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...............SilverBella Workshops...............

Oh, please Christmas don't be late! We can hardly stand the wait! Wait no more! Come and take a peek in the artistic elves workshop to see what's in store for Silver Bella this year! Looks like glass, wood, paper, felt, wool, fabric...and so much more await you. Different skill levels, too. Yup, we aim for a well rounded creative experience for that magical November weekend! All of the Silver Bella Workshops have been created exclusively for Silver Bella. They are fresh and never before seen! Write down your first and second choice favorites so you'll be ready for registration...

Bring to all Workshops:

Basic Supply Kit
scissors, glue stick, mini glue dots, ruler, pencil, black marker, charcoal pencil, paper trimmer. Also, if you like distressing, bring a small sanding block an any of your favorite distressing tools.

Trinket Box
    • Favorite paper ephemera (vintage postcards, vintage wallpaper scraps, German scrap, vintage book pages, etc.
    • A handful of vintage photos (postcards, cabinet cards, carte de visite, snapshots, etc.
    • Rhinestone buckles, broaches, necklaces, earbobs, etc.
    • Your favorite trims (seam binding, velvet, lace, etc.
    • Floral elements (vintage millinery, silk flowers.
    • Stitchery elements (needle, a skein or two of embroidery floss)
    • Vintage buttons.
    • A few small 3-D elements (things you could add to collage/altered projects such as crystals, small glass knobs, wooden letters or similar items.

*Of course a Trinket Box is not necessary, but it sure makes your projects uniquely you and are fun to use, collect and share!*
Prada Schmada
Charlotte Lyons
You are so going to want to have one of these Bellafied totes on your shoulder at Silver Bella this year. This must-have accessory of the season will hold all your tools and treats for classes on the go. We'll transform a natural canvas tote with potato printing, embellishments and pockets to send you off in style.
To make this tote your very own unique creation, you will need: Basic tool kit, a grommet kit (if you have one), kraft knife, a potato, foam brushes, embroidery needle and floss to match: your favorite 7 x 7" square of fabric,15" of 2 decorative trims and a yard of ribbon. A sparkly button or two and any other vintage accents will make this tote completely yours.
Holiday Home Tour
Charlotte Lyons
Oh, how we love those little houses at holiday time! We will make our own from scratch and decorate them with felt (provided by Marcus Brothers), papers and glitter to make darling little houses-- with a potted tree or two for landscaping.
Please bring the basic tool kit, kraft knife, foam brush, white craft glue and a 4 x 5" chipwood or papier mache box. Vintage trims and buttons would certainly come in handy too. Never enough of those!
Better Backgrounds
Carolyn Peeler
We'll put backgrounds in the forefront in this technique based workshop. If you've ever looked at mixed media books or magazines and wondered how they created such fabulous backgrounds, or struggle with attaining depth and detail in your backgrounds, then pull up a seat. We will focus more heavily on technique than a finished project, however, we will aim to complete our collage. We'll experiment with paint, gesso, watercolor crayons, and charcoal pencils. If you are up for getting messy and exploring mixed media techniques, then I'd like to invite you to join me at the mixed media playground! We'll throw caution to the wind and free up our inner critic as we master the art of beautiful, better backgrounds.
Each student will receive a collage kit packed with better background building strategies needed to build a fabulous background and a stack of vintage and reproduction papers and photos, trims and embellishments!

