studio courses

Basic Beaded Embroidery

This course is a great introduction to the basics of hand beading for embellishment and surface texture. Multiple stitches and tips for securing all bead types will be covered. You will create a small round sampler that can be used as a brooch or button. Absolutely no beading experience needed. 1-day (Beading workshops can be combined to create a 1-3 day session)

Beaded Bezels for Cabochons & Mirrors

This class will cover two different methods of attaching flat-backed cabochons and shisha mirrors to projects. These techniques can be used on quilts, as well as parts of necklaces or other jewelry. Basic beading experience needed. 1-day

Beaded Edges & Fringes

This class will introduce many beaded fringe techniques, simple and advanced beaded edges and finishing tips. Basic beading experience needed. 1-day

Introduction to Peyote Stitch

Peyote Stitch is one form of off loom bead weaving technique used to create a cloth-like flexible mesh made from beads.  The Peyote Stitch is easy to learn and fun to do.  In this workshop, we will use basic seed beads (any size) to learn the basic Peyote Stitch, how to start new threads invisibly, and increasing and decreasing.  This weaving technique is a fundamental foundation for many beading forms and quite simple.  By the end of this workshop you will have the basics mastered and complete a  simple amulet  or medicine bag in Peyote stitch.  Class includes needle and Silamide beading thread, you bring seed beads from your stash - some beads will be available in class. 1-day

Embellished Hand-bound Travel Journal

Each student will learn to make a sheet of “fabric paper” using decorative papers, fabrics, and imagery including stamps, photos.  Learn a simple hand-stitched binding technique to create a book using watercolor paper for the pages.  The pages will include gold deckled edges and pockets for mementos, ephemera or photos. The Fabric paper can be further embellished using threads, charms, transfers, etc. the book can be finished in a day if extensive embellishment of the cover isn't a priority. This will become the cover of the Journal. 1-day

Soy Wax Batik

This environmentally friendly alternative to beeswax for batik is great fun and practically foolproof!   The high grade soy wax is easier to remove from fabrics and papers because it melts at a much lower temperature than traditional wax. Using traditional batik tjanting tools and natural bristle brushes; multiple layers of color can easily be applied to one piece.  Since the wax dries quickly, you can apply all your layers in one afternoon. 1-day

Open Mesh Screen Printing

Learn temporary techniques to create print screens using common household materials such as flour, and wax and try your hand with very short run print images using watersoluable media. Screens can be used to print on paper or textiles.  Each student will have the opportunity to create several prints and will explore multiple techniques. 1-3 day workshop.

Block Carving & Printing

This workshop will cover the creation of design by cutting soft blocks and foam to create your own unique stamps. The blocks can be combined to create detailed textures or focal point images on paper and textiles. Paint, dye, foils, and inks will be used. Half or 1-day

Color Play

Learn the basics of using Procion MX permanent dye on cotton - and create the first pieces of unique cloth to your stash. Then play with dyes to create unique fabrics for your fiber projects. Start with an introduction to basic vat dyeing and then create a coordinated family of 3 parfait dyed samples. 1-day

Shibori Resist Dyeing

Today shibori is practiced by many textile and fiber artists. Some artists continue to use traditional tools to create pattern and some use modern adaptations such as PVC poles, smocking machines, sewing machines, rubber bands, and wood or plexi-glass. In this hands on studio workshop, you will develop and practice basic resist folding and tying techniques to dye a unique shibori resist silk scarf in one color. half or 1 day

Glitter, Glitz & Gilding for Mixed Media

Find your inner magpie! Spend the afternoon playing with shiny surfaces to add to any of your mixed media work - including fabric.  This studio workshop will cover techniques for application of various forms of glitter, pigment powders, metallic paints, foils, and metallic leaf. We will begin with an extensive review of the different media, their effect and many adhesive options. Some of these techniques can also be used to laminate papers and photos to fabrics and other surfaces. 1-day

Scheduling Courses

Contact janet to arrange a studio workshop for your group or for private studio sessions.