Hand Carved Lino Print Mimosa Make & Take

The Hand Carved Lino Cut Block Print Mimosa Make & Take was a huge success! It was fun and rewarding. Courtney Prahl often uses her own carved stamps in her popular collage and mixed media pieces that she sells in The Muse. Here she goes over the basic steps...

We learned how to transfer images onto the block to carve but some people chose to create their own designs.

After carving out our designs, we inked them up and were ready to go! Karen brought along her sketchbook and had us all print our block into the book. This way she had a visual record of all of the various desings that we created in the class.

Anyone who knows me well, knows I am huge fan of the squirrel. I decided to make my block in honor of the squirrel. Here is my finished project...

Here are some more finished results....I think they all turned out great and everyone seemed pleased with the ease of this project and the way they looked by the end!

Nature Impression Pendants Wine & Cheese Craft Party

On Wednesday, Chrissy Gemmill taught a brand new class, "Nature Impression Pendant." It was really great! The results were fantastic. We had a lot of new class takers as well as a few veterans and we all had fun!

We got our kits then got to work! We learned how to wire the beads and pearls. Chrissy showed us the basic jewelry making techniques.

After learning the basics, we learned something new- how to oxidize and patina the pendants!Next step was to figure out the layout of the jewelry. The options and choices of beads were limitless!

Here are some of the results! They look great!

Classes with Chrissy!

Many of you have inquired about or have booked a private craft party! All classes that are offered through the Muse are available as a private craft party. Thanks to Chrissy Gemmill, our jewelry instructor, she has created this recap of her classes that she offers to make choosing a private craft party easy! Thanks Chrissy!
Current Classes offered for 2010 Winter and Spring (Sample pics for new classes coming soon)



Just Added: February 28 3-5 p.m. "Picture Pendants" Using a picture of your choice, you will learn how to create a personalized piece of jewelry! You can use family pets and pictures, original artwork, nature photography, the possibilities are endless! (see sample pics below)

March 10th 7-9 p.m. "Nature Impression Pendants" Learn the art of patina-ing metal along with basic jewelry making techniques. Select your own sterling silver patterned metal, embellish, and create your own necklace!


"Bird Baubles" April 14th 7-9pm. With a focus on bird motifs, you will learn wire and beading techniques to design your own pendant! Choose from a flock of bird charms, beads and baubles!



Book Your Own Private Wine and Cheese Craft Party! Contact The Muse for more details at shopthemuse.com Minimum 6 people, maximum 12.Classes Offered For Private Parties:

"Earring Design" Adorn your ears with your own creation! Select a prototype to remake or create your own design. Choose from an array of beads and findings.


"Letter Pendants" Let your jewelry do the talking! Using discs and stamps create your own one of a kind jewelry.




"Twisted Metal Bracelet Design" Learn classic bead link wire wrapping and design your own unique bracelet. Choose from an array of gemstone, pearl, crystal and vintage beads!



"Picture Pendant Jewelry" Using a picture of your choice, you will learn how to create a personalized piece of jewelry! You can use family and pet pictures, original artwork, nature photography, the possibilities are endless!
"Open Bead" Learn classic bead link wire wrapping and design your own unique piece of jewelry. Choose from an array of gemstone, pearl, crystal and vintage beads!

"Reflections In Metal" Transfer a picture of your choosing onto metal disc! You can use family and pet pictures, original artwork, nature photography, the possibilities are endless!

Visit Chrissy's blog to see more pictures of some of the classes she teaches http://www.chrissygemmilljewels.blogspot.com/

If you are interested in taking any of our current classes or to book a private craft party contact The Muse 301-663-3632 or http://www.shopthemuse.com/

Needle Punched Flower Wine & Cheese Craft Party

This week Margaret Hluch taught a really fun class- Needle Punched Flower pin! It was a wine and cheese craft party and it incorporated needle felting and embroidery. Cutting and layering hand dyed (by Margaret) fabrics was the first step. With all of the beautiful fabrics- picking which to use for the pin was tough!
Then we chose beautifully dyed fleece to felt the layers together. Hand embroidery was another option to add to the flower and to reinforce the felting. I love making french knots!

We had enough time to make two pins! I decided to make my second flower a hair clip. Here are the results!Here are all of the finished flowers! Don't they make a beautiful bouquet?

Reflections in Metal Mimosa Make & Take

Our latest class was one that I am sure will be an ongoing hit! Chrissy Gemmill's Reflections in Metal! Class takers were able to transfer their own personal images into a pendant!

Everyone learned how to prepare their pendant and their images. Chrissy made everyone feel confident in this craft because if it didn't work out- you could sand out the mistake and start over!

The results were fantastic! This craft is a great way to personalize jewelry! After you learn some of the tricks, you can do this craft without having to invest in a lot of supplies. Here are some of the great pendants that people in the class created!