ULLABENULLA

Victorian Paper Folly Class this Saturday at the CASTLE, and a Peek at My Inspiration!

I will be teaching my 'Victorian Paper Folly' class this saturday at the CASTLE!  There is still plenty of room. Here is the description:

Victorians loved to create elaborate 'tableaux' for holidays and other special occasions.  Often these tableaux mimicked architectural follies popular at the time, which were miniature, nonfunctional buildings designed to enhance the natural landscape.  You'll create your own romantic structure from a concoction of small paper boxes, paper tubes, antique printed paper, crepe paper, and Dresden.  Yours will look charming as a picturesque centerpiece or under a glass dome as part of your collections.

Fee:  $115.00, includes all materials

Saturday May 23, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Please call (510) 204-9801 to reserve your spot.

My inspiration for this class came from a lovely paper folly owned by a dear friend of mine - whose taste is exceptional!  I loved the simplicity and charm of her piece and knew instantly it would make a fabulous class! This antique was possibly used at a wedding, but I like to imagine it being created just for the pleasure of having something beautiful around...

Reliquary Class At The Castle This Weekend!

I am truly thrilled to have another full class at the CASTLE  this weekend - my ever popular 'Reliquary Class'! Yesterday I made a few new samples for the class, inspired by Antique Reliquaries.  As always its the little bits and pieces that make them special...

Sizes vary from two inches to two and a half inches.

This round reliquary has a wonderful vintage 'flaming heart' as the centerpiece.  The spines are actually porcupine quills that I've had for some time, and not known what to use them for...  The Music paper is old French and the quote from a vintage love poem.

I've had a tiny bag of 'Mouse Skeleton' bones laying around for years, and finally decided to use the ribs in this piece.  Beautiful Dresden bits surround the bones, and found words give them provenance.  The background is old wrinkled red silk.

This one started with the black sequin net on red background.  The cross is cut from a antique piece of ecclestastical silver ribbon and overlayed with a brass finding, with a old watch wheel at the bottom.  I adore the little silvered glass fish - tiny antique beads from my stash.  The quote is from an old found poem.

You can't see the background on this one, but its real butterfly wings!  Gold Bouillon, Dresden, quilling and a vintage cameo make this reliquary special.  Butterflies are the symbol of the soul, and here also dreams...  

Pagoda Birdhouse Class - ZNE $85.00 SPECIAL!

ZNE CONVENZIONE has decided to offer my Pagoda Birdhouse Class, on Thursday April 30th, in Pleasanton, California for a BARGAIN PRICE of  $85.00 for the day, including lunch!  (A  $100.00 savings over the original one day class pass)  This is a super price for what should be a wonderful class!  I hope some of you can make it!!!   

To Register, Contact ZNE and add your class HERE and mention the ULLA SPECIAL!

DESCRIPTION:

This paper carousel looks like it came straight out of a fairytale!  Inspired by 'The Emperor and the Nightingale', it features a lovely pagoda shaped roof, a flock of birds any ornithologist would envy and a lazy susan base - so that it can turn just like a real carousel!  In class you will learn the basics of creating a 3/d paper theatre while working with a variety of papers and trims.  (14 inch by 18 inch)

Mermaid Carousel Fun...

Saturdays Mermaid Carousel class was pretty wonderful!  Unfortunately it was about an hour too short, so no one finished...  First time classes can be like that, especially when it was such a friendly easy going and chatty group!  We had loads of fun, and it felt fantastic to be back in the swing of things at the Castle!  If you look closely you'll see that there was room for personal expression and variety with each students carousel, even real shells were used (see last photo).  Fabulous work, wonderful women and a great class!

Mermaid Paper Carousel Sample!

This Saturday's MERMAID PAPER CAROUSEL class at the Castle is Full, but I wanted to share the sample with you for future reference...  It features a bounty of beautiful mermaids with glistening tails and golden crowns.  On the bottom are waves with frolicking fish, and a coral cave is hiding in behind.  I've added some wonderful faux coral to the roof.  Lots of fun options here, this should be a wonderful class!

 

Santos Hand Reliquary Class Sample!

Inspired by 18th Century Spanish antiques, this unique version features a paper-mache hand on top of a decorated 'arm', that contains your own personal reliquary.  No soldering skills are required.  You will learn a new technique for creating special little reliquaries (boxes) from matt board, metallic tape, Apoxie Clay and metallic powders, plus plenty of beads, seed pearls, and other tiny wonders!

