TIME
Saturday and Sunday, November 10-11, 2012
TUITION
$200 + $20 materials fee (HCCC member discounts apply to tuition)
*Please note: No refunds will be made after registration deadline, unless workshop does not meet minimum enrollment and is cancelled. In that case, enrolled participants will be contacted and reimbursed by HCCC.
LEVEL
Beginner (intermediate and advanced are welcome if any of these techniques are new to you). Ages 18+.
** Registration Deadline: Sunday, November 4 at 4:30 PM **
To register, click here or call 713.529.4848 x 201.
Trained in traditional basket weaving, fiber artist Paula Gron has moved towards creating sculptural forms in the more recent part of her career. Paula often incorporates found objects, such as metal parts, wood handles or seed pods, into the organic forms of her pieces, mixing these elements with bright colors and clever shapes. As she creates pieces that are both humorous and playful, she also presents basketry as a nontraditional art form. Paula is currently featured as one of 40 artists in HCCC’s biennial exhibition, CraftTexas 2012, and was named one of the show’s three Award of Merit winners.
In this two-day workshop, Paula will teach students several basket construction techniques using commercial reed, paper rush, soft fiber and wire rush materials appropriate to each method. A small project will be presented per technique, and students can take necessary materials home to complete each project started. The following techniques will be covered:
- Coiling
Students will coil with yarn over cotton clothesline, learning tricks for starting and ending the coiling process. Figure eight, lazy squaw, and lace stitches will be demonstrated. Students can select a variety of colorful yarns and beads, learning how to change colors in “carry over” to create unique coasters or plates. - Plating
Students will use flat, white paper rush to learn the over/under techniques of plaiting. A heart-shaped pocket will be the final result, finished off with a waxed-linen stitched rim. The heart can be painted with acrylic and then embellished with painted strips of rush in the “imbrications” technique. - Wickerwork
With wire paper rush as the stakes, students will learn basic twining techniques, like two- and three-rod whale or twined arrow, using paper rush, jute, raffia, etc. Weaving with this variety of materials will create a small round basket with an interesting texture and a simple finished rim. If time allows, participants can paint them with diluted acrylic from spritzer bottles and add handles or beads. - Rib Construction
A small rib-style egg basket will be created using pre-cut wired paper “ribs” over wood hoops for rim and handle. Students will learn the “God’s eye” lashing technique and how to weave through the ribs, while working both sides simultaneously. They will learn a “packing” technique to bring the weaving parallel and can also add various yarns and fiber for textured interest. - Netting
On Sunday, the students can bring in a small treasured rock, seashell, small wood and/or metal piece and learn how to contain it with knotless netting. They will use four-ply waxed linen to work the netting halfway around the piece and add bead and charm embellishments at the bottom. A braided cord of linen will turn the piece into an amulet necklace.
Above, from left to right: Coiled Coasters by Paula Gron. Paula Gron, “My Toothbrush.” Fiber. 18″ x 26″ x 13″. 2011. From “CraftTexas 2012.” Photos by Paula Gron.
