SPRING LEAF CASTING The rhubarb, the (aaagh) burdock, the hostas are in full leaf, so now’s the time to play with cement and sand and make leaf castings. The larger castings make lovely rain catchers or bird baths in your garden, and smaller leaf castings can be jazzed up with paints and invited indoors for nut bowls and other similar uses. You’ll make the leaf castings in the morning and take them (carefully) home with you to pull from the molds the next day, with full instructions as to what to do to clean them up, patch, and eventually, if you wish, to paint in glorious colors. Class Code:380 |
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OUTDOOR PATIO FOUNTAIN Instructor Sharon has demonstrated tabletop fountain making on the “Wisconsin Gardener” show on public TV. In this workshop she turns her attention to creating a small outdoor fountain for patio or garden. You’ll create an 11x13x7” hypertufa fountain base and receive instructions and materials to make a bamboo spout (may be completed at home if time runs out). Other design options will be discussed as well as general fountain know-how, including placement and care of your fountain. Class time is 3 hours with an additional half hour if you’d like to work longer. Pump and tubing supplies included. CLASS CODE: 8B-710 |
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PIQUE ASSIETTE: MAKE A CONRETE/MOSAIC CAT SCULPTURE We’ll start off with an easy way of making a small, simple concrete sculpture of a cat. Next we’ll hunt through boxes of broken tiles, pottery, and mirrors, to assemble the mosaic colors we want t use and adhere them with outdoor adhesive. When that has dried a bit, you’ll do the final grouting for a charming small “pique assiette” sculpture to grace your hearth or garden path. In between drying times, we’ll do some leaf casting or make a planter. All materials included with fee. CLASS CODE: 8B-825 |
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CARVE A HYPERTUFA PLANTER AND MORE Your basic project will be to construct a simple mold for a hypertufa planter with legs. After you have made the lightweight concrete (hypertufa) and formed the planter, most of the rest of the day will be devoted to making leaf castings and pebble mosaic stepping stones. Towards late afternoon you’ll carefully remove the mold casing and begin carving your planter. You will need to leave all projects overnight to cure and pick up the next day. All materials included in fee. CLASS CODE: 8B-830 |
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STACKED CONCRETE & MOSAIC SCUPLTURE You’ll tackle an exciting sculpture project with lots of room for your own creativity. The sculpture is “stacked” on a sturdy pole or pipe and is made and assembled in segments. An example might be: a colorful bird on top of a bright red mosaic ball, which is on top of a heart-shaped body with wings or arms, over a colorful skirt, over a leg (with the other leg extended as if dancing). This is a twoday project and ambitious. We’ll have plenty of ideas for you of simple stacks (and more complex ones, too!). These fascinating, colorful sculptures are easy to move around your yard and gardens. An indoor use for stacks is floor lamps. All materials included in fee. CLASS CODE: 8B-845 |
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CAST CARVED HYPERTUFA SLAB Carole Spelic’ of Green Lantern Studios will provide you with a freshly cast hypertufa slab (lightweight concrete), either a 12” circle or a 10X14” rectangle (your choice), still soft enough to carve easily. You’ll use carving tools (provided) to remove material to a depth of ¾” in your own design (think in terms of big, bold designs with simple shapes – house numbers or silhouetted images of leaves, flowers, animals for example). The result will be your own “bas-relief” piece with that great weathered look that is characteristic of hypertufa. Use it as a stepping stone or as a decorative plaque indoors or out. CLASS CODE: 8B-900 |
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MAKE AND MOSAIC A CONCRETE NICHE You’ll construct an easy-to-make mold in which to forma a rectangular niche with a rounded top, approximately 10” x 14”. Within it you’ll build a concrete shell for the niche, then cover it in colorful “pique assiette” mosaic (from broken tile, crockery and mirror). The finished niche can hang on an interior or exterior wall or even be set within stucco, a perfect place for a candle or spray of flowers. If you wish, bring with you a meaningful small ceramic piece to embed in your niche. All materials included in fee. CLASS CODE: 8B-925 |
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MOSAIC TILE WORKSHOP Using a 12 x 12 floor tile as a base, participants will create a “pique assiette” mosaic design using various types of mosaic shards and decorations. Participants will have the opportunity to become familiar with the Direct Method Mosaic Technique, utilizing common mosaic materials, tools, adhesives, and grout for finishing. Participants will leave the session with a unique mosaic art tile that can be displayed either indoors or out. Materials included. CLASS CODE: 8B-930 |
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