Having been an avid artist from the age of two when I used her lipstick to trace my mother’s sleeping head on the pillow case, I have explored and perfected several different types of crafts that I love to share.

        I have had work exhibited in galleries here in Cambria and in art shows and craft festivals throughout San Luis Obispo County. I have taught classes through the Community Center of Cambria and the Joslyn Center and Cuesta College as well as wrangled craft projects at birthday parties and local summer camps. Many classes are held at my home although I am open to traveling.

        I am also willing to explore other crafts you yourself might be wishing to check out but need someone to take the lead.

        There is no minimum number of students as long as the $50 fee is met. Maximum number of students depends on which skill is being taught.

Contact me for more information!

Tie Dye

   

   

Ages 5 and up are easily shown how to make wonderfully colorful works of art to wear!

Silk Painting Basics

   

     Skills will be taught using pre-stretched silk on hoops. We will discover how to “contain” dyes applied to the surface and explore the effects of salt on the final image.  Ages 8 and up recommended.

Felting (Needle and wet)

   

    This relatively new art of needle felting involves taking un-spun wool fleece or roving and forming it into designs or figures with a barbed needle. As this involves using an extremely sharp tool, needle felting will be given only to those students aged 8 and up. Flat designs can be felted or sewn onto clothing, handbags, etc. or simply framed.   

    Wet felting has been done for centuries and involves no difficult tools or processes. Many cultures use this technique to make beautiful rugs and clothing. We can explore making small pouches or hats. And even four-year olds can make wool beads to be strung together!

Dimensional Collage / Montage

   

    Students will bring items they find inspiring or amusing and add them together with “stuff” I will have here to create shadow boxes that may be hung or free stand. Can be very personal or just generally pleasing to the eye. A good study in composition and balance as well as how to get things to “stick” using various adhesives, sewing or wiring.                                   

    We may also consider using these techniques to make clocks or other forms of art like treasure box lids. I recommend ages 12 and up for this one.

Mask-making

    Depending on the age attending, different styles of materials will be used: For small children up to 8 years of age, a basic paper base will be used and embellished. They will be shown how to mark eye holes and how to make them stay on their faces!

    Older students may do the same or explore plaster gauze casts. This medium takes a bit longer as drying time is needed. However, during that time in the class we’ll be discussing and drawing out designs for our finished mask.

Printmaking

    Ages 3 and up will learn about printing with found objects, masking off areas to increase design possibilities as well as bubble printing and more! Fun way for adults to make their own scrapbook papers or backgrounds for other projects. You’ll never look at a potato masher the same way...

Unconventional Weaving

    Straws? Sticks? Cardboard? The opportunities are endless. You choose whether you want your weaving to remain attached to your weaving surface/tool or to create a fabric which can then be turned into something useful such as a pillow or pouch. Ages six and up are able to do this. Great meditative process. Good for learning patience! :)