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2022 Guild School

June 11-18, 2022 - Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, Maine

24 Hour Classes

Pete Acquisto - Candlesticks
Pete Acquisto - A Pair of Sconces and Cutting Tools (Full)
Diane Almeyda - “Light the Way” Stained Glass Wall Sconce
Valeria Bonomi - Ballerina Shoes
Pam and Pete Boorum - Tavern Table and Two Chairs (Full)
Phyllis Hawkes - “Girl with Watering Can”
Daniela Kiefhaber - Punch and Judy Puppet Theater
Iulia Chin Lee - Stem-Footed Bowls/Amphora Style Vases
Sun Lemmens - Crystal Necklaces
Chris Malcomson - Victorian Tripod Table, c. 1860 (Full)
Mary Grady O’Brien - Maine Fancy: A New England Table and Trunk
Pat Richards - Garden Wall Vignette (Full)


INSTRUCTOR: Pete Acquisto, Fellow
COURSE: Silversmithing and Machine Work
PROJECT: Candlesticks

This beautiful classic candlestick will make a great project for the beginner to intermediate student. Students will use the lathe and various attachments to turn a pair of these candlesticks using sterling silver rods. Next, students will learn finishing and polishing techniques using the flex shaft machine and polishing wheels of various shapes to create a beautiful finish. The final step will be to use the buffing machine with a soft wheel to create a highly polished finish. Students will walk away with a pair of sterling silver candlesticks.

TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.

POWER TOOLS: lathe, flex shaft, buffing machine

SKILL LEVEL: Beginner and intermediate

MATERIALS FEE: $100 to be collected at school

INSTRUCTOR: Pete Acquisto, Fellow
COURSE: Silversmithing and Making Cutting Tools for the Lathe
PROJECT: A Pair of Sconces and Cutting Tools

This class is FULL.

This beautiful pair of sconces will make a nice project for beginner to intermediate students. Students will be provided with the castings of the sconces in parts. They will learn how to solder the parts together. Then students will use the flex shaft machine and various polishing wheels to put a beautiful finish on the sconces. The last step will be to use the buffing machine and a soft buffing wheel to bring up a nice finishing shine. In the second part of this class, students will learn how to grind cutting tools for the metal lathe. Students will walk away with a pair of sconces and their own handmade cutting tools.

TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.

POWER TOOLS: lathe, flex shaft, grinder

SKILL LEVEL: Beginner and intermediate

MATERIALS FEE: $130 to be collected at the school

INSTRUCTOR: Diane Almeyda, Artisan
COURSE: Metal/Glass Enameling
PROJECT: “Light the Way” Stained Glass Wall Sconce

Whether lit or not, lamps add reality and life to miniature settings. Create a lovely wall sconce using silver and glass. The class will involve piercing and sawing a silver sheet, then forming it into a cone or half-round. Ground glass will then be melted into each of the openings creating a lovely and unique shade. This will then be set into a custom made fixture (provided), ready to be attached to a wall in your room box, vignette, or dollhouse.

TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.

POWER TOOLS: flex shaft

SKILL LEVEL: All levels

MATERIALS FEE: $110 to be collected in advance of school

INSTRUCTOR: Valeria Bonomi, Fellow
COURSE: Leather Work
PROJECT: Ballerina Shoes

Students will make ballerina style shoes in leather. They will learn how to sculpt a leg and foot model in polymer clay. They will also learn how to use a special machine to make leather very thin and soft. Using the model they sculpted, students can create different shoes with lots of different decorations. They will learn how to make leather flowers, bows and tassels. Metal parts will be provided and students can modify them using hand drills and files. They can add crystals or gold and silver parts. Students can choose their favorite designer label and can apply it on their fancy shoes. If desired, using acrylic paints, students can paint their shoes to create lovely unique pieces! Unleash your creativity; shoes have no limits!

TIME: 24 hours. Students can expect to finish three perfect pairs of shoes, depending on skill level and time. Of course, they can make more.

POWER TOOLS: None

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate

MATERIALS FEE: $30 to be collected at school

INSTRUCTOR: Pam and Pete Boorum, Artisans
COURSE: Furniture Construction
PROJECT: Tavern Table and Two Chairs

This class is FULL.

A table for two, whether in a tavern or in a corner for a conversation, this can be endlessly useful.

