All Things Cutwork!

Workshop Description:

The Cutwork series’ accidental origins date to 2008 when, feeling uninspired while sitting at my work bench, I distractedly ran a blade through some scrap clay to see what would happen -- and instantly knew the eye-catching results could be something big. All these years later, wildly varying versions of Cutwork continue to emerge and I’m so happy to share many of them with you in this workshop!

I don’t know that there is a family of techniques with more exciting instant-gratifications-per-minute than Cutwork! It feels illegal, that much fun, and is why I want you on board when I teach New Age Bargello, Harlequin, 3D Dimensional Cutwork, Puffy Flamestitch, and Hollow Barrel Beads (aside from the Hollow Barrel Beads, I will be teaching the skills to create the listed techniques and not a finished product such as a pendant or brooch pin).

Surprisingly, there isn’t much math or counting to speak of when creating Cutwork (except New Age Bargello where there is some counting but even then, low-key counting is sufficient). This is a relief to many of us who are counting-averse. My experience in teaching these techniques to hundreds upon hundreds, from beginner to advanced, supports that sentiment. As you learn and apply specific (and easy!) cutting skills, you will see just what I mean – the process goes quickly and for every student I’ve encountered, it is ultimately intuitive.

In the Cutwork workshop you will learn how organizing your chosen colors of clay in very specific configurations will ultimately display an impressive and unique pattern with specific degress of dimensionality, clay-color dispersal, curvature, and finished size. You will also learn how a sharp, new cutting blade and a glass (or shiny tile) work surface, become a magical duo in assisting you to create jaw-dropping designs!

With this workshop you will:

•Receive 25 comprehensive handout pages with nearly 175 corresponding, detailed images. 

•Receive video links to the full Zoom workshop recording (to be sent within a week of the last day of the workshop).

•Have access to the workshop’s private Facebook Group Page where we share ideas, ask questions, view and post related images, and so much more! 

•Learn the many unique techniques, tips, and tricks which I discover and perfect through my endless research and development forays, something I find challenging and rewarding.  I love sharing with workshop attendees all I’ve learned and discovered along the way!

•Receive four of my bonus “Jana’s Essentials” videos (over two hours of innovative instruction!), each one worth the price of admission alone.  Each video covers a specific (and key) polymer clay topic and provides new ideas and solutions to help you ace that topic – and possibly solve conundrums you’ve dealt with for years.  The topics covered in the videos include:

Pasta Machines: How to properly use your pasta machine and make it work for you to produce nicely squared-off sheets of clay each and every time.  And, you will learn a nifty trick to keep those pasta machine gears from stripping…woot!   This one trick will help you to extend the life of your pasta machine – possibly indefinitely.  My old machine has been in use for 8 years now, when BNT (Before Nifty Trick :), I used to go through two a year:).

Conditioning and Leaching: Innovative ways to condition and “bring back” old, hard clay and canes, and how to speed-leach your too-soft clay.

Skinner Blends: How to create a successful Skinner blend quickly and easily, every time.  I cover blending concepts we often don’t consider and (drumroll) how to easily change or alter the colors of a completed blend…wow!

Curing:  My ‘all you need to know about of curing’ video.  This video contains new, critical, and in depth information on proper oven usage and unique curing methods which result in very durable, long lasting polymer creations (never worry again that your pieces may break after giving them away or sending them home with a happy customer!).  You will be surprised to learn how interesting the dry topic of curing can be - a that curing is the most important and critical step in clay-work!

A few things you may want to know before registering:

Workshop Skill Level:  Curiosity and a desire to learn are as important as skill level when it comes to learning. So, if you have those plus a basic knowledge of and comfort with working with polymer clay, Skinner blends, and pasta machines, you’ll do just fine. I strive very hard to explain the processes in a manner that is easily digestible for everyone and am happy to answer as many questions as are necessary for all to be comfortable with their workshop tasks. And, to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience, you will also have the exhaustive printed materials I provide, the bonus Jana's Essentials videos, access to help via the Facebook Group Page, and the ‘no pressure’ atmosphere of my workshops. Meaning, you’re covered so don’t be afraid to take the plunge!

Materials:  Most of the materials required for the workshop are typical of those you likely already have among your polymer clay supplies or in your home.  The materials (including a few less common items) and suggested outlets to purchase from, will be detailed on the Materials List which will be emailed to you by September 5, 2024.  As a sidenote, I work hard to find and suggest easy to aquire, inexpensive substitutions for many items on the Materials List, to save you from spending money unnesessarily or from having to track down hard-to-find items.

When it comes to polymer clay, I typically suggest using Kato clay for my projects, but you may use your preferred clay brand (Cernit, Premo, FIMO Professional; please no Sculpey III or FIMO Soft). Though the 2 oz. blocks of Kato clay (but not the 12.5 oz. blocks) are sadly being discontinued, it can still be purchased through Donna’s website (http://www.prairiecraft.com) or at http://munrocraft.com

Homework:  You will be given homework to complete prior to the workshop which will include watching the Jana’s Essentials videos you will be given links to, conditioning your clay, and making Skinner blends (then making them into bullseye canes and/or accordion-fold loaves). These will be detailed on the Materials List you will receive.

Facebook Group Page: If we are not friends on Facebook, you will want to “friend” me so I can send your invitation to the workshop’s Facebook Group Page (the invitation will appear in your Facebook ‘Notifications’ and will be sent a few weeks prior to the workshop). If you are not on Facebook, I will work with you to make sure you receive all pertinent information that is posted on the Group Page.

Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel, you may do so up to 4 weeks prior to the workshop and receive a full refund of the workshop cost minus bank/paypal fees. If you need to cancel 2-4 weeks prior to the workshop, 75% of your fee will be refunded, minus fees. There is no refund for cancellation within seven days of the workshop (in which case you will receive all of the handouts and images, Essentials videos, and the Zoom workshop recording). I don't want to be an ogre over cancellations, so please be in touch if you have extenuating circumstances:).

Contact me with any questions - I’d love to hear from you! Thanks much and take care, Jana

janarobertsbenzon@icloud.com or jana@janarobertsbenzon.com