Please bring: • Your favorite color of artist's quality fine acrylic paint (found in the paintbrush isle of most big box craft stores, as opposed to the bottles of paint that can be purchased for $1-2). There will be plenty of paint provided in class, but it is possible that your favorite color will not be amongst the ones offered, so to be safe, we recommend that you bring your favorite(s).
    • A small tub of Golden's Regular Matte Gel.
    • A few paintbrushes. I would recommend bringing a few wider ones and a few narrower ones.
    • A small container to hold water to wet your paintbrushes and clean them between colors.
Do You ATC What I ATC?
Carolyn Peeler
Because I see a timeless and shabby mini book with a twist of glamour puss (wink)! We'll be combining a few of my favorite things; Melissa Frances chipboard albums and patterned papers, vintage images from my extensive collection, seam binding, aged crepe papers and vintage findings, we will create an ATC holder like you've never seen. Students will be encouraged to participate in an ATC swap, which will run in conjunction with the workshop!
Please bring:
    • One rhinestone broach or button for the center of a fabric and paper rosette (see photo for example)
    • One wide paintbrush
    • Needle and white thread
    • a small cutting mat and x-acto knife.
Portrait Rustique
Kim Kwan
What is old is new again. What is rustic becomes elegant. What is rough becomes brilliant. Take a journey through your imagination as we magically combine wonderful old cabinet cards and cartes de visite with rough hewn metals, woods, German glass glitter, bits of old textiles, sparkly trinkets and thrifted picture frames. Come ready to sand, paint, hammer, drill and sew with Kim as we each create one-of-a-kind decor project.
Students Bring: Basic Tool Kit, a (thrifted) wooden picture frame (no glass or back) somewhere between 5x7-8x10 which you're ok with painting and distressing (I will have some available for purchase in class), a sparkly jewel or bauble (shoe clip, brooch or earring), a favorite cabinet card or CDV if you wish (I will provide some for you to select from, but if you have a favorite, bring it!), embroidery or tapestry needle, 1/16" hole punch (or piercer) and possibly any fun fabric/felt scraps you may have! We'll be working with wood, metal and power tools (yay!), so if you have work gloves to bring, that's great!
Winter Faerie Shrine
Kim Kwan
You never know where magic can be found...are there winter faeries hiding inside those cigar boxes over there?!? Why yes, but they're a timid bunch, so only a lucky few will be able to coax them out of their sparkly shrines! Please join us as we paint, glittery and decorate these lovely little three dimensional shrines. Just as every faerie has it's own personality, so too will be their delightful little shrines!
Students Bring: Basic Tool Kit, wooden or sturdy cardboard cigar box (I will have some available for purchase in class), gesso, an assortment of acrylic craft paints, palette, brushes and water cup.
Soldering for Virgins
Sally Jean Alexander
For beginners who want to see what soldering is all about, learn how it is done, and try it out...this is the Workshop for you! Skip the years of trial and error and get a head-start by learning what I have found out by trial and error. In this fast-paced Workshop, students will learn how to prepare simple-shaped charms for soldering and watch a soldering demonstration including two techniques for attaching jump rings. Then they will apply their knowledge by preparing 3 charms to solder and actually soldering them together themselves. This is a condensed "basic" workshop and does not cover specialty-shaped charms and other advanced techniques.
Kit Fee: $10 and includes: hand-cut glass to use in class with a few extras to take home just in case, findings, chain. Kit fee due upon entrance to Workshop.
Students MUST bring:
    1. Scissors (smaller is better)
    2. Pen or pencil
    3. Terry-cloth hand-towel
    4. Round-nosed pliers
    5. Bent-nosed pliers
    6. Chain-nose pliers (*Home Depot has a $10 set of Red-handled pliers which has the best chain-nose pliers to use)
    7. Personal artwork (matte finish) in a variety of sizes or scrap paper. There will be no time to create artwork.
    8. Rectangular cookie sheet / non-stick is best / cheapie is fine

NOTE: Soldering supplies will be available to SHARE. If you prefer not to share, you may bring your own. If you bring your own, Sally Jean will have Flux, Flux Brushes, Sponges, and Flux Remover to use. Supply list is subject to change/modification.
Candy Cane Courtesan
Sally Jean Alexander
A circa 1800's Porcelain Doll rescued from the dirt of a now-defunct doll factory in Germany is bearing the holiday treat we all love...a candy cane. Captured under candy-cane-shaped glass is your own red & white artwork framed in silver solder - the most delicious of Christmas candy treats! Of course, a message of holiday cheer within a glass glob accompanies the little Porcelain Doll...it's always about the message. She wouldn't be complete without bling...and there it is...dangling under her message of holiday cheer.
In this workshop, students will dress up their doll complete with silver party hat, create colorful candy-cane artwork, and convey a holiday message that will eventually showcase a bit-o-bling. It will all be soldered together to create a special Christmas pin or necklace that can be worn throughout the season. Soldering experience is not necessary, and although you will solder, this is not a Soldering for Virgins how-to-solder workshop.
Kit Fee: $15, due upon entering workshop and includes: rescued porcelain doll, specialty glass, bling, vintage papers, chain, pin-back, findings.
Students MUST bring:
    1. Scissors (smaller is better)
    2. Pen or pencil
    3. Terry-cloth hand-towel
    4. Round-nosed pliers
    5. Bent-nosed pliers
    6. Chain-nose pliers (*Home Depot has a $10 set of Red-handled pliers which has the best chain-nose pliers to use)
    7. Personal artwork (matte finish) in a variety of sizes or scrap paper. There will be no time to create artwork.
    8. Rectangular cookie sheet / non-stick is best / cheapie is fine

