Ellen was born in Markham Ontario and took to shaping three dimensional forms naturally at a young age. Considered by those who know her as a natural entrepreneur, Ellen set out on her own path as a career artist while still in high school, spending long summer weekends traveling to exhibitions. In 2007 Ellen completed her post-secondary honors degrees in Anthropology and Fine Art at McMaster University. Ever the curious soul, while working as an artist, Ellen has continued to study both art and science - most recently, through Haliburton School of the Arts and University of Guelph. She has also accumulated certifications in other areas of personal interest, including applied animal behavior modification and crisis counseling.

According to Ellen, it all informs her art; enriching the content of the unconscious narrative flow. Ellen's academic and artistic interests in biological and cultural diversity are intrinsically interwoven. Each of her sculptures is constructed using an additive technique, layered from inside to out by an accumulation of innumerable tiny components resembling microcosmic plants, animals and objects. Upon closer inspection of each sculpture the viewer may discover a frieze on which themes as familiar as domestication and as abrasive as domination fall into sharp relief.

Today her work is achieving a vibrant presence, and making notable appearances on popular websites including Colossal, Reddit, Bored Panda, Ecology Global Network, and American Crafters, in addition to increasing attention in print and television media. Ellen will be the first to tell you she is just getting started and is excited to spread her love of sculpture, ecology and the human-nature relationship to the world. In her spare moments Ellen enjoys hiking, kayaking, climbing, hunting for wild plants and mushrooms, organic gardening, upcycling salvaged items and drinking coffee.

Create Animals, Details & Complex Organic Shapes

This is a foundation lesson on how to create animals with details and complex organic shapes in polymer clay. You will learn how to set up a simple foundation, sketch the design, build an armature, make a skin, and embed additions. She will walk around and assist people individually at their own skill levels.

Lisa Pavelka is an award-winning artist, author and designer who has worked professionally for nearly three decades with mixed mediums including: polymer/metal clays, resin, wire and crystal and more. A native of Colorado and resident of Nevada, she turned from her career as a television producer/director to working as an artist. This allowed her to be a stay-at-home mom to her four children.

Lisa teaches workshops, creative cruises, and professional seminars for artists worldwide. In addition to having her own internationally distributed product line, She is a regular contributor and columnist to numerous magazines and has regularly appeared on national television (shows include: HGTV's Carol Duvall Show, DIY Network's Jewelry Making, PBS Beads, Baubles, and Jewels, Discovery Channel, and Jewelry TV, as well as internet programming). Lisa also offers free creative instruction through her website and Youtube.com.

She is one of nine Art Clay Silver Master Instructors worldwide. Lisa has served as a Swarovski Elements Ambassador and been contracted by Swarovski to teach and design projects as well as provide training in the mediums of polymer and metal clays to their design team at the headquarters in Wattens, Austria.

In addition to authoring several books and instructional DVDs, Lisa's work is frequently featured in other design books. Her 2012 project: "365 Days of Lip Service" received international attention from major corporations, news outlets and social networking sites. The blog continues to be a creative inspirational source for hobbyists and artists around the world: http://lisapavelka.typepad.com/

Lisa regularly volunteers her time as a teacher and mentor to children and adults with a belief that everyone is an artist. Her goal is to help people discover or expand their canvas(es). She also strives to support creative and fundraising events with donations of her artwork and products. More information on Lisa Pavelka is available on her website: www.lisapavelka.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest (under "Lisa Pavelka").

Lisa Pavelka's "Coil Wrapped Bezels" (Course #LP006) 3.5 Hour Class

In this class you will explore coil wrapped bezels for polymer clay. This class features making frames for free-swinging clay focal pieces. You'll create solid color or gradient overlays with openings that reveal a striped background. You will cover the techniques used for stripped loaves of polymer clay, Skinner Blends, and applications for embellishments and dimensional frames and borders. It's up to you to play and vary your results for your own personal creations.

Lisa Pavelka's "Smoosh Canes" (Make-&-Take) 30-Minute Mini Class

This class features how to make a basic cane and see variations in pattern designs. There will be samples on hand to photograph. Handouts will include basic instructions with suggestions for use of the canes along with tool variations for teaching young children.

Christi Friesen is an award-winning artist, specializing in polymer embellished with mixed media - gems, pearls, beads, fiber, found objects, artifacts, metal and more. Her work has been showcased in numerous books, magazines and exhibits. She is the author of ten how-to books on creating with polymer clay. She teaches throughout the world, using humor and positive energy to encourage students to stretch their creativity, technical skills and artistic confidence.

