Paper Weaving In-Store Class Feb 15

Paper Weaving In-Store Class
Saturday, February 15, 1-4pm
Instructor: Janet Strickler
Limit: 6 students. All participants must be 15 years or older.

Class Details

At its simplest, paper weaving is cutting paper into strips and weaving them together at right angles. But something interesting happens when the size and shape of the strips are varied, or when they’re staggered, curved, or woven at odd angles. Abstract patterns and interesting textures emerge. Adding unusual and specialty papers to the mix yields even more interesting results. Janet Strickler, a local multimedia artist, likes paper weaving because it’s a craft that’s readily accessible to anyone. Only ordinary and minimal materials are required: paper, a glue stick, and scissors. 

In this beginning class, Janet introduces you to the basic principles of paper weaving and demonstrates some tricks she’s learned from her own study and experimentation. Most of the class, though, is for you to create your own piece. There are plenty of materials for you to work with and lots of examples for inspiration. Janet refers to her classes as play-shops instead of workshops on purpose. Rather than focusing on a specific project, she prefers to show you what you can do and then coach you in making your own piece. No art experience is necessary for the class – just an interest in joining others in playing creatively. 

Come spend a few hours with Janet exploring what can be done with paper, that simplest and most ubiquitous of materials. You’ll leave class looking at paper with new eyes!

An email will be sent to participants the Monday before the class. Classes with homework may receive pre-class info earlier.  No email? Double check the email address you entered when you registered and your SPAM folder. Due to SPAM filters and inbox settings, we cannot guarantee you will see, read, or open these emails. Two Hands Paperie assumes no responsibility for non-attendance of a class. Contact twohandsclasses@gmail.com with any class questions and see our Class Policies page for more information. 

Class Materials

Please bring the following materials:

• Optional: favorite pair of scissors for fine cutting
• Optional: X-Acto or other craft knife if you like working with one
• Optional: papers you have and might like to use. Lovely art papers are wonderful, but it’s also fun to experiment with envelope linings, junk mail, interesting packaging . . . even plastic. Anything sort of flexible (not rigid) and easy to cut can be woven.
• Optional: apron

Class Materials Include:

• Paper, scraps, pages, etc
• Scissors, cutting mats, glue, cutting knives, containers, tools, etc to use in class

Class Refund/Cancellation Policy

Cancellations made up to 14 days prior to the first class meeting will be refunded or, at the participant's option, used to pay for another class. Two Hands Paperie will retain a $10 processing fee for EACH class cancelled by a participant. After 14 days, there is no refund or credit. In addition, the fee for a class cancelled within this 14-day timeframe by a participant cannot be transferred to pay for another class. These policies are to ensure that teachers are compensated for their investment in materials and in time spent preparing for the class. We reserve the right to cancel a class if fewer than 3 students enroll 48 hours prior to the scheduled class time. If for any reason Two Hands Paperie cancels a class, students will be called at the phone number on file and refunded the FULL class fee.

Instructor Bio

Janet Strickler, a mixed media artist living and working in Colorado, calls her work Art of the Ordinary. In truth, there’s nothing ordinary about what she creates. What is ordinary is what she uses: recycled and reclaimed objects, construction leftovers, discarded magazines, candle stubs, coffee grounds, natural materials, and even old paper clips. She loves to explore different media and will attempt to make art out of nearly anything. You can often find her in the Art Parts Creative Reuse store in Boulder, softly exclaiming to herself, “I could make art out of that!”. She enjoys the challenge of turning ordinary materials and cast-off items into objects of beauty.

Much of Janet’s work involves a spiritual element. It’s no surprise, given that the goal of her own art making is to create a beautiful, harmonious, and peaceful environment. Woven throughout her work is a deep love for geometry and pattern. She’s made a lifetime study of art history around the world and has been influenced by works as diverse as ancient manuscripts, medieval architecture, American quilts, Australian aboriginal paintings, Byzantine mosaics, and the decorative traditions of India and the Middle East. Their patterns are a starting point and don’t necessarily result in a predetermined layout. For her, art making is about beginning and then finding out where the piece leads.

True to her personal approach to art, Janet’s classes are fundamentally about exploring and experimenting. Rather than teaching students how to make a particular piece of art, she likes to demonstrate what can be done with a set of materials and then turn students loose to play with them. It’s both astonishing and instructive to see how different the results can be. Classes with her are delightful adventures in discovering the unexpected! Learn more on her website: artoftheordinary.net