INSTRUCTOR: Daniela Kiefhaber, Artisan
COURSE: Mosaic Making
PROJECT: Micro-Mosaic
Micro-mosaic is a special form of mosaic that uses unusually small pieces (tesserae) of glass, or in later Italian pieces an enamel-like material, to make small figurative images. The filati technique was developed in the 16th century by the Vatican School in Rome to decorate small objects using thin glass strands pulled from Murano glass (smalti). Today this technique is used for jewelry. The technique consists of creating micro-tiles by pulling molten glass under a gas flame at 900C°. For each pull, a very thin glass rod of a unique, never-repeated color is obtained. The shape of the rod can be customized as the artist sees fit. The wide choice of shapes and colors makes the imagery incredibly detailed and realistic. Students will create their own little mosaic: either a piece of jewelry or an inlay for a furniture piece. They can choose their own design, taking inspiration from historic pieces and art. Subjects can vary from insects (like bugs and butterflies) to animals (dogs, birds, etc.) to flowers and landscapes. Various techniques will be taught, such as glass fusing and pulling, mixing colors and creating different shapes, cutting and assembly and “Stucco Romano” — the secret putty of ancient micro-mosaic.
TIME: 36 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: None
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner
MATERIALS FEE: $95 to be collected at School
INSTRUCTOR: Marie-Louise Markhorst, Artisan
COURSE: Metalwork
PROJECT: A Variety of Copper Pots
In this class, we will make three different copper pots from scratch: a stock pot, a smaller pot with a lid, and a saucepan.
Should there be enough time, we will also make a roasting pan. Students will learn to form and shape the pots from copper plate, solder the components with a torch, and rivet the handles. The large copper stock pot will have a spout, and students will learn to shape and solder the spout out of brass tubing.
TIME: 36 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: Lathe, flex shaft, drill press
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
MATERIALS FEE: $100 to be collected at school. A set of riveting tools will be offered for an additional fee of $25.
INSTRUCTOR: Mark Murphy, Fellow
COURSE: Furniture Construction
PROJECT: Greene and Greene Bolton Hall Chairs
This chair was designed by the Greene brothers in 1907 for the entry hall of the William T. Bolton house in Pasadena California. With its high-back, it is similar to designs by Charles Mackintosh and Frank Lloyd Wright. The Greenes’ version has their signature elements of cloud lifts and raised ebony pegs. Only two of these chairs were made for the house. The class is designed to teach chair construction which could also be used on other chairs of similar construction. The main techniques you will learn are mortise and tenon joinery, the cloudlift detail (seen on the seat rail, crest rail and lower stretcher), and the ebony pegs on the legs and crest rail. The chair will be made in cherry. When the construction is complete students will learn the instructor’s finishing techniques of staining and waxing. Because of limited class time and the drying time needed between each step, expect to be doing the final finishing at home.
TIME: 36 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: Table saw, scroll saw, drill press, shaper/mill
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
MATERIALS FEE: $100 to be collected at school. There will be an optional fee of $12 for a glue bottle.
INSTRUCTOR: Pat Richards, Fellow
COURSE: Structure
PROJECT: Folk-Style Vignette with Box Bed
Box beds were found in many areas of Western Europe and Scandinavia. The particular photo on which our project is based comes from an open-air museum in Denmark that contains a number of box beds set in the traditional homes it preserves. The vignette we will be constructing in class will measure approximately 12"W x 8 3/4"D x 8 3/4"H and will feature the box bed built into the rear wall with a window (which you will also make) on the right side wall, behind which lights will be installed to make it look like the room is being illuminated by sunlight. Plastered walls, wooden plank ceiling and a simulated beaten earth floor will complete the scene. You will be using a mixture of traditional building methods and other techniques to achieve the folk-style atmosphere in this vignette.
TIME: 36 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: Table saw
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner
MATERIALS FEE: $275 to be collected at school
INSTRUCTOR: Troy Schmidt, Fellow
COURSE: Pottery—Porcelain and Stoneware
PROJECT: Throwing Ceramic Miniatures
This is a class to learn the fundamentals of forming ceramic miniatures on a potter’s wheel using both porcelain and red stoneware clay bodies. Students will learn different techniques to center, open and shape clay vessels to create pottery in a range of ceramic styles. We will explore basic forms such as planters, bowls, vases, pitchers and baskets, and learn to add handles to add handles and lids. Students will also learn the basics of glazing their pieces using dozens of provided glazes in a range of colors; pieces will then be fired in an electric kiln. For those students interested in learning to fire their own work, they may be as involved as they like in the firing process with further in-depth discussions regarding a range of firing techniques and practices. Attendees will also examine different methods to salvage fired pots that didn’t come out as expected such as fixing glaze runs and re-firing.
