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Adult Workshops At UpCycle, we celebrate the creative side of ALL of us, not just the youngsters or those who call themselves "artists." Our adult programming provides you an opportunity to connect with your right brain ("get in your right mind") again and find new, unusual and beautiful ways to use cast-off and recycled materials. Workshops are limited to 14 participants. Workshops are $40 and include materials Wednesday nights from 7 - 9 PM (please arrive 15 mins early) Location: UpCycle Creative Reuse Studio 5380-D Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, Virginia 22304 Please note: If we do not meet the minimum registration of 6, the class may be canceled. Registrations are refundable ONLY if made 7 days in advance of the workshop date. |
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July 24 – Little Altars
Transform tin containers into works of art! Make a mini diorama or decor for your home. We will tinker with all sorts of unique reuse objects and make mixed media art pieces.
July 31 – Mindful Mending
Stay on trend this summer with a workshop that celebrates “visible mending” fashion. This workshop will discuss darning -- a way to fill in a hole with thread or wool, Boro -- a Japanese mending technique where a patch of fabric is laid over or under a hole, and then rows of running stitches secure the patch to the original garment, and free hand embroidery. So grab a holey sweater, an old pair of jeans, or a well loved garment to mend with other re-fashionistas!
August 7 – Mix & Match Upcycled Earrings
Make your own unique, upcycled, mix and match earrings! We will make up to two pairs of mix-matched, custom earrings from upcycled and vintage materials. You will learn basic jewelry making techniques, and no prior experience is necessary.
All supplies are provided but participants may bring their own items to incorporate, such as beads, a single pair of earrings that has lost its partner, or a pair of clip-ons they would like to convert.
August 14 – Upcycled Cosplay Props
Come learn some techniques on how to sculpt cardboard in different shapes to create cosplay props! We’ll be going over how to make a cardboard base and ways to finish them, all with upcycled materials.
August 21 – Paper Ephemera Artwork
Creating a series of artworks all focused on the same theme is a mindful and self-rewarding practice. We will make a series of related artworks based on your own interests with upcycled printed material as our background and/or art medium. Printed material can be pages from books, newspapers, maps, magazines and more. Related the printed word or images adds a depth to the meaning and feeling of the art experience. Artists can choose between paint, colored pencils, markers or paper collage as their preferred art medium.
August 28 - Fall Wardrobe Refresh with Iron-On Patches
Got an old jean jacket or tote bag that could use a refresh? Have some clothes that just need a little added pizzazz? Rescue them from the landfill and add them back into your regular rotation with some fun iron-on patches and other decorations.
September 4 - T-Shirt to Treasure
We will be learning how to turn old t-shirts into a continuous strip of stretchy, sturdy yarn that can be crocheted, knit, or finger-knit. Bring your own old t-shirts or use some of Upcycle’s materials to make a basket, a trivet, or anything else you can think of!
September 11 - Flag Books
A flag book is a type of sculptural artist book invented by Hedi Kyle. It is based on a simple accordion book, in which papers are glued to the sides of the accordion. These papers stick out like flags, hence the name. Using scrap papers, old maps, photographs and other thin/flat materials create a fun little book that expresses your interests and unique style.
September 18 – Assemblage Jewelry
Learn how to create statement bracelets and necklaces from unwanted jewelry pieces. UpCycle will provide materials but feel free to bring any unused or broken jewelry to transform into stunning new pieces you'll actually want to wear.
September 25 – Bloom & Stitch
Join Bloom Impact (local florist) in creating your own botanical design with tulle, embroidery hoop or upcycled frames, and dried flowers. In a step by step demonstration you’ll learn how to create a beautifully balanced artwork with dried, preserved, or pressed flowers. In this workshop you'll learn to stitch dried florals into a beautiful cross-stitching onto tulle. Perfect for beginners and crafting enthusiasts alike, this workshop offers a unique way to blend the timeless beauty of dried flowers with the craft of embroidery. No experience is necessary – just bring your creativity!
October 9 – Cabinet of Curiosities
A cabinet of curiosities is a collection of found objects that the curator is curious about and finds intriguing. Mallory will show you how to upcycle a cigar box of your choice into a mini cabinet of curiosities to display. Cigar boxes and decorative mixed media will be provided as well as some found objects.
October 2 – Jeweled skulls and pumpkins
Create treasured fall decor with cast off jewels. You will make a skull or pumpkin out of previously loved jewels.
October 16 – Halloween Kitsch Statement Jewelry
Be the hit of your Halloween party by wearing a statement piece that is sure to turn (doll) heads. We'll take spooky decor and guide you through the process of creating a unique necklace or bracelet that you can wear year after year.
October 23 – Crayon-Painted candles
Join us to paint images and designs on candles with melted crayon wax.
November 6 – Jeweled Trees and Wreaths
Get ready for the holiday season by creating your own upcycled wreath or tree using repurposed jewelry. Bring your own broken or unwanted jewelry and/or use materials from UpCycle to create one of a kind decorations that will last year after year.
November 13 – Prints & Greeting Cards using Linocut Block Printing
Empower yourself to make unique and personalized greeting cards. Learn the technique of linocutting to create rubber stamps for block printing. Mallory will teach you how to carve and print the stamp. You will take home your unique stamp to be reused again and again, as well as 5 greeting cards and envelopes.
November 20 – Upcycled Holiday Wreaths
In this workshop we will use UpCycle's abundant supplies to create a one of a kind wreath you can use for years to come!
December 4 – Bottlecap Holiday Ornaments
Get in the holiday spirit by upcycling bottlecaps into mini masterpieces! Bottlecaps are a versatile reuse material with a lot of creative potential. We will look at examples of past projects and come up with new ideas for how to use this common object to create fun ornaments and holiday decor.
