The Art of Fan Making
Fan Pink Flowers
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Please have a look at some of my works...I have been creating FANs for years and I am looking forward to showing you all of them...

Fan Workshops
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Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

School Workshops
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If you are a school or adult social group and would like to arrange a 'Fan Out' session simply get in touch with me. Fan Workshops are an ideal way to boost children's creativity and sense of style.

Fan Pink Flowers
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Please have a look at some of my works...I have been creating FANs for years and I am looking forward to showing you all of them...

Workshops
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My Fan workshops are suitable for all ages...please drop me an email or just Book a session...

Workshops
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My Fan workshops are suitable for all ages...please drop me an email or just Book a session...

Fan Yellow
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Please have a look at some of my works...I have been creating FANs for years and I am looking forward to showing you all of them...

Fan Peacock
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Where Traditional Craft
and Dance combine

Fan Peacock
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Please have a look at some of my works...I have been creating FANs for years and I am looking forward to showing you all of them...

Fan Workshops
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Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

Fan Workshops
Image is not available

Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

Workshops
Image is not available

My Fan workshops are suitable for all ages...please drop me an email or just Book a session...

Fan Workshops
Image is not available

Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

School Workshops
Image is not available

If you are a school or adult social group and would like to arrange a 'Fan Out' session simply get in touch with me. Fan Workshops are an ideal way to boost children's creativity and sense of style.

Fan Peacock
Image is not available

Where Traditional Craft
and Dance combine

Fan Bicycle
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Please have a look at some of my works...I have been creating FANs for years and I am looking forward to showing you all of them...

Workshops
Image is not available

My Fan workshops are suitable for all ages...please drop me an email or just Book a session...

Fan Workshops
Image is not available

If you are a school or adult social group and would like to arrange a 'Fan Out' session simply get in touch with me. Fan Workshops are an ideal way to boost children's creativity and sense of style.

School Workshops
Image is not available

If you are a school or adult social group and would like to arrange a 'Fan Out' session simply get in touch with me. Fan Workshops are an ideal way to boost children's creativity and sense of style.

School Workshops
Image is not available

If you are a school or adult social group and would like to arrange a 'Fan Out' session simply get in touch with me. Fan Workshops are an ideal way to boost children's creativity and sense of style.

School Workshops
Image is not available

If you are a school or adult social group and would like to arrange a 'Fan Out' session simply get in touch with me. Fan Workshops are an ideal way to boost children's creativity and sense of style.

Fan Black
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Please have a look at some of my works...I have been creating FANs for years and I am looking forward to showing you all of them...

Fan Black
Image is not available

Please have a look at some of my works...I have been creating FANs for years and I am looking forward to showing you all of them...

Fan Workshops
Image is not available

Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

School Workshops
Image is not available

If you are a school or adult social group and would like to arrange a 'Fan Out' session simply get in touch with me. Fan Workshops are an ideal way to boost children's creativity and sense of style.

Fan Workshops
Image is not available

Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

Fan Workshops
Image is not available

Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

Workshops
Image is not available

My Fan workshops are suitable for all ages...please drop me an email or just Book a session...

Fan Workshops
Image is not available

Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

Fan Workshops
Image is not available

Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

Workshops
Image is not available

My Fan workshops are suitable for all ages...please drop me an email or just Book a session...

School Workshops
Image is not available

If you are a school or adult social group and would like to arrange a 'Fan Out' session simply get in touch with me. Fan Workshops are an ideal way to boost children's creativity and sense of style.

Fan Workshops
Image is not available

Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

Fan Workshops
Image is not available

Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

March 2023 - Feathers Fan
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Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

March 2023 - Feathers Fan
Image is not available

Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

March 2023 - Feathers Fan
Image is not available

Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

March 2023 - Feathers Fan
Image is not available

Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

March 2023 - Feathers Fan
Image is not available

Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

Fan Workshops
Image is not available

Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

ITV Appearances
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Watch Love your Weekend's Episode 22 Series 5 to see my Interview with Alan Titchmarsh aired Sunday 28th May 2023.

Fan Dancing
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Where Traditional Craft and Dance combine

Fan Workshops
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Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

Fan Workshops
Image is not available

Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

ITV Appearances
Image is not available

Watch Love your Weekend's Episode 22 Series 5 to see my Interview with Alan Titchmarsh aired Sunday 28th May 2023.

Fan Workshops
Image is not available

Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

Fan Dancing
Image is not available

Where Traditional Craft and Dance combine

ITV Appearances
Image is not available

Watch Love your Weekend's Episode 22 Series 5 to see my Interview with Alan Titchmarsh aired Sunday 28th May 2023.

Fan Workshops
Image is not available

Check the Fan Workshops and Events sections and book one. Become part of this successful art movement and find new ways to express yourself.

