As an independant artist and author, I have learned the
value of having many skills that interconnect. I take them all to design
challenges, and instruct others on how to access their own artistic and
perceptive abilities. Whether its about the uses of dyes and paints in
textiles, graphic and web design, or thermoplastics used in jewelry and
sculptural maquettes, the power of creative thought is emphasised and nurtured.
These skills can be honed in any creative area for their own sake--or to
bring about better use of mental and physical skills in all levels of work.
I am available for workshops with children, adults, those with exceptional
abilities or special learning needs, and for corporate work groups who
wish to hone their abilities in perceptual skills and problem solving in
previously unexplored ways.
While beads, dolls, and wearable arts may seem of less import on the
surface, aesthetic and ethical design qualities are at the basis of many
endeavors--and these things can be practiced and explored in a comfortable,
non-threatening, fun and satisfying way through creative arts. When you
are empowered to play with color, form and structure and the medium makes
it all easily accessable, positive things occur. It feels good, and it
encourages explorations in perspective and abilities as well as developement
of specific techniques.
The following classes and instructional seminars are currently available
for bookings. For more information as to available dates and pricing structures,
contact Sarajane Helm via email at: sarajane@polyclay.com
The
Creative Potentials of Polymer Clay
Polymer Clay offers a rich and varied playground for artist
of all ages and skills. It is a medium that appears almost eager to please,
allowing its use in a surprisingly wide range of styles and rendering techniques.
It can be made into flat collage illustrations and surface decorations
of all sorts. It's also great for sculpting figures, creating decorative
household items or beads and personal adornment.
This class starts at the beginning and takes an intensive
look at the creative uses and embellishment potentials of polymer clay.
A wide array of techniques will be covered. Included are basics of preparation,
color blending, millefiore or "cane work", transfers, mokume
gane (a technique taken from Japanese metal and wood working) beginning
mold making, stamping, additional surface decoration and inclusions, mica
shift, and creating textures and faux effects (mimicking bone, wood, coral,
etc) storage and baking as well as safety issues, and finishing options.
Students will make personalized tools, decorate a small storage box,
and form mosaic tile or round bead "samplers" of all the techniques.
This class can be given as a one session overview with technique demonstrations,
or as a multiple session seminar with more in-depth coverage of all techniques
and student participation.
Students will need:
several blocks of polymer clay in different colors
sharp blade
work surface (acrylic plate, ceramic tile or other-or use a paper surface
that will be provided in class)
other tools as desired, including pasta machine
Many tools and supplies such as foils, powders, inks and stamps,
texture plates and more will be provided for use in class. Students may
share pasta machines. Having pre-conditioned clay ready for class is strongly
encouraged.
A Young Person's Guide
To Polymer Clay
Paticularly designed for young artists, this two hour class starts at the
beginning and takes an intensive look at the creative uses and embellishment
potentials of polymer clay.
A wide array of techniques will be covered. Tools will be provided for
use in class.
Included are basics of preparation, color blending, millefiore or "cane
work", stamping, additional surface decorations and creating textures.
Storage and baking as well as safety issues and finishing options will
also be addressed. Students will create beads using different techniques.
Many tools and supplies such as foils, powders, inks and stamps, texture
plates and more will be provided for use in class.
Students will need:
several blocks of polymer clay in different colors
Making Beautiful Beads
Round, oval, tubes and heishi, bicones, square and even lentils---beads
come in so many shapes, and sizes!
Using polymer clay to create gorgeous beads is easy and
great fun. The real secret to it is NOT just the materials
though---it's the techniques.
Learn how to get great results with shaping, surface decoration,
and finishing essentials.
This class starts with shape and color, and then moves through many
decorative techniques including mold making, textures, stamping and impressing,
inclusions, filigree, granulation, metal foils and mica powders, carving,
and more.
Mokume Gane and mica shift, many different approaches to clay manipulation
all can be used to create beautiful wearable art.
Using multiple techniques on a single bead to create elaborate effects
can bring about some incredible looks!
After the finishing session, use the beads created in class along with
any others you choose to bring and create a stunning one of a kind necklace.
Students will need:
several blocks of polymer clay in different colors
sharp blade
work surface (acrylic plate, ceramic tile or other-or use a paper surface
that will be provided in class)
other tools as desired, including pasta machine
Many tools and supplies such as foils, powders, inks and stamps, texture
plates and more will be provided for use in class. Students may share pasta
machines. Having pre-conditioned clay ready for class is strongly encouraged.
Canework--Millefiore
Technique
Images in colored clays are built into millefiore "canes" and
then reduced to form amazingly detailed designs. Italian for "Thousand
Flowers", this technique is thousands of years old in the glassmaking
trade. Today's polymer clays also make great use of this imaging process,
with far more control of color and form available in this medium!
