Robin's Classes at a Glance

Cross my Heart

2011-05-25T19:17:00.000-07:00

Day long class
Learn how to pound, cut, punch and stamp metal in this class. You'll learn how to attach most objects with rivets and eyelets.

Crazy Wired Bib Necklace

2010-05-23T18:40:00.000-07:00

Crazy Wired Bib Necklace
level: all
5-6 hour class

If you love free form bead work and wire you will love this necklace! Bib necklaces have been showing up on run ways and draped upon celebrity necks lately and we will make our own version of this stunning show piece. You should finish your necklace in class and will learn how to make a sturdy hammered wire frame, free form wire work and beading, composition, my "velvet" wrap, and clasp closures. Robin will also show you how to attach odd items like buttons, chandelier crystals, toy pieces etc. Material list available upon sign up.

Tube earrings

2010-01-11T18:53:00.000-08:00

Level: beginning to advanced
Time: 2 hours
Supplies: mimimal

Make these great earrings in 2 hours! Minimal supplies needed. Beginning to advanced level seem to love these. To expand the class we can add several types of earring hooks to make it an all day event!

Treasure Charm Bracelet

2010-01-07T21:29:00.000-08:00

Treasured Charm Bracelet

level: all

All day workshop

Take a hand full of mixed media and learn how to solder, drill and punch it! Robin will teach you how to make this stunning show stopper of a charm bracelet with techniques like soldering, hammering words onto metal, punching and drilling holes into coins, dice, plastic and metal as well as cutting metal shapes and basic wire wrapping . This is a process oriented class....in other words depending on your level of knowledge you may or may not finish it completely but you'll have a pocket full of techniques to take home. All supplies are provided except jewelry pliers (wire cutters, round nose, chain nose and flat nose). Please bring your soldering equipment if you have it. Please contact me before class if you have questions.

Altered Art Bottles

2009-11-29T09:58:00.000-08:00

Altered Art Bottles
Level: all
Half or one day workshop

Description

Turn a plain bottle into a doll, necklace or vessel for keepsakes. Robin will show you fun and creative applications using wax, wire, assemblage, collage, solder, fibers, buttons, rusted metal, broken ceramic and doll parts . We will cover your bottle with salvaged, repurposed and new ephemera and turn it into a unique conversation piece. You should be able to finish 1-3 bottles. If time allows, we will learn how to paint a simple rose onto your chosen surface. Robin will supply one small bottle for each student, beeswax, wire, soldering iron, paint, melting pot, cheesecloth and expendables

Mermaid Cuff

2009-09-29T15:08:00.001-07:00

Mermaid Cuff
5 hour class
level beginning to advanced

Description:
The siren of the sea beckons you into a world of make believe! Construct a bracelet cuff with wire, pearls, azure beads and sparkling jewels. Learn about design and composition as we unravel the divine order of adornment in all its splendor and free form wire work. Of course if mermaids are not your “thing” by all means select another theme.

Baby Doll Necklace-circa 1860

2009-08-04T12:13:00.000-07:00

Designer: Robin Dudley-Howes
11a-4:30p
Level: intermediate and up

Robins’ fascination with these miniature antique German dolls has led to yet another eclectic mixed media necklace contrasting vintage with contemporary. For this project you will learn innovative wire shaping techniques, hammering, clasps, problem solving and sturdy wire construction with out using a torch! Learning these techniques will elevate your future jewelry projects into new territory. Robin will try her best to make sure your necklace gets finished in class. Most supplies can be purchased at at jewelry suppliers like Rio Grande or Thunderbird supply. The materials listed are what I used for the sample. If you would like me to put a kit together for you please contact me.

Pretty Punched Portfolio

2009-06-09T22:34:00.000-07:00

One day class
Levels: All (need to know hand sewing)

Description:

We will be making a beautiful book like portfolio to hold sewing tools and needles or any precious treasures you may have. You will learn how to make a simple fabric covered book with binding and signatures (pages), simple embroidery, some ribbon roses and easy tassels! The center piece on the cover was made using miniature punch needle embroidery and we will go over that for those who are interested however if you already have a punch needle embroidered piece that you would like to use, please bring it or any other appliqué that might work. We will also go over how to felt your own wool squares at home. This is a process oriented class, however you might be able to finish this book in class depending on your experience. To make your time in class more efficient come with a theme or color scheme in mind.

Tassels-Ethnic Eclectic and Treasure Hunt

2009-06-08T22:14:00.000-07:00

TREASURE HUNT TASSEL

One day class
Level: all
This fabulous tassel is a serendipitous creation made from all those precious scraps of fiber, fabric and ephemera that you just couldn’t throw away and were waiting for the perfect project. Well now you have a project to use those treasures! We will explore my innovative tassel construction of a simple basket weave technique, fiber wrapping, free form bead work and basic embroidery to construct an organic art piece! We will also explore innovative ways to attach a porcelain face to the tassel.

ETHNIC ECLECTIC TASSEL

one to two day class
level: all (need to know hand sewing)

This luscious eclectic tassel is full of fun techniques, layers and texture. We will explore basic tassel construction along with various techniques such as basket weaving, bead wrapping, pom-poms, macrame’, beaded bead dangles and fiber wrapping. This is a process oriented class and my goal is to have taught at least one piece of each part of the tassel enabling you to put it all together on your own if you can’t finish in class.

