Pinthrift Traveling Craft School

Project Details

Felting

Felting is an old form of cloth making. Loose wool or roving is wet with warm water to make the fibers bind together. We work with brightly dyed wool and make a variety of charming projects.

Balls - By layering the wool, crafters end up with a soft ball that is good for juggling, a cat toy, or catch. Make several small ones and create your own solar system!

Paperweights - We need small rocks for this one! With the rock as the center, wool is layered and then felted until the rock becomes a soft, but heavy object.

Pockets - This is similar to making a paper weight, except the rock is cut out, leaving a lovely "pocket" for treasures. Mold around a child's block and you will end up with a box!

Mats - Using a dishpan and screen, crafters can make pictures or mats. Adding a half-screen, crafters can make a bag.

 

Felting Considerations

• Age appropriateness - This project requires patience for good results.
• Needs: Hot and cold water source
• Messiness Factor: Moderate This project uses lots of water and dish soap. It can be done without too much spillage, but no guarantees! I've done it inside successfully, but there was some water on the floor. Great out door project!

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Sculpey

Sculpey and Fimo are brand names for polymer clay. This is a soft clay that bakes at low temperatures. It comes in vibrant colors that remain true after baking. It is used by novice and professional crafters. There are many choices of projects for this wonderful material.

The Projects

• Logs - Logs or canes are the basis for making “mille fiora” designs that use the same principle as Italian glass beads. Working from a central color, crafters add colors and shapes until a “log” is created. It is then cut horizontally to reveal the design. Crafters continue on using these slices to create beads, covered bottles or some other imaginative idea.
• Figures - Crafters can create people, animals, wizards or other three dimensional sculptures.
• Pins and Earrings - Crafters are taught a few basic techniques, then encouraged to let their imaginations run wild.
• Pictures - Using a foundation of approximately three inches square to work from, crafters can create scenes such as the one at the top of the this page. These could be an idyllic sunset, a room with a comforting fire, or even your own home.
  Note: Not recommended for young (under eight) children, as the work is very fine.

Considerations

• Age appropriateness - This program requires fine handwork. If crafter's are younger than ten I will need to know, as I have projects that are easier for little hands.
• Messiness Factor - Low
• Needs – A table and chairs, good light and a source of electricity. I bring my own toaster oven so that we can bake the clay as we go along.

Pop-up Cards

Whether making a card, or tackling a book, pop-ups are fun and the basics are easy enough for all age groups. I work with fold-out pop-ups, the intricacies depend on the level of the crafter.

Pop-up Card Considerations

• Age appropriateness: All
• Needs: Work surface away from breezes!

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Costs

• Each class is limited to 8 – 10 participants.
• One-hour classes are $15 per person.
• Two-hour classes are $25 per person.
• The price includes: set-up, instruction, materials and clean-up.

Note: “Garden Steps” is only available in one-hour workshops.

Mileage is added to classes held outside the Lewiston/Auburn area at 48 cents per mile.
Payment is expected prior to or at the time of the class.

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