Starting with simple geometric canes like stripes, checkerboards, bulls-eyes
and spirals and progressing to floral and other detailed forms, learn to
build and combine components to make items that range from simple to stunning.
Variations such as square repeats, tessellations and recombined complex
canes will also be covered.
Color shading techniques such as the Skinner Blend and 3D stacking layers
will be used to give even more depth to the images. Successful cane building
requires some attention and effort, as does the reduction-and there are
things to do that greatly increase your success. Learn the tricks of the
trade, and build beautiful canes as well as stronger muscles! Once canes
are built and reduced, slices can be used to create beads and embellish
decorative objects of many kinds. Students will create a library of millefiore
canes for later use and also a flat "sampler" of their canes.
Students will need:
several blocks of polymer clay in different colors, include white and translucent
sharp blade
work surface (acrylic plate, ceramic tile or other-or use a paper surface
that will be provided in class)
other tools as desired, including pasta machine
Mimicking Textile Designs--
Advanced Cane Making
200 years of textile designs are brought to the table for reference, and
textile patterns of all sorts can be recreated in polymer clay. From ginghams
and calicos to more complicated repeats including floral sprays and bouquets,
cane making is used to create the look of fabric.
Simple canes are created and recombined to create a wide variety of
complimentary canes that can be used in flat appliqué, bead making,
quilt block replication, dressing sculptural figures and much more.
Using fabric swatches as a starting point, we will begin with color
mixing and matching, noting types of colors that were used in different
periods of design.
Styles of repeats, tessellations, medallions and more will be covered.
Simple and complex floral and geometric designs will be used in combination
with other techniques including mokume gane, painted/stamped impressions,
mica shift, filigree cutaway and more to create sheets of "fabric"
that appear to be tapestry, lace, brocade, embroideries and more.
Students will need:
several blocks of polymer clay in different colors, include black and white
sharp blade
work surface (acrylic plate, ceramic tile or other-or use a paper surface
that will be provided in class)
other tools as desired, including pasta machine
String a Multistrand
Necklace
Create a necklace using your favorite beads together!
Add charms, buttons, and more to build a multistrand treasure necklace
that is a one of a kind statement. Collecting your treasures is just the
start---learn how put them into a showcase piece of wearable art.
Using three or more strands throughout the necklace
gives a luscious look, and finishing off the ends neatly using larger beads
or cones gives a professional finish to the piece.
Learn tricks of stringing, spacing, precise ends
and knots and crimps that don't "give way". Use color and shape
to bring an array of pieces together in harmony. Beads are a wonderful
fashion accessory any time, and are becoming VERY popular once again; now
you can get a Designer Look at a fraction of Designer Prices!
Students will need: beads, buttons or charms,
stringing thread, sof-flex or cord, end clasps. (All are available for
purchase at Bead Lounge)
Rubber Stamped
Jewelry
Stamps, inks, pigments, embossing powders and polymer clays
can be used together to FABULOUS effects---but there are things to know
about the different applications of pigment and dye inks.
Not all stamp pads are alike, and neither are inks. There are differences
in use even in the same brands. Learn how to avoid chemical interactions
and to achieve beautiful dramatic effects on beads and pendant pieces.
Rubber stamps and inks, embossing powders and other pigment supplies
will be provided in class, and students can also bring their own. Make
beads and pendant componants in class, and then string them up with complimentary
beads to stamp your own style on your fashion acessories.
Students will need:
minimum 2 oz. clay
sharp blade
work surface (acrylic plate, ceramic tile or other-or use a paper surface
that will be provided in class)
other tools as desired, including pasta machine
Many tools and supplies such as foils, powders, inks and stamps,
texture plates and more will be provided for use in class. Students may
share pasta machines. Having pre-conditioned clay ready for class is strongly
encouraged.
Making
Faces--Modeling & Moldmaking
This session begins with the fundamentals of proportion, scale, and
anatomical placement. We will build miniature faces using scrap clay and
simple tools. After baking we create molds, comparing the advantages of
various formulations including plaster of paris, polymer clays, and RTV
silicone molding compounds. Pulls from the mold will be manipulated and
decorated in many ways.
Learn the techniques of "plastic surgery" to create strikingly
different faces from a single original mold.
Using swirl and feathering techniques, filigree, foils, metallic leaf,
glitters, paints, stains and inks, and more we will embellish faces both
fanciful and realistic.
Apply acrylic paints in a variety of fashions that range from childlike
innocence to sophisticated vamp.
The details in a face say so much about the character-whether creating
a doll, a pendant for jewelry purposes, an icon or a totem or a decorative
object for use in frames, mirrors, and other furnishings. Create your own
unique faces that can be used to make all these and more, and know that
NOBODY will have one just like yours!