Business Award UK
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I was honoured as the 2023 Winner of Makers Award UK for Diversity and Inclusion Champion. Also I was shortlisted as the Fastest Growing Business and Best Artisanal Business.

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” Fan the Flame into Fame “

TORI'S STORY

a very warm welcome to you all

Victoria Ajoku here (but you can call me ‘Tori’). I am the Director, Founder and ‘visionaire’ of this unique and exciting Fan Making company. One of the first of its kind in the world!
founded in October 2019

My company strives to spread awareness of this wonderful and timeless art.

from as far back as...

I can remember, I have always had a natural flare and deep passion for the Creative and Performing Arts as a whole. I hold a BTEC National Diploma in Musical Theatre, BA Hons in Drama Theatre & Performance Studies and a Master’s (of Arts) in Creative Research & Performance. I have also obtained recently a Aim Qualification Diploma in Cultural Heritage. In all these fields, I have always been surrounded by mostly ‘folding fans’ used for set designs, props on stage to dance fans!

My first exposure and appreciation for fans began right back from childhood. I vividly recall attending numerous ‘West African public show case events’ in which I’m grateful for those opportunities to view the spectacles of ‘fixed fans’, elaborately modeled in the arms of ‘Nigerian Chiefs’ and ‘African dignitaries’.

Victoria Ajoku holding 2 fans with the same print on different coloured sticks

attending such occasions...

left me thinking ‘wow’, ‘I wonder what materials each fan is made from? Where were they made? Who made them? Where can one find such answers? Has ‘glory’ been shunned from their story? I’m on a mission to uncover and recover this.

‘Fan the Glory with Tori’ as a concept all came about in 2017 as a positive response to the official unveiling that the art of Fan Making is a critically endangered craft’ in the UK. Meaning it’s almost, completely no longer practiced in the UK.
Victoria Ajoku modelling the FTGWT 'Memorabilia Fan' on the Birthday of the company
With all this mentioned alongside my years of Fan Making commission and teaching experience, I think its time that ‘new life’ is breathed back into the concept of ‘The Fan’; aiding the journey of this ancient art into ‘freedom’ where its accessible to reach new and a wider range of audiences on a regular basis.
My aim is to spread an enthusing awareness of its history, diversity, elegance and practicality.

Launched in October 2019...

my Birthday month! I declare and ‘birth’ the innovative-objective of this company as my gift of light ‘glory’ back to the world to see in many ways that the craft has a new lease of life.

So why “Fan the Glory with Tori”? Well, I’m fanatic about fans which I hope is obvious. I felt that the word “Glory” stands for so many great things that I’m passionate about such as peace, love, goodness…the list is endless really.

I aim to fan (spread) the Glory of these things by going around “doing good” through spreading the concept of “the fan” whilst I do this. A win win, for the “greater good” of societies such as Schools and Care Homes and also the Fans itself

Victoria Ajoku carrying out a Fan Making

'If you can fold a piece of paper then you can make a fan'

Chieftancy fan
Chieftancy fan
Picture is property and copyright of the amazing artist Ifeyinwa Joy Chiamonwu. Click here to visit her website.

The Chieftancy Fan is traditionally made in the Igbo culture as a mark of honour and used as a practice to greet others.

 Did you know it was this style of fan that inspired my interested in fan making?!

EXPLANING MY LOGO

Did you know that in the Japanese language, the name ‘Tori’ means ‘Conquer’ and ‘Bird’? 

Research reveals that the origins of the ‘folding fan’ began in the Far-East. The culture likened the mechanisms of the ‘folding fan’, to be similar to an ‘animals wing’. 

At FTGWT, I have been encouraged by the freedom and strength that the ‘eagle bird’ (designed with a black fan leaf and gold wings) exhibits, to wear the royal crown of reviving this craft.

FanTheGloryWithTori's Winged Logo

Fans are as old as hot weather

As seen on
Play Video

my interview on itv

Please click on the picture above to get redirected to Love your Weekend’s Episode 22 Series 5 on ITV.com
Please watch my interview with Alan Titchmarsh aired on Sunday 28th May 2023

May this company 'soar' and 'fly high' like an eagle

VICTORIA AJOKU

DIRECTOR & artist

Small Business Saturday UK: Small Biz 100

I am so thrilled to be selected for the 2023 SmallBiz100.
Just to be on the Small Business Saturday platform alongside other incredible UK small businesses is a major step up for Fan The
Glory With Tori.

