Through a variety of workshops and classes, I share the techniques I have developed for creating jewelry and small-scale wood sculpture. My signature workshop is "Jewelry that Grows on Trees"; this class introduces students to the principles of making jewelry from wood--a beautiful, affordable, versatile, and environmentally-friendly material. Whatever the theme, my classes emphasize skill-building, safe materials and practices, creative problem-solving, and making a maximum of art with a minimum investment in tools and supplies.
For more detailed information on my experience or qualifications, please see my resume. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
WORKSHOP LOCATIONS:
I have led workshops at venues including the Penland School of Craft, the 92nd St Y, Arizona State University, and Seattle's Pratt Fine Arts Center. My "Upcoming Classes" page contains up-to-date information on scheduled classes and workshops. If you are interested in having me teach for your group or school, or if you would like to suggest a venue, please get in touch.
CLASS SIZE:
I work with individuals or with groups of up to 12 students. Class size may be also be dictated by the capacity of a particular venue.
STUDENT SKILL LEVEL:
I am happy to work with students of any skill level, from absolute beginner to advanced. I prefer for students in a given class to be at roughly the same level. The syllabus for each class can be tailored to students' interests and skills, as well as to available tools and resources.
STUDIO FACILITIES:
essential
work space for each student (benches or a table with benchpins)
desirable
bandsaw
beltsander
torch
small drill press and/or flexible shaft drill (eg Foredom)
STUDENT TOOLS AND MATERIALS:
[Tools and materials will vary according to the particular workshop. In some cases they are supplied by the host institution, in others, by individual students. It may also be possible for me to supply communal tools or course packs.]
solid soft and hard woods, scrap or new
jeweler's sawframe and sawblades
drill bits
small woodworking tools
assorted files and rasps
x-acto style knife
sandpaper
paint, stains
wire, findings, epoxy
oil, wax
epoxy
carving tools (a minimum of 3 tools needed for carving workshops)
TOPICS MAY INCLUDE:
wood basics
Covering issues such as health and safety, sourcing new and scrap materials, identifying common woods, and understanding wood's structure and working properties.
tool selection and care
A review of tool types and their uses, sharpening and maintenance, sources and brands, and using homemade and repurposed tools.
small-scale wood shaping and finishing
Use readily available tools to achieve satisfying effects. We cover sawing, filing, burnishing, sanding, scraping, and carving.
surface design for wood
Demonstrations feature techniques such as faceting, planishing, chip carving, "Ming ding", carbonizing, stone-setting, pique, faux-leading, faux-lacquering, drilled patterns, and resin inlay.
jewelry forms in wood
Learn wood-appropriate approaches to a range of jewelry forms, including rings, earrings, pendants, and cuff bracelets. Create and attach elegant hand-made findings and look for inspiration in my extensive collection of images of wood jewelry.
spoon carving
A fast-paced introduction to essential carving concepts, including layout, roughing, carving convex and concave surfaces, scraping, sanding, and sealing. The build-in handle aids students new to using carving tools and gives them space to experiment with carving surface details or pattern.
figurative carving
For students who wish to advance their carving skills. Includes carving-appropriate sketching and modelmaking exercises as well as strategies for efficient roughing and adding figurative detail.
project-based consultation
I can help you make your design a reality, from choosing the right wood for the job, to planning the correct sequence of steps, creating findings or attachments, and applying the right finish.
other topics
I am also available for slide lectures, student critiques, and ongoing tutorials.
project-based consultation
I can help you make your design a reality, from choosing the right wood for the job, to planning the correct sequence of steps, creating findings or attachments, and applying the right finish.
other topics
I am also available for slide lectures, student critiques, and ongoing tutorials.
