Tiny Pie Class!

I'll be teaching a class on making mini pumpkin pies up at Etsy Labs on Monday, November 14.  If you'd like to follow along at home, gather up the following supplies so you'll be all set to make your own mini pumpkin pie.

Conveniently, I noticed that Michaels has Premo on sale starting tomorrow- it's like they knew!

You can find the class webcast online, here, on Monday at 3.30 Eastern Time, and it will also be archived for a while.

If you're chomping at the bit to get started, a printed version of the recipe is online too, as part of Etsy's How Tuesday series, here.  One change: Premo has reformulated their orange, and it's now really bright, almost neon.  To make it look more like the dark orange of real pumpkin pie, mix in a small amount of raw sienna and yellow Premo to tone it down a bit.

Ingredients:
orange Premo
raw sienna Premo
cadmium yellow Premo
white Premo
ecru Premo

translucent liquid sculpey or liquid clay

allspice (the real spice; very fine dark brown sand will also work)

raw sienna chalk artists pastel (you want one that looks orangey, like baked bread) & a scrap piece of paper

24 gauge headpins, 2" long, sterling silver or silver-plated brass (these are good ones for silver plated)

Tools:
work surface: I prefer a smooth white floor tile, but parchment paper or a clean piece of glass will work too

small ball point tool (like this one) or straight pin with a rounded tip

small paintbrush for the liquid clay
paintbrush or eyeshadow applicator for the artists pastel

needlenose pliers
nail clippers or wire cutters

Summer classes!

I'll be teaching a bunch of classes this summer all over Virginia.  I've put together a list of classes from now til late August below.  Contact the hosting venue directly to register for classes, since they are in charge of sign up and waiting lists. (Hosting venue contact info is available by clicking on the links below.)

I am also always happy to schedule a class or birthday party for private groups. If you're interested, check out some of the class descriptions of previous classes I've run and feel free to email ( inediblejewelry {at} gmail {dot} com ) and we can discuss details.

I hope to see you in a class soon!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
Date & Class    Time         Hosting Venue       Age range

June 21  Charlottesville

Jewelry-making    2-4p      Gordon Avenue Library    teens    

June 28  Charlottesville

Ice cream cones   2-4p      Gordon Avenue Library    teens  

June 30  Crozet

Lollipops             2-4p          Crozet Library               teens

July 6 Charlottesville

Watermelons       2-4p          Northside Library          teens

July 13 Charlottesville

Watermelons         2-4p          Northside Library         teens

August 8 Virginia Beach

Sushi                    12-2p         MEO Central Library   teens


August 8  Virginia Beach

Cakes             3.30-5.30p    Princess Anne Library     teens

August 9  Midlothian

Cakes                 2-4p             Clover Hill Library       teens

August 9  Midlothian

Ice cream            6-8p             Midlothian Library       teens

August 17  Staunton

Popsicles            6.30-8.30p     Staunton Library         teens

Cupcake class- supplies list

I'm so excited to be teaching a cupcake charm class May 9 at Etsy Labs in Brooklyn! The in-person class might be full, but no worries- Etsy will set up a live stream demo of the class so that anyone can follow along at home.  I'll post the link when it's up. Yay!

I've put together a supplies list so that you're all set and ready to go for the class next Monday!  You can probably find the clay and the tools at your local craft store, but in case you can't, I've included links to my favorite polymer clay supplier, polymerclayexpress.com

For the clay, a little goes a long way.  If you're just getting started, you really only need a couple of packages for the basic colors.  My example cupcake only takes 3: burnt umber (chocolate color), white, and cadmium red.

For the tools: you can substitute a clean regular paintbrush (small is better), a straight pin (for sewing), and a straight razor blade for the fancier versions below.  Most likely, you already have these around the house!

* Clay

                http://www.polymerclayexpress.com/premo.html

Premo ecru:  1 2oz block

Premo burnt umber: 1 2oz block

Premo white:  1 2oz block

Premo translucent: 1 2 oz block

Premo cadmium red: 1 2-oz block

Premo orange: 1 2oz block

Premo cadmium yellow: 1 2oz block

Premo green: 1 2oz block

Premo turquoise: 1 2oz block

Premo purple: 1 2oz block

Premo black: 1 2oz block

Translucent Liquid Sculpey (TLS):   2oz bottle

               Clay softener: 1 bottle  (right under the TLS picture on order page)

* Clay Tools

               http://www.polymerclayexpress.com/applicators.html

               Microbrushes:  Ultrabrush MHU-10 regular (black ones): for applying liquid clay

               PRO Kemper needle tool (texture)

               http://www.polymerclayexpress.com/tools2.html

* Jewelry supplies

Headpins:  I like the 2” silver-plated brass ones for classes (480 should be enough to make a bunch of pieces)

http://www.firemountaingems.com/details.asp?PN=H208074FD

Needlenose pliers for jewelry making

Nail clippers (just the regular kind you can find at any drugstore; they're great for wire cutting.)

