MAY

Buttons, Beads and Baubles! Exploring Polymer Clay
Instructor: Ronna Sarvas Weltman
May 22 & 23
10am - 4pm
Learn the basics of Polymer Clay - and how you can use Polymer Clay to expand your work in fibers, beading, and other media! Ronna will start your creative juices flowing by teaching you a variety of simple – yet dramatic techniques including: bead and button making, custom color mixing, marbleizing, caning, and embellishing with a surprisingly large array of materials. Feel free to bring tools and materials for wirework, metalwork, beading, fiber, paper, painting and other mediums you may work with - as you will explore combining, and completing your work with polymer clay. Ronna's classes are joyful and relaxed - expect to play hard, color outside the lines and push your artistic limits!
Course #10W52223 $245.

Ronna Sarvas Weltman is a jewelry artist and author of Ancient Modern: Polymer Clay & Wire Jewelry. She is known for her unique aesthetic, and her warm and understandable teaching style. To see more of her work visit www.ronnaround.com.

Beginning Level Metals: Etching without Acid
Instructor: Nanz Aalund
May 26 6 – 9pm
Enough with the toxic chemicals - go GREEN! Learn this family (and pet!) safe way to etch copper, brass, and nickel in your home or studio. Demonstration of different resists and applications for etching metal will be covered. (Plan to bring an old cell-phone charger to recycle for this class.)
Course #10W526  $75.   (+material fee)

Over the past 25 years as a goldsmith and jewelry designer, Nanz Aalund has: taught jewelry and metals classes at the University of Washington and Art Institute in Seattle; served as a fine jewelry designer and consultant for Nordstrom, Rudolf Erdel, Neiman Marcus, and Tiffany & Co.; and was the associate editor for Art Jewelry magazine. Most recently, Nanz authored authored "Masters: Gold," published by Lark Books – and won First Place in the 2009 Jewelry Arts Awards for her gold and resin earrings. To see more of her work, visit: www.nanzaalund.com
 
2-Day Glass + Metals Intensive
Make a Ring, Brooch or Pendant
Instructors: Randi Harper & Kristi Zevenbergen
May 28 - 7pm - 9pm and May 30 10am - 4pm
Don’t’ miss this Harper/Zevenbergen workshop! We will learn to make glass cabochons and bezel-set them to make a ring, pendant or brooch! Prior metalworking experience is helpful, but not mandatory. Expect to come away from this workshop with several cabochons; a finished piece of sterling silver jewelry – and the skills you’ll need to make more -- on your kitchen table!!  Maximum: 8
Course #10W5293 $145. (+supply fee)

Randi Harper and Kristi Zevenbergen are seasoned instructors dedicated to providing you with both skills and confidence. Their interview - “Conquer Your Fears: Make the Leap into Metals” is featured in the current edition of Step by Step Wire Jewelry.

Woven Wire “Jester Basket”
Instructor: Marilyn Moore
May 29
10am - 4pm
Learn to make a stunning little basket using Marilyn's unique method of color blending fine (really fine!) colored wire. And come away with the skills your need to add this amazing technique to your design vocabulary! Weaving skill is helpful, but not mandatory.
Course #10W529 $115. + Materials Kit ($60) (Kit includes: Wires prepared as spokes, 3 spools of wire; 3 E-Z Bob spools.)

Marilyn Moore is a nationally recognized, award winning artist and teacher, who continues to expand the boundaries of basketry and fiber arts. Known for her unique color-blending techniques and exquisite organic forms, Marilyn's work has been published and collected for many years. Visit www.marilynmoore.net to see more of her work.

JUNE

Easy Die-Forming For Beads & Pendants
2 Day Beginning Metals Workshop
Instructor: Nancy Megan Corwin
June 5 & 6
10am - 4pm
Spend 2 days immersed in metals – and come away with skills you’ll use for the rest of your life! We’ll use the hydraulic press – in addition to making our own dies to shape metals. You’ll learn to texture and make your own mark on metals with basic chasing & repousse tools; with a flex shaft; and with the rolling mill! Then we’ll join our metals – either by soldering or using cold connections – to make unique, finished beads or pendants. Space is limited, so register now to be assured a seat.
Course #10W656 $245.

