Paper Weaving In-Store Class Apr 15

Paper Weaving In-Store Class
Saturday, Apr 15, 1-4pm
Instructor: Janet Strickler
Limit: 7 students

Class Details

Local artist Janet Strickler calls what she does “art of the ordinary”. She likes to take things that aren’t your typical art supplies (like recyclables, reclaimed objects, and construction leftovers) and turn them into something beautiful. She recently discovered paper weaving and was drawn to it because it’s a very accessible craft. Only ordinary and minimal materials are required: an old magazine, a glue stick, and scissors. 

At its simplest, paper weaving is cutting paper into strips and weaving them together at right angles. Something interesting happens, though, when you vary the size and shape of the strips and stagger them, curve them, weave them at odd angles, or cut windows. Abstract patterns and interesting textures emerge. Including unusual and specialty papers to the mix makes paper weaving even more interesting. 

Janet teaches the basic principles in this class and shows you some tricks she’s learned to help you realize what you can do and encourage you to make it your own. She also demonstrates techniques to take the art further. She calls her classes play shops and not workshops because, rather than focusing on creating a specific piece of art, her classes are about experimentation.

Janet invites you to join her for a few hours exploring what can be done with paper, that simplest and most ubiquitous of materials. She thinks you’ll leave class looking at paper with new eyes. No art experience is necessary for the class – just an interest in joining others to play creatively!

COVID SAFETY
Masks are optional and encouraged for all students and instructors. Students will be provided their own set of tools, which are sanitized between every class session. Due to the size of our class space we are unable to practice social distancing in the classroom. The requirements for store staff and customers will follow Boulder County mask and safety mandates. Please contact twohandsclasses@gmail.com ahead of time if you have specific questions regarding class covid safety.

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