BEANS

Coffee Shop Gallery

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Recent Courses

It has been a fun filled few weeks. First we made a Scandinavian Toothbrush Rug with Rachael. I joined in for this one. A good way to put those old curtains, duvet covers and worn out clothes to use. I forgot my camera, but I do have a very titchy bit of rug to photograph. Think I may wait til it grows a bit though. My excuse is that I was making lunch.

Then it was batik. To see even more pictures, go to our Facebook page. Batik on silk, batik on cotton, painted on dyes, scrunched and dyed, with salt, without salt. Pretty amazing stuff.

And finally, a second bread class. BEANS was approached by a small group who asked for a Monday bread making day. There was seed covered bread, fruit bread, croissants and I don’t know what all else… but in the end, it seemed to be everywhere.  I have it on good authority, that when you arrive home with a bag full of homemade bread, your family welcome you with open arms!

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Bread Making Course

The first bread making course ran on Sunday.  Maybe not what you’d consider a traditional art – but definitely an art.  The bread was beautiful and there seemed to be no limits as to what could be created with a little imagination.  For those of you who missed it, we are planning another beginners bread making course early next year, followed by an advanced bread course later in the year.

 Bread Making at BEANS

There’s just something about homemade bread.

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Stained Glass with Cynthia Else

The Stained Glass Course with Cynthia Else actually became two courses.  There was a lot of interest and so we offered the event twice!  The first group came together on the 27th March and some fantastic work was produced.  We had everything from abstract shapes made up of squares to a flower and even an eye!  Where was my camera?????   I was more prepared for the second class on the 3rd.  Again, the group came up with some beautiful designs – one based on a piece by Eduardo Poalozzi which can apparently be found in a subway station in Barcelona (don’t ask).  And lunch – vegetable lasagne, salad, warm bread and CAKE!

 

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2 Weeks Today

BEANS coffee shop gallery in Bolsover
Snow on the roof of BEANS coffee shop gallery shortly after opening in December 2010

Today we have been open for 2 weeks. What a two weeks it has been. We had the first open evening on the 9th of December. Cynthia Else came along and taught some stained glass basics and visitors had a chance to look around – see the artwork that had arrived to date, and sample some sweet potato pie and mulled apple juice. Then the first art class ran on Sunday with

Jessica Noonan – Make a Silver Ring (or two). There was much hammering and soldering and more hammering – and some laughter thrown in. Everyone walked away with 2 rings they had made themselves – some rings  worn and some ready to be wrapped as Christmas presents. Meanwhile, I have had the pleasure of meeting many local people who have popped in for a coffee or two, for snacks and/or for lunch. And, a few local artists have found their way into BEANS and I am looking forward to their return – with work in hand. The walls aren’t full yet, but we’re working on it.

Cynthia Else’s stained glass work is up on the walls and so is the work of Helen Hallow.  Both artists are offering Sunday courses in the new year – so if you’re considering a course, you may want to pop in and get a feel for the artist and their work – or purchase an original. Polly Warren,

a printer, has added her work to the collection. Boats, Flamborough Head and botanical subjects have all been captured by Polly. Viv Cooper has added a splash of colour with her watercolour paintings. And we also have a print by Pete McKee. Pete came into BEANS and shared his story – painting on pieces of wood while working at Tesco, and now selling work in galleries around England – including his own A Month of Sundays gallery in Sheffield.

So – a lot of highlights in 2 weeks.  But also, a bit of a whirlwind for this old American. And, I don’t seem to do whirlwinds too well anymore. So, I have decided that I am going to have 4 days off at Christmas and 3 days off at new year – and hopefully then, I will stop leaving my purse in the post office and actually be at the shop to meet the electricity board when I say I will. I can only hope.

Here’s to a happy, healthy and calmer 2011.

Karen