Events & Classes

FRCC Boulder Campus|Continuing Education, Longmont CO

This series of four classes can be taken together or individually.

An Introduction To Polymer Clay | $50

January 29,2011 9AM-1PM
This course starts at the beginning and takes an intensive look at the creative uses and embellishment potentials of polymer clay. Participants are encouraged to take all four sessions focusing on polymer clay (ARCR1110, 1111, 1112, 1113). We will cover a wide array of techniques including the basics of preparation, color blending, millefiore or "cane work", transfers, mokume gane (a technique taken from Japanese metal and wood working) beginning mold making, stamping, additional surface decoration and inclusions, mica shift, and creating textures and faux effects (mimicking bone, wood, coral, etc) storage and baking as well as safety issues, and finishing options. Participants will create sample tiles, buttons, or charms for a collection of techniques in mosaic or jewelry form. Many of the items used during the course are provided, but participants are expected to provide their own clay. Students are encouraged to have Premo, Kato, Fimo, or Cernit brand polymer clays as they are the sturdiest. Clay purchasing options and local sources will be reviewed. Participants will need several blocks of pre-conditioned polymer clay (approx. $1-$2 each at your local art supplies store) in different colors, a sharp blade (approx. $5 or under at your local art supplies store), and work surface (acrylic plate or ceramic tile). If participants have a pasta machine this is also strongly encouraged. The clay and sharp blade can be purchased at Hobby Lobby or Michaels. Participants will also review tools. If the student does not already have tools they will be available during the course. (Minimum class size is 4 and 20 maximum.)

Canework: Millefiore Technique| $50

February 5, 2011 9AM-1PM
This course builds on ARCR1110 course. Millefiore is the Italian word for "thousand flowers". This technique is thousands of years old in the glassmaking trade. Todays polymer clays also make great use of this imaging process, with far more control of color and form available in this medium.

Participants will take images in colored clays and build them into millefiore "canes" and then reduced to form amazingly detailed designs. Starting with simple geometric canes like stripes, checkerboards, bulls-eyes and spirals and progressing to floral and other detailed forms. We will learn how to build and combine components to make items that range from simple to stunning. Variations such as square repeats, tessellations and recombined complex canes will also be covered. Color shading techniques such as the Skinner Blend and 3D stacking layers will be used to give even more depth to the images.

Successful cane building requires some attention and effort, as does the reduction, and there are things to do that greatly increase your success. Learn the tricks of the trade, and build beautiful canes, plus how to reduce them with less distortion and hand strain. Once canes are built and reduced, slices can be used to create beads and embellish decorative objects of many kinds. Participants will need several blocks of pre-conditioned polymer clay (approx. $1-$2 each at your local art supplies store) in different colors, a sharp blade (approx. $5 or under at your local art supplies store), and work surface (acrylic plate or ceramic tile). If participants have a pasta machine this is also strongly encouraged. The clay and sharp blade can be purchased at Hobby Lobby or Michaels. (Minimum class size is 4 and 20 maximum.)

Home Decor With Polymer Clay

February 12, 2011 9AM-1PM
This course builds on ARCR1110 and 1111. Polymer clay can be used to match or co-ordinate with any fabric--and not just for clothing and wearable art. Dress up your walls with beautiful polymer clay switch plates and electrical plug covers, with drawer pulls and even covered doorknobs. Finials for curtain rods or lamps, covered candlesticks, embellishments for picture frames, mirrors, clocks or boxes are easy to create with polymer clay. Participants will learn finishing methods to coordinate with antiqued styles and modern ones too. Stains and whitewash effects, metallic finishes, glossed, buffed or sanded; polymer clay can be used with all kinds of décor. Students should bring to the course a decorative element (fabric, paper, etc) they want to coordinate with their polymer and an item to decorate with paint and polymer.

A kit containing a switch plate, plug plate and 3 drawer knobs to cover can be purchased in class or students may provide their own (The kit items can be purchased at any local hardware store). Participants will need several blocks of pre-conditioned polymer clay (approx. $1-$2 each at your local art supplies store) in different colors, a sharp blade (approx. $5 or under at your local art supplies store), and work surface (acrylic plate or ceramic tile). If participants have a pasta machine this is also strongly encouraged. The clay and sharp blade can be purchased at Hobby Lobby or Michaels. (Minimum class size is 4 and 20 maximum.)

Making Beautiful Beads | $50

February 26, 2011 9AM-1PM
This course builds on ARCR1110, 1111, and 1112 and begins with shape and color moving through many decorative techniques including mold making, textures, stamping and impressing, inclusions, filigree, granulation, metal foils and mica powders, carving, and more.

Using multiple techniques on a single bead to create elaborate effects can bring about some incredible looks! Mokume gane and mica shift are just a few of the many different approaches to clay manipulation that can be used to create beautiful wearable art.

After this finishing session participants will use the beads created in the session along with any others to create a stunning one of a kind necklace. (Minimum class size is 4 and 20 maximum.)

February 18-23, 2011
Laurel MD
Cabin Fever Clay Festival

CFCF 2011 PRE-Conference Instructors
Lorrene Davis, Jeff Dever, Julie Eakes, Doreen Gay-Kassell, Lindly Haunani, Kathryn Ottman,
Nan Roche, Judith Skinner

CFCF 2011 Instructors (4 hour workshops)
Grant Diffendaffer, Patti Euler, Louise Fischer Cozzi, Christi Friesen, Sarajane Helm, Ellen Marshall, Ronna Sarvas Weltman, Sarah Shriver, Cindy Silas, Laura Tabakman

Click here for the Cabin Fever Clay Fest 2011 Registration Form including the conference and pre-conference. Judith Skinner is coming out to teach and will be honored at this retreat for her contribution of the Skinner Blend to polymer clay artists everywhere. And I'll be there to make faces!

SARAJANE HELM: Making Faces|Modeling & Moldmaking

Mon. 8:00AM or Tues. 1:00PM
This session begins with the fundamentals of proportion, scale, and anatomical placement. We will build miniature faces using scrap clay and simple tools. After baking we create molds, comparing the advantages of various formulations including Plaster of Paris, polymer clays, and RTV silicone molding compounds. Pulls from the molds we make will be manipulated and decorated in many ways. Apply acrylic paints in a variety of fashions that range from childlike innocence to sophisticated vamp! We will cover making stains and antiquing, faux wood and ivory finishes, and more.

Registration forms can be found by clicking Cabin Fever Clay Fest 2011 Registration Form

November 3-6, 2011
Houston TX
Houston International Quilt Festival

George R. Brown Convention Center
Houston Texas