PRETTY PUNCHED PORTFOLIO Class

Inside of portfolio
Close up of the punch needle embroidered center piece
Open portfolio

This book is what I have on my blog banner. I really love it and will be teaching how to make it on June 22, 2008 at Piecemakers in Costa Mesa. Here is the class description and materials list: FYI- Click on the photos to get a REALLY good look!


We will be making a beautiful book like portfolio to hold sewing tools and needles or any precious treasures you may have. You will learn how to make a simple fabric covered book with binding and signatures (pages), simple embroidery, some ribbon roses and easy tassels! The center piece was made using miniature punch needle embroidery and we will go over that for those who are interested however if you already have a punch needle embroidered piece that you would like to use, please bring it or any other appliqué that might work. We will also go over how to felt your own wool squares at home. This is a process oriented class, however you might be able to finish this book in class depending on your experience. To make your time in class more efficient come with a theme or color scheme in mind.

Materials List:

Sewing needles, tapestry needles and beading needles
Scissors
1/2 yard pre-felted wool or something like it
1/4 yard regular wool
1/2 yard for inside cover and pages…I used a cotton floral print
a few yards of ribbon like velvet, specialty and rayon for trim, tassels and ribbon flowers~1/8 to 1/4 inch wide
11x17 sheet (approx) of plastic needle point canvas for the book covers
1/4 yard stiff needle point canvas
beads, buttons, antique trim, small doilies, old jewelry bits



Optional :
Punch needle, size small or medium
14 or 18 count aida or weavers cloth, 10x10 at least
several colors embroidery or craft floss (I highly recommend black as a staple)
5 “ embroidery hoop
Image for your needle punch design (I used my own drawing). There are kits you can buy with images on the aida cloth.

For those of you who have never been to Piecemakers it's a real treat. They have wonderful energy and it truly is a haven of creativity. It's HUGE with lots of fun things to buy and classes to take. Lunch is served on the premises with a donation.
Class time: 10a-3:30p, $55 includes instruction and hand out. All levels are welcome, as long as you can use a needle and thread. No sewing machine required. There are a couple spots left. Call now for your spot! 714-641-3112

NEW SOLDERED PIECES

These charms have been fun to make. I will be teaching how to make them at Piecemakers in Costa Mesa,Ca Sept.7, 2008. As the date comes closer there will be reminders.

I wanted to also tell you about the enormous inspirations I have come across in the altered art jewelry world . I have listed them in my links list : Deryn Mentock (I LOVE her jewelry), Stephanie Lee (awesome book just came out), Susan Lenart -Kazmer (great new book), Richard Salley, Nina Bagley, Keith Lobue, Amy Hanna and of course LYNNE MERCHANT. I love the fact that these artists use completely non-traditional metals, found objects and ephemera for their pieces and I have incorporated a little bit of all of them into my jewelry. It's hard to get away from what you were taught was the only right way to make jewelry but it is so fun to break the rules.

For those of you in the know about the jewelry explosion, Sally Jean Alexander was one of the initial creators of the soldered charm craze. I have never taken a class with her but I have her book and that is where I was inspired to try these charms. Her book is absolute EYE CANDY! So beautiful.