I'm hoping you'll join me in some Spring time FUN at Scrapbook Territory in Berkeley... this will be my first time teaching at the wonderful shop on 4th Street! And I'll be pulling out all the stops... this time the focus will be on the little German Bisque dollies finding a whimsical home in your very own reliquary!
Curious about reliquaries? Check this out...
Reliquaries were historically used to hold various fragments of saints, the Buddha, the Christ. The fragments ranged from bits of bone, hair or flesh to snips of garments or pieces of the crucification cross. Some reliquaries are clear so that the bones of the person could be viewed. Some reliquaries that I saw while at the Vatican were inserted into the staff of the Pope at the time.
Reliquaries are sometimes decorative as in a brooch or pendant, but are often a simple box or coffin shape. In Victorian era reliquaries you could find a lock of hair of a loved one sealed into an item of jewelery.
My particular enjoyment of these tiny treasures is in the placement of odd items. I start with tiny collages for a background and then begin making a scene as in a diorama and then adding that element of surprise. They can also go in the direction of the macabre in which case employing the shape of a coffin is definitely in order!
Reliquaries range in size from teeny to life size coffins, but mine tend to stay in the range of quite small. I like to use mica to enclose the scene to give it a Victorian feeling and then I solder the entire piece. They are a rewarding project because they just come out SO COOL! This is a rewarding class because you get to make a few cool reliquaries AND you get to learn the skill of soldering.
Can't wait to get started... check your calendars, make your reservation and COME PLAY!
Reserve Your Spot Now!
Saturday March 21st 10:00 am – 3:00pm at Scrapbook Territory in Berkeley
510-559-9929
Please bring any of your own special relics, images, favorite glues, scissors, glitters or paints. Any small items from nature are also encouraged – tiny wings are cool, bits of lichen look neat. As always, bring your “basic kit” of scissors, cutting mat, ruler, plus any items you can't craft without AND we'll have a blast! If you happen to have your own soldering equipment feel free to bring that, too! On the other hand, if all you have is your purse and your car keys there is always room for one more and I love to share!
Julee this class is awesome! For anyone out there reading this that has not taken this class you really need to. I didn't feel up to learing to solder on my own but Julee is a very good instructor and helps you to feel confident with the soldering iron. Not only that but you get to create a collage/assemblage as well!
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