School is in Session

bottle cap magnets

Welcome Back Everybody to the school year. It seems like the summer flew by. I have enjoyed hanging out with family and friends, and besides a few getaways, I have been busy updating my studio, teaching and developing projects for both my fusing classes and my eco- arts classes. 

I haven't blogged in awhile- so please excuse this more lengthy addition. Keep on scrolling down for more news and pictures if you have a moment!

Also, check out my calendar page to get the great list of classes I am offering this fall. Basically there are 3 different locations- 

Coleman Elementary- Mondays(after school) , 

Vallecito Elementary -Tuesdays (after school) 

The Falkirk Cultural Center - Thursdays (after school -teens/tweens), Saturday morning classes for younger children and 2 workshops in December for adults. 

My calendar page has all the dates, times, course descriptions, course numbers and the link to sign up.

new fall colors plate - Nikki Contini

I had an opportunity over the summer to teach several eco- art classes to some wonderful children in their own living community. At times I had up to twenty students per workshop which was a lot of kids to work with but they were very eager and interested in the projects that I brought to them.  The mutual enthusiasm that we all had for the up-cycling projects has propelled me to continue on with teaching Eco- art classes as well as my fusing classes this fall.

I have been collecting 'trash' such as plastics, aluminum,  lids, cardboard, cork, wood scrap- almost anything that I can think that can be turned into an art project and saved from landfill and our oceans all summer.  I continue to do so. My garage is overflowing with with all my collections. It amazes me how much upcycleable 'stuff'  one family can collect in a few months. I am more aware then ever how much trash, especially  plastics, that I use and the legacy of pollution that I am a part of just by living my daily life. I am especially obsessed with plastic lids. There are so many! Thankfully, they lend themselves to numerous projects. I think of an eco- class not only building environmental awareness but also stimulating the creative juices as to how 'trash 'can be re-worked into art and other functional uses. There is lots of room for experimentation. There are also lots of amazing blogs and websites as well as Pintrist that offer great inspiration and ideas. Here are a few sites that I like to check out- www.upcyclethat.com
love2upcycle.blogspot.com   upcycleus.blogspot.com

my sample for students- coiled paper and plastic caps picture

animal banks made from plastic bottles.

Picasso inspired recycled self portrait.

 My fantastic jumbo kiln has also been getting a lot of action lately. So although, I have a new passion for eco-art, my glass fusing is in full swing. It feels good to be busy in the studio- doing my thing. ;)
If you want to book a fusing party, please contact me. Its fun, creative and unique. See my workshops page for more information. Questions? contact me!

checkerboard bowl- Nikki Contini

sample for students- mosaic plastic tops framed mirror

Fusing Fun Art: Auction items -Fused Glass, Up-cycling and What's ...

Fusing Fun Art: Auction items -Fused Glass, Up-cycling and What's ...: Auction time.... School is almost out  and summer vacation  is fast approaching which means that the Coleman International Festival is jus...

Auction items -Fused Glass, Up-cycling and What's Next?

Auction time....
School is almost out  and summer vacation  is fast approaching which means that the Coleman International Festival is just a couple of days away...this Saturday , May 31st!  I hope to see all of you there. It is the biggest fundraiser of the school year and it is also a major Fun raiser (hee hee)....There will be games, cool booths, delicious food and refreshing drinks, entertainment and many wonderful items to bid on for the school auction.
This year, my after school fused glass students at Coleman will be contributing three pieces to the auction.These pieces are collaborative works focused on facial expression and they turned out really amazing. If you get a chance, stop by and see what the fusers have been up to. Check out the images below for a sneak peak.

large face platter

mustache vases- plants not shown

Another Auction Project:
As a Coleman mom of a 5th grader, I was lucky enough to get to work on another collaborative project with some awesome parents and students in my son's 5th grade classroom for the school auction. (Mr. Jackson's class)   I really love working with kids on group projects. It is a wonderful experience to see how they work together and what they gravitate to doing. The pieces the students put together are made from almost all up-cycled materials. Plastic caps and lids, bottle caps, an old fence, scrap mirror...
Up-cycling  has become quite a movement. I love the idea of taking something that is no longer wanted or needed and giving it a new purpose. Creative, useful or both..Functional art is where its at!

            Students worked on 2 projects; an old tattered mailbox was transformed into a dazzling kaleidoscope of shapes and colors using plastic lids, caps,  mirror, old beads and a touch of paint to bring it all together.  The other piece is an amazing fish sculpture. An old wooden fence was cut into the shape of a fish and then many, many plastic lids were drilled into the wood, creating an colorful and beautiful fish. Little pieces of scrap mirror were glued into the lids to give the fish extra sparkle.
The kids really dove into these projects. Drilling was exciting and they could see the piece coming together one cap at a time.

