LEARN
#BLUBIRDTEACHES: MODERN FIBER
As the daughter of a farmer and artisanal weaver, I've grown up with fiber my whole life. I'm still connected to the larger American cottage wool industry in a professional capacity. As such, I have first hand perspective at the slow decline in accessibility of fiber arts, and the recent post-pandemic resurgence is exciting - it makes me think of the "Return to the Land" movements of the 1970s and all of the things that we now know grew from that reconnection to the land gives me hope. BlubirdTeaches works to discover new ways to apply fiber as a medium in fine art and encourage new interest in the fiber arts. All public workshops and single lessons are focused around small projects that can be accomplished in two hours. Longer curriculum is open to students who want something more or are hungry for more advanced skills and need help.
Accepting private students and single session bookings in studio through June 20, 3024.
Public workshops are running in the East Aurora, city of Buffalo, Niagara County and Rochester area.
Any public workshop is bookable as an individual studio session, or a cocoon for 5 persons or more. Can handle groups up to 20. Email to book a private workshop.
Most topics can be modified to suit youth age groups 11-15 upon request. For youth under 10 or for homeschool groups, please send a message to receive information on private kids bookings.
Learn | Share
Events + Series
FIBER FLURRY
Arts Council for Wyoming County
APRIL 26 - 27
APR 26
ARTS COUNCIL FOR WYOMING COUNTY
Weaving in the Round:
Woven Mandalas
Students will learn how to warp a round loom and weave for texture, while exploring a variety of different materials to create color and texture. Weave with yarn, raw wool roving and even mac cord and experiment with texture and negative space. Warp, weave and finish in one sitting.
See Festival Page for Registration
APR 27
ARTS COUNCIL FOR WYOMING COUNTY
There is so much that goes into spinning before spinning! Learn the basics of fiber prep and have common questions answered, like when you should card and when you should comb, how to handle each process and the tools and best practices associated with each prep and why woolen versus worsted matters.
Longwool, short staple, woolen, worsted, carded, combed, hand, roving vs top, from the fold, in the grease – There is so much that goes into spinning before spinning (or felting)!
See Festival Page for Registration
APR 27
ARTS COUNCIL FOR WYOMING COUNTY
Learn how to make small 3D sculptures using needle felt! In this beginner’s class we’ll cover everything you need to know in order to use needle felting to make the iconic Amanita mushroom while enjoying some time out using wool and needle felt techniques.
See Festival Page for Registration
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WOMEN IN WOOL: collaborative learning
CROWN HILL FARM
April 28
PUBLIC CLASS SCHEDULE
Monthly workshops are geared towards exploring fiber as a creative medium, and are focused around small projects that can be accomplished in two hours.
All topics rely on some basic fiber skill set that can be used to explore new ways to create, and are developed for beginners, unless specifically noted. Modern, rooted in heritage technique.
Any group concept can be tailored to fit individual private groups, or private one-on-one instruction, either in studio, or as a "cocoon" for 5 or more participants. Inquire for group rates, or book a consult.
CLASSES FOR GREATER BUFFALO
#MYO: Any published group concept is always available as a private group booking in-studio.
EBRU MARBLING
APR 25: WNY Book Arts
NEEDLE FELTED AMANITAS
MAY 13: In Studio | East Aurora
GEL-GIT + MORE: EBRU TECHNIQUE
MAY 15: WNY Book Arts
ROUND WEAVING
MAY 22: In Studio | East Aurora
FLORALS FOR SPRING groundbreaking
MAY 29: West Falls Library
APR 25
WNY Book Arts Center
Intro to Ebru:
Managing Materials
Ebru relies on combining water and a plant-based sizing agent to “float” paints on top of a thickened solution, allowing the artist to create pools and puddles of color before manipulating them into patterns.
An artist needs to have a light hand, refined taste and an open mind to the unexpected patterns forming on the water, and Patience.
MAY 13
IN-STUDIO: 17 ELM | HQ
Needle Felt Forms:
Amanita
Learn how to make small 3D sculptures using needle felt! In this beginner’s class we’ll cover everything you need to know in order to use needle felting to make the iconic Amanita mushroom while enjoying some time out using wool and needle felt techniques.
An easy one: because this winter was extra.
MAY 15
WNY Book Arts Center
Intro to Ebru: Basic Intentions
Beginners II
Learn how to mix gall, rake, comb and work with Gel-git, or coming and going, a foundational technique for building more advanced marbling techniques such as Peacock, French Curl and Bouquet, in addition to working with basic combing and drawing and stippling, both techniques required to achieve more advanced Italian and Turkish patterns.
MAY 16
figgy + ROC brainery
Ecoprinting is the use of natural materials to leave two-dimensional impressions of organic flora on media. Through the use of pressure and heat, we can preserve and transfer the veining of leaves, soothing colors of petals, and stems that create color-rich collages, locking the beauty of the world around us into cloth. Learn how to use pre-prepared materials to eco-print silk scarves.
MAY 23
figgy + ROC brainery
This workshop class will teach the basics of oil painting. Get acquainted with the materials and methods needed to create a first "lean" layer with a simple gradient color scape, which allows you to focus on color mixing, palette work and using solvents before moving on to brush technique.
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STUDIO LEARNING
WEAVING INTENSIVE SERIES
BUILDING BASICS: ABSTRACT WEAVING
EAST AURORA
A weaving series- three dates. Learn the basics and build up. Loom included.
DATES COMING -
SUMMER 2024
An in-depth weaving series for those who want to Learn to weave and work with deliberate techniques.
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Learn the basic building blocks of weaving, including warping, materials, tools and basic techniques, then upgrade these basic skills and learn to how to work with deliberate shapes using tapestry weaving joinery and templates, and appropriate use of color to create interest in woven work.