CONDITIONED CLAY, ready to use in class is strongly encouraged.
Premo and Kato brand clays are the strongest. Students will need:
minimum 2 oz. clay
sharp blade, work surface, modeling tools
other materials for use in class will be provided, acrylic paints.
Miracle Mold Silicon RTV 2part mold compound is available for purchase
through Bead Lounge.
Rubberstamps,
Molds, and Polymer Clay
Learn to create molds that can be used with polymer
clay AND with PMC--Precious Metal Clay!
Stamping and mold use go far beyond what is commercially available when
you learn to make your own. In this class, we cover the legal aspects of
copyrights as apply to artists using replication, as well as the practical
and the beautiful! You'll learn how to use clipart and fonts to create
rubberstamp designs, and discover the uses of polymer clay and silicon
products for making texture plates and other molds. Vintage buttons, lace,
shells, old jewelry---textures are everywhere, and can be applied to polymer
clay to create fabulous beads, buttons, dolls, and artworks of all sorts.
Students will create molds and texture sheets
CONDITIONED CLAY, ready to use in class is strongly encouraged. Premo
and Kato brand clays are the strongest. Students will need:
minimum 2 oz. clay
sharp blade, work surface, modeling tools
old buttons or other textured items for mold making
other materials for use in class will be provided, including stamps, molds,
acrylic paints and pearl-ex powders.
Full Sized Polymer
Clay Mask Making
Using several different types of easily found or created base forms,
we will turn polymer clay and embellishments such as glitter, feathers,
metallic foils, colorful wires, inks, paints, fibers, stones, baubles and
beads into incredible masks.
Many decorative items will be supplied in class for student use; you
are also encouraged to bring your favorite bits and pieces for inclusion
into your creations.
Ribbons, trims, broken jewelry and watch parts-all can be used to great
effect!
CONDITIONED CLAY, ready to use in class is strongly encouraged.
Premo and Kato brand clays are the strongest.
Students will need:
Between 8oz--one pound clay, depending on size of masks
sharp blade, work surface
pasta machine (students may share)
xacto knife
other materials for use in class will be provided, including
stamps, cutters, molds, acrylic paints and pearl-ex powders.
The Beaded Bra
Start with a foundation garment, and transform it into a thing of beaded
beauty! Belly dancers and entertainers of all sorts have always known the
costuming appeal of tiny mirrors, sequins, beads, baubles and bells, ribbons
and embellishments that move to catch the light. Top designers add beaded
areas and other sparkling hand-worked details to high fashion gowns at
top prices--now you can learn to create wonderful wearables yourself. You
don't have to be an acrobat, a dancer, OR a great seamstress to create
these fun and fanciful items. By starting with a well fitting garment you
can concentrate on the decorative details. Whether making a formal gown,
a dance costume, or something for next Halloween, the details of decoration
add everything. Learn how to use fabric paints, bits of textiles, buttons
and jewelry componants, trims and ribbons, sequins and beads--both in covering
surface areas, and in making gorgeous fringes. These pieces take patience,
and its not a project to complete in an evening. This class will get you
started with the all the design elements and techniques, and you can finish
the work at your own pace. This class can be taken more than once for those
who need further instruction--some projects are more complex! An additional
Beaded Fringe Class is available as well.
We will discuss what kinds of garments make the best backgrounds
in class, and possible additions of fabric and trim. Fabric paints and
some sequins will be supplied, or bring your own.
Students will need:
a foundation garment
1-2 yds decorative trims as desired,
small amounts of decorative fabric if desired,
seed beads, larger beads and bells for fringes,
costume jewelry or piece for central focal
needle and thread for trims
bead needle and nymo thread for beading details
scissors
Beaded Fringe
Several variations including couching and entrapment will be covered.
A backing of Lacy's Stiff Stuff, leather, ultrasuede or pellon interfacing
is also required when beading fringe around a cabochon, and these will
be discussed in class. We will have Lacy's Stiff Stuff available for use.
If beading your fringe directly onto a garment, bring it along, or make
fringe attached to a length of braid or trim that you bring. (most fabric
stores have a wide selection)
Students will need:
Nymo thread, beading needle, scissors, and assorted beads
a button or central cabochon
braid or trim if desired
Embellished
Fabrics
Beginning with the fundamentals of fiber-reactive dyeing and color,
we will discuss using natural fibers and Procion MX coldwater dyes to achieve
solid color and patterned effects on cloth , ribbon, and yarns. Historical
methods of achieving pattern such as shibori and other tied treatments,
and other resist techniques such as paste, stencil and wax (batik) will
be covered. Dischage dyeing achieves its designs through removing dye in
certain areas. Additive techniques like stamping and handpainting with
fabric paints give textile artists the ability to create unlimited groupings
of coordinated textiles and fibers for use in wearable arts, quilts, dollmaking
and more. Learn to add even more with metallics and micas, and that's just
for a starting point! Textiles can be further embellished using beads,
embroidery, and other tiny details.
