Wendy Elizabeth Exclusive Designs in Knotted Art
Talks
The history and art of knotting
What have Hercules, the vestal virgins, sore throats and DNA have in common? The answer, and lots of other weird and wonderful ways knots have been used from the stone age to the 21st century, can be found during my talk.
The art of Oriental knotting
From love tokens to martial arts, discover how the exquisite art of oriental knotting has passed from ancient tradition into 21st century fashion .
Both talks are presented in a fun and interactive way with many items and pictures passed around the audience. There is also an extensive exhibition of my work, as a designer of knotted art, with many items for sale. Commissions are happily undertaken.
Duration is approximately 45 minutes.
Current fee is £40.00 per talk. Travel expenses to be agreed at time of booking. I am willing to travel approximately 60 miles from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. Further distances may be considered.
Previous talks include: Women's Institutes. Townswomen's Guilds. British Cardiac Patients Group. Friendship Clubs. NHS Trust Retirement Fellowship. Ladies Circles. Lace makers, embroiderers', spinners, and weavers Guilds.
I am listed in the Peterborough speakers directory and currently on the speakers panels of the following Women’s Institutes; Cambridge. Huntingdon & Peterborough. Ely. Leicester & Rutland. Norfolk. Northamptonshire. South Lincolnshire. Suffolk West.
Macramé is a relaxing and therapeutic craft and may help to keep your fingers nimble. You can only work as fast as your fingers will allow so rushing your work is not an option. However, I have to warn you it is addictive as my partner and friends will testify; once hooked you will be tying knots in everything!
My workshops are very informal affairs and by limiting the numbers I am able to pass on my knowledge on a “one to one” basis. I hold day courses at Flag Fen Bronze Age Centre in Peterboough, England. Contact 01733 313414 info@flagfen.org www.flagfen.org
I can also arrange small tutorials in the comfort of your own home for you and your friends, they are very flexible and can be held, daytime or evening. Or a more formal venue can be arranged. Individual tuition can also be arranged. My fees are based on an hourly rate, plus expenses and materials.
Fancy a relaxing weekend break and learn a new skill? Team up with some friends and spend a weekend in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, or incorporate a workshop into your holiday. After a very successful private workshop last year with the ladies pictured, who had come to Peterborough for a weekend getaway and wanted to learn something different at the same time, I thought it would be a nice idea to offer such bookings. Prices would depend on how many you are and what you want to make. The workshop is tailored to your requirements. Jewellery can be made to take away, or belt making, or if you want to be adventurous and make up fabric. An assortment of cords, yarns and beads are available. All abilities accommodated. Book your own accommodation, a wide variety is on offer in Peterborough and the surrounding area, and I'll sort out the venue. Interested? Contact me for further details.
2010 Talks Schedule
12th January Walpole Cross Keys Jephson Village Hall, Walpole Cross Keys, Kings Lynn, Norfolk
4th February Abbey Women's Institute (afternoon) Bury Village Hall, Brookfield Way, Bury, Ramsey
4th February Helpston Women's Institute The Village Hall, Helpston, Peterborough
2nd March, Cottesmore Women's Institute Cottesmore, Oakham, Rutland.
