Klakulak focuses her instruction on material, process, technique, and craftsmanship; followed by design using the elements and principles in order to convey personal aesthetics and concepts. The following courses could be taught independently or integrated depending on the facilities and equipment available, number of participants and budget for materials. Material packets, resource information and slides of historical/contemporary processes and works will be provided. Please contact Lisa Klakulak to discuss the possibilities and to develop a workshop specific to your institution and its patrons.
FELTING TECHNIQUES FOR 2-D TEXTILES
This class provides an understanding of the felting process through basic methods for felting fabric. A variety of techniques may be explored: color theory for blending fleeces, partial felt piecing, felted appliqué and reverse appliqué for detailed patterning and imagery, 3-D attachments, fused felting, needle felting, free-motion machine embroidery, hand stitching and beading. Wall pieces, body textiles and fabrics to be utilized in soft sculpture may be explored.
FELTING TECHNIQUES FOR 3-D VESSELS
This class provides an understanding of the felting process through the two basic methods for creating three-dimensional hollow felt forms, flat resist and form resist. A variety of techniques may be explored: color theory for blending fleeces, felted appliqué and reverse appliqué for detailed patterning and imagery, 3-D attachments, fused felting, hand sculpting through fulling, needle felting, free-motion machine embroidery, stiffening, hand stitching and beading. Wearables, accessories and sculpture may be explored.
EMBELLISHING FELT
This class provides an understanding of the felting process through the initial creation of a thin and thick canvas of felt. The course’s focus, however, is the exploration of a variety of additive embellishment techniques such as free-motion machine embroidery, appliqué, needle felting, hand stitching and beading. A sampler of techniques and combinations of techniques to be referenced in future works is the goal, although fabrics may be finished compositions or cut and pieced for 2-D and 3-D works.
SOLID FORM FELTING TECHNIQUES FOR JEWELRY
This class provides an understanding of the felting process through solid form felting. A variety of techniques may be explored: color theory for blending fleeces, felted appliqué and reverse appliqué for detailed patterning and imagery, 3-D attachments, fused felting, needle felting, free-motion machine embroidery, hand stitching and beading. Felted buttons, beads, pendants, ropes, cuffs, clasps and forms of all sizes and shapes may be explored.
FOUNDATIONS FOR USING NATURAL DYES
This class explores the chemistry and color theory of dyeing natural fibers with the full spectrum of colors available from nature. This course may focus on submersion dyeing solid colors on fleece, yarns and fabrics, employing mechanical resists to fabrics, and/or surface application with natural dye extracts and mordants.
INDIGO BLUE AND OVERDYEING COLORS WITH INDIGO
This class explores the basic chemistry of the indigo pot and how one can easily create an indigo vat at home. The chemistry of mordanting will also be explained, so that additional colors may be dyed and then overdyed with indigo to create a broad spectrum of colors.
FOUNDATIONS FOR OFF-LOOM BEAD WEAVING
This class provides instruction for a variety of beading stitches that could be employed to create beaded jewelry and sculpture as well as to embellish the edges and surfaces of fabrics.