NATURE ASSEMBLAGES
Diane Sterba
Saturday, March 29,
9 a.m. - Noon

Diane is Director of Shake Rag’s Youth programs. We don’t know if it’s all the contact with children that keeps her imagination so lively, but we do know her creatures made from nature always bring a smile to our visitors. Come play in Diane’s incredible stash of twisted wood, buckeyes, rocks, seed pods and other natural flotsam and jetsam, get inspired by her infectious energy and create a fantasy nature art figure to add a touch of whimsy to your garden.

Class Codex:606
Student Fee$40

PEBBLE MOSAIC STEPPING STONES
Judy Sutcliffe
Saturday, March 29
9 a.m. - Noon

Enhance your garden path with stepping stones that have a naturalistic mosaic design composed of smooth pebbles. You can even do your whole patio with them, but before you attempt an entire courtyard, how about trying about a square foot of it first? Judy will show you both the direct and indirect methods for making pebble mosaics, and you can try one of the other or both, depending on your pebble-setting speed. You’re welcome to bring pebbles you’re partial to, and Judy will have plenty on hand.

Class Code:607
Student Fee$45

BENT WILLOW TRELLIS
John Schakel
Saturday, March 29
9:00 am - Noon

Learn rustic skills from John Schakel, one of Wisconsin’s finest rustic furniture makers, winner of Best of Show at the 2004 Madison Art off the Square. You’ll make a bent willow trellis from freshly harvested willow withes and your sweet peas will adore you. Bring hammer, clippers, bow saw, if possible. (Class repeated in the afternoon.)

Class Code:609
Student Fee$65

GLASS & METAL GARDEN ORNAMENTS
Sherry Viktora
Saturday,March 29
9 a.m. - Noon

Learn how to combine art glass and brass or copper to make your own small plant or garden ornaments in a dragonfly or butterfly design. Using pre-cut glass shapes you will learn how to add chain, lead, wire and embellishments, using a soldering iron, pliers and glue to make your unique hanging or staked glass ornament. Extra kits will be available for purchase if you wish to make more ornaments at home.

Class Code:608
Student Fee$50

RUSTIC MINIATURE HOUSE
Tatiana Katara
Saturday, March 29
1 - 5 p.m.

If you’ve visited Olbrich Garden’s Holiday Express exhibits, you’ve seen the magical rustic faerie village created by artist Tatiana and no doubt been amazed by her miniature state capital building. Now you can create your own rustic miniature house decorated with natural elements. Tatiana will bring the house framework and tools. The Shake Rag grounds will provide findings from nature. Don’t miss this one – we were stunned by the beautiful cottages Tatiana’s students made last year. (Note that this is a decorative house for indoor use only.)

Class Code:610
Student Fee$50

HYPERTUFA GARDEN LANTERNS and MORE
Judy Sutcliffe
Saturday, March 29
1:30 - 4:30 p.m

Hypertufa is lightweight concrete, a pleasantly rustic look for the garden. You will be making a 3-part garden lantern, experimenting with mold casting as well as sand casting. If there’s time, you can also make hypertufa garden turtles or cast a bowl or planter.

Class Code:623
Student Fee$45

CONCRETE HOUSE NUMBERS
Judy Sutcliffe
Saturday, March 29
1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Judy will introduce you to an easy method for making large, imprinted house numbers or letters on a wall plaque or a free-standing plaque you’ll form with concrete. Great decoration or house marker at the end of the drive.

Class Code:612
Student Fee$45

SMALL LEATHER POT and FLOWERS
Cheryl Smeja
Saturday, March 29
1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Join master leather craftsman Cheryl Smeja to create a small leather pot filled with leather flowers and embellished with bits of nature. These small decorative items for your home are really delightful and you’ll learn wet formed leather techniques from one of the best.

Class Code:613
Student Fee$40

BENT WILLOW TRELLIS
John Schakel
Saturday, March 29
1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Learn rustic skills from John Schakel, one of Wisconsin’s finest rustic furniture makers, winner of Best of Show at the 2004 Madison Art off the Square. You’ll make a bent willow trellis from freshly harvested willow withes and your sweet peas will adore you. Bring hammer, clippers, bow saw, if possible.

