Teaching and Schedule

Welcome to my Teaching and Schedule page. Here you'll find my workshops, classes, teaching schedule, hands-on classroom demonstrations, and my clubs. Any questions, please contact me.


Workshops & Classes

I try to make my workshops affordable but my time is worth something to me too so what I do is offer a one hour or three hour class at $50 an hour with a maximum of 10 students.  That way, if the class is full each one pays $15 but if it is only one student then that student pays the full cost.  The incentive obviously is for the students to get some friends together to take the class.  I also keep the materials fee down to easyitems they an bring or a minimal cost of things I can get wholesale.

 

Felting

I have taught a Nuno felting class for several years. Nuno felting is where you work the wool you are felting into an openweave base ( generally silk).  In my class we make a silk scarf with the nuno felting, although other  options are available as well.  The class is a good basic class for most felting projects and lasts 3 hours and includes all the materials necessary to make the scarf.
 
 My Needle Felting class is a simple one hour class which gives the basic instruction.  There is a materials fee of $15 for the equipment which becomes the property of the student for further study.
Each course--$150 for 3 hours

Creativity

My principle belief for this class is that our creativity is already inside us since I believe everyone was born with a gift for something and those talents are augmented by our life experiences.  Consequently each of us has a unique perspective and way of doing things.  Therefore applying what we know and feel determines our what if questions.      The HARD PART is recognizing it as a "what if" and then GETTING THE COURAGE    to explore it.
 
My class is set up to help you do just that--recognizing your talents, your life perspective so that you can find your "what if's" and determine how to pursue them.

Fascinators

Ever since Kate and William got married, everyone seems to be interested ( at last) in the little Fascinator hats.  I make the cocktail ones but also the headband ones and this class is designed to spur the students into making one of their own. I can teach both types in one class which takes 3 hours or do it separately which is a one hour class for the headband type and 2 hours for the cocktail hat type.  Since I can get most of the supplies wholesale, there is a materials fee which includes a lot of my "stash" for making the hats.  Of course the students can bring their stash as well.

The World of Angora

A half day or whole day workshop depending on how deeply the group desires to get into the care of Angora rabbits.

Half Day workshop involves learning about the fiber called Angora, how to groom and pluck Angora as well as how to store and then to spin and/or blend Angora for a yarn that will be appropriate for your Angora project. A spinning wheel and/or a drop spindle is necessary. Angora can be provided for a fiber fee.

Full Day workshop is geared for those who raise Angora rabbits or who are considering raising them. In addition to the information in the half day workshop, this full day workshop includes the housing requirements, care, grooming, feed, ailments and cures as well as breeding and care of bunnies. Some genetics will be included.

Welted Knitting

The welted technique that I use in many of my designs has many uses. The half day class explores the technique, how it adapts to other designs and opens up many possibilities for new interpretations of basic patterns. Many of my designs are examined as well. Students are asked to bring several contrasting yarns and the needles appropriate for them to experiment with their own ideas. The whole day class completes a vest front which can be completed at home with either a satin back or a knitted back. Two and Three Day Workshops also available for larger projects such as jackets and coats.

 

Upcoming Courses

Dyeing and Discharge--I am working on setting up this class this summer.  If you have input please email me.

Shibori--I am working on setting up a course on the pole wrapped or arashi technique as well as the itajame( block resist) and stitch resist techniques. 

Classes

I am just beginning to develop more specific classes. Please contact me if you are interested in a class. I also welcome requests for specific classes.

Teaching Schedule

 

Hands on Classroom Demonstration

As an Early Childhood educator of 33 years and a fiber artist of 20 years, I combine my skills to present experientially based classroom lessons. My instruction is grounded in age-appropriate curriculum to reach students of all grade levels and are integrated into all facets of the curriculum.

Primary Grades

Generally arriving for a half day, I am available to as many classrooms as are interested. My experientially based presentation includes petting an Angora rabbit and watching me spin from the rabbit as it sits on my lap - without hurting the rabbit. I also demonstrate carding wool and spinning on a drop spindle and I conclude with final products for the children to feel and model.

Grades 3 Through High School

For older children, I provide wool, carders and drop spindles for the students to learn in pairs the skills necessary for creating yarn the historical way. During the process, I integrate science, history, math, language and geography. The practical and physical demands of learning these skills leave an enduring impression.

The Art of Bookbinding

In this unique demonstration, I use the rough drafts and mockups of my children¹s book, The Pocket Bunny, to lead children through the making of their own hardbound books, complete with cloth cover and spine. I provide the supplies for a fee and they provide the rough drafts of their own book.

Half Day Demonstrations $150 plus travel expenses if beyond the SF Bay Area

Spinning Bunny Logo