The Decorated
Doll
Spirit dolls, totems, icons or decorative poppet--express yourself with
a fanciful fabric and polymer clay doll.
Use a pre-made cotton doll blank or the provided pattern and fabric
of your choice and create a beautiful one of a kind doll. Included are
techniques of fabric painting and decorative ways with fibers, trims, laces,
beads, feathers, and more. Form simple polymer clay faces and attach with
glue or by sewing, or use paint, beads or embroidery for facial features.
Polymer clay or painted details can be used to make shoes; add faerie
wings or other clothing details to fashion your own personal creation.
Make it beautifully decorative or scary enough to ward away monsters!
Heirloom Cloth
Doll Making
15 inch cotton doll bodies with that are blank, or with stamped face
outlines in male and female versions are available for purchase and use
in class, or bring your own doll to decorate.
Covered in class will be tricks and techniques for drawing and transferring
faces of your own design, and fabric painting techniques for coloring in
the details of eyes, cheeks, lips, costume parts and more.
Details tell the character---create an innocent Prairie Maid or a Dancehall
Girl, a Schoolmarm or a Showgirl, depending on details of makeup and costume!
Use bits of fabric and lace to sew clothing directly to a doll for a permanently
decorated diva, or use your sewing skills and available patterns to create
a remove-able wardrobe. Hair is sewn onto the dolls, using yarn or other
fibers including wool roving, rope, rayon, cotton and more. Simple and
complex "hairdo's" will be covered. Many options will be demonstrated
in class.
Miniatures For Dolls and Dollhouses
Miniatures classes all cover aspects of scale reduction,
and projects can be made in several sizes of the student's choice.
The
Tea Set
Make a miniature feast that includes petitfours, cookies, cakes-and
all the cups and saucers, plates and bowls, teapots, creamers and sugar
bowls a doll could ever need for a delightful tea party.
Right down to the flatware and tray, polymer clay is used to create
all items-mimicking silver and cinnamon buns with equal ease!
We'll create these and more-even a bouquet of flowers in a vase.
In addition to the formation of all the basic pieces, we will explore decorative
techniques including faux surfaces such as bone china, splatterware, Wedgewood,
Majolica, gold and silver edging, painted and caned floral motifs, and
the use of textures, stamps and molds.
Students will need:
several blocks of polymer clay in different colors, including white or
translucent, colors as desired
sharp blade
work surface (acrylic plate, ceramic tile or other-or use a paper surface
that will be provided in class)
other tools as desired, including pasta machine
Many tools and supplies such as foils, powders, inks and stamps,
texture plates and more will be provided for use in class. Students may
share pasta machines. Having pre-conditioned clay ready for class is strongly
encouraged.
The Dresser Set
A beautiful doll's boudoir is completed only when there are plenty of luxurious
elements like this dresser set.
Mirrors, a comb and brush, delicate glass and crystal perfume bottles
and cosmetics ranging from nail polish, compacts and lipsticks to powder
puffs. Jewelry and wigs on stands, tiny soaps and trays, bottles and jars
all in a scale for use by your doll or dollhouse. Picture frames, trays-even
candles in beautiful holders and flowers are all part of an elegant grouping
of miniatures.
Whether you make this set for a 11 ½" fashion doll or something
smaller-or larger-these miniature items are easy to create using polymer
clay and items provided in class.
Students will need:
several blocks of polymer clay in different colors, including white or
translucent, gold or other color as desired
sharp blade
work surface (acrylic plate, ceramic tile or other-or use a paper surface
that will be provided in class)
other tools as desired, including pasta machine
Many tools and supplies such as foils, powders, inks and stamps,
texture plates and more will be provided for use in class. Students may
share pasta machines. Having pre-conditioned clay ready for class is strongly
encouraged.
Miniature Bedroom Furnishings
Build a gorgeous vanity table, bench, and bed set for your 11 1/2
inch or other miniature scale doll using polystyrene foam, paper, cloth,
and polymer clay!
(Hotwire foam cutting and glue guns make this a class
for older students or those with responsible adult supervision. Construction
and decoration techniques will be covered, but all items cannot be completed
in one class session)
Basic forms are covered with paper and cloth, and lace trims, and other
decorative items are glued into place.
Polymer clay is used to create detailed design elements that mimic carvings
or moldings. Whether finished to look like wood, metal, or gilded plaster,
these pieces create a special setting for your doll.
Learn about painted and stained finishes that mimic antiques and other
faux finishes, in styles that range from palatial splendor for a pampered
princess, country simplicity for a charming young miss---or somewhere in
between.
