ULLABENULLA

Grand Tour Altered Book Class Today at the Castle!

I will be teaching my Grand Tour Altered Book class today at the CASTLE!  Students can approach this class in three different ways.  One, creating an imaginary trip, like I have here, two creating a book of an actual trip they have taken, or three creating a book for a future trip.

Here young Matilde and her dear friend Fanny take a trip to Europe via Balloon.  Many adventures happen along the way as they experience a Grand Tour like no other!

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...  

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!

 

Birthing An Alligator - Part 1

When I think of Alligators I think:

*Big

*Powerful

*Frightening

*Primal (thank you Lea for reminding me of this!)

*And in the case of my 'Alligator Wall' - Fun!

So why work on an Alligator right now?  Well, partly once I assembled my 'Alligator Wall' I felt it needed something down in the lower left hand corner...  But I suddenly realized that there is Much Much more to this project then just creating a filler for my wall!  

I have been wanting to get back into TEXTILES for quite a while now.  Textiles is my background, I spent years learning about, playing with and creating with it in the form of wearable art.  I made dolls for many years and loved  'dressing them' the best.  Teaching at the CASTLE pushed my art much more towards PAPER.  I love paper!  But there is something really deep inside of ME that needs to work with fibers and textiles.

So I have started an Alligator...

Not just any alligator, but a BABY Alligator, and I thought you might enjoy hearing about my process as I take this leap back to my roots so to speak.

  

I spent some time looking for a nice Alligator silhouette, and decided I liked the one shown on top of this post the best.  After finding the image, I enlarged it 250%, so its more life-size.  In reality my enlarged version measures about 25 inches from nose to tail.  Feeling the need to stay 'sustainable and green' I also decided to only use fabrics and materials that I already have.  I first cut out the basic Alligator shape of a nice raw cotton batting.   Then I lay this on top of a shrunken wool sweater and traced the shape to re-cut.  But this time I cut the shape about a 1/4 of an inch smaller all the way around.  I'm totally in a grove now, not really thinking why - just doing...

My reasoning for using creamy whites here in the beginning has to do with my love of the 'White Alligator' that lives in San Francisco's California Academy of Sciences.  He is a real beauty and a true must see!

Next I stitched the two layers together with a darker thread, outlining the shape.  I worked fast, and left the loose threads.

At this point I truly wasn't quite sure how to proceed.  After letting it sit for a few hours, I decided to go back to one of my favorite techniques when I was in school - Reverse Applique.

"In reverse applique two layers of fabric are used and the top layer is cut away showing the fabric underneath."

As tempted as I might be to let it be finished now, I still feel it needs more.  I found THIS IMAGE while doing some computer browsing yesterday and something about it just struck a chord!  Partly it was the colors used, but also the simplicity of shapes.   I pulled out my box of Fabric Scraps and started digging - looking for colors that spoke to me.

After finding a few pieces that seem to say Alligator, I began cutting them into tiny squares and circles.  I also went through my button box and dug out a large handful of tiny mother of pearl buttons - harking back to the White Alligator who inspired the initial coloring.  

  

Now the fun part, how to use these little bits and pieces...  Here is what I have lain out so far.  I don't want the initial Applique cuts to disappear, yet I do want something NEW to happen.

I'm feeling inspired by how my embroidery threads happen to be arranged.  Haphazardly but in a definite color range.

Thats as far as I've come.  

I am finding it profound that I chose a 'Baby Alligator' to do this project.  I see this as a Baby Step towards going back to my fiber roots.  I hope you enjoy hearing about my process and following along on this new path...  

More Soon!  

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...  

Celebration Tea!

What I really love about my little neighborhood - is that I am surrounded by some pretty amazing artists and incredible friends! Today is the Birthday celebration of one of these wonderful women, for whom I made the paper-cut above.  Can you guess who???  Non other than the delightful Lucille, queen of felted fairy's and gnomes, whimsical fairy-houses, and lover of toadstools...  A flock of us are off to celebrate Lucille's special day at the Crown & Crumpet Tea Salon in San Francisco!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCILLE!!!

Valentines At The Castle!

I created a batch of handmade Valentines for the CASTLE this week.  I used a variety of my old images, fun papers, paper punches and decorative scissors to create these little lovelies!  Enjoy!

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!!!

WHIMSICAL PAPERCUTTING CLASS - In Ulla's Studio!

Silhouette Papercuts are all the rage right now.  With this in mind, I will be teaching a basic papercutting class in my studio, here in Santa Rosa, on Saturday December 13th, and/or Wednesday December 17th.  In this class you will learn a few 'tricks' on how to make papercutting easier, and how to mount your finished cuts on canvas boards.  I love combining papercuts with photographs, so feel free to bring favorite images that might spark your imagination.  (My sample is a series of four 8" x 10" panels depicting the Four Seasons:  Spring/Bulbs, Summer/Love in the Mist, Autumn/Chestnuts, Winter/Mistletoe.  The little girl is from a vintage French postcard series that I own.)  

 Time:  10:00 to 4:00  (please bring a lunch)

Cost:  $100.00  - includes all supplies, and access to Ulla's collection of images.

Will teach to a minimum of 2, and up to 4 students.

If interested, email me at:  ullam@earthlink.net

  

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 Jewelry In My Etsy Shop!

I have added a few Halloween pieces to my ETSY SHOP.  I hope to add more within the next couple of days, including BAT BABIES!  

BAT BABYS at TINSEL AND TREASURES!

I am so excited to be presenting my new BAT BABYS at this weekends TINSEL AND TREASURES show! These sweet little pendants (they hang upside down!) are crafted from fimo, and apoxy clay, and then embellished with beads and shimmering metallic powders. Each is unique and one of a kind. I will also have a large selection of reliquaries available for sale. Please come by and say HELLO if you are in the area!!!

Mandrake Baby!

While working on something special for Halloween (more very soon!), I decided to play a little and made this 'Mandrake Baby'! His 'roots' are pewter twigs, and his body is made of Apoxy Clay. His face is fimo. It was sooooo warm yesterday, that he got a little flat, which makes him look like he was pressed in a book ~ poor thing, but I love him regardless!!! (he is approx. 6 inches long)

Chinoiserie Parade

Here is my latest Porcelain painting project. I believe this jar is used for inserting scents (i.e. lavender) as it has a cork on the bottom and pencil sized holes on top. (about 8" tall) But if you have a better use for it, please let me know! I adore its 'ginger jar' like shape! I decided to paint a parade of chinoiserie people around the middle of it. Each person is holding something, be it umbrellas, bells, birds or royal cart. It's ready for its first firing now, and then I will continue embellishing it... Not sure what to add next ~ oriental cottages perhaps? Enjoy!

"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!