* Clean-up

               90% rubbing alcohol

               Paper towels or very clean white cloth rag (NOT flannel or anything fuzzy)

* Work surface

               8" x 8" plain white ceramic floor tile (should be easy to find at any hardware store)

               parchment paper (for baking; not crucial, but helpful)

Class options!

I love to teach classes and do birthday parties! Here's a list of classes I have offered, and would be happy to teach again. I usually teach smaller groups (12 students; ages 12 and up) , so people get lots of personal attention, but I can be flexible. If you're interested in having me come and teach a class or birthday party, feel free to email ( inediblejewelry (at) gmail (dot) com ). If you'd like to learn another kind of food that's not listed below, contact me and I'll see what I can do!

Class Options 2011

Introduction to Jewelry-making
The intro to Jewelry making class will cover: wire-wrapping, earring-making, and using crimp beads to make a beaded bracelet. All tools and materials provided. This class is just basic jewelry-making techniques with regular beads; we won't cover any tiny foods. Length of class: 2 hours.

Let them wear cake

In this class, we'll learn basic techniques in working with polymer clay to make miniature whole cakes, which can be sliced and made into earrings, a pair of best friends necklaces, or left whole as a fun pendant! Skills: basic color mixing, sculpture, texture, and how to make miniatures into charms or beads. We'll make at least one pair of earrings. Length of class: 2 hours.

Donuts

In this class we'll learn how to make donuts or bagels! We'll cover basic techniques in working with polymer clay to learn how to make frosted and filled donuts (or bagels with cream cheese!). We'll turn these miniatures into fun jewelry- you can decide whether you'd prefer to make earrings or a bracelet or necklace. Length of class: 2 hours.

Burgers

Whether your favorite is veggie, turkey, beef, bison, or black bean, you'll learn how to make tiny burgers! In this class, we'll use basic techniques in sculpting with polymer clay to learn how to make a classic burger, complete with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a toasty sesame seed bun. We'll turn these miniatures into a pair of fun earrings, or a necklace. Length of class: 2 hours.

Lollipops

In this class we'll make colorful fun lollipops! We'll use basic techniques in sculpting with polymer clay to learn to make sweet little lollipop charms. We'll turn the miniatures into a pair of tasty earrings or a necklace. Length of class: 2 hours.

Sushi

In this class, we'll make teeny pieces of salmon sushi! We'll make several pieces of sushi: enough to make a pair of earrings and to add some to a little plate complete with wasabi and chopstick. We'll then turn the miniature sushi platter into a fun necklace. Length of class: 2 hours

Summer Watermelons

Learn to make tiny watermelons that won’t get juice all over your chin! In this class, we’ll use polymer clay to make a whole mini watermelon that we’ll turn into fun earrings and a necklace. We’ll learn the techniques of marbling, color layering, using liquid clay, and we’ll work with translucent clay to make the fruit really realistic. Length of class: 2 hours.

Strawberries and Bananas

Your mom will be proud- healthy food! In this class, we'll learn how to use polymer clay to make tiny bananas (peeled!), and strawberries. We'll make these tiny fruits into two pairs of earrings or a couple of fun necklaces. Length of class: 2 hours.

I Like Pie

The only thing better than real fresh baked pie is pie you can wear! Learn to make a tiny pie charm with a lattice crust on top. We’ll learn how texturing techniques to make the edge of the pie nice and crimped, how to make the crust look perfectly baked, and even how to make the pie tin look like shiny metal! Length of class: 2 hours.

We All Scream for Ice Cream

Learn to make tiny ice cream cones for summer! In this class, we’ll use polymer clay to make a bunch of tiny ice cream cones that won’t melt. We’ll use texturing techniques to get that waffle pattern on the cone, learn marbling and color mixing to make custom flavors. Length of class: 2 hours.

Two new classes!

Just a quick post to mention that I (Jessica) will be teaching two classes this spring, if you're interested in signing up!

The first will be an all-day seminar at Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC), where we'll cover a variety of techniques. It will be Saturday, February 23, 2008 from 10a - 4p. Visit the PVCC website to sign up! My class is the "Fimo Jewelry Workshop".

The second class will be offered through the Staunton Public Library and will be cake-themed in time for Mother's Day. Call the Staunton Public Library for more information.

We'll start at the beginning, so you need not have any experience with polymer clay before coming to class. Both classes include all the supplies you'll need.

I hope to meet some of you in the coming months!

Fall classes in Staunton!

People frequently ask how on earth we make our tiny food jewelry. Well, if you'd like to learn some basics of jewelry-making and tiny food-sculpting and you live near Staunton, Virginia, come take a free class through the library! These classes are open to students ages 12 and up.

Chef Jess will be running three classes this fall:
1. Introduction to Jewelry-making
2. Introduction to fruits & vegetables (with a focus on fall veggies)
3. Introduction to baked goods

To see the class schedule, visit the Staunton Library page. To sign up, visit the library in person!

If you live a bit further away, not to worry. I'm hoping to upload some simple tutorials in the near future so that you can learn these techniques (or refresh your skills, if you were in class!). Check back soon.