Three Things Every Arts & Crafts Home Must Have

One of the best things about being an Arts & Crafts collector is that we get to live with and actually use the pieces we collect. Our home becomes a display cabinet, even if just in one or two rooms -- for now.

And every home should have in it three types of Arts & Crafts pieces: (1.) vintage antiques, (2.) works by contemporary artists and artisans, and (3.) something you have made.

Head, Heart and (our) Hand - the Arts & Crafts motto.

But sometimes we need a little help getting started, which is why each year at the Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference we offer hands-on workshops on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning before the conference officially begins. These workshops only have room for 12 to 20 people, depending on the subject matter and the size of the room, so advance registration is required -- and they do sell out fast.

Here's a brief description of this February's workshops for you to consider:

Basic Arts & Crafts Embroidery (Ann Chaves) - This class is suited for both beginners and individuals who have taken Ann's previous class. This year's project will be a hand-embroidered table runner. The kit, including all necessary materials, will be provided to each student as part of the workshop. (Friday, 8:30-3:00pm, $130.) (see top picture)

Block Printmaking (Laura Wilder) - You will carve and print two linoleum blocks to create several of your own 3” x 5” two-color note cards. Designs will be provided or you can bring your own sketch. At the end of the workshop Laura will also provide you with your own printmaking kit to take home so you can continue on your own printmaking journey long after the conference weekend has ended. (Thursday 2-5pm AND Friday 9-11:30am, $190.)

Decorating an Arts & Crafts Vase - Peg Morar will have turned a vase and will have ready for you the necessary carving tools, along with some Arts & Crafts designs. She will help you transfer one of those designs onto the surface of the vase, then you will carefully carve away the unwanted clay. Afterwards you will select a glaze and the following week Peg will fire it in her kiln before sending it to your home. (Friday 9-3pm, $150, including shipping.)

Stenciling Basics (Amy Miller) - Working with an Arts & Crafts design, you will learn the basic elements of stenciling, including beautiful blending and shading techniques that you can use on walls, fabrics or any stenciling project. You will then use this knowledge to create a lovely table linen for your home. Amy will provide an assortment of stencil materials for you to experiment with and a table linen for your workshop project. Afterwards you will keep your stencil and your finished project linen. (Friday 8:30-11am, $90.)

Decorating an Arts & Crafts Tile - Peg Morar will have waiting for you a 6" square blank clay tile, the necessary tools and some classic Arts & Crafts designs for you to select -- or you can bring your own! She will teach you how to transfer the design to the clay and how to remove the unwanted clay to reveal your design. Afterwards you will select a glaze and the following week Peg will fire it in her kiln, then mail it to you. (Thursday, 2-5pm, $90, including shipping.)

Designing Your Next Kitchen -- Karen Hovde will take the guesswork out of your next kitchen remodel. Not only will you have her expertise in color and design, but she'll be joined by experts in several other fields including cabinetry, flooring and tiles who will provide samples and expert design advice for your kitchen woes. Sure to help with your next kitchen remodel. (Friday 8:30-3pm, $150.)

Stains, Dyes & Finishes -- On Thursday afternoon Dennis Bertucci will teach you how to color your quartersawn oak frame using either stains or dyes, then you'll leave it overnight to dry. On Friday morning Dennis will show you different Arts & Crafts finishes, one of which you will then apply to your frame. After it dries, you will return to pick it up so that you can take it home to display this year's conference poster. (Thursday 2-5pm AND Friday 9-11:30am, $150.) (see lower picture)

Landscape Design -- Paul Duchscherer will discuss many of the various options you could incorporate into your landscape design that will bring the Arts & Crafts style outdoors, and he will work with you personally as you make your selections and begin planning your own Arts & Crafts yard. You will arrive with snapshots of what your yard looks like now, along with a sketch of your property to get Paul started. (Friday 8:30-11am, $90.)

For additional information, please go to http://www.arts-craftsconference.com.

To register, call our office at (828) 628-1915.

See you there!

Bruce