For this class, students will focus on several essential woodworking skills, starting with duplicate turning, not only for the table legs, but also for the finials on the chairs. Careful drilling is key to the ladderback chairs, as well as the mortises for the table. Beyond basic cuts on the table saw, they will do the tenons on the aprons of the tables.

Did we mention a choice of shapes for the table top? And at the last, they will weave the seats on the chairs.

TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.

POWER TOOLS: table saw, lathe, drill press

SKILL LEVEL: Beginner

MATERIALS FEE: $40 to be collected at school

INSTRUCTOR: Phyllis Hawkes, Fellow
COURSE: Traditional Oil Painting
PROJECT: “Girl with Watering Can”

In 1876, Pierre-Auguste Renoir began to paint anecdotal depictions of women and children, and this painting is a showcase of the grace and charm of his work. A Girl with Watering Can, displays a mature impressionist style specifically attuned to figure painting. Renoir's colors reflect the freshness and radiance of the impressionist palette, while his handling is more controlled and regular than in his landscapes, with delicate, even brushstrokes, especially in the girl’s face. The child is thought to be a neighborhood favorite of Renoir’s since a similar looking child appears in other of his works. Brilliant prismatic hues envelop the child in an atmosphere of warm light and charmingly convey her innocent appeal.

In this class students will learn traditional oil painting and glazing techniques using a layering method. Students will get experience in brush handling, color mixing, shading, and blending, plus many valuable hints and tips, especially in painting lace.

Our painting will measure 3" high x 2" wide. There will be an additional 1/16" added all around to allow for framing. Students will work on gessoed board and approach the painting in a step-by-step fashion, beginning with transferring the image and initial color blocking to adding levels of detail each day. They will be amazed at the results this technique produces. A thin frame for displaying their work is included.

TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.

POWER TOOLS: None

SKILL LEVEL: All levels. Experience using paint brushes is helpful.

MATERIALS FEE: $80 to be collected at school

INSTRUCTOR: Daniela Kiefhaber, Artisan
COURSE: Mixed Media
PROJECT: Punch and Judy Puppet Theater

A symbol of childhood—a puppet theater. The most popular has to be the British Punch and Judy, which was based on the 16th century commedia dell’arte.

Students will paint their puppet theater after building it from wood and cardboard. They are welcome to pick the pictured example or construct their own based on their fantasy or a historic piece. Painting will be done freehand, while stencils will be either provided or made, just to the student’s needs. The matching backdrops will be painted in watercolor.

The puppets are created from polymer clay, baked and painted. Any character (traditional, fairytale, animals, etc.) is welcome! They will be dressed with fabric, which will be decorated with paint and trims. After some aging the puppet theatre is complete and ready for play!

TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.

POWER TOOLS: None

SKILL LEVEL: All levels

MATERIALS FEE: $35 to be collected at school

INSTRUCTOR: Iulia Chin Lee, Artisan
COURSE: Wood Turning/Bowl Hollowing/ Vase Hollowing
PROJECT: Stem-Footed Bowls/Amphora Style Vases

A wonderful technique to have, the turning technique of hollowing in wood. In this class the instructor will teach students step by step usage of tools and the basic shapes of classic wood turning. Students will learn the various cutting maneuvers at the lathe to make different forms and how to hollow them. The projects include a variety of shapes. The technique taught is also excellent for spindle turning.

This class is suitable for both beginners and intermediate students. We will concentrate on turning bowls and vases for the beginners and creating elegant stem foot for the more advanced students. The class will start with an introduction/review of basic wood-turning. As students become comfortable with the tools and the cutting method, they will learn to hollow bowls and then advance to hollow vases. With that achieved, students will learn how to create a stem-foot to enhance the bowls or the vases. The instructor will discuss creating various forms and explaining diagrams of typical shapes. Students will be turning various woods including some exotic species.

TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.

POWER TOOLS: lathe

SKILL LEVEL: Beginner and Intermediate

MATERIALS FEE: $50 to be collected at school. Students will be using special hollowing tools. These tools, made by Harmony Water, will be provided in the class with the option to purchase. The Sorby Micro turning tool set is recommended and the instructor will purchase them on request for $150.

INSTRUCTOR: Sun Lemmens, Fellow
COURSE: Jewelry
PROJECT: Crystal Necklaces

Students will have so much fun in this class! Lessons will start with learning how to design a necklace and make a mold, using a drill press. Beginners will learn how to use a drill press safely. The lessons continue with learning how to wicker a jewel on this mold and how to decorate it with crystals and faux pearls. There will be many crystals in lots of colors available. Students will learn about different materials, including basic knowledge of precious metals and gemstones. They may request a special stone, like a birthstone to work with in one of the designs. The class will start with simple models and gradually work up to more complex designs.

TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely. Students can expect to finish four to five necklaces, depending on skill level and time. It is possible to make more, if time allows.

POWER TOOLS: drill press

SKILL LEVEL: All levels. Suited to all “bling” lovers. Being able to see well, with or without magnification is necessary for this class.

MATERIALS FEE: $75 to be collected at school. Special gemstones will be available for an optional fee.

INSTRUCTOR: Chris Malcomson, Artisan
COURSE: Furniture Construction
PROJECT: Victorian Tripod Table, c. 1860

This class is FULL.

This type of furniture became very popular during the Victorian period where space was at a premium. The table could be folded up and stowed in a corner when not in use. This example would have been made during the high period of Victoria’s reign with its use of exotic veneers and woods from all over the empire.

The piece for this class measures approximately 2 ½” H x 2 3/8" W. Students will learn a number of techniques including wood turning the central column and shaping the delicate legs to make up the tripod. They’ll be using a number of exotic veneers for the top and hand veneering them into place. They’ll also be making their own inlaid bandings and stringings. This promises to be very rewarding and informative and most importantly, good fun.

TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.

POWER TOOLS: lathe, drill press

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate. Good eye for detail. Patience.

MATERIALS FEE: $50 to be collected at school

INSTRUCTOR: Mary Grady O’Brien, Fellow
COURSE: Folk Art Painting
PROJECT: Maine Fancy: A New England Table and Trunk

These two Maine pieces could almost be painted by the same hand, so cheery and delicate is the design. But popular patterns were shared by New England folk artists who strived to brighten the home. The instructor invites the students to be inspired and add their own touch to these little miniature versions of New England history. In class, students will explore the basic brush strokes and striping, the foundation of folk art design. Developing familiarity with these techniques can help develop additional skill for future projects as well as a critical eye for antiques. The dome trunk/box will be a sweet companion to the table. It's a small piece meant to sit on a table or dresser. Folk art covers all levels of talent…it adds beauty to everyday living.

TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.

POWER TOOLS: None

SKILL LEVEL: All levels

MATERIALS FEE: $95 to be collected at school

INSTRUCTOR: Pat Richards, Fellow
COURSE: Mixed Media with Components of Structure and Furniture Construction
PROJECT: Garden Wall Vignette

This class is FULL.

More formally known as an Auricula Theater, this style of wall mounted shelving was developed by gardeners to showcase and protect their potted auricula. A member of the primula family, auricula have been collected, cross-bred and shown competitively by gardeners for the last 400 years. The flowers don’t like excessive heat or moisture, so these "theaters" keep them from getting sunburned or damaged by rain. Auricula are spring flowering plants and when they are moved to the greenhouse for the winter, the theaters are often used for other seasonal displays of plants and vegetables.

The theater students will construct in class is a simple three-shelf unit, with a peaked roof. The interior will be painted black with a "tin" look finish applied to the top surface of each shelf (a sheet of tin would have prevented deterioration of the wooden shelf from watering the plants). The outside will be painted a medium blue-green, or any color students wish to bring with them, and will be finished with gold trim and topped with a finial you will shape yourselves. The shelf unit will be affixed to a brick wall that you will construct from thin brick ‘slips’ which are cut from real brick. You will have several authentic colors of brick to work with and may follow provided inspiration photos to incorporate a pattern into your wall, if you so desire. When your wall has been finished and grouted, you will age and distress it with various chalks and paints. A bare branch, that you will create from wire will add a decorative element across the top of the wall, and the entire scene will fit inside an 8 x 10" shadow box frame that will be included in the materials fee. Outside dimensions of the shadow box frame are approximately 9" W x 11" H x 2 ½" D.

Students will not be adding any leaves or blossoms to the branch during class, nor will they be making any flowers. However, Pia Becker is offering an auricula class in a coordinating time period, should students wish to make some authentic residents for their finished theater.

TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.

POWER TOOLS: table saw

SKILL LEVEL: Beginner

MATERIALS FEE: $85 to be collected at school. The instructor hopes be able to offer students an option to purchase some special pots for their theater, but that pricing cannot be determined before this catalog goes to print.