Class Code:614
Student Fee$65

TEEPEE TRELLIS
Dan Soman
Sunday, March 30
9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

You may have seen these stunning six to eight-foot towers at Shake Rag Alley or at the Madison Garden Expo. Now here’s your chance to build your own.  Made with sturdy willow uprights and fine, supple nursery-grown weavers, they can be used as a trellis or just as great garden decoration – and they last for years.  Dan will bring all willow supplies, just bring clippers and gloves...and a vehicle big enough to carry your creation home!

Class Code:615
Student Fee$85

FELTED WREN NEST
Nonda Van Gulden
Sunday, March 30
9 a.m. – Noon

Wrens are wonderful to have around as they eat many insect pests. They like to nest in cavities (even old shoes!) so they will love this cozy nest made from felted wool. You’ll start with wool roving, wet it and then form it into a pretty nest for your perky little wren friends. (And yes, it’s weather-proof – felted wool sheds water nicely but if it does get soaked...well, it just dries out.)

Class Code:616
Student Fee$35

HYPERTUFA GARDEN LANTERNS and MORE
Judy Sutcliffe
Sunday, March 30
9 a.m. - Noon

Hypertufa is lightweight concrete, a pleasantly rustic look for the garden. You will be making a 3-part garden lantern, experimenting with mold casting as well as sand casting. If there’s time, you can also make hypertufa garden turtles or cast a bowl or planter.

Class Code:617
Student Fee$45

TOTAL GOURD I
Terri Schmit
Sunday, March 30
9:00 a.m. – Noon

A household necessity since prehistory, gourds are grown today as garden novelties for their strange and wonderful shapes and as craft material. Gourd grower, Terri Schmit, founder of the Wisconsin Gourd Society will tell you about planting, cultivating and exterior cleaning of gourds, including garden prep, choosing seeds, growing techniques and harvesting and drying. You will clean the exterior of up to 3 gourds that will be yours to keep. Bring rubber gloves and old clothes. For the full immersion gourd experience, also sign up for Total Gourd II in the afternoon.

Class Code:618
Student Fee$45

TOTAL GOURD II
Terri Schmit
Sunday, March 30
1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Gourd grower Terri Schmit will teach you about the different types of hardshell gourds and cover a variety of uses for each, then will demonstrate the tools used specifically for interior gourd cleaning and cutting. You will choose a gourd to keep, cut it, clean the interior and put a simple finish on the exterior. A must session for anyone interested in using gourds for arts and crafts. For information on growing gourds, also sign up for Total Gourd I in the morning.

Class Code:619
Student Fee$45

MOSAIC BIRDBATH
Judy Sutcliffe
Sunday, March 30
1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Judy has come up with a fast method for not only making a concrete birdbath saucer but also adding colorful mosaic and grout in just three hours.  Your garden birds will bathe and splash in splendor.

Class Code:620
Student Fee$45

PAMPER YOURSELF WITH HERBALS
Shelley Ryan
Sunday, March 30
1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Here’s a chance to pamper yourself and save money too! Many expensive salt scrubs, bath salts and massage oils are actually very easy to make. Shelley Ryan (the “Wisconsin Gardener” of WPTV) will show you how. Using fragrant essential oils and dried herbs such as calendula, peppermint, chamomile, lavender, rosebuds and more, Shelley will teach you how to create two body salt scrubs, one or two bath salts, and a massage oil. But the best fun will be sampling some of the other creams and lotions Shelley has concocted. Learn Shelley’s secrets and prepare to smell splendiferous after this fun class.

Class Code:621
Student Fee$55

OUTDOOR PATIO FOUNTAIN
Sharon Stauffer
Sunday, March 30
1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

You saw her demonstrating tabletop fountain making on the “Wisconsin Gardener” TV program, now learn the ins and outs of outdoor fountain making from Sharon live and in person! You’ll create an 11 X 13 X 7”h hypertufa fountain base and go home with instructions and materials to finish a bamboo spout at home. Pump and tubing supplies included.
Sharon will also be teaching fountains during Mosaic Madness.

Class Code:622
Student Fee$65