INSTRUCTOR: Beth Freeman Kane, Fellow
COURSE: Mixed Media
PROJECT: Country Garden Shed
Step into this charming, old-world country garden shed scene. All seems very familiar, somewhat cluttered, yet everything is in the right place. Within the warmth and nostalgia several little creatures have crept in to visit or make their home. It is here that this class will be spending time and focusing on the skills to construct and bring to life this evocative scene.
This is a multi-media and multi-process project. Students will construct the basic shed using strip wood and planks, with all sorts of interesting techniques taught to add light and shade, mold, rust, dust, and the appearance of age. Students will receive all animal and bird castings; these have been hand-cast from Beth’s original sculptures.
This class involves a lot of painting! The instructor will teach the acrylic painting techniques that help bring each animal, bird, flower pot, and tool to life. Students will learn the importance of layering and texturing to create a sense of roundness in each piece. There will also be some basic flower making and basic items, such as apples, will be sculpted in polymer clay.
The instructor will discuss principles of composition with the students, and personal expression is encouraged so that individuality shines through. The full set of framing materials will be provided and the completed project will have a professional finish, ready to take home and hang on the wall. (Dimensions of the outside of the frame are 10.5" x 7.5". The scene area is 6" x 3".)
TIME: 36 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: Dremel tool
SKILL LEVEL: Recommended for intermediate level students
MATERIALS FEE: $70 to be collected at school
INSTRUCTOR: Deb Mackie, Artisan
COURSE: Leather Furniture
PROJECT: Tooled Leather Sofa
This invitingly cushy 1:12 scale overstuffed leather sofa might just make you wish you were small enough to curl up on it with a good book! As they complete this sofa, students will learn a number of key techniques for working with leather, including how to tool and stamp leather, and how to use dyes and finishes. The process will also expose students to associated principles of construction and design.
In this class, students will build the sofa frame, then cover it with padding. Smooth sheepskin leather will be combined with tooled panels to cover the sofa and cushions, with many choices of dye colors and antique finishes available to the student. Students may follow the prototype’s upholstery design, or choose to customize the style and colors to fit a particular décor—classic, fancy, western, or just beat-up and well-loved. The possibilities are endless!
The crowning glory: finishing with tiny brass nail heads, and decorative rosettes custom-made for this class by Dr. G’s Brasshole. The finished sofa measures approximately 8" long x 4" high x 2.5" deep.
TIME: 36 hours. Completion is likely, although beginners may need extra time outside class to finish.
POWER TOOLS: None
SKILL LEVEL: All Levels. No leather experience is necessary, but some experience creating and assembling miniatures will be helpful. Patience, manual dexterity, and a sense of humor required!
MATERIALS FEE: $125 to be collected before school
INSTRUCTOR: Mark Murphy, Fellow
COURSE: Furniture Construction
PROJECT: Japanese Kitchen Chest
This traditional kitchen chest (mizuya-tansu) was made in Kyoto in the Meiji period (ca. 1868-1912). They were typically constructed in a two piece chest-on-chest arrangement with sliding door and drawers on the top chest section and a large cabinet with sliding doors on the lower chest. Conveniently placed inner shelves, sliding doors and deep drawers make these chests perfect for storing dishes, crockery, or other tableware. Today many people also use these pieces as linen chests or even stereo cabinets.
This class is designed for students to learn the construction techniques for creating this piece. Along with the construction of the two cases, students will construct and fit the drawers and the three sets of sliding doors. Notice that each set of sliding doors is visually different, with the upper case sliding doors being made with mitered corners and the lower case sliders made with slot mortise and tenon joints. There is also some scroll work on the lower sliders of the upper case. (On some of these pieces there is a wire mesh behind the scroll work for ventilation.)
When the construction is completed, students will learn how to apply the hardware on the drawers and doors. It is expected that everyone will have all of the pieces constructed by the end of class with some final finishing (staining and waxing) to be completed at home.
TIME: 36 hours. Construction is likely with finishing to be completed at home.
POWER TOOLS: Table saw, scroll saw, shaper/mill, drill press
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
MATERIALS FEE: $95 to be collected at school
INSTRUCTOR: Pat Richards, Fellow
COURSE: Structure
PROJECT: Storefront Display
In this class students will create a display for a few treasured items in the form of a storefront. The finished piece will measure approximately 16.5" wide x 14" high x 6" deep. It will feature a non-functioning front door and two large display windows with a counter behind at window level. The outer walls will be constructed of gator board and so will be fairly lightweight.
