Workshops with Amy Leung
From 7 May to 11 June 2020, artist Amy Leung explored our weekly #MakeShiftStudio challenges with some making experiments in a series of live Instagram workshops.
All workshops in this series are available on this page, complete with downloadable illustrated guides for you to enjoy at home any time you like.
Relaxing / Sensory Tools
Download your illustrated guide to making relaxing sensory tools
To make a squashy, you’ll need:
- At least two balloons
- Balloon pump (or another way of inflating balloon)
- Funnel
- Cup of flour
- Spoon
or
- Tights
- Scissors
- Rice
- Optional: dried herbs, scents, pompoms, textures
To make a Lava Lamp/ Sensory Bottle, you’ll need:
- Clear plastic bottle or container
- Water
- Oil (enough to fill half of your container)
- Food colouring
- 2 tablespoons of baking powder
- Vinegar
- Optional: waterproof textures and objects
Weaving / Experimental Textiles
Download your illustrated guide for this workshop
You’ll need:⠀
• Glue stick⠀
• Scissors ⠀
• Strong string/ ribbon/ wool⠀
• Cardboard offcuts A4 or A5 (depends on how big you’d like your weave to be)⠀
• Household textiles that you don’t mind cutting up: old bed sheets, plastic bags, fabric, tights, paper, ribbon….⠀
• Tape⠀
• A pencil and ruler might also be useful but aren’t essential.
Doodling / Making Inks and Marks
Download your illustrated guide for Making Inks and Marks
In this workshop, Amy Leung shares with us her recipes for making homemade inks – making use of some classic freezer and cupboard stocks including instant coffee, spices, and frozen berries! In true #MakeShiftStudio spirit, she also creates an imaginative and wearable drawing tool made from simple household objects and talks us through how to make our own surprising marks.
You’ll need:
- Rubber glove
- Elastic bands or tape
- Objects you think make good textures (and you don’t mind getting inky), e.g. sponges, feathers, string or cardboard pieces.
To make turmeric ink:
- 1 Tablespoon of turmeric powder
- 3 Tablespoons of warm water
- ½ Teaspoon of vinegar
- ½ Teaspoon of salt
To make berry ink:
- A handful of berries (fresh or frozen)
- Sieve
- ½ Teaspoon of vinegar
- ½ Teaspoon of salt
Floating / Bubble Snakes
Download your illustrated guide for making Bubble Snakes
In this workshop, artist Amy Leung takes us through the process of creating a simple bubble maker and then experiments with her bubbles, including by making bubble prints and sculpting bubble mountains. This is a quick make that’s perfect for a sunny day.
You’ll need:
- Sock
- Scissors
- Washing-up liquid
- Elastic bands
- Plastic bottle
- Bowl and water
Spinning / Windchime Mobiles
Download your illustrated guide for making Windchime Mobiles
In this workshop, artist Amy Leung leads us through the playful process of making a noise-making, light-reflecting mobile from objects and materials found around the house. Explore sound, movement and shadow with this simple make.
You’ll need:
- Scissors
- A coat hanger or a tin can (clean and empty with raw edge taped over)
- Shoelaces, yarn, string or ribbons
- Clothes pegs
- Elastic bands or tape (or both!)
- Shiny materials
- Spoons and forks
- Anything that makes noises; like keys, trinkets, bottle tops, pebbles
Squashing / Playdough
Download your illustrated guide for making Playdough
In this workshop, artist Amy Leung introduces us to her salt dough recipe. Follow along through the measuring and mixing process and then, use household items and materials to experiment with collecting prints and building constructions.
You’ll need:
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1/3 cup of salt
- Just under a tablespoon of oil
- ¼ cup of water
- Food colouring / poster paint / water-based paint (optional to dye your dough)