This class is open to all skill levels and students will progress at their own pace. First time students will learn the fundamentals of throwing miniature pottery on a small potter’s wheel while those students with experience will advance their abilities to create more intricate and sophisticated forms (thinner walls, greater refinement, more controlled glazing).
TIME: 36 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: None
SKILL LEVEL: All levels
MATERIALS FEE: $40 to be collected at school
INSTRUCTOR: Fran Sussman, Artisan
COURSE: Small-Scale Structure/Mixed Media
PROJECT: Bakery and Café in 1:144 Scale
In this class, students will build and fully decorate an engaging and airy 1:144 scale bakery and café. The realistic building exterior is reminiscent of those found on older main streets in small towns in the United States. The interior includes many fine details, including a tile floor laid on cherry wood using individual faux tiles, 3D-printed tables with carved legs and real wood tops, several types of chairs, a counter and a refrigerator case filled with baked goods, a cake on a cake stand, and eye-catching luncheonette-style stools. One wall is partially removed so the highly detailed interior is easily visible.
Students will be able to choose the name of the café and the design of the sign and will also have choices for the pictures in the balcony and the fabric wall hanging.
Each step in building this 2" tall structure will develop students’ skills: carving and painting the sidewalk, dry brushing the brick front, building up architectural details and depth on the storefront and façade, using multiple laser-cut pieces, etched-brass, and plastic, and working with foamed PVC board (Palight™) and styrene for the structure. Students will scratch-build furniture by combining materials such as cherry lumber, styrene, etched brass, soft metal castings, and Yupo™ (a non-porous painting surface).
Students will paint 3D-printed baskets, breads and other baked goods, and will make additional bakery items using simple techniques taught by the instructor.
Adding weathering powders and liquid washes, along with a touch of greenery, will be the final step in bringing the storefront and its contents to life.
The instructor anticipates this will be the first of several shops offered, each using the same style base so they can be aligned to create a street. Moreover, the 2 ½" by 3 ½" base can easily be replicated by a student who wants to make their own structure.
TIME: 36 hours. Completion of the structure and most of the interior details is likely, particularly if students work overtime outside of the classroom and depending on their level of skill/ experience. Students may choose to wait to glue interior details in place at home, especially the tiniest foods, which can be difficult to handle. Students will go home with all the materials and instructions they need to complete the project.
POWER TOOLS: None
SKILL LEVEL: All levels. Patience and very good eyesight/ magnification will help ensure success. Fine motor skills and a steady hand are helpful, and students should be reasonably comfortable reading an imperial (1/32" 1/16", etc.) ruler. Both the beginner and the seasoned miniaturist will find something fun and interesting in this class!
MATERIALS FEE: $135, to be collected at school. There will be the option of purchasing a set of “savory” dishes for $40.
INSTRUCTOR: Susan Van Tubbergen, Fellow
COURSE: Porcelain Raku Clay
PROJECT: The Magic of Raku in Miniature
Raku firing is an ancient Japanese ceramics technique that creates a beautiful, unique finish to pottery wares. The original Japanese raku style is an outgrowth of Buddhist influences; raku literally translates as “happiness in the accident.” Raku firing is an alternative firing process where pieces are removed from the kiln around 1800*F and placed in a “reduction chamber” filled with carbon-based materials which will give smoky colorations and patterns. The results are atmospheric and difficult to control, making it an exciting and dynamic process. No two firings are ever the same. I invite you to explore the traditional practice of raku firing, as well as learn how to throw, trim and glaze raku pottery. We will be using my special blend of porcelain raku clay, which is easy to throw and fires bright white, a great base for raku glazes. The workshop will start with throwing and trimming basic pottery forms. Students will be shown different methods for embellishing their pieces, like slip trailing and stamping. After pieces are bisque fired there will be a glazing session, including the opportunity to use vinyl/tape resist. The highlight will be a raku firing where students can participate.
TIME: 36 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: None
SKILL LEVEL: All levels
MATERIALS FEE: $40 to be collected at school
INSTRUCTOR: Michael Yurkovic, Artisan
COURSE: Metalwork
PROJECT: Hemmingway Typewriter Replica
Imagine having a historically accurate replica of the last typewriter used by Ernest Hemingway! That's what we will produce in this class. The replica will be made mostly of brass, with a few custom parts designed and 3D printed by your instructor to help expedite the process and finish within the allotted timeframe.
Students will learn how to soften brass sheets with a small torch, thus making it easier to bend and form. We will be using small hammers to shape the metal parts over wooden forms to create all the major components of the typewriter. Students will also learn how to prime and paint the metal parts (in the color of their choice) using spray paint for beautiful smooth results.
TIME: 36 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: Flex shaft, drill press, soldering iron, disc sander
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate. Students should have a background in soldering; this should not be a first attempt. The instructor will be there to coach and assist of course!
MATERIALS FEE: $125 in advance of school