Welcome,

Listed below are 18 workshops that I am currently teaching for 2011.

Please email me at ruthrae@gmail.com if you would like more information about my teaching services.

Creativity Exsposed

Have you ever been to the point where you wanted to take your art in a new fresh direction however you’re just to stumped by the creative process to make it happen? Perhaps your Afraid to try out a new idea or your too overwhelmed by all your supplies and don’t know where to start? Freeing up the imaginative mind to new ideas is often times difficult. 

 
When I need help to jump-start my creative process or work out a new design idea I have developed a creative exercise called
“scrap cards” 



 

all you need is a large Ziploc bag full of your cast offs no matter what medium you work in and we will explore how to get your creative juices flowing! 


We will talk aboutyour small works of art can be later worked into larger pieces of art and I will be showing you how you can attached your scrap cards to a small little dress and even show you how to make your own hanger out of wire (that can also be used to attach you art to)

 

fused jewelry

During this class, you will learn how to fuse your own free-form pieces from fine silver wire, which can be used to make unique and beautiful jewelry.

In one class, you can fuse a fine silver chain to create a bracelet or necklaces.
 
You will learn to create each link by hand using a heavy gauge of silver wire. You can texture, shape and distress each link, or leave it smooth, according to your preference. Learn to create organic pendants or earrings as you become skilled at how to melt silver onto copper to create a free-form fusion that is enchanting and unique looking.

Organic Twisted Bangles

Create organic bangles using wire wrapping, twisting and turning skills combined with basic chasing skills

  
 as we journey into Sculpting, Texturing, Drawing a bead and Sizing will all be covered as you discover along the way that each and every bangle you construct will be completely unique.

Concertina Book

This book has a simplistic form that can be altered effortlessly in a multitude of ways suited to just about any need or theme. We will cover paint and ink altering on fabric and paper; hand stitching and needlepoint, page design and trouble shooting for attaching odd objects will also be covered. 

 
The ideas are never-ending as are the embellishments that you can use as the fold out fashion allows you to add on the layers with ease. Because the nature of the folds in the book there is no need to worry about the thickness of you pages, and is also double sided and free standing. Let your imagination run wild and create your own masterpiece. 

poetic art dress.

Discover the process of working with simple tea stained muslin. 

 

As we explore the process of creating a tattered time worn effect onto fabrics by means of inking, ripping and heat manipulation Fabric dyeing and staining will be covered. 

 
Learn how to write words onto your fabric with free motion stitching as we will construct demure “art” dress however if your so inclined you can create your self a life sized one so you can be dressed in your art! 
 

Complete your creation with the construction of your own hanger. This is a project driven class.

Velvet & Lace

Velvet & Lace

Create your own statement jewelry as I show you how to create a versatile piece of jewelry that can be warn as a necklace or a multiple strand bracelet as we incorporate unexpected ribbons and fabrics.

  

You will learn how to use both hand a machine sewing in your jewelry and discover an assortment of wire jewelry techniques including: Clasps & closures, knotted head pins, rosary wraps, antiquing, bead crochet and pearl knotting. Fabric altering such as dying and stamping will also be discussed. 

Personal Exploration

Do you find yourself forever on the hunt for things that inspire you to create? Looking for new ways to expand your artwork?  Are you a collector of items that you’re not quite sure how to incorporate into your work? 

In this workshop you will lean how to use wood and acrylic to create frames that will become an extension of your art. We will lean how to alter acrylic, wood and various fabric surfaces with papers and paints. I will also guide you on how you can Incorporate machine and hand sewing into your artwork. We will explore how you can incorporate found objects into your collaged surfaces using various techniques such as using nails and drilling holes into your substrate surface to attach these elements.

Etched & Rivited

Description of workshop: etching, disc cutting, sawing, bead drawing, riveting and oxidizing.

Discover metal etching by creating beautifully textured components to add to your jewelry.  The design and pattern possibilities are limited only by your imagination. We will enhance your new-found skill as we lean about Disc cutting and sawing. Wire Bead drawing and riveting will also be covered in this workshop.

Beneath the surface

We will discover the process of creating sheer beauty as we unearth the endless design possibilities of capturing elements between translucent layers as we explore the reflective qualities of lightweight fabrics. Techniques covered in this workshop will be: free motion sewing, design principles, working in multiples, hand embellishing, fabric altering, and distressing.

Poetry Pinafore

Discover the process of working with simple tea stained muslin. As we explore the process of creating a tattered time worn effect onto fabrics by means of inking, ripping and heat manipulation. I will show you how to write words onto your fabric with free motion stitching as we will construct demure art dress's in a array of sizes and if your so inclined you might create a life size pinafore so you can be dressed in your art! Complete your creation with the construction of your own hanger. This is a project driven class.

Keepsake legacy album

In this class we will explore how to make a keepsake legacy album. You will learn how to combine your personal or found photos along with small tokens, mementos and Paper Ephemera create pages to tell a story (personal or fictional, you decide) we will create pockets to house mementos or various small art work that we will be making in class such as a small book and multi-media art cards. Fabric and paper manipulation along with machine sewing on various surfaces will also be covered in this class. Delight in the details as we learn about the joys of hand stitching to create texture and drama into your pages. Lastly you will assemble your book by way of Japanese Stab Binding.

Hand Forged Talisman Jewelry

Create a piece of art for your wrist. Using a sterling silver band learn to saw, file, drill and hammer words of your choice onto the perfect Talisman bracelet.

We will explore random design with fibers and antiquing too! This is also a great new version of a Mothers Bracelet.


This is a one day workshop.
This class is suited to all levels; basic jewelry skills are helpful but not necessary.

woven jewelry

We will start the class by creating a woven leaf that can be use to make earrings a pendent or a bracelet


Next we will make a beaded ladder and I will show you how to also make a bail so you can create earrings or a pendent.


then I will show you how to create a woven crown.

This is a one day workshop.
This class is suited to all levels; basic jewelry skills are helpful but not necessary.