Altered Art Bottles

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

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

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

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

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

Bohemian Chic~An Introduction into Shisha mirror embroidery

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.