Classes

Jun 13th, 2010 Posted in | Comments Off

These are some of the classes that I teach.  Although, I teach primarily at the Textile Center in Minneapolis, I am willing to teach just about anywhere from shops to 4H barns.  If you are interested, just send me an email at beckarahn{at}gmail.com.

TECHNOLOGY

Opening an Etsy Shop
Etsy.com is an online marketplace for handmade goods. Come take a guided tour from seller and etsy advocate Becka Rahn, of how an etsy shop works, what it takes to have your own online shop, and the advantages and disadvantages of selling your work through Etsy. Get a sneak peak behind the scenes at how everything works before you jump in and open your own shop. (2-3 hours)

Etsy: Hands On
(aka Etsy Advanced)
Have you had an intro to Etsy and now you want more? This is a hands-on session to help you spruce up your shop for the new year. Bring your laptop and we will go step-by-step through listing a new item in your shop. Then we will get together as a group for feedback on your new listing, general shop “look” and policies. Lots of time for one-on-one and help from your peers. Homework required before class, list provided. (2-4 hours)

Photographing Small Objects
The right lighting and background can help you get great photos of your small works of art. In this hands-on seminar, we will set up and practice photographing small art objects (less than 12 in) using several different light settings. Learn to set up some simple and inexpensive light box options to get you started with a “studio” of your own. You may bring one art piece to photograph (optional) and your digital camera in good working order, along with its instruction manual. (2-3 hours)

Digital File to Fabric
Brand new online services (like Spoonflower.com and Fabric on Demand) allow you to digitally print small amounts of yardage using your designs on a variety of different fabrics. You create the digital file, they print it on fabric and ship it to you! Join Becka for a tour of her fabric experiments, experiences, resources, see swatches and learn how you can get started with printing your own fabrics. Bring your laptop for a hands-on session setting up a simple file that is ready to upload.  There is a small amount of homework before class. (3 hours)

What’s up with Blogs?
Blogs or weblogs are often used as an online diary or journal, but they can do so much more! Use a blog as journal of your work in progress, a portfolio of finished pieces, an online newsletter, a marketing tool and more. Learn what a blog is all about, see step by step how to set up a blog of your own and start connecting to the fiber art blogging community. (2-3 hours)

FIBER ART

Intro to Shibori
Shibori is the ancient Japanese art of resist dyeing.  It’s a more sophisticated form of “tie dye” – using folding, wrapping, tying, clamping or stitching to create patterns on your fabric.  In this workshop, we will work with both cotton and silk fabric and learn more than a half a dozen traditional patterns – from itajime (polkadots) to arashi (tiger stripes) –  and experiment and combine to make new ones.  Leave class with two silk scarves and many samples of cotton yardage that you can use for other projects. (3-6 hours)

Kitchen Science Surface Design
Low tech and inexpensive dye techniques that you can do with everyday materials and a little expertise.  Learn techniques for working with koolaid on protein fibers, marbling with shaving cream, stencils from freezer paper, microwave steam and sun setting with silk, glue and crayon batik, and more.  Make many small samples and learn dozens of ideas for designing your fabric without breaking the bank. (3-6 hours)
Creative Saturation: Intro to Fiber Reactive Dyes
The basics of working with fiber reactive dyes (also known as procion or MX dyes) on cotton and silk fabrics.  Learn formulas and color mixing, dye safety, why and when to use supplemental chemicals to acheive your desired results, and a little about embracing the unexpected.  We will dye samples of cotton and silk using a variety of techniques for applying the dyes (shibori, low and high immersion, painting and more) to get different effects.  (6-12 hours)

Wild & Wooly: Wet and Dry Felting

Transform fluffy wool fiber in to thick soft fabric.  This class is an introduction to both wet and dry felting.  Start by learning wet felting, using soap and water to transform your fibers to fabric.  We will create a collection of beads and felted “sushi” – great for fiber jewelry and embellishing other projects.  In the afternoon, we will move on to needle felting or dry felting, learning to create three dimensional flowers or animals entirely from wool.  We will finish up with adding needle felted applique embellishments to other wool fabrics. (6 hrs)
Felted Wool Snowmen
Start with fluffy white wool and end with a little snowman sure to make you smile. In this class, you
will make felted wool beads and learn the basics of soap-and-water felting. Then follow your favorite recipe to make the perfect snowman – shiny black eyes, carrot nose and fuzzy scarf included! Great for holiday decorations. Take home a finished
snowman or two from this fun and easy class. Ages 9 and up. (2-3 hours)

Stitch Stitch Revolution
From tea towels to crazy quilts and embellished jeans to jewelry – you can use embroidery anywhere!  We begin with the basics and go on to fancy embroidery stitches – back stitch, lazy daisies, feather stitch, the infamous French knot and more.  Get tips for free-form embroidery, transferring patterns and working on challenging fabrics.  Finally add a little glitz by incorporating beads into your stitches and working with ribbons and trims. (3-6 hours)

Ornamental
Handmade holiday ornaments are my favorite projects of all.  Learn to embroider a shimmery snowflake, monogram a bauble, make sweet “peppermint” candies and more from scraps of felt, beads and ribbons.  Make several ornaments that will bring a smile to your face every year when you hang them on your tree or with your holiday decorations.  Ages 10 and up welcome. (3-6 hours)

Intro to Everything: My specialty
I have also taught beginner classes in needle tatting, lane stitch bead embroidery, kumihimo, beginning sewing (make a tote bag, make pajama pants), teacher trainings, classes for kids of all ages.  I have taught and coordinated school residencies with students of all ages and abilities.  If you have an idea, just ask!

Teaching Resume (in brief)

  • Textile Center, Minneapolis MN
  • Sun Valley Center for the Arts, Sun Valley ID
  • Shepherd’s Harvest Festival, Lake Elmo MN
  • Arts for All (St Paul Public Schools) Conference, St Paul, MN
  • Art Educators of MN State Conference, Minneapolis/Rochester, MN
  • MRAC (Metro Regional Arts Council), Minneapolis MN
  • International Textile Conference (Surface Design Association Conference) 2011, Minneapolis, MN

Publications

  • “One Yard Wonders”, Storey Publishing 2009, contributor
  • 1000 Fabulous Knit Hats, Quarry Publishing, 2010, contributor
  • “One Yard Wonders: Fabric Extravaganza”, Storey Publishing 2011, contributor

Awards
Dot.org award, Honorable Mention for Excellence in Website Design.  MN Council for Non-Profits.