Fee:  $125.00, includes all materials but please feel free to bring your own small ephemera, beads and pearls...

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009  10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Please call the CASTLE at 510-204-9801 to reserve your spot!

Note on photos:  The small hand measures about 5 inches tall.  I added butterfly wings, and an old cameo to the inside of the reliquary.  The larger hand is about 7 inches tall and has a long reliquary that features a real 'mouse spine' inside.

Royal Fleur-De-Lis Figural Theatre Class Sample!

The Iris was chosen by the Kings of France as their royal emblem, and stylized as the elegant Fleur-de-lis.  A hand-molded face, painted by you, is surrounded by lovely crepe paper petals - in Iris colors of your choice.  Ms. Iris wears a layered costume and shows off a delightful scene under her skirts!  (here a little tryst is in the works...)

Fee:  $130.00 includes all supplies.

Saturday March 28th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the CASTLE.

Please call 510-204-9801 to reserve your spot!

Putz Lamb and Cart Class Sample!

A Putz is a miniature landscape that was popular in the 1800's in Moravian communities in Pennsylvania.  Using clay, wool, and matchsticks, you will craft a delightful little lamb or two inspired by the vintage sheep that populated these charming scenes.  Strap a harness on your wooly creations, and your lamb will pull a lovely cart created from one of the Castle's German papier-mache egg boxes and decorated with glass glitter.  Perfect for your spring and Easter decor!

Fee:  $115.00, includes all materials

Tuesday, March 17th from 11:00am to 5:00pm

Call the Castle at 510-204-9801 to register today!

Hope to see you there...

Rhinestone Lovers Eye!

Yesterday I made this new sample for my 'Lovers Eye' class today at the Castle!  

Here's a secret...

I found the wonderful sparkling rhinestone heart (its a buckle) at Michaels  in their 'Martha Stewart' Wedding section!  Its perfect for jewelry, not too expensive, and wonderfully romantic...  

Victorian Papercut Heart Box Workshop At The Castle On February 4th!

Victorian Papercut Heart Boxes

This class is a wonderful introduction to the art of paper cutting.  Decorate red or pink German paper mache heart boxes with wonderful  paper cut ‘love tokens’.  We will use beautifull calligraphy printed papers, giving these boxes a wonderful romantic feel.

Half day.  1:00 to 5:00  (Limit to 8 students)

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 4th, 2009

$75.00

Call 'Castle In The Air' at 510-204-9801 to reserve your spot!

'Lovers Eye' Brooch Workshop at the CASTLE - February 10th!

'Lovers Eye' Brooch Workshop

Georgian ‘Lovers Eye’ brooches were created as a way to keep one’s lovers identity a secret by not revealing the whole face.  In this half day class you will create your own version of these rare and very sought after pieces of jewelry.  Ulla will introduce a ‘faux soldering’ technique that uses a combination of beveled watchmakers glass; silvered foil; Apoxy clay; beads and pearls; and a photo of an eye.

Half day.  1:00 to 5:00  Limit to 12 students

Tuesday,  February 10th

$85.00

Please call the Castle at 510-204-9801 

This should be a Fabulously Fun class, hope to see you there!!!

Constellation Of Paper Angels Class Sample

Sunday we will be creating a Constellation of Paper Angels at the CASTLE, using a variety of papers and trims that the CASTLE is known for!  Also part of the class is the creation of a special 'box' to store your angels in when not in use!  This is my last class of the season at the CASTLE until Valentines, so stay tuned for WINTER CLASSES IN ULLA'S STUDIO!!!

Enchanted Rose Theatre Sample for ZNE!

OK, can you tell I'm on a creative wave???  Here is my second sample for ConvenZioNE 2009. Class Description:

Miss Rose has crepe paper petals surrounding her hand-molded Fimo face.  Her dress is fashioned from a variety of papers and trims.  Peek under her skirts and a magical scene is revealed - an inner dream perhaps?  Or her own fairytale conclusion...  Miss Rose stands approximately 15 inches tall.  

I am honored to be teaching at ZNE in 2009, and hope you will join me in the fun!!!  

PAGODA BIRDHOUSE CAROUSEL Class Sample for ZNE!!!