NANCY MEGAN CORWIN is a jeweler, metalsmith, teacher, and writer. She received an MFA in Art Metals from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is an adjunct instructor at Cabrillo and Monterey Peninsula Colleges in California. She has taught at Penland, Pratt Fine Arts Center, Haystack Mountain School of Craft, etc. Her book on the techniques of chasing and repoussé, was recently published by Brynmorgan Press. Megan’s work is included in private collections and in the permanent collections of the Tacoma Art Museum, Washington; the Victoria and Albert Museum, London etc. She is represented in Seattle at Facere Jewelry Art Gallery. View more of her work at: www.nancymegancorwin.com

Dimensional Encaustics
Instructors: Randi Harper & Karon Leigh
June 11, 12 & 13
10am - 4pm  (SESSION FULL – waitlist open)
Join us for a groundbreaking 3 day workshop that takes encaustic painting to a new dimension! Arizona based artist Karon Leigh is known for her bold and lyrical encaustic work . Randi Harper is an artist and teacher who pushes the boundaries in a variety of media. Together they will introduce new and exciting techniques designed to create sculptural encaustic pieces. Pieces that focus on form – and embody the unique qualities of light, depth and color that only the encaustic method can create. Encaustic experience is helpful, but not mandatory, as basic instruction is included. Artists focusing on sculptural work in other media are encouraged to attend.  
Course #10W6113  $275. (+materials fee)
To see Karon & Randi’s work, visit www.NewDimensionEncaustics.com

Not Your Mother's Encaustics
Instructor: Larry Calkins
June 24 - 28
10am - 4pm
If you’ve been to The Ranch, you know that there’s a world of “stuff” here! If you’ve been to Snohomish, you know that there’s even more – in some of the best scrounging shops you’ll ever set foot in! And if you just happen to have a box, or room, or houseful of “stuff” yourself – this is definitely the workshop for you! Count on Larry Calkins to inspire you – to give you the skills, the techniques – and the permission to successfully incorporate “stuff” in encaustics! Whether you’re new to the medium or want to jumpstart your work, you’ll have 4 fabulous days to explore, saw, torch, sew, staple, build, unbuild, draw, write, play….and wax with the master himself!!!
 Course #10W6248  $395.  (+ materials fee)

Larry Calkins is a full time mixed media artist. His work is a combination of painting, photography, computer drawings, fabric, metal sculpting and woodwork. He teaches and exhibits throughout the US and is included in numerous private and corporate collections. To see more of his work, visit: www.calkinsart.com

JULY

Sculptural Felt
Instructor: Faith Hagenhofer
July 24 & 25
10am - 4pm
Even if you’ve never worked in felt before, you’ll be able to construct a three-dimensional, hollow form from fibers you’ve manipulated and manhandled into shape! The magic of the process itself – one of the oldest textile processes – is primal & hypnotic. And the colors, textures – the potential for surface embellishment are limitless. Expect to get down, get wet, get creative! Course #10W7245 $245.   

Faith Hagenhofer has been a feltmaker for about 18 years, and now shepherds a flock specific to her medium's needs. Her body of work ranges from felt yardage to three dimensional works. Pieces are conceptual and sculptural, sometimes functional, sometimes combining many aspects in a single piece, often with great whimsy. Her work has been exhibited regionally and in group shows throughout the United States. She holds a BA from The Evergreen State College, an MLS from the University of Arizona, and a Certificate of Craft from the Oregon College of Art & Craft. See more of Faith’s work at:  www.faithhagenhofer.com

AUGUST

Hadar Jacobson’s Metal Clays
August 15 & 16
10am – 5pm (SESSION FULL – waitlist open)
(An abbreviated version of the 3Day class)
Course #10W8156  $375.  (materials list to follow)

Steel, Bronze & Copper Clay
Instructor: Hadar Jacobson
August 17, 18 & 19
10am - 5pm (SESSION FULL – waitlist open)
In this 3-day workshop you will learn different possibilities for combining a variety of metal clays in a single piece of jewelry. Among other techniques, you will learn draping, overlay, inlay of copper in bronze and bronze in copper, wraparound, and hot riveting. We will also explore combining clays - and firing methods. A good part of the time will be dedicated to post-firing finishing techniques - especially how to achieve a smooth matte finish as well as the appearance of married metals. Experience in metal clay is necessary.
Course #10W8179 . $445. (materials list to follow)

Hadar Jacobson has been a metal clay artist and instructor for the past 14 years. She is the author of three books about metal clay, and a manufacturer of copper, bronze, and steel clay in a powder form. To see more of her work, visit:www.artinsilver.com; read about base metal clay on her blog:www.artinsilver.com/blog.

