Making Paper Sculptures

Last week I taught my students how to make paper sculptures out of fiber and water. We used bisque molds, (once fired clay), 130g water, and about 10g of fiber to make each sculpture. I used a sensitive kitchen scale to measure the amounts of each material.

Toilet paper works great for the fiber: its easy for the kids to mash up into the water. I had them mash it together with a popsicle stick for about five minutes until it turned into goop.

Once the pulp was ready, they scooped it up with their hands and pressed it into the mold with their fingers. I  put towels underneath the bisque molds so that the excess water wouldn't make a mess. I reminded them to press really hard to make sure that the pulp got into the eye and ear crevices of the animal molds.











To help absorb more of the water, we put one side of the towel over the mold and pressed the water out of it.

They will dry over a period of the next few days, but putting them in a toaster oven for 20 minutes works too. The bisque molds work because bisque absorbs water. Plaster, we discovered, doesn't absorb water nearly as well. It can still work but more often than not, the paper sticks to the mold.



After the molds are done, we painted them with tempura paints and used them to make some great collages! I let the kids integrate their paste paper from last week, and some flat bottomed marbles into their artwork as well.

Only 3 Premium Pottery Studio Memberships Remaining

We have three Premium Pottery Studio Memberships left. Members must commit to one full year of membership. There are many benefits, including: get clay at cost (wholesale+shipping), two free months of membership, a free Pottery class, and much more. This is a one-time offer.  For more information, Call Shelley Mathiot (252) 626-7723, or email her.

Mixed Media Class: Art Paper

On Friday, my class of 14 Students made papers for a future collage. Based off of a paste-paper project I did in college, we painted and stamped textures onto construction paper to create unique art papers. My students used rubber stamps, foam stamps, sponges, toothbrushes, forks, pallet knives, straws, and other objects to texture and color their papers. Instead of the paste material, I used tempura paint! 

This paper was sponged with red and then stamped with blue. 

 Some students dipped plastic forks into their paint and then sketched lines all over their papers. 

 Some students splattered interference paint onto their darker papers to add a shine.

 this texture was made by dragging a fork across a layer of paint in diagonal lines.

Each student made two or three papers. next week we will cut them up and use them to make fascinating, vibrant collages!

Zentangle Craft Ideas #1 - Alcohol Inks

Did you know that we are offering a Zentangle Class? 

For this project, you will need...

Yupo paper, ceramic glazed tile, glass, or high gloss photo paper.

Alcohol ink colors, (blending solution, brushes)

Micron Pen, and basic understanding of Zentangle.
(optional) acrylic varnish

On your smooth surface material, create a colorful composition using alcohol inks. Let the image dry completely. Tangle over the various color sections with a micron pen. 

If you want to turn a tile into a coaster, spray a protective varnish over it, let dry, then paint with a liquid varnish. Do not put in the dishwasher. 

Alcohol Ink Tile Coasters

 To start out my six week mixed media course (ages 7+), I showed the kids an exciting, moving, wild kind of painting that most of them had never experienced. Alcohol inks are becoming more popular as a painting medium. vibrant  wild, are hard to control, these inks allowed my kids to paint in a way they didn't think was possible.

When my kids used these inks, the art changed focus tremendously.  For some, it became more about the process than the product. It was a lot more like a science experiment than most of my other classes. But take a look at what happened!

I passed out some straws and let the kids blow the wet ink around.

The child who painted this piece was very excited about the finished product. 

He said "I didn't even know I could paint like that!"

Another Zentangle Class on Schedule!

Great news for our Zentanglers out there. Our May 18th Zentangle class is completely full! But have no fear.  Samantha Taylor, visiting CZT, has agreed to host a second class on the following Saturday. The second class is called Zentangle II, and will be an intermediate level Zentangle in which students can learn more wonderful techniques.

Zentangle fans can take this course as a follow-up class to the May 18th class, or jump in as a beginner!

Click here to register for Zentangle II, May 25th. 

Raku Bead Workshop, May 9th

Riverwood Pottery is coming back to Bear hands this may for another wonderful Raku Bead Workshop! I want to share these pictures of last year's workshop so you can get an idea of what the whole thing is like. The Riverwood pottery group travels all the way down from Dillsboro (a little town tucked away in the smokies) to teach at Bear Hands. 

Class details: (3 sessions) May 9, 10 & 11, Thurs & Fri 6 pm-9 pm, Sat. 9:30 - 5:oo   $145.

Register

Every student makes hundreds of beautiful, unique beads in this class! Jewelry makers and potters, don't miss this opportunity! 

Some of the beads in green-ware form

Stamps and texture tools used to make the pendants.

Students at work in our spacious, well-equipped studio.

 Bisque ware ready to fire in the raku kiln!

 Brant Barnes of Riverwood pottery, heating up the kiln outside.

 Stunning results!

Students made a lot of product, and many of them went on to create beautiful jewelry and sold their work! these unique pendants make great gifts for friends and family members.  Click HERE to register

How To Make Your Own Clay Tools

On May 7 & 8, from 6-9pm,  you can learn how to make your own pottery tools at the Bear Hands Studio. Bear Hands welcomes Brant Barnes of Riverwood Pottery (Dillsboro NC) to teach this awesome workshop.

Brant is very experienced at making pottery tools. He will be bringing along some of his unique, innovative creations, such as the opening tool made of a 2x4, a door hinge, a mop handle, and a laser pointer!

Brant says that in this class, he will teach students to make the items like signature stamps, texture and pattern stamps, handle makers,  and pattern/texture wheels. Materials are included!

You may also create bowl ribs,  foot makers, slip trailers, and more. Brant will teach you how to make ribs and wooden tools, and will bring along some wild cherry wood for his students to use. He will demonstrate some unique glazing techniques, and show students how to make stamps out of foam. 

It seems like Brant can make pottery tools out of just about anything. 

"My latest and most favorite tool I made from the handle grim of my bicycle and now I have clay paddles for texturing clay.  My handle tool is made out of the spout of a two gallon gas can. I go to the flea market looking for texture tools. An old cheese slicer or meat tenderizer can easily be used to make clay art."

We will only be offering this workshop ONCE! So don't miss out! Click here to register. 

Zentangle Workshop: May 18th

On Saturday, May 18th, Samantha Taylor will be teaching a Zentangle® workshop at Bear Hands! Zentangle is an increasingly popular art form that takes the idea of "doodling" to a whole new level. Using structured patterns and repetition, this relaxing art form increases focus and creativity. And believe it or not, its actually quite easy to learn! I can't tell you how many times people have come into our store saying things like "I never thought I could draw, but then I tried Zentangle."

Samantha Taylor is a Certified Zentangle Teacher, who trained under the original developers of Zentangle. We are honored to have her come teach at our store!

A Zentangle Fish from Samantha's "Tanglefolio"

 Samantha's Students create fantastic Zentangle Tiles in her classes!

The pictures above are from Samantha's Facebook page "Zentangle Eccentric." Visit her page to see even more amazing Zentangles. Click here to register for her class at Bear Hands!