NOTE: Soldering supplies will be available to SHARE. If you prefer not to share, you may bring your own. If you bring your own, Sally Jean will have Flux, Flux Brushes, Sponges, and Flux Remover to use. Supply list is subject to change/modification.
Partridge in a Pear Tree
Sally Jean Alexander
(Sans the pear tree). Not just a line in a song, but when you get down to it, symbolic for the true meaning of Christmas. Something so special shall be handmade with heart and soul. And whether or not it has pears, your partridge will hang in your tree, and elsewhere the rest of the year, to remind you of that special day.
In this Workshop, students will use vintage ephemera, antique photos, personal imagery, clip-art, paint, pencil, chalk, pastels, rubber stamps, found text and more to collage a partridge. Their artwork will then be placed under hand-cut partridge-shaped glass and backed with metal which they stamped a special note into. This will all be enclosed by soldering and pre-pared for hanging. The crowning glory? No...not a crown. The twig bird feet scavenged from trees here and there...gilded in silver...because it HAS to have bling. Soldering experience is not necessary, and although you will solder, this is not a Soldering for Virgins how-to-solder workshop.
Kit Fee: $15 and includes: hand-cut partridge shaped glass, matching hand-cut metal for backing, wire, findings, vintage ephemera to share. Kit fee due upon Workshop entrance.
Students MUST bring:
    1. Scissors (smaller is better)
    2. Pen or pencil
    3. Terry-cloth hand-towel
    4. Round-nosed pliers
    5. Bent-nosed pliers
    6. Chain-nose pliers (*Home Depot has a $10 set of Red-handled pliers which has the best chain-nose pliers to use)
    7. Personal artwork (matte finish) in a variety of sizes or scrap paper. There will be no time to create artwork.
    8. Rectangular cookie sheet / non-stick is best / cheapie is fine

NOTE: Soldering supplies will be available to SHARE. If you prefer not to share, you may bring your own. If you bring your own, Sally Jean will have Flux, Flux Brushes, Sponges, and Flux Remover to use. Supply list is subject to change/modification.
Snow Globe
Sally Jean Alexander
This is a snow-globe of a different kind. Snowflakes are really snowballs of white pearls and tiny beads dancing within a "globe" created from a vintage bottle neck and hand-cut glass. Each pearl will represent part of a whole holiday message. The magic is when the snow falls amongst other magical treasures. Students may bring their own, or use what their kit comes with. Imagine silver stars, mini soldered charms, tokens, rhinestone jewelry pieces, buttons, etc., all dancing and bouncing and living it up with the "pearl" snow.
In this workshop, students will assemble their "globe" and fill it with personalized snowflakes/snowballs and magical treasures. We will make a mini-charm and embellish our other goodies. Then we will wrap it all together by soldering the "globe" permanently closed. The finished Snow Globe can either dangle on a necklace, or become an ornament to hang from your Christmas Tree for years to come. Soldering experience is not necessary, and although you will solder, this is not a Soldering for Virgins how-to-solder workshop. This project resembles the oval bottle pendant on p. 85 in my book: Pretty Little Things.
Kit Fee: $20 and includes: vintage bottle (pre-cut), hand-cut glass for front and back of globe, wire, findings, tiny glass for mini-charm, pearls, beads, misc. treasures, chain. Kit Fee due upon entrance to Workshop.
Students MUST bring:
    1. Scissors (smaller is better)
    2. Pen or pencil
    3. Terry-cloth hand-towel
    4. Round-nosed pliers
    5. Bent-nosed pliers
    6. Chain-nose pliers (*Home Depot has a $10 set of Red-handled pliers which has the best chain-nose pliers to use)
    7. Personal artwork (matte finish) in a variety of sizes or scrap paper. There will be no time to create artwork.
    8. Rectangular cookie sheet / non-stick is best / cheapie is fine