When she is not traveling, Christi lives with her family in California, and enjoys time in her studio creating pieces ranging from small sculptural beads and pendants to larger sculptural work, vessels and wall pieces. Christi says about her work, "I am an artist because I must be. My mind wanders and my fingers follow."

"This object d'art piece, Meandering Bloom, sums up most of the things that are important to me as an artist. It has both sophistication and a sense of humor. There is a feeling of movement and personality. It is a natural, organic design, and it uses accents and embellishments. It is one of my favorite pieces."

Christi Friesen's "Polymer Collage" (Course #CF002) 3.5 Hour Class

Explore patterns, shapes and effects with polymer and mixed media to achieve a collage style of design! In this class you will explore techniques for creating a variety of patterns, blends and designs with polymer and other media in order to create large and small compositions in a collage style. A collage style of design is very dynamic. Color, line and form take center stage to create a look that is both 2-dimensional, like a painting, and 3-dimensional, like a sculpture! You will learn blending tricks, special design techniques, caning, basic makume gane processes, color and pattern manipulation of clay, and surface treatments such as metal foils and leafs, mica and chalk powders, glitter, paints, and rubs. You will put it altogether to make a unique composition.

Christi Friesen's "Perfect Hearts" (Make-&-Take) 30-Minute Mini Class

Let's make hearts! They're fun, easy and colorful. They can be sweet or edgy, lacy or steampunk. This Make-&-Take project will familiarize you with polymer techniques in both sculptural and decorative areas. We will use accents like beads, pearls and metal inclusions. We will add powders and crystals. We will use molds, stamps and textures. How many can you make?

Donna Greenberg is a classically trained fine artist who has been creating art since receiving a BFA from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY, in 1974. Her background is multidisciplinary, with explorations in printmaking, ceramics, painting, decorative finishes and murals, and more recently, polymer clay. Donna started her art career in ceramics as a studio potter in NYC and her sculptural porcelain and stoneware vessels were represented in fine craft galleries in the US. She also taught ceramics in her private studio and The Centerline School.

Donna's career took a new turn in the early 1980's when she discovered the art of mural painting and decorative finishes. The nature of this work allowed her to expand her ideas to a larger scale. She formed Patina Painted Finishes and Murals, a company of artists that created contemporary and scenic murals for corporations, private residences, libraries, schools, churches and restaurants. Over the course of 25 years, Donna's original mural designs have been featured in design publications, and she has taught and trained many artists in the art of faux finishing.

In 2006 her mural work was sidelined by knee surgery, which lead to an unexpected discovery of polymer clay. Working 3 dimensionally again, Donna was able to resurrect her ceramic muse and began to develop a biomorphic style of working with polymer and she formed Donna Greenberg Arts. Her organic process lead to the distinctive designs in jewelry and objet d'art which have become her signature style. Donna pushes the limits of what polymer can do and has developed many original techniques to satisfy her vision. Some of her jewelry has been seen in fashion magazines and on the runway at Fashion Week in NYC and many of her sculptural pieces have been shown at fine craft galleries and the RAM museum show, (IN)ORGANIC in Racine, Wisconsin. Donna is also a contributing writer for various fine craft magazines and an educator in the art of polymer clay, painting and drawing and maintains a studio in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Donna Greenberg's "Coral Reef" (Course #DG003) 3.5 Hour Class

This class will focus on the creating of a small coral reef style sculpture, suitable for table or wall hanging. A large variety of hand sculpting techniques will be taught as well as the use of metal shape cutters and small hollow forms to create coral like structures. You will also learn how to incorporate other materials such as sea pebbles, shells and glass to bring more textural interest to the piece. After sculpting the Coral Reef, you will then learn how to properly apply washes of acrylic paint colors and metallic powders to add more depth and dimension to the finished piece. The emphasis will be on each student creating a unique, one-of-a-kind piece.

Donna Greenberg's "Ladybug Leaf" (Make-&-Take) 30-Minute Mini Class

Students will be taught simple cut and fold leaf shape with incised vein details. A small ladybug will be hand formed from a small ball of red colored clay with black head and dots and applied to the leaf. A hole can be added at the top of the leaf for a necklace if desired.

Phiona Richards is an award-winning paper artist and book sculptor. Her work is directly linked to the 'Make do and Mend' ethos where people's belongings were either given a new lease of life or repaired. Phiona takes inspiration from historical costume especially from the Victorian and Tudor Eras and the repetitive domestic chores that women used to perform.