Students will design and make the door and windows and the surrounding structure of the front wall from scratch. They will construct a tiled front patio and will finish the gator board outer walls with faux brick paper and paint, aging it as desired and adding a store name and decorative trim to the roof line. Students will also construct from scratch a shelf for the front window for the display of a few items (from their own collection). The roof structure lifts off for access to the interior and students will install battery operated strip lighting to illuminate the windows.
TIME: 36 hours. Completion is possible, but attention to detail may leave some final tasks to do at home.
POWER TOOLS: Table saw
SKILL LEVEL: All Levels.
MATERIALS FEE: $100 to be collected at school
INSTRUCTOR: Troy Schmidt, Fellow
COURSE: Wheel-Thrown Pottery
PROJECT: The Art of Miniature Pottery
The Art of Miniature Pottery is a hands-on class dedicated to throwing small scale ceramic forms. The class invites students into the specialized world of wheel thrown miniatures, offering clear instruction, structured practice, and creative exploration. Guided by an instructor with over 30 years of teaching experience, participants learn to throw refined 1:12 scale forms on the Guild School’s micro wheels, while working with a curated selection of porcelain and stoneware clays.
This class emphasizes skill building. As they become confident in centering and controlling the shape of the form, students will progress from simple vessels to miniature bowls and lidded jars finished with wood handles made from locally gathered Castine twigs. Along the way, students will learn thoughtful design and gain practical experience in glaze application. They will be able to experiment with dozens of provided glazes, and see first-hand how firing transforms both clay and surface. Those interested may join discussions on kiln operation, firing schedules, and best practices for electric kiln ceramics.
A distinctive part of the class is its focus on salvage and repair techniques, teaching students how to evaluate glaze flaws, manage glaze runs, and understand when refiring is possible. All are valuable skills for anyone working at miniature scale.
This class welcomes all skill levels. Beginners receive a solid foundation in miniature throwing, while experienced potters will advance and refine their abilities to produce precise designs, construct thin walls, and control glazes.
TIME: 36 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS: Micro pottery wheel
SKILL LEVEL: All Levels
MATERIALS FEE: $40 to be collected at school
INSTRUCTOR: Kim Stewart, Artisan
COURSE: Wicker Furniture Construction
PROJECT: Bohemian Style Wicker Sleigh Wingback Bed
In this class students will make a double-size bohemian style wicker sleigh wingback bed using materials that emulate the natural look of wicker. The comfortable bed design is one that inspires creativity and a free-spirited style! Students will weave waxed linen cord over floral wires to create the flowing curves of the headboard and baseboard. To create the base frame holding it all together, the students will use exotic wood, and make precise joints with the drill press and table saw.
The instructor will introduce a new open work weaving technique in this class. Time permitting, materials and instruction will be provided to make a mattress to fit the bed.
This class is intended for intermediate students. Skills with furniture construction and weaving will enhance your experience. Good vision and hand/eye coordination are necessary for success.
The finished size is 4.5" wide by 6" long by 4.5" high.
TIME: 36 hours. Completion is likely
POWER TOOLS: Table saw, drill press
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
MATERIALS FEE: $75 to be collected at school
INSTRUCTOR: Fran Sussman, Artisan
COURSE: Small Scale Structure/
Mixed Media
PROJECT: Art Gallery in 1:144 Scale
In this class students will build a 1:144 scale art gallery. Arched windows and doors with fine trim details emphasize thick masonry-style walls. Delicate corbels support deep molding and trim at the roof line. A natural wood skylight illuminates an interior filled with paintings and statues. A student’s easel holds a painting; for the class Phyllis Hawkes (IGMA Fellow) has provided an inprogress and a finished painting of a ship.
Students will first carve and paint the sidewalk. Then they will paint and assemble the basic structure from precut materials. The façade and interior details will be built up from multiple layers of laserboard, styrene, watercolor paper, wood, and other materials. Students will create a sign with a name they choose for the gallery.
Inside, students may choose from paintings by well-known artists or bring their own, making the gallery uniquely their own. The students will receive frets of etched brass frames that have been designed by Joseph Bays of NeonNoir Designs specifically for this class. The frames represent traditional and modern styles and will be available in a wide range of sizes.
The pace will be relaxed. Both the beginner and the seasoned miniaturist will find something fun and new in this class!
The base is 3.5" wide by 2.25" deep. The structure is about 1.75" tall, including the base. Note that this is not a full-sized dollhouse but a dollhouse built for inside a dollhouse.
TIME: 36 hours. Completion is likely, although some students may prefer to add the artwork and statues at home.
POWER TOOLS: None
SKILL LEVEL: All Levels. Students will succeed if they have patience and good eyesight (or appropriate magnification and lighting).
MATERIALS FEE: $165 to be collected at school