Eco-Art Classes Start Next Week!

Announcing After School Eco-Art classes starting the week of 4/19! Vallecito, Coleman and Glenwood Elementary Schools!

Eco-Art ~ This class series will focus on reclaiming and transforming found and recyclable materials and giving them new life. This will be a project based class with an experiential tone. Using plastics, cardboard, wood, corks, glass and other materials that may be bound for landfill or our oceans, students will work on art projects with a bit of a functional thrust.The creative possibilities are endless!

During class, Nikki will touch upon environmental concerns helping students build up their environmental awareness as they work on their projects made from 'trash. Materials provided, but occasionally students will be asked to bring in materials to add to the collection. Healthy snacks provided.

Returning students welcome. I have lots of new projects and materials. Sign up below by clicking on the add links!

Hide Courses

Course	Barcode	Days	Times	Dates	Complex	Classes	Avail.
Eco-Art View Details	24890	Tue	2:35PM - 4:00PM	04-19-2016 - 05-24-2016	Art Room Vallecito School	6	11	Add
Eco-Art View Details	24892	Wed	1:40PM - 3:00PM	04-20-2016 - 05-25-2016	Multi-Purpose Room Coleman Elementary School	6	8	Add
Eco-Art View Details	24891	Thu	3:15PM - 4:45PM	04-21-2016 - 05-26-2016	Art/Science Room Glenwood Elementary School	6	10	Add

After School Jewelry Classes Start Next Week!!

After School Jewelry classes starting next week at Vallecito, Coleman and Glenwood Elementary Schools!
 It is time to get some bling going, some flair to bedazzle and learn some awesome jewelry making skills! Read on to get more info! Also, to see some of the amazing glass work from students this past session scroll to bottom of the page!

cork bracelet

I have tons of beads- new and vintage and all sorts of materials that the class can use to make wearable art. Students will learn some wire skills, works with tools and also make many of their own beads and creations to make into jewelry. Schedule is posted at bottom of page.
Every week in this 4 week session we will focus on different projects and types of materials. We will do a little bit of glass fusing to make some beads but the focus of theses sessions is to experiment with all sorts of materials to make wearable art. Students will come away with lots of cool pieces that they will enjoy wearing and sharing and giving to their friends and family.

anklet

earrings and key chain

girl scout jewelry party

cork necklace and earrings

Below I have posted the schedule as it appears in the City of San Rafael Website. Click on the links to sign up. There are a few spaces spaces left.
 Jewelry Making with Nikki  -

Ages: 7 Yrs. to 12 Yrs. 
Fees:
- course fee $155.00
- course fee n/r $170.00

In this creative and fun class, students will use traditional and non-traditional materials and methods to create their own jewelry. The class will be making some of their own beads from fused glass and upcycled treasures and will also have lots of beautiful new and vintage beads to choose from to create thier own customized jewelry masterpieces! Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pins and more. Students will be making unique works of wearable art to wear and share with their family and friends. ALL materials are included in this class and healthy snacks are provided. INSTRUCTOR: Nikki Contini.

Course	Barcode	Days	Times	Dates	Complex	Classes	Avail.
Jewelry Making with Nikki View Details	24950	Tue	2:35PM - 4:00PM	03-08-2016 - 03-29-2016	Art Room Vallecito School	4	8	Add
Jewelry Making with Nikki View Details	24869	Wed	1:40PM - 3:00PM	03-09-2016 - 04-06-2016	Multi-Purpose Room Coleman Elementary School	4	11	Add
Jewelry Making with Nikki View Details	24895	Thu	3:15PM - 4:45PM	03-10-2016 - 04-07-2016	Art/Science Room Glenwood Elementary School	4	10	Add

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Reflecting on the past few weeks...photos and thoughts...

 What a super charged creative 6 weeks of glass fusing it has been. I will miss my glass classes but I am ready to switch things up! Teaching 3 classes a week with a total of 27 students has had me so busy! My big old kiln has seen a lot of action.  Nothing beats opening up the kiln and seeing how my students pieces have turned out, maybe my back is not so happy, but I have been. Check out some student work below!

someone has become a glass cutting expert!

earrings by students 

I have also been inspired to create more time to get some of my own work into the kiln. Not always easy to do when teaching. However, I need to make things!To get lost (and found :-)) in a little project that makes me hum. Lets not ever get too busy or stressed where we can't do what we love, do things that feed the soul. Things start to happen...like excessive procrastination, crankiness (or worse), when we deny ourselves! I know ya' all know what I am talking about!  I think it can be truly challenging to make time for oneself on top of everything else. It is not that we don't want to do 'everything else' or be with our loved ones but if we put ourselves at the bottom of the list, then the well tends to dry up and and then we wonder why we are so worn out! For me, maintaining a healthy balance in life is a constant exercise. It takes some vigilance and intentional conscious planning and understanding from loved ones to make sure that we don't get so caught up in the busy world,  that we literally lose ourselves. Make and take some time for yourself, that is all I am saying! I know we have all heard this before but... why not hear it again- I know I need to!

Hooray- my bowl turned out!

To sign up for after school classes:  https://eplay.livelifelocally.com/Activities/ActivitiesAdvSearch.asp

Also....don't forget that I also book art parties- birthdays, ladies night, girl scouts, art camps etc... glass, jewelry and eco art!! just give me call or email me directly!