Traditional techniques such as crochet, lace tatting, needlework, kumihimo cording, pricking, origami and paper filigree are employed to create her interactive and textural book sculptures and jewelry pieces. Phiona has appeared on Channel Four alongside Kirstie Allsopp on the Channel Four show 'Kirstie's Handmade in Britain'. Apart from workshops, Phiona exhibits regularly throughout the year both nationally and internationally, and sells her work through galleries and online shops.

Phiona Richard's "Organic Repose Orb" (Course #PR010) 3.5 Hour Class

In this paper folding class, you will create a sculptural orb like the ones used by Phiona in her necklaces. You will learn the basefold, square base, how to laminate pages, how to prepare circles either by using templates or special tools, how to attach the sections together, how to knot the Chinese cord and/or attach a bead, and how to make a tassel and loop for hanging. Come and discover the beauty of working with multiples and leave with a finished hanging orb!

Phiona Richard's "Star Books" (Make-&-Take) 30-Minute Mini Class

In this mini project, you will make a collapsible Star Book. These mini books display sculptural properties that are created by using paper folded multiples to create a completed star book.

Monica Resta was born in Panama and she grew up in a creative family. She got in touch with polymer clay when she was a little girl. It was about 1958 and she was living in Buenos Aires when an aunt gave her the first most important present she ever received: Polymer Clay. The clay was produced by an artisan, Mr. Sorensen, who received the formula from a German friend about 1950. Monica, during the military dictatorship, emigrated to Florence, Italy, where she studied Graphic Arts in the Istituto d'Arte of Florence.

About 1976, Monica was looking for polymer clay in order to use it with children, but there was no polymer clay in Italy. So she asked her mother, who lived in Buenos Aires, to send her some pieces. But when Mia, her mother, went to the craft shop, they told her that they didn't produce it any more. She was addressed to Mr. Sorensen, and after some time Sorensen and Mia Resta began a new production of polymer clay naming it "Fantiplast."

Monica got the formula and she began producing polymer clay in Italy until 1983. In 1992 her mother gave her the second most important gift she ever received: Nan Roche's polymer clay book "The New Clay." In those years Monica was a teacher in a School of Art. Then, she introduced polymer clay in the school and organized a quarterly course focusing on polymer clay techniques.

In 1999, living in Italy, she published her first book edited by RCS (Rizzoli Corriere della Sera) and it was translated into Spanish and English. For eight years she collaborated with RCS publishing many other polymer clay books and heading the RCS craft website. Even now Monica is still teaching, and every Sunday she publishes a new video tutorial on her YouTube channel Moclay.

Monica Resta's "Lily Flower Pendant" (Course #MR009) 3.5 Hour Class

In this class you will create a polymer clay lily flower pendant. This is a very versatile technique that will inspire you to develop new ideas of your own. Using a recycled CD, you will make a pendant necklace that resembles faux stained glass.

Monica Resta's "Daisy Flower Earrings" (Make-&-Take) 30-Minute Mini Class

In this class you will make a pair of daisy flower earrings. This is a very versatile technique that will inspire you to develop new ideas of your own. Using a recycled CD, you will make a pair of earrings that resembles faux stained glass.

As a child growing up in Pennsylvania, Angelo Ciotti was fascinated by the large spoil dumps (abandoned coal mine refuse) that dotted the landscape. These massive mounds of unearthed volcanic-looking rock made a sharp contrast to nearby lush, green valleys. This picture of nature, laid waste by the careless, formed an indelible mark on him and became the impetus for his imagination.

During ten years of study and travel throughout Europe and North Africa, Angelo encountered cultural attitudes toward the earth that differed greatly from his childhood observations. In other parts of the world the earth was valued in a spiritual sense, not merely in an economic one that often led to exploitation. Primitive structures such as Stonehenge, stupa and burial mounds seemed to speak of this deeper value. Even the Italian format gardens gave voice to a spirit of life that is earth.

Angelo has been teaching at the college level since 1970. During this time he found it more valuable to see art as an active means for change than as a technique to be learned. In 1972, he began work on a surface mine that had been abandoned for thirteen years and had become desolate through the relentless erosion of silt. Through the simple placement of rock earth-works, the flow of silt was stopped; soon enough topsoil was accumulated to support vegetation. Today vegetation has spread over the six acres.