December 11 – Button collage with stitches
Create your own artwork with a variety of buttons attached to fabric with decorative stitches. Trees, flowers, hearts or an abstract design can all be made with some buttons and embroidery threads.
Transform tin containers into works of art! Make a mini diorama or decor for your home. We will tinker with all sorts of unique reuse objects and make mixed media art pieces.
July 31 – Mindful Mending
Stay on trend this summer with a workshop that celebrates “visible mending” fashion. This workshop will discuss darning -- a way to fill in a hole with thread or wool, Boro -- a Japanese mending technique where a patch of fabric is laid over or under a hole, and then rows of running stitches secure the patch to the original garment, and free hand embroidery. So grab a holey sweater, an old pair of jeans, or a well loved garment to mend with other re-fashionistas!
August 7 – Mix & Match Upcycled Earrings
Make your own unique, upcycled, mix and match earrings! We will make up to two pairs of mix-matched, custom earrings from upcycled and vintage materials. You will learn basic jewelry making techniques, and no prior experience is necessary.
All supplies are provided but participants may bring their own items to incorporate, such as beads, a single pair of earrings that has lost its partner, or a pair of clip-ons they would like to convert.
August 14 – Upcycled Cosplay Props
Come learn some techniques on how to sculpt cardboard in different shapes to create cosplay props! We’ll be going over how to make a cardboard base and ways to finish them, all with upcycled materials.
August 21 – Paper Ephemera Artwork
Creating a series of artworks all focused on the same theme is a mindful and self-rewarding practice. We will make a series of related artworks based on your own interests with upcycled printed material as our background and/or art medium. Printed material can be pages from books, newspapers, maps, magazines and more. Related the printed word or images adds a depth to the meaning and feeling of the art experience. Artists can choose between paint, colored pencils, markers or paper collage as their preferred art medium.
August 28 - Fall Wardrobe Refresh with Iron-On Patches
Got an old jean jacket or tote bag that could use a refresh? Have some clothes that just need a little added pizzazz? Rescue them from the landfill and add them back into your regular rotation with some fun iron-on patches and other decorations.
September 4 - T-Shirt to Treasure
We will be learning how to turn old t-shirts into a continuous strip of stretchy, sturdy yarn that can be crocheted, knit, or finger-knit. Bring your own old t-shirts or use some of Upcycle’s materials to make a basket, a trivet, or anything else you can think of!
September 11 - Flag Books
A flag book is a type of sculptural artist book invented by Hedi Kyle. It is based on a simple accordion book, in which papers are glued to the sides of the accordion. These papers stick out like flags, hence the name. Using scrap papers, old maps, photographs and other thin/flat materials create a fun little book that expresses your interests and unique style.
September 18 – Assemblage Jewelry
Learn how to create statement bracelets and necklaces from unwanted jewelry pieces. UpCycle will provide materials but feel free to bring any unused or broken jewelry to transform into stunning new pieces you'll actually want to wear.
September 25 – Bloom & Stitch
Join Bloom Impact (local florist) in creating your own botanical design with tulle, embroidery hoop or upcycled frames, and dried flowers. In a step by step demonstration you’ll learn how to create a beautifully balanced artwork with dried, preserved, or pressed flowers. In this workshop you'll learn to stitch dried florals into a beautiful cross-stitching onto tulle. Perfect for beginners and crafting enthusiasts alike, this workshop offers a unique way to blend the timeless beauty of dried flowers with the craft of embroidery. No experience is necessary – just bring your creativity!
October 9 – Cabinet of Curiosities
A cabinet of curiosities is a collection of found objects that the curator is curious about and finds intriguing. Mallory will show you how to upcycle a cigar box of your choice into a mini cabinet of curiosities to display. Cigar boxes and decorative mixed media will be provided as well as some found objects.
October 2 – Jeweled skulls and pumpkins
Create treasured fall decor with cast off jewels. You will make a skull or pumpkin out of previously loved jewels.
October 16 – Halloween Kitsch Statement Jewelry
Be the hit of your Halloween party by wearing a statement piece that is sure to turn (doll) heads. We'll take spooky decor and guide you through the process of creating a unique necklace or bracelet that you can wear year after year.
October 23 – Crayon-Painted candles
Join us to paint images and designs on candles with melted crayon wax.
November 6 – Jeweled Trees and Wreaths
Get ready for the holiday season by creating your own upcycled wreath or tree using repurposed jewelry. Bring your own broken or unwanted jewelry and/or use materials from UpCycle to create one of a kind decorations that will last year after year.
November 13 – Prints & Greeting Cards using Linocut Block Printing
Empower yourself to make unique and personalized greeting cards. Learn the technique of linocutting to create rubber stamps for block printing. Mallory will teach you how to carve and print the stamp. You will take home your unique stamp to be reused again and again, as well as 5 greeting cards and envelopes.
November 20 – Upcycled Holiday Wreaths
In this workshop we will use UpCycle's abundant supplies to create a one of a kind wreath you can use for years to come!
December 4 – Bottlecap Holiday Ornaments
Get in the holiday spirit by upcycling bottlecaps into mini masterpieces! Bottlecaps are a versatile reuse material with a lot of creative potential. We will look at examples of past projects and come up with new ideas for how to use this common object to create fun ornaments and holiday decor.
December 11 – Button collage with stitches
Create your own artwork with a variety of buttons attached to fabric with decorative stitches. Trees, flowers, hearts or an abstract design can all be made with some buttons and embroidery threads.