NOTE: Soldering supplies will be available to SHARE. If you prefer not to share, you may bring your own. If you bring your own, Sally Jean will have Flux, Flux Brushes, Sponges, and Flux Remover to use. Supply list is subject to change/modification.
Home for the Holidays
Pam Garrison
There really is no place like home for the holidays! In this class we will create a beautiful house shaped hanging that will house a flower or two to greet all that pass by this holiday season. Hang it as a welcome greeting on your door, or on a wall, or from the mantle along with the stockings. (As a matter of fact, you could choose to make this in a more neutral pattern and leave it hanging all year long.) You will need to bring an old game board (half of a scrabble board will do-cut where it folds) and a favorite bottle or small tin that we will attach to your house. Your bottle or tin will hold your real or silk flower you place in it once home. We'll decorate the house and embellish till your hearts content. I will have everything else needed to complete your one of a kind house hanging, but encourage you to bring bits of special trim (no more than 12" needed of each trim brought), special buttons and rhinestone baubles, a favorite millinery flower or hanging tassel etc. Permission to flea market! Or even shop for some new, beautiful trim. Better yet, raid your mom or grandma's fabric scrap stash and turn your creation into a true family heirloom! Bringing pieces you selected makes are sure you will love your piece to bits, and make sure it matches your holiday decor. Heck, you could take the other half of the gameboard, another bottle or tin, and use the materials I provide for a second one to give as a gift! I'll have a goodie table too where you can find items to add to your favorites. I can't wait to see your home this holiday!
Santa Secret Diary
Pam Garrison
He keeps a list that Santa does. Not only does he know who’s been naughty and nice, but did you know he keeps a Secret Diary, too? The most wonderful time of the year can also be the busiest for the Santa of the house. This chipboard book is big enough to organize your holidays, yet small enough to tuck in your purse. There will be pockets and pullouts and pages so that you'll be able to keep track of presents bought and received, gift cards, gift tags, receipts, notes, party plans, holiday decorating ideas, to do list, holiday cards sent etc. etc. etc. We'll custom make it to suit your needs. Your kit will include everything you will need to complete your holiday organizer, but to truly make it special, you may want to bring a special bit of bling, favorite paper, button or other embellishment. With this Secret Santa Diary, your holidays will run smother than ever and will serve as a reminder and record of the season.
Tiny Treasures
Jenny Bowlin
Big things do indeed come in small packages! Get ready to craft "small" using newly released, Jenni Bowlin Studio products and several vintage items and supplies. We will complete 3 "tiny treasures" ready for display in numerous ways - or to use as stocking stuffers!
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Jenny Bowlin
Do you dream of opening presents by a cozy fire under a snow lined roof for Christmas? Even if real snow doesn't grace your sidewalk this year, it will grace the Bingo Card roof (in the form of fabulous Mica Glitter!) on your handmade Christmas House. Using Jenni Bowlin Studio papers and products and vintage goodies we will construct a wonderful home to rest gracefully on your mantel this holiday!
Christmas Pageant
Teresa McFayden
Venture back to your childhood and relive the night of magic and sparkle. Learn how to create an award winning shrine from an old book. Watch your pageant princes and princesses take center stage in your vintage theatre. Cure that stage fright by taking on the role of set director and embellish your theatre with glam and glitz including vintage velvet, mica, glitter shards, and some extra special vintage treasures and ornaments I'm stocking up on...just for the Christmas Pageant. Applause, applause - take a bow!
Bring to class: hardback book, 6x8 - 8x10 in size, at least 300-400 pages, X-Acto knife, 4 bulldog/binding clips 3" capacity or more, any personal treasures your may want to add to your piece. If you have the perfect vintage photo you would like to give center stage, bring it, although one will be provided.
Fabric Art Adornments
Rebecca Sower
Wear your art on your arm. In this workshop, I will demonstrate several hand-stitching and style techniques for creating beautiful textile fabric bracelets. Then you will be given the time and materials to create two of your very own in your style (a gift for yourself and a gift for a friend!).
Plenty of materials will be provided for you in this class, but please feel free to bring your own trinkets and treasures to work into your projects. Basic hand-stitching experience is highly recommended for this workshop. Please bring your own fabric scissors. A mini sewing kit (needles, threads, pins) isn't necessary but may make it easier for you to work at your own pace.
Prayer Collage
Rebecca Sower
The timeless and deeply meaningful Prayer of St. Francis is the foundation for this collage art workshop. Whenever we can work good words into our art, all the better! This class will include many different techniques such as hand-stitching, painting, using gel mediums, layering and composition. The end result will be a 6x12 work of art ready to display in your home. Be prepared to get a little messy in this workshop. Basic hand-stitching experience very helpful.
All materials for this class will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own trinkets and embellishments to use. A mini sewing kit (needles, threads, pins) isn't necessary but may make it easier for you to work at your own pace. Please bring a basic tool kit that includes scissors, adhesive, hole punch, charcoal pencil, etc.