He has continued these environmental reclamation projects throughout the years. Each of his works embodies concepts crucial to farming, construction, leisure, activities, and for the preservation and enjoyment of wildlife. Each piece is a monument that offers itself not as the art of a museum, but rather the object of a pilgrimage. Art is, in the final analysis, an art of ethics; he is most concerned about the relationship of humanity to the earth.

Christy Sherman is an unrepentant polymer clay addict and artist. It all started with a polymer sample pack soon after college and now more than fifteen years later, the fascination is still the same. Her primary focus is sculpting wildlife in relief, but dragons and fantasy creatures have been known to creep onto her work table and cause a bit of mischief. She loves ancient looking surfaces, faux techniques, texture, and the wonderful iridescence of mica powders. Her sculptures are highly tactile, with the marks of her fingers clearly visible.

She is a recent participant in the Assets for Artists program, which included professional development for entrepreneurial artists and a grant. One of her owl relief sculptures took the Gold Medal award in the wall art category in the 2014 Fire Mountain Creative Clays contest. Her sculptures have been exhibited in shows at the Wickford Art Association in Rhode Island, the Mystic Arts Center in Connecticut, and in the Celebration of Birds show at the MAC650 gallery. Her work has also been featured in back cover magazine ads and a national catalog, as well as Bead & Button magazine. She has published polymer technique articles in Polymer Cafe magazine and on PcPolyzine, and Polymer Clay Central.

Christy is a member of the Southern Connecticut Polymer Clay Guild, the Mystic Arts Center, the Newport Art Museum, and the Wickford Art Association. She teaches polymer clay workshops on sculpting and general polymer clay techniques to both adults and children, from beginners who have never touched clay to experienced polymer artists. Christy lives in rural Richmond, Rhode Island, where the natural surroundings and wildlife (including some flying squirrels that she had to relocate from her attic) provide a rich source of inspiration.

Christy Sherman’s “Dragon Relief Sculpture” (Course #CS011) 3.5 Hour Class

In this class you will learn how to sculpture dragons in relief to make a piece of art. Enter the world of fantasy and Game of Thrones with this dragon relief sculptured project. Using a drawing of a dragon as inspiration and as a template, you will sculpt your dragon on a plaque for a wall hanging, a journal cover embellishment, or any other creative purpose for your finished piece. Using paints and mica powders, you will make your dragon iridescent.

Christy Sherman’s “Eggstraordinary” (Make-&-Take) 30-Minute Mini Class

In this class you will make an Eggstraordinary Fantasy Pendant. You will freehand sculpt a baby dragon, with the help of reference images. You can use these resources or just follow your imagination and see where it goes!

Sarwar Mushtaq is a writer, filmmaker and storyteller. As CEO of Eckova Productions he directs and produces documentary works focused on the human condition, especially poverty, children, and women. As a teacher and mentor he has worked in institutions in various countries and has served as the head of the Film Department of the University of Karachi for four years. His films have been commissioned and/or funded by the likes of The Asia Foundation, Australian Aid, USAID, DFID, WWF, IUCN, UN, ISPR and others.

He continues to work extensively with children in Ghana, Kenya, Haiti, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and others, using and reintroducing play and creative activities into the lives of children facing life challenges due to war, displacement, HIV, and natural disasters, with an emphasis on drawing, painting, singing, dance, storytelling, traditional games and creating bridges between the very old and the very young. All activities and transformations are documented through film and sound.

Sarwar consults for several nonprofit organizations on media and technology and also sits on the board of a few choice human service and development organizations and is an active participant in initiatives related to water, poverty, education and children.

Jane Cook is an artist, teacher, and designer who works in mixed mediums of polymer clay, precious metal clay, wire, metal, and found objects. She designs jewelry, sculptural books, and handmade flutes. She is a Missourian, wife, mother of 2, and Mima of 5 amazing grandchildren.

She has enjoyed teaching in the Public School System, working as a full-time artist, developing, owning, and running a bookstore & coffee shop for 10 years, and has since moved into working full-time as an artist once again motivated by a desire to encourage women to discover their creativity. She is also especially interested in developing programs, projects, and/or micro-finance opportunities for women in 3rd world countries. She has spent time with the women in the Iris Art Program at Iris Global in Pemba, Mozambique to help them develop their artistic skills and design. A percentage of all her artwork and jewelry sold is used to support these creative projects.

Jane also teaches workshops for adults and children and leads artistic retreats. She loves to encourage others to develop and enjoy their creativity with the firm belief that every single person, created in the image of the Creator, is indeed creative!

