What is the Making a Living Part 2 session about?

During this in-person Factory Seminar – Making a Living Part 2, you’ll learn how to identify your values and purpose as a creative business and turn that into professional progression in 2023. Artist and Founder of Alou Amy Louise Davis, and Arts Therapist Monica Cru-Hall will share the methods they use to reflect and learn from experiences, as well as invaluable ways for overcoming obstacles in the year ahead. This Factory seminar is in partnership with the Stoke Cultural Education Partnership (CEP) and is the second instalment of the Making a Living series. 

What will this Making a Living Part 2 session cover?

• How to keep yourself accountable
• The methods and theories of a reflective practice
• Finding your values and purpose  
• Identifying the right opportunities for your creative business/practice
• A practical workshop for overcoming roadblocks

Who is the Making a Living Part 2 session for?

• People who want to understand their creative values and purpose
• Those who want to be more reflective in their creative practice/business
• People who want to diversify their income
• People who feel they need to focus their practice/business
• Students or people early in their career who want to start building a sustainable career

Who is delivering?

Amy Louise Davis 

Amy Louise Davis is a textile artist and embroiderer fascinated by sculpture and pattern. Influenced by environmental and social issues, she created Alou in 2013 to tackle throw-away culture. Amy uses her skills in sculpting and embroidery to conceptualise and design artefacts to create awareness of the throw-away problem. She has a particular interest in repurposing and seeking potential in overlooked or pre-loved materials. Over time, Alou has expanded in scope, placing a strong focus on 1) bringing communities together to tackle issues; 2) inspiring others to become creative, and 3) exploring the relationship between sustainability and mindfulness.
See more of Amy’s work.

Monica Cru-Hall 

Monica Cru-Hall is a mother, teacher, creative arts therapist and founder of Therapy North Staffordshire. She is passionate about the benefits of community connection and has worked on various projects including co-building a community garden with Urban Wilderness CIC and supporting H.O.P.E (Helping Our Pupils Emotions). Through her business Therapy North Staffordshire, Monica combines creative arts therapy with positive mental health support to help parents and students work through their emotions.

Where does it take place?

Room L410, Flaxman Building, Staffordshire University, College Road, ST4 2DE

How to book?

Book your free ticket via the individual event pages on the BCB website. Visit our What’s On page to see what other events are happening.

What is Factory?

This workshop is proudly run as part of the creative business support programme, Factory. Factory is a partnership between Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, Staffordshire University, British Ceramics Biennial and ACAVA. The programme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Visit our main Factory page for more information about other opportunities and workshops run through Factory. 

In-person Access:

• All venues we will use will have flat access via lift or location on the ground floor. 
• We have a portable Loop for those who need it, please email ahead of the event if you would like to use this system (rhiannon@britishceramicsbiennial.com) 
• In advance of each event, we aim to share an overview of the event. This may include preparation tasks for the participant.
• We will share a resource pack after the event including summary notes and other relevant links and resources. 

If there is anything we can do to support your participation in the event please do get in touch with rhiannon@britishceramicsbiennial.com to discuss what we can put in place for you.