 Did  you know it takes about 450 years for plastic to start decomposing and then another 50 to 80 years to decompose completely but we use about 20 times more plastic then we 50 years ago? Taking all those plastic lids and reinventing them into art pieces is not only a great way to keep them out of landfills and our oceans, it is also way to raise awareness in ourselves about the issue of plastic pollution and all matter of discarded materials that can be used again either as a recycled product, up-cycled or even re-used.

This project was very inspiring to me... So What Next....

Given my total enjoyment of helping to create these pieces, I have decide to lead an up-cycling class next fall at Coleman in my after school class series. This will be a project based class with an experiential tone. We will incorporate fused glass but there will be a major emphasis on using materials like plastics, bottle glass, old wood etc.. Many of the projects will be functional in some way- frames, clocks, magnets, etc..And we will do a group piece as well.

Announcement
 I am happy to announce that I will also have classes in the fall at the Falkirk Cultural Center in San Rafael (near the San Rafael library) Look for the schedule in the next catalogue. This is a new space for me and I am very excited to hold classes there.

What about this summer?
I have created space in my home 'studio' to hold workshops and classes. If you are interested in having a glass party (girls night, birthday party, creative night...) please contact me and lets get fusing!! Check out other pages in my blog for more info and give me a call! 415 846-4460

I have a graduating 5th grader, so I will be on break as a "Coleman mom" until the following year when my other son will become a Coleman Tiger. I will still be part of the community as an after school teacher this upcoming year and look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

previous group project for auction by students

sample board of up-cycled projects for student inspiration

Fusing Fun Art: New fused Glass Session starting on 3/24

Fusing Fun Art: New fused Glass Session starting on 3/24: Its time to get Fusing!!  I have a brand new kiln ready for action.  student work fired up in the new kiln! New Spring Session begins...

New fused Glass Session starting on 3/24

Its time to get Fusing!! 
I have a brand new kiln ready for action. 

student work fired up in the new kiln!

New Spring Session begins Monday 3/24
3/24- 4-28  $250 
-Class includes all materials, firings and healthy snacks. 
A collaborative project for the IF will also be included in both sessions.
2nd-5th grade

 Sign up soon- space is limited

To enroll click on to:     http://eplay.livelifelocally.com  
or call 485-3333 or 
come by the San Rafael Community Center on B Street in San Rafael

We will have even more experimentation this session as we dive into fusing recycled glass and include recyclable materials and other mixed media into our projects.    

Returning students are always welcome. Build on what you have learned and explore new design possibilities.

fused glass bracelets - Nikki Contini

To learn more about  the fused glass classes click on to previous posts. Lots of pictures and info!

my 1st workshop... how time flies!

New Fused Glass Class Session Starts Monday 1/27!!

Happy New Year!! I hope everyone had a wonderful break and holiday season.

glass pendants by Coleman Student

 I will have 2 sessions this Spring.  All classes are on Mondays in the Art room after school at Coleman.
The 1st session   1/27 - 3/3    
The 2nd session  3/24 - 4/28  
$250  per session   -Class includes all materials, firings and healthy snacks. 
A collaborative project for the IF will also be included in both sessions.
2nd-5th grade

student made pendants

During the break, I was busy getting my home studio together, learning about my new kiln and gearing up for another round of classes. I am excited about new projects and incorporating more recycled materials into class projects. So, the next session will include even more experimentation as we dive into fusing recycled glass and include recyclable materials and other mixed media into our projects.

To enroll click on to:     http://eplay.livelifelocally.com  
or call 485-3333 or 
come by the San Rafael Community Center on B Street in San Rafael
                                       
There is still room to sign up- so don't hesitate and have your child try something creative and unique. Returning students are welcome and will continue to gain mastery over scoring glass and in creating their amazing creations.

fusing party...

Last session students made some really nice presents for their friends and family and we ended with a little holiday party to celebrate all the fun we've had  in class. Check out the photos below to get a peak at what the students were up to....

tic tac toe game at the party

 The students made tic tac toe glass boards and pieces - a fun and 'functional' project that they had a lot of fun with...



                     



                  Check out these beautiful landscape plaques

                             Really cool...

hand painted wood plaques and glass landscapes

Sign your child up soon and lets get fusing!

Questions, please contact me!!