I’m sure you will agree that the journey over the past 4 years has been an unusual one, yet we succeeded.
It’s so encouraging and rewarding to see the other side and be publicly recognised for the unique services the company offers with its many facets.
Not only does Fan The Glory With Tori spreads a positive awareness of the UK’s critically endangered craft
of fans by teaching this art to people of all backgrounds, abilities and walks of life; but also creates handmade fan and related items that can be purchased via the online boutique and several other outlets.

Fan The Glory With Tori has been selected as one of the nation’s 100 most impressive small firms by the Small Business Saturday UK campaign, as it kicks off its second decade in the UK.
 
Following a nationwide search, Fan The Glory With Tori it has been chosen as part of the 2023 SmallBiz100 line-up, which showcases a line-up of 100 of the most inspiring independent businesses from across the nation. 
Small Business Saturday will return on 2 December 2023, with a mission to support and celebrate the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses.

With small firms facing huge challenges due to the cost-of-living crisis, the campaign is more vital than ever as it moves in to its second decade in the UK.

Fan The Glory With Tori profiled on Sunday 8th October 2023 as part of the 100-day countdown to Small Business Saturday UK.

It’s fantastic to celebrate Fan The Glory With Tori as part of this year’s campaign” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK.

The impressive small businesses featured in this year’s SmallBiz100 sum up the phenomenal contribution that small firms make to our economy and local communities.”

I was shortlisted in 2022 under the category Made in Greenwich as one of the top businesses who entered into this year’s Royal Greenwich Business Awards. See more info here on this article.
Greenwhich-Business-Award-Shortlist

2023 WINNER of the Makers Award from the Business Awards UK for 'Diversity and Inclusion Champion'

Also shortlisted for 2 other Makers Awards:

Fastest Business Growth
&
Best Artisanal Business

Fan Maker & Master of Arts entrepreneur named one of 2024’s most impressive female founders


In January 2024,
 Victoria Ajoku from London (England) has been crowned one of the UK’s most impressive female entrepreneurs by Small Business Britain’s
‘f:Entrepreneur #IAlso100’ campaign.

Victoria Ajoku, who founded Fan The Glory With Tori in 2019, is being profiled
among 100 inspirational female entrepreneurs from across the country, as part of the campaign to celebrate the multi-achievements of women running businesses in the UK today.

From female-run tradeswoman platforms, sustainable fashion designers, the f:Entrepreneur ‘#IAlso100’ line-up particularly showcases trailblazing female founders who lead purpose-driven businesses alongside a roster of other responsibilities, such as volunteering, mentoring and community support.

Indeed, Victoria Ajoku was also called out for being an ambassador, the face of modern fan making in the UK through her exceptional services to the craft through the area of outreach for diverse societies across the country.

On being featured in the #ialso100 lineup, Victoria said: ‘sometime in life we can relate to the story of ‘The Little Red Hen’. I say, endure, later you will be celebrated!

My contributions to the Fan Making field can no longer be denied; ‘the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone and it is marvelous in our eyes’.
” Called to Commission for Such a Time as This! “

My Mission

Fan Crafting is an Endangered craft in the UK which I am aiming to bring back with enthusiasm through my work…The Union Jack fan which I created symbolises this fact.
Fan_Union_Jack
flamingoes
peacock
red_leaves
Japan
Fan_Fans
Purple_Fan
Fan_Group_Golden
Fan_Black_LittleFans
Fan_Red_Gold
Fan_Stains
Fan_Toys
Fan_Group_Lots
Fan_Group_Scattered
Fan_Stains_Yellow
Fan_Flowers_Tropical
Fan_Purple_Golden_Leaves
Fan_Red_Leaves
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The Art of Fan Dancing

Workshops are designed to operate in three ways
‘Fan the glory with Tori’ offers ‘Fan Making’ & ‘Fan Leaf Decorating/Mounting’ sessions and also Fans Dance demonstration called FANdanceo all through fun, educational and therapeutic style workshops that will engage and amaze you! Holding a DBS Check, classes are tailored in different ways for all ages from nursery children all the way to the retired seniors of society.

” Fan the Vision, Make it Plain “

Testimonials

Delightful, insightful and inspirational. It was also informative and fun, like nothing else!
Lucy
I absolutely loved it. It was great to meet Tori, she's a fantastic teacher. She explains everything so clearly and I'm so happy with all my new knowledge about fans as well as my new skill!
Jennifer
No better way to spend three hours, thank you so much!
Anna
Its more than just teaching how to make fans, for me, its all about creating a fun, therapeutic, memorable and unique ‘experience’.

VICTORIA AJOKU

DIRECTOR & artist

fan making workshops

Fan Making is a super fun and highly therapeutic! Study how to make the folding hand-fan craft with Fan with the Glory With Tori. Tori is an experienced teacher who conducts the sessions (both online and In-person) as an ‘immersive experience’. Tori provides a wealth of knowledge, expert guidance about the craft, history and world of fans.