SEPTEMBER

The Handbag Series - #1:

Purse'n, Place or Thing
Instructor: Michael de Meng
September 11 & 12
10am - 5pm
We asked Michael de Meng to kick off our Handbag Series because we view handbags as reliquaries of our daily lives – and no one approaches reliquaries quite like Michael de Meng!! His response: “When I think of purses, I think of my grandmother. She used to have this enormous cream patent leather purse. Inside, well, inside was everything that anyone would ever want. I swear she had circus clowns in there. Usually when on thinks of handbags they think of the items that go inside, in this class we are going to do just the opposite. We are going to adorn the exterior of the purse with strange and wondrous things. We will be using the process of assemblage to transform an everyday handbag into a sculptural sight to behold. It will become something that becomes not a mere vessel to hold tissues, sunglasses and circus clowns, but an item of personal expression. Fashion. Turn to the left. Fashion. Turn to the right.” Get ready for the Michael de Meng experience!
Course #10W9112  $350

Michael de Meng is an assemblage artist with a deliciously twisted attitude and approach to shrines and reliquaries! His art is about transformation. His assemblages speak of the evolutions and relationships of everyday things. Michael has traveled, exhibited and taught all over the globe. His books: “Secrets of Rusty Things” and “Dusty Diablos” are bibles for “altered” artists. To see more of Michael’s work visit www.michaeldemeng.com 
  

The Handbag Series - #2:

Hold Everything! Tin Handbag Workshop
Instructor: Marlene True
September 17 - 20
10am - 4pm
Handbags come in a variety of shapes and sizes and beyond practical function are expressions of taste and individuality. Tin containers are also made in many shapes and sizes, have great colors, images, patterns and text making them an ideal materials for creating handbags. In the process of fabricating our own designs, we will learn to alter, cut, form, rivet, hinge and solder tin to make handbags ranging from sophisticated to sassy.
Course #10W911720  $450.

Marlene True is a full-time studio artist and current Artist-in-Residence at Pocosin Arts in Columbia, NC. Recently her work became a part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Art and Design in New York and the Enamel Arts Foundation in Los Angeles, CA. Forthcoming, her work and writing will be featured in Lark Book's Jewelry Design Challenge. When not in her studio Marlene teaches and lectures at workshops throughout the US. Other recent publications including her work are 500 Enameled Objects by Lark Books, Mixed Media Collage Jewelry by Janette Schuster, 500 Pendants and Lockets, Lark Books, Fabulous Jewelry from Found Objects by Marthe Le Van and The Fine Art of the Tin Can, Revised Edition, by Bobby Hansson. To see more of her work, visit: www.MarleneTrue.com

OCTOBER

Luminous Felted Lampshades
Instructor: Faith Hagenhofer
October 2 & 3
10am - 4pm
In any color, felt is GREEN! Students will learn to make translucent laminate wool felt on the first day, to be used in creating a lampshade on the second day. The unique qualities of handmade felt as a lightning material will please and surprise. These can be as simple or layered as your aesthetic dictates. Shade armatures can be made in class or purchased from instructor.
Course #10W1023 $245. (Materials list to follow)

Faith Hagenhofer has been a feltmaker for about 18 years, and now shepherds a flock specific to her medium's needs. Her body of work ranges from felt yardage to three dimensional works. Pieces are conceptual and sculptural, sometimes functional, sometimes combining many aspects in a single piece, often with great whimsy. Her work has been exhibited regionally and in group shows throughout the United States. She holds a BA from The Evergreen State College, an MLS from the University of Arizona, and a Certificate of Craft from the Oregon College of Art & Craft. See more of Faith’s work at:  www.faithhagenhofer.com