Soldered Projects/Jewelry

2009-06-08T21:41:00.000-07:00

Soldered Bell Jar
level:intermediate
All day workshop

Step into a magical world with this adorable soldered bell jar project and kick up your soldering skills a notch. First we will learn how to dress and paint your 100 year old doll in festive attire. Then I will teach the dynamics of attaching soldered 3-d pieces, millenary and word tiles to make a tree type topper on your bell jar. To finish it all off I will show you how make your piece ancient with patina and add embellishments. Class fee includes all supplies. All you need to bring is your soldering equipment: soldering iron, stand, several sizes of copper tape, solder, flux, sponge, flux remover. Please contact me if you need resources for soldering equipment. Most stained glass stores have everything needed. Otherwise I charge a $10 studio fee to use my soldering equipment and supplies.

TREASURE NECKLACE AND SOLDERED GLASS CHARMS~ Intro to soldering
Level: beginning
One to two day workshop

A swath of fabric from a treasured garment, a petal from your wedding bouquet, a marble from your grandfather.....these are treasures that are unique to you and will become forever preserved in this special class. We will explore various techniques to encapsulate and preserve your precious treasures by learning to cut glass and solder it into charms and explore uncommon objects like miniature vials, dice, dominoes, small china or bisque items, small pieces of a plate you couldn't throw out.....you get the picture. This is a process based glass if taken for one day (you won't finish the necklace), project based (you will finish the necklace) for two days, great for beginners or those who want to hone their soldering skills.

HOUSE OF GLASS~A RELIQUARY

Level: Intermediate/Advanced
One day class

What a metaphor for this tiny powerhouse of a project! What IS a reliquary? Direct quote from the dictionary~ “A receptacle, such as a coffer or shrine, for keeping or displaying sacred relics.” And so we will, as the name suggests create our own reliquary. This is a fantastic project for those who have some soldering experience and want to challenge themselves. Robin will not only go over the dynamics of making a miniature house of glass “reliquary”, she will also demonstrate how to add accessories to your little relic if you so desire and other tricks of the trade. The class sample has a tiny 100 year old “Frozen Charlotte” bisque doll who has been safely housed with a glittery crown and wings in her miniature reliquary, forever preserved. What will you preserve?

FROZEN CHARLOTTE NECKLACE

One day class
Level: Intermediate to advanced, some wire and soldering helpful
Kit fee (TBD) payable to teacher at class (includes Sterling Silver wire, Frozen Charlotte and everything else to make the necklace except tools)

Description

Over one hundred years ago in a doll factory located in Thuringia, Germany, Frozen Charlotte dolls were manufactured. These hard to find treasured bisque dolls, broken and not, become trophies when found and are coveted by mixed media and jewelry artists making them HIGHLY collectable. It is the resurrection and collection of these enigmatic figures that guided me to make this necklace exclusively for Gilding the Lily. You will learn some great tips and techniques in soldering, wire wrap and miniature embellishment…making a tiny tiara for Charlotte, preserving her in a miniature vial and attaching it to a beautiful sterling silver and vintage finding necklace that you will learn how to make. How fun is that! The kit will have ALL the sterling silver wire, chain and findings needed to make the necklace PLUS your very own Frozen Charlotte and the story behind her, a vial, pearls, glass glitter, vintage and new findings.

BEAUTIFUL ARCHED SOLDERED ORNAMENT
4-5 hour class
Level: beginning
Kit fee extra

Description

Create a beautiful ornament worthy enough for gift giving! In this class Robin will go over basic soldering skills and techniques to stamp words or phrases into metal that will be soldered to the glass. Learn how to tack solder jump rings and her signature wire wrapping techniques including the velvet connector to hang your ornament! Your kit will have a custom cut arched glass piece and metal for the back, wire, velvet, jump rings, vintage button, chain,beads, scalloped copper foil and steel wool. Several custom collaged images will be available for you to choose from as part of the kit but feel free to bring your own. Metal alphabet stamps and hammers will be available to use in class if you do not have your own.

CHANDELIER PENDANTS
level: beginning
3-4 hour class

Description

What an elegant yet simple pendant to be worn as a necklace or used as an ornament! If you have wanted to learn how to solder (with out fire) this is a great class to get you started. Robin will show you all her tips and techniques for soldering with relaxed and easy to follow methods. You will go home with at least one pendant. Kits are available to purchase.

Bohemian Chic~An Introduction into Shisha mirror embroidery

2009-06-08T21:22:00.000-07:00

level: all (need to know hand sewing)
Process oriented
one to two day class

Calling all quilters, embroidery fanatics, fiber enthusiasts, mixed media artists and fabric-holics! This is a brand new class! Come on a journey with me where we break all the rules of traditional sewing. Hide your ruler, rotary cuter and embroidery hoop! I will show you how to think out of the box by creating a free style quilted coin purse embellished to the max with shisha mirrors, free form embroidery, amazing tassels and pom-poms in exciting vibrant colors. What are shisha mirrors you ask? They are usually ”smaller than a dime” shiny mirrors used on ethnic clothing and accessories with lots of intricate embroidery. I will show you my interpretation of several techniques in shisha mirror embroidery for your purse AND tassels. Learning these techniques will add more pizzazz and originality to your fabric crafting whether it be quilting or doll making so take the leap and experience a day of creative freedom! There will be a class outline and history of shisha embroidery provided. Shisha mirrors can be purchased from instructor.