I now include in my classes: cloisonné enameling, plique-a-jour enameling, paper making and marbling, gyotaku (fish rubbings) and nature printing (leaves), making handsome note cards and boxes with these last three, decorating eggs, weaving/plaiting insects from palm fronds and grasses, spinning fibers into threads and using local plants to dye them, making ancient looking gourd vessels (sometimes recreating the cave art of Lascaux and Chauvet), forming rose petal beads from the byproduct paste of rose oil/rose water.... and other things as the urge hits.
I am happy to create classes especially to your specifications. Multi-subject tie-ins are possible for the home education curriculum. I am fully credentialed (in the state of California) to teach at community colleges for credit. Enthusiasm is my hallmark.
The Hand and Spirit Program
This is a series of classes designed for ease, success and delight. All are well rehearsed and may be done in this progression, separately, or out of sequence as desired:
- Paper Making
- Nature printing
- Fish printing(Gyotaku)
- Paper Marbling, Ebru and Suminagashi
- Making Note cards with Decorated Papers
- Eggs Covered with Decorated Papers
- Plaiting Insects with Palm Fronds
My Hand and Spirit Program uses these classes to promote joy among people who are aged, lonely, fearful, isolated, or ill. It is also open to their care givers. The Hand and Spirit Program will be free to residents in Marin County, California, where I live. I am currently writing grants and soliciting organizations and individuals to obtain funding towards this endeavor. Please contact Diane Merrill P.O. Box 4292 San Rafael, CA. 94913 or (415)499-0670 or dianemerrill@saber.net for further information.