INSTRUCTOR: Diane Almeyda, Artisan
COURSE: Metalwork
PROJECT: Skeleton Weathervane
In colonial times many people, especially farmers and sailors, relied on weathervanes to help them predict the weather by indicating which way the wind was blowing. Though still useful, they have since become a charming decorative addition to a home, barn, or cottage. The skeleton figure for this class is based on a drawing by Edward Gorey, a 20th century author and illustrator who designed it and had it made and installed atop the barn behind his home in Yarmouthport, MA. Unfortunately, it was soon stolen.
We will make the form by sawing out the design and cardinals from sheet copper and affix the holding sections for each with rivets. It will be set on brass nesting tubes so it can move freely. It can be painted or left “weathered”. Students may choose to install it on a structure or use it as an interior decorative item.
TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: Flex shaft
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner and intermediate, but suitable for any level of student. The ability to sit for prolonged periods of time, good eyesight (with magnification), and moderate hand strength are necessary for success in this class.
MATERIALS FEE: $50 to be collected at School
INSTRUCTOR: Diane Almeyda, Artisan
COURSE: Metalwork/Enameling
PROJECT: Stained Glass Window
Stained glass can be decorative as well as useful. Needless to say, it is also beautiful. This project will allow students to express their artistic sensibilities while creating a stained-glass window, which can be used in various scales and settings.
Students will learn basic jeweler’s skills by creating a metal framework from fine silver sheet, which will be sawn out with a jeweler’s saw. They will be taught an enameling technique called “plique-à-jour”, by which the openings in the framework are filled with ground glass and fired in a kiln multiple times. They will then use a flex shaft with various attachments and abrasives to create a fine finish on their work.
TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: Flex shaft
SKILL LEVEL: All levels. The ability to sit for prolonged periods of time, good eyesight (with magnification), and moderate hand strength are necessary for success in this class.
MATERIALS FEE: $120 to be collected at school
INSTRUCTOR: Pete and Pam Boorum, Artisans
COURSE: Furniture Construction
PROJECT: Duplicate Turning, Start to Finish
Learn how to set up a duplicator lathe and make your own templates!
We will replicate a side table from the 1600's, which has 3 spindle turnings.
First, using a jeweler’s saw, we will cut out and refine brass templates. These patterns will then be installed in the lathe. Students will work on either an Anker duplicator lathe or a Taig lathe with a separate duplicator. There will be one for each student, so that everyone has the hands-on experience of setting their pattern up and making the necessary adjustments.
Students will have plenty of time to do the turnings, cut out parts, make the mortise and tenon joints and finally assemble the Pilgrim Century table. The tables will then be finished with water-based stain and shellac.
TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: Lathe, table saw, drill press
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
MATERIALS FEE: $40
INSTRUCTOR: Iulia Chin Lee, Artisan
COURSE: Woodturning
PROJECT: Bi-Color Vase
A natural progression from the basic turning technique of vase-hollowing in wood, this class will focus on achieving desired shapes through the joining of different vase pieces. This will be accomplished through the utilization of turned mortise/tenon joints. Students will be instructed on the proper use of specialized hollowing tools (created by Harmony Water) which will allow them to make the precision cuts necessitated by the vase’s deceptive intricacy. These custom tools will be available for purchase. The class will begin with an introduction/ review of basic spindle-turning to allow students to accustom themselves to the tools and materials. Once the students are comfortable with the cutting implements and the methods, they will learn how to cut the vase neck, shape the body and hollow the vase. Finally, students will develop and fine tune the technique required to create turned mortise and tenon joints. This precise, multi-purpose application will allow students to seamlessly transform three individual pieces into one beautiful final product. This is an intermediate class. Prior wood-turning experience is a pre-requisite. Vases will be made out of mahogany, cherry, maple and exotic woods.
TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: Lathe, table saw
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate. Prior turning experience is a pre-requisite, as well as good hand/eye coordination.
MATERIALS FEE: $50 to be collected at school. Students need to have their own micro turning tools in class. The Sorby Micro Turning Tool Set (HS45) is recommended by the instructor. On request, the instructor will purchase and regrind the tools to the suitable shapes for miniature woodturning. $150 includes tool set, regrinding and tools brought to the Guild school.