I am thrilled to be teaching at the ZNE CONVENZIONE April 29th thru May 3rd, 2009, in Pleasanton, California!  For my first class I will be teaching a PAGODA BIRDHOUSE CAROUSEL.  I hope some of you will be able to join me there!  Register HERE if you are interested.  Here is my class description:

This paper carousel looks like it came straight out of a fairytale!  Inspired by 'The Emperor and the Nightingale', it features a lovely pagoda shaped roof, a flock of birds any ornithologist would envy and a lazy susan base - so that it can turn just like a real carousel!  In class you will learn the basics of creating a 3/d paper theatre while working with a variety of papers and trims.  (14 inch by 18 inch)

Halloween Carousel Class this Saturday!

This Saturday the 25th, I'll be teaching a Halloween Carousel at the CASTLE!  I think there is still a spot or two left, so call 510-204-9801 if you are interested!!!  For this carousel I decided to use 'iconic' halloween images and cut them out as silhouettes.  I used parchment paper and added rubber stamps for details.  They have the appearance of flying in a haunted forest...  The roof features a witches hat top and fun crepe paper finial!  I love how the whole piece turned out, let me know what you think!!!

Day Of The Dead Theatre Class At The Castle!

Saturday I taught my 'Day Of The Dead' figural Theatre at the CASTLE.  What a FABULOUS class this was!  I had 8 wonderful students, including one very creative and self-sufficient 11 year old who came alone to take the class!  Everyone made truly haunted and wonderful skeleton Catrina figures.  One student even added lights to her inside 'theatre'! ENJOY!!!

These last three images are of my own Class sample which I finished on Friday.  I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have my classes fill without a finished sample!  I do promise to get better at being more timely...

PAPER DOLL FAN Class Sample!

Tuesday July 22nd, I will be offering a PAPER DOLL FAN class at the CASTLE, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. There is still lots of room in this class, so if you are interested please call: 510-204-9801 to reserve a spot!

This fan (inspired by an antique fireplace fan) uses a wonderful pressed paper form (from Germany) for the background. Colorful theatre sheets set the scene, and a vintage looking paper doll stands center stage in clothing that you will design and create out of found images. (dresses and hats 'hang' from the dolls, so you can easily display your fan however you want!) I have also added a vintage 'mother of pearl' handle to replicate the look of a vintage fan. In my first sample I 'antiqued' the pressed paper form, and used a festive background, giving a feel of a summer ball in progress. Our little lady dons a ocean~mermaid inspired ensemble and then changes into a music paper summer party dress.

In my Second sample, I left the pressed paper stark white, and added a pretty woodland scene for the background. This little lady wears a 'walking outfit' made of maps, complete with a beehive hat, and then a 'teapot' frock, topped with a 'Tour Eiffel Tea Cup hat'!!

I thought you might enjoy seeing my inspiration photos. The first two are from a book about vintage paper dolls. The fans have envelopes on the backside to hold the clothing. The last two photos show a fan one of my students received at a doll convention last year, obviously from the same inspiration! My understanding is that these fans were used by proper ladies, who sat near a fire, but didn't want to melt of heat...

'Armchair Travels' Altered Book Sample!

Tomorrow I will be teaching 'Armchair Travels' at the Castle! Class runs from 10:00 to 5:00 and costs $100.00. There is still a space or two left ~ if interested please call: 510-204-9801.
Here are a few pages from my sample book for you to enjoy!!! Happy Traveling!!!!!!!

"TIME FOR TEA ~ CLOCK" Class Sample!

Here is my new class sample for the "Time For Tea" Figural Theatre Clock, to be taught at the CASTLE on SATURDAY JUNE 14th! Ms. Tea has a pre-sculpted head on a 12" wood mannequin, an inner 'apron' that supports a working clock, and paper clothing created of crepe paper, wrapping paper, and gold dresden. I added a 'Cake' fan for her to cool off with... Imagine her in colors matching your favorite china or perhaps your kitchen! This should be a great class!!!

Class fee is $135.00 ~ includes all materials. Limited to 8 students. Please call (510) 204-9801 to reserve your spot!

WIREWORK JEWELRY Class Sample!

The CASTLE's Summer Class Schedule is due from the printers any day now. First on the list will be my new 'Wirework Jewelry' class to be taught on SUNDAY JUNE 1st from 11:00 to 5:00! As you can see from my sample, we will be playing with a number of different wire techniques, including: basic wire-work; hammered wire links; textile wrapped wire beads; how to incorporate chain into your work, creating your own hook and eye closures; and incorporating found elements into your work (including buttons, felt beads, and vintage jewelry parts). I will supply base-metal wire, chain, beads and tools, but feel free to bring your own tools, chain, beads and vintage jewelry bits to add to your creation! Call (510) 204-9801 to reserve a spot!