Upcoming Workshops and Classes

Currently, due to the pandemic, I am not offering any in-person classes.  Instead, I have been offering classes online via Zoom. The church where we used to hold classes is undergoing some ownership changes. When we do find another physical location, we hope to have in-person classes periodically. If you are interested in the Zoom classes, please send me email at kyfoss@comcast.net. In the meantime, below are examples of classes we've had in the past.
 


Polymer Workshops in Lisbon, CT  and at The Spectrum Gallery in Essex, CT.

•Address for Lisbon, CT:   Newent Congregational Church, Route 169, Lisbon, Connecticut  

•Address for Spectrum Art Gallery:   61 Main Street, Centerbrook, Connecticut 

Sunday, November 10, 2019 ~ Silk Screening and Making a Round "Box"  ~ 12:30 - 4:00 pm 

 Silk screening creates a lovely look on many surfaces, including polymer clay.  The process is quite easy, and just requires attention to detail to ensure clean images and the continued use of the screens.     
In addition to learning to use silk screens on polymer clay, we will also be making a self-standing round "box" or container complete with base and lid!  Two lessons in one!  You won't want to miss this class. :) 

Materials:

•pasta machine
•glossy work surface

•clay (your choice of colors!!)
•wooden, metal or cardboard tube for core base (forming and baking - we remove it )
•blades
•shape cutters
•jewelry findings, if desired

All the items below I will provide:
•acrylic water based paints 
•squeegees 
•wax paper 
•paper towels 
•shallow tubs of water & access to running water 
•silk screens (commercial or home made)
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Sunday, December 15, 2019  ~ Snowflake Bonanza! ~ 12:30 - 4:00 pm 

Come spend a lovely afternoon, exploring different snowflake shapes and designs.    Using cutters, extruders, and a variety of embellishment materials, you will create snowflakes that are, just as real snowflakes, unique and one-of-a-kind.  The size and purpose is up to you - make ornaments, gift tags, something pretty to hang in a window over the winter, or go small and make jewelry.  

Materials:
•pasta machine
•glossy work surface
•clay (your choice of colors - you may want lots of white) Be sure to bring clay in colors you want to use.  White or cream is a good base, but other colors work well, too.  Some of the glitter Premo! Accents would work really well.
•blades

•shape cutters - I will bring a variety of snow flake cutters.  Be sure to bring other small cutters for creating openings in the larger forms, or for making items to place on a snowflake background.  An extruder can also be used to make a snowflake from curled clay strands.
•For embellishment, the sky is the limit.  Glitter, embossing powder, mica powders, hotfix stones or crystals, glass pearls - whatever you have to decorate with, bring it. :)  I'll have some things to share, and I'm sure you have your own ideas.

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Sunday, February 16, 2020  ~ Polymer and Lace ~ 12:30 - 4:00 pm 


Learn how to incorporate the lovely patterns of lace trim into polymer sheets. These sheets can be used for everything from jewelry to coverings on items.  We'll be using a version of the mokume gane technique to create the sheets.  Come have some fun!





Materials

•Pasta machine & clamps
•Glossy working surface
•Tissue blades
•Acrylic roller
•Flat piece of acrylic (if you have it)   This makes it easier to press the lace into the clay
•Lace:   the lace that works best for this technique is thick with open areas - such as lace trim used on a gown or wedding dress.  I have gotten several pieces of lace that I will be sharing with you, so you don't need to go look for any.  Of course, if you have some "hanging around" that you want to try, please bring it.  After you use it this way, it really becomes a polymer "tool" so don't bring anything you hope to use elsewhere. ;)
•Clay:  Please bring some white, then any other colors you like.  We will be layering the colors in some instances, and will be using chalk pastels to color some of the white clay, so the color choices are all up to you!
•Chalk pastels:  I will bring some, so if you don't have these, don't run out and buy a bunch.  This would give you a chance to see one way they can be used and if you like to use them.
•Shape cutters:  This project will make sheets of  clay decorated with the pattern from the lace. You will, of course, be able to cut a variety of shapes to use as jewelry or perhaps even the snowflake cutters to make lamp pulls or??  The sheets could also be used to cover items, such as the paper mache' boxes we covered several years ago.  
•Composite metal leaf:  I'll be bringing some metal leaf, so again, if you don't have any, just plan on using what I bring.
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Sunday, March 29, 2020 ~ Marquetry ~ 12:30 - 4:00 pm 



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Sunday, April, 2020  ~ Hollow shapes w/openings ~ 12:30 - 4:00 pm 

Previous CLASS at Spectrum Gallery in Centerbrook, CT

Sunday, October 27, 2019 ~ Kaleidoscope FUN!  ~ 12:30 - 4:30 pm 

People of all ages enjoy kaleidoscopes! Here is your opportunity to decorate a kaleidoscope tube, and learn how to assemble all the parts so you have a real, working kaleidoscope, complete with glass mirrors and lens.  In this workshop you will learn about the kaleidoscope assembly, decorate the outer tube with polymer, and, after baking, assemble the kaleidoscope so it is ready to use.  There are numerous options for decorating the tube.  I will demonstrate how to make an Ikat stack that can be used to cover the outside.  However, participants are encouraged to bring their own canes for decoration.  I will also demonstrate the use of a texture with molded embellishments as another option for decorating.  Once you've made one of these, you'll want to make more.
We will be using kaleidoscope kits.  One of the kits makes a small working kaleidoscope that can be attached to a chain or ribbon and worn around the neck.  This is fun - and also a great gift!  The other kit that will be available makes a larger kaleidoscope about 7.5" - 8" long.  Please specify which size you would like to make when you register.

Questions?  Contact Kristie Foss at kyfoss@comcast.net

Materials:  Pasta machine, glossy work surface, tissue blade, clamps (to hold pasta machine to table), Premo! clay in your choice of colors, texture mats and small shape molds if desired, smoothing tool such as small acrylic or metal tube, any other polymer tools you like to use.

Workshop cost: $50.00

Kit prices:  Small wearable kaleidoscope kit:  $10.00     Large kaleidoscope kit: $12.00

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I also offer classes from time to time at the Spectrum Art Gallery in Centerbrook, CT. Information about other classes when they are scheduled, and a registration link  to sign up, is located at http://www.spectrumartgallery.org/event-registration/

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The photos below provide an idea of the variety of projects I've offered in the past.