INSTRUCTOR: Linda den Besten, Artisan
COURSE: Metalwork
PROJECT: Brass Log/Newspaper Rack
No place for your miniature newspapers or wood logs yet? How about making a sturdy but beautiful rack for them? This forged and soldered piece would be an eye-catcher next to the fireplace or your miniature lounge chair.
Just like the real thing, students are going to forge brass with different hammers and learn how to bend, shape and rivet the metal. You will learn about the characteristics of metal for a deeper understanding of how to work with it properly.
Students can practice their sawing skills since all flowers and leaves will be cut from brass sheet with the jeweler’s saw. You will also learn how to flame solder in this class, and even the tiniest leaves will be soldered to the shaped vines.
Although this rack looks organic, there will be some precise measuring involved. We will use a caliper to measure in several different ways.
Other techniques taught in this class are drilling, filing, riveting, spray-painting and bronze waxing
TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely (if you keep a steady work pace).
POWER TOOLS: Flex shaft, drill press
SKILL LEVEL: This class is open to all skill levels. Some soldering and sawing experience is helpful. Good eyesight (or magnification) and steady eye/hand coordination is a must.
MATERIALS FEE: $70, to be collected at school
INSTRUCTOR: Beth Freeman-Kane, Fellow
COURSE: Box-Framed Scene/Vignette
PROJECT: Garden Delights
This is a box framed scene (as the title suggests), of 'Garden delights'! Castings of the original sculptures of the birds will be provided, and acrylic painting techniques will be taught to bring them to life. Contrasting textures will be a focus as we age terracotta pots, paint the watering can to look like metal and create the softness of the wren birds. We will also be making plants (geraniums and lavender) as well as intricate, tiny butterflies and snails. A full framing kit will be provided, and the result will be a professional-looking project ready to hang on your wall at home!
(Measurement of the frame is approximately 5.9" x 7")
TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: Moto tool
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
MATERIALS FEE: $70 to be collected at school
INSTRUCTOR: Mary Grady O’Brien, Fellow
COURSE: Folk Art Painting
PROJECT: Mahantango Valley Blanket Chest
Today a full-sized period piece from the Mahantango Valley Pa. would indeed represent a valuable and rare treasure. These pieces are recognized for their distinct style and vibrant colors. Birds, angels, geometric designs and stars added to the charm and character of these special pieces. Often the designs reflect the images found in frakturs from the same area and time frame. You will have the opportunity to learn how to decorate in this style as you work on a miniature blanket chest crafted by Mark Murphy.
In preparation, you will be encouraged to become familiar with a few of the basic brush strokes found in folk art design. We will be working with the original materials of the time, oil paints and exceptionally fine brushes. Techniques learned here are adaptable to many of your future decorating projects. This blanket chest pattern was chosen to provide a successful introduction to this style of painting and promises to offer a unique learning opportunity for all levels.
TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: None
SKILL LEVEL: All levels
MATERIALS FEE: $125 to be collected at school
INSTRUCTOR: Christine Hannon, Artisan
COURSE: Traditional Painting in Acrylics
PROJECT: Posy of Flowers Still Life Painting
Posy of Flowers, with a Red Admiral Butterfly, on a Marble Ledge c. 1700. Rachel Ruysch was a prolific professional still life painter during the Dutch Golden Age. Her paintings were often sold for more during her lifetime than Rembrandt's work, all while raising her ten children! The daughter of a scientist, she learned keen observation skills of natural subjects, which helped her produce her large-scale floral paintings. Students will create a 1/12th scale reproduction of her floral painting using soft-body acrylics. Skills learned will include surface prep, image transfer, underpainting, glazing, brushwork, color mixing and value observation. Optional prep work and a historical overview will be sent via email in early spring. The finished 3.5" x 2.5" work will be framed. Students will receive a John Hodgson gilt frame, a set of 12 professional grade, soft body acrylics, 3 miniature brushes and a step-by-step booklet of each demonstration.
TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: None
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate. Students should have an understanding of the color wheel and handling a paintbrush.
MATERIALS FEE: $110 to be collected at school
INSTRUCTOR: Phyllis Hawkes, Fellow
COURSE: Traditional Oil Painting
PROJECT: Portrait of Jane Ann Campbell
Paint this charming folk portrait of a child, Jane Ann Campbell, by Ammi Phillips in 1820. As a mostly self-taught New England artist, he advertised at age 21 that he would paint “correct likenesses” with “perfect shadows” and elegantly dressed in the prevailing fashions of the day. This promise became a recurring theme in his work for more than 50 years, and he developed an extraordinary legacy of images of the rural middle class. He traveled, painting portraits of hundreds, perhaps thousands of friends, relatives and neighbors, throughout the border areas of Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, and Connecticut.
In this class, students will learn traditional oil painting techniques, including layering, glazing, brush handling, color mixing, shading and blending, with special study and demonstration in painting children’s faces. Our painting will be approximately 2 3/4" x 2 3/16" plus frame on a gessoed board. Students will approach the work in a step-by-step fashion, starting from transferring the image and initial color blocking to adding levels of detail each day. They will be amazed at the results this technique produces, especially given that this is folk painting and total perfection is not required. Included in the materials fee are 3 miniature brushes to keep, a step-by-step illustrated booklet with photos taken as the instructor painted the prototype, and a miniature frame, similar to what is pictured.
TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: None
SKILL LEVEL: All levels.
MATERIALS FEE: $115 to be collected at school
INSTRUCTOR: Miyuku Kobayashi, Artisan
COURSE: Clay Sculpting/Working with Resin
PROJECT: Saltwater Aquarium
In this class, students will learn to make beautiful, colorful saltwater fish, and arrange them artfully in a 60mm aquarium. Different types of fish can be created with subtle variations of color and pattern. We will also be making branch and table coral from air-dry clay to complete the aquarium habitat.
TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: None
SKILL LEVEL: All levels
MATERIALS FEE: $40 to be collected at school
INSTRUCTOR: Deb Mackie, Artisan
COURSE: Leather Crafting
PROJECT: Tooled Leather Western Saddle
From the simplest working model to the fanciest parade set, the Western saddle has become an art form as well as an icon. The saddle created in this class is based on the construction of a full-size horse show saddle on a specially made resin tree. It features working buckles, cinches, intricate tooling patterns and gleaming etched silver-finish decorative plates. The finished piece can be displayed on a stand, or most 1:12 scale model horses. Students will learn leather crafting techniques such as tooling, stamping, embossing, faux stitching, skiving (thinning the leather), dyeing and assembly, and how to adapt them for working in 1:12 scale.
TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: None
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate. Prior leather experience is not required, but experience working with tiny parts, sharp tools and overall precision miniature work is necessary.
MATERIALS FEE: $75 to be collected at school
INSTRUCTOR: Ree Miller, Artisan
COURSE: Paper Florals
PROJECT: Bonsai Tree
In this class, students will have the option to create either a Japanese Maple or an Eastern Redbud traditional Japanese Bonsai tree in miniature.
The Eastern Redbud tree is a lovely harbinger of spring. It features abundant pink flowers covering the dense branches and sturdy trunk. The flowers of the Redbud form directly on the branches and trunk of the tree making it an easy candidate for miniaturization. With no leaves competing with the flowers on the branches, the result is a very heavily flowered tree that is an excellent eye-catching miniature. The delicate blooms come in a variety of shades, from a deep magenta to a delicate shell pink tone that appeals to a range of individual aesthetics.
The Japanese maple can be personalized as well. It spans a range of shades, from softer spring greens to the deep cool summer hues, the warmer fall shades of red and orange to even pinkish hues. The amount of color and drama of the tree is entirely up to the maker. Japanese maples feature delicate foliage and graceful branches that are well covered in leaves. This makes it a great candidate for miniaturizing as it is both a traditional tree for bonsai and allows for a broad range of options for forms and color.
