Etelage

All for kids – creative activities for kids in the school holidays

I love teaching jewellery making. I have taught in schools, corporate groups, galleries, hen’s parties, kids parties and naturally the Etelage stores in Sydney. In addition to this I have also been the guest tutor on “getting started in beaded jewellery making” DVD series by Zest Media.

As a teacher I witness students exploring their creativity sometimes for the first time and creating amazing works of art they never thought possible. In addition making jewellery is a relatively inexpensive hobby, portable and fun. It is always great to say, “I made it myself”.

I believe it's easy to get your child or kids involved in arts, crafts, beading, painting and all the mess and fun that comes with it - in classes away from home!
Find both art classes and jewellery making activities at the Etelage store located in King St Newtown, Sydney.

Give your children the best fun they have all school holidays and book one of our beaded jewellery workshops or art class for kids.
We leave you with no mess, just happy faces every school holidays when your kids attend a workshop at Etelage Newtown.
All kids workshops focus on creating as well as appreciating.
1. beaded jewellery workshops
Children learn the following in our beaded jewellery workshops:

• what materials beads are made from and
• which countries the beads are from using a globe,
• laying out a bead sequence, counting and designing. 
• Instilling a sense of accomplishment.

What do the kids create in the beaded jewellery workshops?

• beaded or ‘floating’ or pendant necklaces (kids and teens)
• bracelet
• earrings
• rings (from 10 years and over)
• key-rings (from 10 years and over)
• lariats (from 10 years and over)

and so much more!
Note: we use only quality beading materials and surgical steel earwires.

The full school holiday workshop schedule can be viewed on line at www.etelage.com

Etelage n/ adornment ™

beautiful beads and bespoke jewellery

430 king st (south)

newtown nsw 2042

p: 02 9557 9089

e: info@etelage.com

www.etelage.com

Take Home Bead Packs
Additionally, purchase some colourful glass or plastic beads and elastic to take home.  Create unique jewellery with the kids or use it as a quiet creative activity.
 Wow!! What a fun way to learn
Etelage also offer extremely popular birthday parties.
2. Kids Beaded Jewellery Parties:

• at the upstairs studio at Etelage 430 king st Newtown, Sydney.
• optional party bags.
• whether your children are 7 or 17 they will love a beading and jewellery making party!

 3 . kids art classes:
There is a different theme and workshop every school holidays including fantasy faces, crazy critters and fanciful fruit for your kids to gain an appreciation for art and discovering art techniques and requiring skills of art aimed for all levels.
Art forms include drawing, sculpture and collage.
 Kids explore what you can do with paper and create their own sculpture:

• Fold
• Rip
• Pleat
• Curl
• Crush

Kids can also discover the difference between portrait and profile faces in the drawing workshop examining artworks by the famous artist Picasso. In the 3D sculpture class kids 10 years and over can work with wire to create abstract faces.
Collage art classes give children the opportunity to use different medias in their work.
       When are the kid’s workshops available?

• Children’s beaded jewellery classes run every school holidays
•  Book as an individual or a small group of friends.
• Held at the Etelage studio (upstairs) 430 king st newtown Sydney.

 Everyone is welcome, please ring up or email to book your place, places are offered on a first come
Note:
All of our workshop teachers are qualified and professional in their creative field and are Police vetted. Some have a background in teaching children. Children are under adult supervision always.

Etelage n/ adornment ™

beautiful beads and bespoke jewellery

430 king st (south)

newtown nsw 2042

p: 02 9557 9089

e: info@etelage.com

www.etelage.com

New beginner beading magazine

In recent years we have seen several Australian publications dedicated to beading. It has been great to finally offer local content, product and ideas to a local beading market. DVD’s  followed  with Zest Media launching a craft series  including two on beaded jewellery in 2006. I worked with the Zest team whom have a background in TV. Zest have created a fantastic TV quality DVD packed with inspiring projects and lots of design and technique tips. Distributed through Eckerselys, Lincraft and Etelage. www.etelage.com

"Beginners Guide to Beading" magazine is available this month with bonus DVD for all creative types who would like to learn the basics of jewellery making.

Published by Universal Magazines (they also distribute I believe the best Australian beading magazine ‘Australian Beading’ – a bi – monthly magazine) it offers everything you need to know as a first time beader.