'Rediscover the Concept of Fan'

'Give it a try'

FAN OUT

Fan Out can only be booked contacting me directly via email at info@fantheglorywithtori.com or calling me on 07951856296.

‘Fan Out’
: which is I ‘a fan of fans’ on ‘outreach’ to your ‘specific’ school, event, workplace, care home, society-meeting, prison, college, hospital and so much more.

A ‘Fan Dance Demonstration’ aka ‘FANdanceo’ is also included!

You can also hire me for half a day, which consists of 1 fan class and a fan dance demonstration. Same fees still apply.

All the materials are provided for ‘Fan Out’ sessions. At present all ‘Fan Out’s’ take place within the London area only.

Fan Out classes need to be booked 7 days in advance at the latest.

If you would like to book a date other than those available. Please get in touch.

If you choose to cancel any of the fan making sessions, then no refund is given however the session can be re-arranged for another suitable day and time.

Fee is £180 (VAT included), and covers 2 Fan Making Sessions for a maximum number of 30 for each session).

FAN IN CLASS

’Fan In’: ’Fan In’: which is I, ‘a fan of fans’ who will be ‘In’ a particular unique venue, event or area, carrying out workshops for you to book and participate in. Maximum of 10 people per session.

’Fan In’: Class is held every Tuesday (please check Booking Calendar for availability) starting at noon and finishing at 5 pm, lasting approximately 3 hours. Participants will experience a ‘Fan Introduction’ and will make 2 folding fans.

Workshops are limited to 10 persons. Equipment and refreshments will be provided. Children (who must be 12 years of age and over) should be accompanied by an adult.

With the Fan In Online event each participant will get a voucher code that grants 10% off the online boutique.

Fan in classes need to be booked 7 days in advance at the latest.

If you would like to book a date other than those available. Please get in touch.

If you choose to cancel any of the fan making sessions, then no refund is given however the session can be re-arranged for another suitable day and time.

Fee is £ 150.00 (VAT included) per person

FAN IN ONLINE CLASS

Fan-In Online session is 3 and a half hours long and will be held on Zoom for a maximum of 4 participants. Participants will experience a ‘Fan Introduction’ and will make 2 folding fans.

The full kit will be posted to you before joining me online. This events are limited to those participants residing in the UK.

With the Fan In Online event each participant will get a voucher code that grants 10% off the online boutique.

Participants also take part in a ‘fan themed quiz’ with a chance to win a free ‘fan related’ prize.

Fan in online classes need to be booked 7 days in advance at the latest.

If you would like to book a date other than those available. Please get in touch.

If you choose to cancel any of the fan making sessions, then no refund is given however the session can be re-arranged for another suitable day and time.

Fee is £ 90 (VAT included) per person

fan making events

FAN IN ONLINE (Corporate)

Fan In Online Corporate events, last 2 and a half hours, for a maximum number of 6 participants.
Ideal for the companies staff members only these Arts and Crafts events aim to gather and engage attendees in an online Zoom context allowing them to freely express their creativity and hone their craft skills. You can also create a fan which depicts your Company or Business Partner's logo and slogan.

These events are momentarily only valid to companies located in the UK. Material will be posted to you or your corporate headquarters, so you get everything you need for your Event before joining me online. Please make sure to provide proof that you genuinely belong to the Company, before carrying out a booking.

With the Fan In Online (Corporate) event each participant will get a voucher code that grants 10% off the online boutique. Participants also take part in a ‘fan themed quiz’ with a chance to win a free ‘fan related’ prize.

Fan in online Corporate Events need to be booked 7 days in advance at the latest.

If you would like to book a date other than those available. Please get in touch.

If you choose to cancel any of the fan making events, then no refund is given however the session can be re-arranged for another suitable day and time.

Price per participant is £ 90 (VAT included).

‘Fan the Glory with Tori’ is open 6 days a week!

(Mon, Tues, Thurs, Friday, Sat and Sunday) Phone lines are still open on Wednesdays!
It runs according to the UK school term time. If you would like a weekend session or during the half terms, please contact me.

Workshops also allow you to:

HAVE FUN – LEARN NEW SKILLS

MAKE NEW FRIENDS -BUILD A TEAM

CONTACT ME

FIND ME

I’m based in Greenwich, London, one of the most sought after locations in East London, rich in history and culture. Some of the most important historical landmarks, such as the Greenwich Prime Meridian Line and the National Maritime Museum, are located in this area. Please refer to Transport for London website to reach this not-to-be-missed location and enjoy a day out.
Phone: +447951856296
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