Have you ever wanted to spend a day in an artist's studio? Join artist and teacher Kythryne Aisling for a day of hands-on learning, experimentation, and creativity! You'll learn to make wire jewelry, spin yarn, and fuse glass in a relaxed environment, and get a glimpse into the life of the working artist.

Kythryne's studio is based in in her home in beautiful Concord, New Hampshire, just an hour north of Boston. Her home and studio are frequently described by visitors as "magpie heaven" and "fairyland" -- from the living room (full of comfortable furniture, spinning wheels, books, and cats) to the kitchen (decorated on every wall with toys, games, and found objects) to the studio (a light-filled room overflowing with beads and yarn), Kythryne lives and works in a sanctuary of art and color.

Saturday, October 2nd, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Class Schedule:
10:00 - 10:30: Introductions, orientation, studio tour, shuttle from bus station for those traveling by bus
10:30 - 11:45: Drop Spinning For Fun & Relaxation
12:00 - 1:00: Lunch Break (enjoy a meal at a nearby cafe or bring a bag lunch)
1:00 - 2:15: Jewelry Workshop: Make Your Own Earrings Or Pendant
2:30 - 3:30: Glass Fusing: An Introduction
3:45 - 4:30: Making Jewelry With Found Objects: A Demonstration and Discussion
4:30 - 5:00: Q&A, wrap-up, shuttle to bus station for those travelling by bus

The cost for each all-day workshop is $100 to $150, sliding scale, which includes instruction, materials, use of the studio and tools, a custom-made piece of jewelry, a drop spindle and fiber, handouts, and light snacks. Retreats are limited to a maximum of five participants in order to ensure that everyone can get individualized instruction. All workshops are suitable for beginners and no previous experience is necessary.

Take a look at the jewelry and yarn made by workshop particpants during the September Art Retreat!

"Kythryne is an excellent teacher, and if it is anywhere possible in your schedule to partake in these - go for it. Not only was I able to gain a substantial amount of appreciation for the metal work she does, but being able to participate in the process hands-on gave me an experience I won't forget! Plus, I now have a shiny ring that reminds me of the great time we all had whenever I look at it." - Nova, a previous workshop participant

For more information or to register for a retreat, please email kythryne@wyrdingstudios.com.

(Please note: there are three cats and two well-mannered dogs in residence; please plan accordingly if you have severe pet allergies.)

Drop Spinning For Fun & Relaxation

Learn to make your own yarn! Handspinning is a fascinating and meditative hobby that's easy to learn - all you need to get started is a simple drop spindle, some fiber, and your hands!

In this workshop, you'll learn about the various sorts of fibers that can be spun (everything from wool to silk, including a few things you've probably never imagined could be made into yarn!) and we'll show you how to choose, prepare, and spin fiber into a marvelous one-of-a-kind yarn.

If you're already familiar with the basics of spinning, you can work on more advanced techniques, including various methods of plying, how to add other materials to your fiber to make funky art yarns, or spinning with a specific project in mind.

You'll go home with a hand-crafted student drop spindle and two ounces of beautiful fiber, and a working knowledge of spinning yarn on a drop spindle.

(Caution: spinning is addicting and may lead to activities such as fiber hording, spindle-coveting, and the eventual need to collect antique spinning wheels. It is, however, generally cheaper than either therapy or bail.)

Jewelry Workshop: Make Your Own Earrings Or Pendant

Ever wished you had a reason to go to bead stores? We'll give you one!

In this workshop, you'll learn to make either a pair of earrings or a simple pendant. You'll pick out the beads (from a selection almost as extensive as a well-stocked bead store!) and we'll show you how to use your hands, simple tools, and wire to make beautiful, one-of-a-kind wire jewelry.

You'll go home with a handout showing basic wireworking techniques, enough wire and beads for a second project - and, of course, the earrings or pendant that you made in the workshop!

Glass Fusing: An Introduction

Glass fusing is the art of layering thin sheets of colored and/or metallic glass, which are then placed in a kiln and fused together at high temperatures to create stunning pieces of art.

In this workshop, you'll learn to safely handle and cut sheets of glass to create your own fused glass pendant. We'll help you pick colors, add mica or frit for special effects, layer the glass, and load your piece into our kiln. Your creation will then be fused overnight, polished, attached to a bail, and mailed to you!

Making Jewelry With Found Objects: A Demonstration & Discussion

Jewelry isn't just limited to beads and stones - it can be made from anything and everything! Bring 2 - 3 small objects with you to this hands-on demonstration, and we'll show you how they can be incorporated into beautiful art jewelry.

We've made jewelry incorporating everything from train tokens to song lyrics to beachglass to photographs to baby teeth to old keys to rattlesnake bones to broken glass to scrap metal - if it's big enough to get wire around and small enough that you want to wear it, it can be made into jewelry!

You'll leave with a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry, hand-crafted for you on the spot.