GENERAL INFORMATION

I will travel approximately 500 miles from Raleigh, NC with a two class minimum. Classes within 100 miles have a one class minimum. A minimum of ten students and a maximum of twenty students are required for most classes. Classes range from six hours to eight hours a day. I prefer to teach both classes with similar techniques in a two day class session. Two classes with dissimilar techniques will require a slightly higher class fee.

I supply some materials and a written tutorial with all of my classes. If a participant has already purchased the class tutorial, he/she can choose another tutorial, image transfer sheets, beads or other polymer clay items of comparable value.

If a class is for a polymer clay guild, I will specify the brands of clay and other products that I have tested and know that the brands yield positive results for a particular technique. It is advisable for participants to purchase the recommended brands.

If a class is in a store that carries polymer clay and related products, I will test the brands that the store carries prior to the class to provide the shop a chance to sell stocked brands. Once the materials list is provided by me to the shop, it is up to the shop owner to inform me of a stocked brand that he/she believes may be substituted for one that is on my materials list. Due to the nature of polymer clay and techniques, there will be no guarantee that particular brands will be recommended.

A materials list will be provided up to three months prior to a scheduled class.

Please email me if you wish to schedule a class or wish to discuss variations on any of these classes or wish to receive a specific proposal for other techniques or projects.

Proposal I

Making Beads with a Limited Color Palette

This class includes at least twelve different polymer clay techniques. These techniques will be applied to beads using a limited color palette of one or two metallic clays (gold, silver or copper) and black and white or white pearl. In addition, two or three other colors may be used to personalize the beads. Several beads will be made from each technique. All beads will go well together as they are all from the same palette. Some materials and a written tutorial with color photo instructions are included in the class fee. With these beads a unique necklace or bracelet and earrings may be created after class.

Faux Stones, Materials & Finishes

This class focuses on polymer clay techniques that imitate stones such as amber, jade, lapis lazuli, aventurine or turquoise, rose quartz, natural materials such as bone, ivory, wood, tagua nut, metals, pottery glazes and raku and manmade materials such as Bakelite. Inks, chalks, artist pigments, paints, foils, powders, sands, spices and liquid clays are used to create the illusion of the real thing. Class fee includes some of these supplies and a written tutorial. A variety of beads will be made in the class and a few pendants will be created using some molds. This class is especially fun for those who approach polymer clay with a playful attitude or for those who enjoy experimenting with various materials and being drawn into the wonder of it all. A smock or apron and rubber gloves are recommended.

Proposal II

Transfers to Flat Surfaces

This class focuses on completing all the elements to complete a project using transferred images to flat surfaces. A written tutorial with step-by-step instructions and a wide selection of images on the transfer papers are included in the class fee. There will be several types of papers and transfer mediums used for a variety of surface effects. The class also covers several techniques to alter images before transferring and after transferring. This includes manipulating the image so it has a watercolor effect, carving designs in the image, ageing the image and more. You will learn to build a polymer clay gift box or matchbox pendant with a transferred image. It will hold a coordinating piece of jewelry. You will also make beads and a pendant with transferred images. Box and pendant or earrings should be completed in class, but stringing of beads and pendant may be done after class.

Transfers to Round or Curved Surfaces

This class covers transferring images to curved or round surfaces such as spheres, cylinders or tubes, cabochons or convex and concave surfaces. A written tutorial with step-by-step instructions and a wide selection of images on transfer papers are included in the class fee. This class is geared to learning a technique and not necessarily in finishing a project. However, experienced clayers may be able to complete a project. Some polymer clay experience is preferred.

Proposal III

Postcards, ATCs and Bookmarks

The first day of class will focus on the faux watercolor technique on polymer clay postcards, ATCs and bookmarks. Different brands of ink and solvents are used to achieve a variety of designs and will be sealed with a two-part resin for durability and sheen. Other products such as pearlescent powders, metal wire, holeless beads and rhinestones may also be used. Polymer clay sheets with the faux watercolor designs will be cropped into pleasing compositions for postcards, ATCs, small book covers or bookmarks.

Earrings and Coordinating Pendant

The second day session will focus on using the small remnants left from the previous day’s work to make earrings and pendants in a variety of shapes. There will also be an hour reserved for demonstrating variations of these sheets of watercolor designs on boxes, book covers, wall paintings and other home décor items. Both class fees will include a written tutorial with color step-by-step photos. An apron or smock and rubber gloves are recommended for both of the faux watercolor classes.

Note: Photos of the several shapes of pendants and earrings will be posted at a later date.

Proposal IV

Polymer clay postcards or ATCs use techniques such as Skinner Blend and materials such as texture sheets, inks, paints, liquid clays and powders. The postcards are sturdy and can be mailed. These same techniques can be used to make pendants, boxes or used as surface treatments in other arts and crafts. A written tutorial will be included in the class fee. This is a one day class.

Proposal V

Class will cover three types of molds and the pros and cons of each. The molds will be made from found natural objects that may mimic underwater creatures. Assembling these individual components to make a pleasing composition will be covered. Every pendant will be different. Pearlescent powders and chalks will be used with semi-precious stones and pearls to embellish the pendants. Experienced clayers may make several pendants or may choose to complete a necklace. A written tutorial will be included in the class fee. This is a one day class.

More images may be seen at Sea Maidens.

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