas into practice!! Sponge Tree helped with ideas and techniques but most of the making came from the participants. It was lovely to step back and watch people getting creative. Everybody had different experiences and knowledge within the crafting world and everyone came up with fantastic ideas and did some wonderful items.
At 4pm participants were asked to take all materials needed home with them to produce at least 10 items, to then bring back and sell at the craft fair on Friday!!
Hooray what a lovely, exciting day!

We hope to see you there?? There will be a free children's activity available.

Clay tile workshop today with families with young children.

Thanks to everyone who helped make a clay tile at Bingley Trinity 5 Rise Childrens Centre this morning. We think you all did a wonderful job. The activity was great for all ages from 18 mths +.
The tiles are made from air drying clay and found, recycled and natural small objects were pressed in and left to dry or used to make fantastic prints onto the clay. We put two holes in the top of the tile so they can be threaded and hung in your favourite space, when dry!

Local Makers Fair Friday 19th August 10am - 2pm

 Come along and support local makers from the Bradford area. This is the final part of the Learn, Make + Sell Event and the makers need your support with in our local community. If you are a local maker why not join us and sell some of your wares at £10 per table?

SUMMER FAMILY FUN SESSIONS AT CHILDREN'S CENTRES

DENSO MARSTON NATURE RESERVE CELEBRATION DAY

Sponge tree loved the finished results of the felted butterflies and moths. They were all fantastic peices of art in their own right. We are so glad the heavens didn't open and everybody managed to stay dry and get creative. It was great to see all ages taking part too!

Our Learn, Make, Sell Event is coming!

Sponge Tree had the urge to create a fantastic enterprise event. What a great opportunity for all you crafty children and adults to be able to create items, to sell at your very own craft fair!

The week is split like this:

Monday 15th August - Textiles workshop 10am-4pm
We will teach you felting techniques, simple hand stitching projects and how to print onto fabric. Then we will inspire you by giving ideas on how to create corsages, bags, purses, bunting, cushions and lots more!

Tues 16th August Inspired - Upcyling Workshop 10-4pm
We will teach you how to convert and adapt every day objects into clothes, frames, jewellery, bags and many more gift items!

Wed 17th August - Paper Skills Workshop 10am-4pm
We will teach you how to use paper and create decorations, cards, stationery, books, decoupe, basket weaving and printing!

You choose one of the above workshops. Sponge Tree will deliver each workshop, which includes all materials to make at least 10 items for you to sell.

Then Thursday 18th August - Maker to seller training 10-12pm/1-3pm
Sponge Tree will help you learn how to present your creations to the public, ready for sale.

Friday 19th August Your very own ARTS + CRAFTS MARKET 10-2pm
This also means you make money back on what you sell!

Menston Childrens Centre Workshop

A few pictures of our Recycled Mobiles workshop

A finished recycled garden mobile

Weaving round a recycled bike wheel with plastic carrier bags

New up and coming events

Under fives colour workshops 

Term time only

Wednesdays 10 - 11am @ Baildon Community Link, Cliffe Ave.

£4 per 1st child + £3 per 2nd child

Thursdays 10 am - 11am @ St James Church Hall (White church)Baildon

£1.00 per family (funded by Baildon Children's Centre)

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A BOOKING FORM

spongetree@live.com

NEW UNDER FIVES STARTING IN SEPTEMBER 2011 

Thursday mornings @ Menston + Burley Children's Centre

"Making Time with Sponge Tree" Sessions

This is a chance for parents to have time out when they have children under five years old. Sponge Tree will help you learn a new art + craft skill: sewing, crocheting, upcycling, print making, weaving, mosiac, sculpture, felt making, candle making, soap making the list is endless.

There will be a creche provided at the children's centre.

These sessions will start on Tuesday 6th September at Trinity 5 Rise Bingley Children's Centre. Every Tuesday morning term time only. 

 

http://thelongthread.com

Denso Marston Nature Reserve Celebration Day

Saturday 18th June 2011 1pm - 4pm.

Sponge Tree will be providing the arts + crafts at the Celebration Day

Learn, Make + Sell Event

Spend time creating products to sell at your very own craft fair!

Mon 15th - Fri 19th August @ Baildon Community Link.

£65 includes: 

1 full day making workshop (including all materials), 

1 day maker to seller training + 

1 day Arts + Craft Market.

Choose from 1 of 3 making workshops:

Mon 15th: Textiles, Tues 16th: Inspired upcycling, Wed 17th: Paper Skills.

Then sell your items at your very own arts + craft fair 

on Fri 18th August 10am - 2pm!

PLEASE EMAIL US FOR A BOOKING FORM

spongetree@live.com

Saltaire Arts Trail 28/29th May 2011

Thank you to everyone who helped make our two days of workshops a fantastic success! Thank you Bradford Guild for providing the wonderful carding, spinning, weaving + felting demonstrations. The people really enjoyed watching and learning, as did we.

Thank you to the A level Students at Aire Valley School  for doing a wonderful job at teaching children and adults how to make felted pieces. The students have worked very hard as part of their A Level projects. You all derserve high marks for this collaboration with Sponge Tree.

Teepee weaving

Drum Carding the wool

Weaving on a floor loom

Wet Felting

Some comments on the teepees " Great fun", "Great fun, keep it up!", "Very theraputic", "We loved running around and around the tepee", "We had alovely time helping to make this den", "Excellent project, will come back and sit inside at the end of the day!" and "Love this idea, might try this at home!"

Felted Bangle