After School Fused Glass Classes Start Next Week!! (1/12)

Happy New Year Everyone!! Best wishes for a stellar new year filled with peace, joy and lots of space for creative endeavors!

student holiday ornaments

student bowl

student jewelry

I am Happy to announce that the winter sessions of Glass Fusing Classes are beginning next week!  In this class, your child will learn the unique craft of fusing and make incredible creations. 
(view previous posts/pages to see more wonderful art work students can make!)
Learning to work with glass is a wonderful (and useful) skill to develop. Returning students are welcome. Come build on your new found glass cutting skills and explore new designs and dimensions in glass. Healthy snacks provided.
The schedule is posted below- Click on the add button to sign up (via City of San Rafael) Grades 2nd-5th

Vallecito Elementary:

Fusing Fun Art! View Details

24870

Tue

2:35PM - 4:00PM

01-12-2016 - 02-23-2016

Art Room Vallecito School

6

10

Add

Coleman Elementary:

Fusing Fun Art View Details

24872

Wed

1:40PM - 3:00PM

01-13-2016 - 02-24-2016

Multi-Purpose Room Coleman Elementary School

6

11

Add

Glenwood Elementary:

Fusing Fun Art! View Details

24871

Thu

3:15PM - 4:45PM

01-14-2016 - 02-25-2016

Art/Science Room Glenwood Elementary School

6

7

Ad

I love to work with glass but I also like to switch things up! So...following the winter sessions of Glass Fusing- look out for jewelry making and Eco art. Both super fun, creative classes that rely heavily upon up-cycled materials and 'trash' to treasure. Students are excited in these classes to transform discarded materials into fantastic creations. Raising environmental awareness through art is a beautiful thing! 

plastic caps on vintage mirror cabinet

  Jewelry classes begin the week of 3/8 and eco art classes begin the week of 4/19. I will post the schedule closer to the date. You can also find a description of the classes on San Rafael Website  https://eplay.livelifelocally.com/Activities/ActivitiesAdvSearch.asp

Lastly... in case you did not know....the studio is OPEN! I have been booking glass and eco-art parties at my home studio and I also can come to you! I hold events for both adult and child parties. Birthdays, girl scouts,  holidays, fundraisers, ladies night etc. Want to do something fun and unique with your buddies or for your child...book an Art Party! Check out my workshops page for more info. Remeber, I also pack by supplies and can bring the fun to you.

FUSED GLASS ORNAMENT WORKSHOP THIS SATURDAY!

I wanted to let you know about a great fused glass ornament workshop I am doing this Saturday! This is a workshop geared towards families! In case you are not familiar with who I am, my name is Nikki Contini and I teach after school art classes through the city of San Rafael at Coleman, Glenwood and Vallecito  elementary schools. I primarily teach fused glass (kiln formed glass), Eco Art and Jewlery throughout the year. I also book art parties for birthdays, girl/boy scouts, ladies night etc.. 

Many of my students and parents have expressed interest in doing something fun and creative with glass for the holidays. I am happy to have the opportunity to list this class! I know this is short notice...but it is going to be a rainy weekend, come out of the house with the kids and join in the fun this Saturday!  The  Glass Ornament making workshop is from 10:30 to 12:30 in Larkspur.  As I mentioned before, this is a special workshop geared towards families. Get your holiday cheer on! I will have light holiday treats as well.

 All the information is printed here on this page, with a link to sign up as well.  Do something creative and unique with your family this season! Make one of a kind ornaments- great for gifts and for your own tree! Read below to get all the information!! Hope to see you there!


Larkspur Recreation
This fun workshop will focus on making fused glass ornaments for the holidays. Perfect for a Mom and daughter outing or a family holiday experience of any combination! Try something new and creative- This is great introduction to the art of kiln formed glass. All attendees will learn the process of cutting and layering glass to make unique ornaments which will then be fired in the kiln. No experience necessary. Light holiday snacks will be offered. Projects can be picked up the following week. Come get your holiday cheer on! Fee covers Parent and Child Pair as well as materials.

Fee Type Residency Restriction Membership Restrictions Amount Parent and Child -None- N $80.00 Additional Child -None- N $40.00

student work (pre-fired ornaments)

Schedule

Date Day Start Time End Time Facility 12/12/2015 Saturday 10:30 AM 12:30 PM Community Room . For those of you who are not familiar with glass fusing, this is a beautiful ancient craft to explore. Students create unique handcrafted glass master pieces. Jewelry, dishes, bowls, mirrors, wall art, vases, sculpture, magnets, ornaments, nightlights etc.... there are so many possibilities! Please look at past posts and other pages on my blog to get more information and see lots of great pictures.  student work- winter landscape --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- student work- boat with people Other great news!! I am happy to announce that the fused glass platter made by my students at Vallecito Elementary school (earlier this year) sold yesterday!! This was a collaborative effort by the students. The $125 sale will go directly to a charity for Nepal. Given the tragic circumstances that the Nepal Earthquake has caused, our class decided to focus on Nepal. I found a wonderful registered non-profit -based in Nepal- NEPAL FREED,  and they are also partnered with the non-profit Cross Cultural Journeys based in Northern California and are doing great work to help communities in Nepal. They are focused on children and education and also do much, much more. Click on the link for more information.  Art for Nepal- Glass Platter made by students! Sold!$125- goes to  the charity. ----------------Classes will resume after winter break.- I will post schedule soon. Can't wait to get fusing or make some special eco art or jewelry? BOOK A WORKSHOP OR PARTY WITH ME!  HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE PEACE ON EARTH