Jane Cook’s “Bead Extravaganza” (Course #JC001) 3.5 Hour Class

This bead-making intensive class is designed to introduce the ancient glassworking technique of canework applied to polymer clay and to inspire creativity to flow from these basic fascinating techniques. Students will be building 3 dimensional designs with polymer clay in which the design seen in the cross-section runs the length of the cane. Some of the techniques will include the Skinner Blend, bull’s eyes, stripes, flowers, spirals, inserts, the Stroppel technique, a fiber-Ikat, woven, and collage. These designs will be made into a “Sample” Necklace for you to enjoy and to refer to. The “mystery” of the ancient glassworkers is revealed, and the door is open for you to take these techniques and use them to make more complex canes and designs to create whatever your heart and mind desires!

Jane Cook’s “Stack Ring” (Make-&-Take) 30-Minute Mini Class

This “Make N’ Take” activity will springboard you into all kinds of creative ideas. Some basic polymer clay techniques including texturing, inclusions, and antiquing will be demonstrated, as well as a simple ammonite cane. Lots of bits and pieces and parts will be ready for you to assemble your own wire Stack ring!

Sta-C discovered metalsmithing and jewelry creation in the mountains of Georgia at a lapidary school called William Holland. Although she loved faceting and shaping stones, she felt drawn to learn all she could about metalsmithing and spent the next few years learning skills. The lure of glittering gemstones and unique semi-precious stones is irresistible to Sta-C. Each one is unique and has its own personality. She loves to bring out the natural beauty of each stone and often keeps the setting simple so that the stone is the star. She uses the metal to focus the eye on the stone, often blending silver with brass and copper. You will see a Celtic influence in many of her pieces. She imparts her mixed metal pieces with a relaxed and weathered quality.

Sta-C chooses to work in metal because of its wonderful malleability and sense of permanence. To see it transformed from a flat sheet into a curved ring or pendant is a journey of joy. Her pieces can be passed down from generation to generation. She is always looking for new methods, designs and unusual techniques, while maintaining a classic foundation. Each piece is designed to bring happiness and joy to the wearer!

Sta-C Peterson’s “Wish Basket Pendant” (Course #SP008) 3.5 Hour Class

In this class you will create a little wire Wish-Basket. Your basket is designed to hold a little ‘wish’ charm. You can tuck your wishes into the basket and wear it as a pendant to keep your dreams close to your heart. You will learn basic wire working skills as you create this little pendant. If you have glasses for working up close, please bring them along. Expect to have fun, laugh, and make something truly unique!

Pat firmly believes that her art cannot be taken seriously. After all, anyone can poke a pile of fluffy wool with a specially notched needle and create jewelry, sculpture and more! Teaching all around the country and internationally, she opens up a whole new world of imagination and fun with the use of fiber, color and new needle felters. She also adds some innovative techniques and tips for seasoned felters. Specializing in jewelry and sculpture, Pat adds special tidbits to her creations that she incorporates from her work in glass, clay, metals and other media.

Teaching at the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee, Bead Fest Philadelphia, and To Bead True Blue at the Tucson Gem Show has afforded Pat the opportunity to introduce needle felting to bead and jewelry lovers from all over the world. She also exhibits and demonstrates at major fiber shows on the East coast.

After moving from New England to a lovely little farm in northeast Tennessee, she built a spacious art studio where she teaches, creates, and writes books and articles about her passion. Throw in a few miniature fiber sheep and goats, a handful of chickens and flower gardens for inspiration, and it’s a perfect environment to write books and design new kits and products for needle felters of all ages and abilities!

Pat Pawlowicz’s “Whimsical Garden” (Course #PP007) 3.5 Hour Class

Who knew you could have so much fun and create fabulous needle felted beads with such ease?! You’ll be shown how quick it is to learn different techniques for making any shape of beads that you want. You\\\'ll talk about ideas for embellishment with beads, sequins and wool, and how to turn your handmade beads into a jewelry masterpiece! There will be an introduction to the art of Needle Felting, how to correctly and safely create beads in many shapes, and samples to view of what you will be making. You will finish up by showing how to use these felted beads to make necklaces and bracelets and how to incorporate other types of beads to make unique jewelry.

Pat Pawlowicz’s “Felted Flowers” (Make-&-Take) 30-Minute Mini Class

This class is Needle Felted Flowers and Leaves using Shapers. This will be a quick introduction to needle felting, explaining how wool and the specially notched needle combine to create felt, and how to use the foam board correctly and safely.