CFCF 2010: Jana Roberts Benzon added and Nan Roche’s revised

BENZON "Lazer cut" Maya

JANA  ROBERTS BENZON

Jana Roberts Benzon has been officially added to the Cabin Fever Clay Fest Pre-Conference Instructor line-up.  Jana has been an instructor at CFCF in both 2008 and 2009.  She will be returning again to Cabin Fever Clay Fest 2010 as a pre-conference instructor, teaching a one day workshop on her new “laser cut” technique.  For those who have taken a workshop from Jana before, you know that she is a master at detail and technique  (photo on left is an example  – specific project may

Jana Roberts Benzon

 vary.)  A more detailed description of her workshop is coming, but in the meantime, Jana is excited to debut her “Laser Cut”  technique in this workshop!  People describe these pieces as looking ‘ancient’ or ‘Mayan’…come and learn how to use this super fun and innovative technique to create interesting work with depth, mystique and a seeming history!  Don’t miss your chance to learn from Jana while there is space available. 

 

NAN ROCHE

ROCHE-Celtic Knot Pendant

Nan has also taught at Cabin Fever Clay Fest in 2008 and 2009.  For CFCF 2010, she has decided to expand her Saturday Pre-Conference workshop to – Celtic Knotting/Braids: Explorations Using Extruded Clay.  She is very excited to teach this workshop which is new and never been taught before. 

Celtic knotting is a challenging knotting system that has been used for over 1000 years in European tribal groups for decoration of jewelry, metal objects, carvings and many other art objects. Using extruded polymer clay it is possible to recreate many of these knots to make beautiful jewelry.        

Braiding, though more familiar, can be simple or quite complex. Simple braids can be grouped for elegance. Multiple strands create round and square braids that are dimensional and complex.  Both are fascinating and beautiful.           

This class will explore both Celtic knotting and braiding using extruded polymer clay that forms cords. The techniques can be combined in unique and unusual ways. Working with polymer clay gives possibilities that fiber cording would not: the ability to shape knots and braids and fix them with baking.   

In this class we will learn how to extrude polymer clay using a clay gun as extruder and a caulking gun for pressure as well as finishing techniques using rubber cording, drilling and sanding and polishing. Students will be encouraged to use and combine the techniques above to create a unique and dramatic piece of jewelry.