4th March, Bluntisham & Colne Women's Institute Colne Village Hall, Huntingdon
10th March, Fincham & District Women's Institute Fincham Memorial Hall, Fincham, King's Lynn, Norfolk
16th March, Oundle Embroiderer's Guild Drill Hall, Oundle
1st April, Fenland Lacer Makers , The Reading Rooms, Hemingford Grey, Cambridgeshire
6th April, Waltham on the Wolds Women's Institute The Waltham Village Hall, Waltham, Leicestershire
7th April, Arnesby Women's Institute, Arnesby Village Hall, Arnesby, Leicester
14th April Liddington Women's Institute
22nd April, Lutterworth Embroiderer's Guild, Wycliffe Memorial Church Hall, Bitteswell Road, Lutterworth
31st May, Arnesby May Fair, Arnesby, Leics
3rd June Sawtry Women's Institute W I Hall, Gidding, Sawtry, Huntingdon
9th June, Abbotsley Women's Institute Abbotsley Village Hall, Abbotsley, Cambridgeshire
15th June, Glenfield Women's Institute St. Peter's Hall, Glenfield,Leicester
1st July, Bourne Arthritis Support Group Community Room, Meadow Court, Meadow Close, Bourne
13th July The Leys St. Ives Women's Institute, The Village Hall, Walsoken, Wisbech
15th July, Elmesthorpe Women's Institute Elmesthorpe Village Hall, Leicester
18th August, Billesdon Women's Institute Coplow Community Centre, Billesden, Leicester
2nd September, Humberstone Women's Institute Abbots Road UR Church Hall, Humberstone, Leicester
4th September, Northamptonshire Embroiderer's Guild Weston Favell Parish Room, Wellingborough Road, Northampton
16th September Dyke Women's Institute Dyke Village Hall, Dyke, Bourne, Lincs.
11th October Thurnby & Bushby Women's Institute Memorial Hall, Thurnby, Leicester
12th October Walsoken Women's Institute The Village Hall, Walsoken, Wisbech
3rd November Glapthorn Women's Institute Glapthorn Village Hall, Glapthorn, Northamptonshire
4th November Fenstanton Women's Institute Church Centre, School Lane, Fenstanton, Huntingdon
9th November Oundle Women's Institute, Methodist Church Hall, Drummingwell Lane, Oundle
20th November, Aragon Lacemakers Goldington Middle School, Haylands Way, Bedford
Fairs
31st October Billesdon Women's Institute Table Top Sale Coplow Community Centre, Billesdon, Leicester
5th December Flag Fen Christmas Fair Flag Fen Bronze Age Centre, The Droveway, Northey Road, Peterborough.
2011 Talks Schedule
12th April Humberstone Heights & Belgrave Women's Institute Netherall Centre, Armadale Drive, Humberstone, Leicester
21st April Kilby Women's Institute Kilby United Reform Church, Kilby, Leicester.
9th May Bourne U3a Antiques Group Venue to be confirmed
10th May Huntingdon Women's Institute WI Centre, Walden Road, Huntingdon.
19th May Kettering Embroiders's Guild, Kettering Embroiders's Guild Cornmarket Hall, London Road, Kettering, Northants
13th June Stonesby Ladies Club Stonesby Village Community Centre, Melton Mowbray, Leics.
20th June Little Paxton Women's Institute, Little Paxton Primary School, Gordon Road, Little Paxton. St. Neots. Huntingdon.
8th September, Wymondham Women's Institute Venue to be arranged
20th September Whissendine Women's Institute Whissendine Village Hall, Whissendine, Rutland
6th October Doddington Women's Institute Venue to be confirmed
11th October Market Bosworth Women's Institute St. Peter's Parish Hall, Market Bosworth, Leics
20th October Foxton Women's Institute Venue to be confirmed
Workshops
Recent press coverage,
Stamford Mercury (12/11/09)
Ever since the Stone Age, human beings have been tying knots in one way or another. Sailors, Boy Scouts and even Vestel Virgins have all practised the art, and the phrase 'tying the knot' for couples getting married goes back to traditional handfasting ceremonies. Athletes in ancient Greece tied knots before taking part in the Games, though the details would make a modern participant wince (and are perhaps best not described in a family newspaper).
The source of this information was knotologist Wendy Elizabeth Smith, who presented
a comprehensive history of knots to Uffington WI's November meeting, and brought
along examples of her own hand-
One unusual aspect of her talk featured her work in reconstructing Bronze Age clothes
(which used a form of knotting) for the Flag Fen archeological site in Peterborough.
Members were fascinated to see the beautiful garments made from yarn originating
from flax and nettles, including a surprisingly modern-