Students will learn how to work with wire to form trunks, twists and branches, as well as use modeling paste to create flexibility and texture. A variety of bonsai planters in different shapes, colors and styles will be available to choose from so students can pick the pot that will best suit their vision for their project. A variety of materials will be available to customize the base of each bonsai, ranging from tiny gravels, accent stones, or moss. Students are welcome to bring their own additional features (mudmen, sanitized stones etc.) to finish their piece.
TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: None
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner. Patience and good hand-eye coordination are helpful.
MATERIALS FEE: $100 to be collected at school. Students may choose to make a second tree for a fee of $60.
INSTRUCTOR: Pierluigi Pirovano, Artisan
COURSE: Mixed-Media Structure
PROJECT: Mediterranean Window
In many Southern European countries, especially in Italy, ground floor windows are protected by a wrought iron grill which has a ledge for placing flowerpots on the windowsill. This class is a mixed media project in 1" scale. The students will start by drilling the frame of the grill and preparing a template to solder all the pieces. After soldering, the grill will be finished with a flex shaft. Students will cut different types of wooden strips to size to make the outer window frame, the windowsill, and the window frame. As an option they can add some slats of the rolling shutter. A miter box and jeweler's saw will be used for cutting the wood. The grill, the wall and the sidewalk will be painted with different acrylic colors for metal and wood and finally aged with weathering techniques.
Exterior dimensions of the façade (including the frame) are 13"H x 10"W x 3 ½"D. Students can purchase the Vespa scooter by paying an additional optional fee. The geranium pot and the kitten are not included in the class — they are just an example of how one might embellish their project.
TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: Flex shaft, drill press, soldering iron
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate. Students should be familiar with using power tools.
MATERIALS FEE: $85 to be collected at school. There is an optional fee of $30 for a Vespa scooter.
INSTRUCTOR: Kim Stewart, Artisan
COURSE: Wickerwork
PROJECT: Wicker Trunk
Wicker furniture and accessories need not be limited to Victorian-style homes. It has been used consistently throughout the 20th century. Unpainted wicker has a casual, natural look that has continued to be popular into this century. Creating wicker in miniature is an art that is relaxing and rewarding.
The students will begin by constructing the wooden trunk frame. They will then insert paper wrapped wires over which will be woven waxed linen thread. The main focus will be on the weaving. Students will be given a choice of adding a diamond pattern or a variation in color and weaving style. The class will also teach the art of adding hinges and a paper-lined lift-out tray. This decorative piece can function as a desirable addition in many settings such as an attic, bedroom, nursery and more. Imagine it holding your miniature keepsakes with style!
TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: Drill press, table saw
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner
MATERIALS FEE: $50 to be collected at school
INSTRUCTOR: Bill Studebaker, Artisan
COURSE: Wood and Metalwork
PROJECT: Kentucky Long Rifle
This piece has its origins just prior to the American Revolution. At a time when a gun was a necessary tool for both hunting and protection, the gunsmiths of the Appalachians produced a weapon that was both beautiful and functional. Comparatively lightweight, its long-rifled barrel gave it exceptional accuracy at distance while its formidable bore could stop the largest game. Efficient and ornamental, it became an emblem of its time, given place of prominence in the hands and homes of American frontiersmen and women.
We will be employing a variety of power and hand tools to execute this piece. Shaping and fitting both metal and wood with different finishes provides a range of tasks and techniques in an effort to be true to the gunsmith’s craft. Starting with a wood blank and a rough milled barrel we will polish and shape the barrel and fit it to the stock. Routers and jigs will be used to create mortises for the barrel and lock plate. The jeweler’s saw, table saw, and more routing will give rough shape to the stock which will then be refined with files and a craft knife. The lock mechanism will be constructed from custom castings and fitted, a patch box cover and ornaments installed, and various furniture created from sheet brass. The completed stock will be decorated by pyrography to imitate an appropriate grain and two different patinas, and a protective coating applied to mimic original surfaces.
TIME: 24 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: Table saw, drill press, shaper mill, soldering iron
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner. A patience with “Fiddley Bits” will be an asset.
MATERIALS FEE: $110 to be collected at school