The 130 page magazine is only $12.95. Receive instructions for over 30 gorgeous projects and a bonus earring DVD. (running time 30min)

• Professional finishing touches.
• Over 30 stunning projects (11 of which are from Etelage).
• Techniques taught include crimping, knotting, linking, wire work and weaving.
• Step by step instructions.
• Receive multiple tips to develop your own unique pieces.
• Use a variety of materials including glass, crystals, charms, stampings and natural beads including semiprecious.
• Jewellery design tips.
• Beautifully photographed.
• The magazine gives you everything you need to start making stylish beaded jewellery now.
• Bonus DVD on earrings.

Note: Etelage has contributed 11 projects most of which are available for purchase in store or on line. www.etelage.com

 

Available in newsagents nationally this month.

Etelage n/ adornment ™

beautiful beads and bespoke jewellery

430 king st (south)

newtown nsw 2042

p: 02 9557 9089

f: 02 9557 9037

e: chris@etelage.com

www.etelage.com

Creativity – it costs nothing!

Spring – the time of year where we spring clean!
It's delightful to flash fabulous baubles, but it's even more satisfying if you've made your jewels yourself.
Have you ever thought of using your old jewels and revamping them?
A very chunky, original and sentimental charm bracelet was created when I combined a precious child hood trinket, a gift from one of my aunt's travels, along with beads from my personal collection of many years. Although the saying goes "everything old is new again", not all pieces you use need to be old. I really love the idea of designing contemporary pieces made from a sentimental piece I would never wear again in its original form.
So go to your dresser, pull out all your old jewellery and revamp it. As you give your jewels a makeover not only will you uncover some great memories, but you will discover great components and a great past time. If you have thrown out your old pieces of jewellery - don't despair. Start collecting old pieces now. Collect pieces from trash and treasure markets and thrift shops. They may not be your child hood pieces but I am sure you will find some pre loved jewels with soul that remind you of an old piece, an old love, an ecentric aunt or a special occasion.
Remember: you do not have to spend a fortune nor buy pieces in mint condition, especially when you are going to cut it up, pull it apart or restring it!
Some ideas:
Use your special bead or trinket as the foundation of your contemporary piece and enjoy wearing it now.
String a more flattering length.
Add or remove certain “colors”.
Mix in a gorgeous pendant.
Replace the peeling “faux” pearls with fresh new ones.
Use all lengths and all shapes of chain to create a layered choker or necklace. Incorporate old pearls, pendants, brooches and even an old watch face!
It will be more than a simple seasonal piece.... pass it on to generation to generation... You have just created an heirloom and can enjoy your old jewels all over again.
If you have not made jewellery before you can book your self into one of our beginner jewellery workshops or you can take home our latest jewellery design how to DVD in jewellery making.

We also offer a repair service. Visit Etelage today and we can help you select components to suit your budget,
Let us  reinvent your forgotten treasures.

Etelage n/ adornment ™

beautiful beads and bespoke jewellery

430 king st (south)

newtown nsw 2042

p: 02 9557 9089

f: 02 9557 9037

e: chris@etelage.com

www.etelage.com

The bead journey…a great story!

Jewellery, much of it incorporating beads is one of the oldest forms of adornment. It is not surprising, then, that beads are among the most common objects found at archaeological digs around the world. Beads can provide an unusually rich entrée into the social and artistic traditions of world cultures.

Have you ever thought to trace the bead journey from artisan to the piece you have just created?

I was thinking of that this morning. We have just displayed the first of the new ready made jewellery for summer. Eceletic necklaces of soldered Italian chain, chunky Czech pressed glass, brightly coloured wood, African ceramics and metal rings. Although most of our clients purchase our designs usually as an aesthetic compliment, some people also wear beaded jewellery as a symbolic adornment also.

Still today in many tribes, for example, the cattle keeping pastoralists of Southern Africa, including the well-known Masaii, use bead  work as a key method of indicating a persons status and the stage in the life cycle of an individual.

Beads have been potent symbols across various cultures globally, and throughout history: The Egyptians were buried in their everyday jewellery whist the Chinese believed jade held magical qualities, thought to help the dead ascend to heaven. Whilst in Medieval Europe, including England, laws and decrees proclaimed that only certain classes of society could wear certain categories of jewellery. For the Berber tribes of Northern Africa, necklaces identify clan, symbolise wealth, reflect cultural traditions and act as a source of supernatural and religious power for the wearer.

 

Even today beads have their own unique journey and story. My jewellery designs incorporate beads I have inherited, collected and sourced from around the world, all of which have a fascinating history. Some beads are old, some are new, some are fair trade, some are eco, some are sentimental, whilst others are valuable collectables.

 

What great stories our creations are!

 

Chris

a tour of cosmopolitan Newtown…

Now that it is a little warmer the doors at Etelage are open 7 days a week. If you have the opportunity to visit our Newtown store don’t forget to make a day of it. (be warned many stores in Newtown are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)

 Discover one of the most cosmopolitan retail strips in Sydney. Make sure you include a visit to our newly opened vintage store too! (upstairs from the Etelage store)

The new store is called Olga and Millies (named after my great grandmother). It offers European and locally sourced jewellery, bags and frocks from the 1920s to 1980s.

Also available is a selection of one off and limited edition jewellery under the Etelage label which is designed and made in the studio. I combine vintage and contemporary beads to produce quirky jewellery designs of enduring style and individuality.

Many designs are one offs such as the hand carved cane Venetian glass beads from the 1920’s.

The Domino and Bakelite buckle and button pendants are great gift ideas.

Whilst some designs are highly collectable pieces such as French jet jewellery and African trade necklaces all from the 1920s and 1930s. (some are available on line www.etelage.com jewellery collectables.)

I think wearing unique vintage clothing &  bespoke accessories is fun, individual & sustainable.

Whilst you are in Newtown check out some of my favourite stores:

All Buttons Great and Small – best selection of buttons in Sydney. (opposite Etelage)

Leo Monk – patch worked Australian made leather hand bags. (opposite Etelage)

Caramba South American Art Gallery – exuberant gifts and art. (next door to Etelage)

Moda Lisa – for exquisite tailor made clothing (think slinky silk tops to practical suiting) and alterations. (next door to Etelage)

Buddah Bar - divine massage (neighbour)

Esape Hair – my fab hairdresser 484 king st

Made – you can’t miss this one with its red door. Fantastic screen-printed clothing, bags  and quirky gifts. (next door to Barbarella)

Barbarella – 1970’s vintage clothing reproductions. 592 king st (next to Made)

And a few other stores for a great evening frock – try  embryo designers of exquisite wedding gowns, evening wear and costume and theatre pieces.

There are endless spice (Indian), bric a brac, retro furniture, ethnic (Turkish and Afghan) and vintage clothing stores plus great record and book stores too! (including one which specialises in film and TV)

Lou Jacks is great for a coffee/lunch or if you are at the St Peters end try South End Café (yummy Mediterranean influence). After all your shopping head to the Bank Hotel for a champagne in the Velvet Room upstairs and try Oscillate Wildly opposite (in Australia Street) for dinner.(winners of "young chef of the year" - good food guide Sept 08)

Enjoy discovering the cosmopolitan end of Newtown.  I love it.

 Etelage n/ adornment ™

beautiful beads and bespoke jewellery

430 king st (south)

newtown nsw 2042

p: 02 9557 9089

f: 02 9557 9037

e: chris@etelage.com

www.etelage.com

  

The world of blogging

Stay tuned as I get used to the world of blogging…
I always thought blogging was a little self indulgent. However, after several requests from customers I now see it as a useful tool for those who want to learn more about the world of beading and jewellery.
Some of you may be already informed of the latest beads, events and tips through the Etelage quarterly newsletters (see hot news @ www.etelage.com). Often I have so much more to say than 1 page worth. Customers, students and staff ask really great questions and I have been beading for many years so there is a lot of information I would love to share with you. So keep up to date with what's going on in my bead-world and read my irregular blog.
My blog will endeavor to do the following:
Forecast trends.
Give tips in techniques and design.
Inspire you.
Inform you of new products and techniques.
Educate you with product information.
Share Etelage gossip.

I would love to hear from you as well.
Regards,
Christine

Welcome to the Etelage Blog!