January / February 2019 Newsletter

Nadine's Basket Weaving Videos

2019 Workshops

“Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” --Steve Jobs

Dear Readers,

As we welcome in another new year, may more peace, tolerance and lack of environmental catastrophes bless everyone. Hoping those who have lost loved ones or homes or communities to fire, hurricanes and other natural tragedies will find the inner strength to cope with the task of recovery that lay ahead.

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My husband and I were recently in a newly opened local pub that chose the 1970’s as their décor. Very strange decision in my opinion, but fortunately it lacked the dreaded shag carpet, and avocado and mustard-colored formica. There were some replicas of Swanson t.v. dinners on the wall, the kind I had as a kid. When I walked by and took a closer look I realized the food was felted! Thought my readers might get “a kick” out of seeing these…..

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In the Aug/Sept 2018 issue of American Craft Magazine there was a very interesting article on color. I highly recommend it for anyone who has an interest in color theory. I didn’t realize Sir Isaac Newton was fascinated with color and wrote a book entitled Opticks. His work with white light led him to the discovery of the visible spectrum of light. Newton observed the way each color of light would bend as it passed through the prism. He took the full spectrum and joined the two ends to make the world’s first color wheel.

The article continues that Newton’s theory created controversy in the art world because he wasn’t speaking the language that artists understood in terms of mixing pigments. 100 years later Goethe’s theory of color resonated with artists because it addressed the subjective nature of color rather than a scientific measurement.

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I'm really excited about my upcoming teaching schedule for 2019. I have several options for students, all at great locations, for multi-day workshops, and 1-day workshops.

MULTI-DAY WORKSHOPS

TWO DAY WORKSHOP

March 23 – 24

Julian, California

I’ll be returning to the Ilan Lael Foundation to teach a 2-day pine needle basketry workshop. The location is the amazing property and home of environmental artist James Hubbell in Julian outside San Diego. My students have the rare privilege of freely wandering the property and exploring the extraordinary buildings and artwork set atop a mountain that has an expansive view of peaks and valleys.

Students will learn how to coil a basket using a stone as a beautiful and unique center and using the swirling basic stitch that lines up on both sides of the basket. Students provided with all materials including a mounted stone (plenty to choose from!), a large spool of Irish waxed linen thread and washed/prepared pine needles. Depending on time, some students may also learn how to make handles, using beads and much more. All levels welcome. Repeat students invited to attend to learn more advanced techniques. To register or for more information see http://ilanlaelfoundation.org/

The charming town of Julian has many inns and B & B's from which to choose for accomodations.

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TWO DAY WORKSHOP

April 13 & 14

Borrego Springs, California

Borrego Springs Art Institute

A trip to Borrego Springs can be much more than taking a workshop! There are endless miles of trails throughout the 600,000 acre state park, the second largest state park in the U.S.! Borrego Springs is home to very rare Bighorn sheep, 130 amazing, larger-than-life metal sculptures scattered about the desert (see link for more information), take a hike in a Palm Canyon where a stream flows from melted snow from craggy mountain tops and ancient palm trees line the banks, sunrises and sunsets that defy imagination as the sun paints the desert with colors of pink, lavender, yellow, reds and more. Nothing brings out the magic of a sunrise/sunset more than the desert! There are several hotels and 2 campgrounds all within two miles of the Art Institute.

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THREE DAY WORKSHOP

November 1-3

Whidbey Island, Washington

Students will learn an amazing variety of techniques – I contact my students prior to class to inquire what they want to learn, and I tailor my instruction to each student’s interest. This workshop is perfect for both beginners and experienced coilers. Some of the techniques students can learn include how to coil a symmetrical basket around a stone, fancy stitches, how to create free-flowing sculptural pieces, how to coil around antlers or branches, how to coil on a gourd, Teneriffe, lids, footed bases, handles, beads between coils, and MUCH more!!!

The location is the Pacific Northwest School of Art in the darling town of Coupeville on Whidbey Island, a short shuttle/ferry ride from Seattle. Coupeville is a great place to spend a few days. If you can walk 1/2 mile, you can go just about anywhere in town, including walking to the art school! The local restaurants are superb and a culinary delight. https://pacificnorthwestartschool.org/product/spier-nadine-the-art-of-coiling-baskets-and-sculptural-forms-november-1st-3rd-2019/

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ONE-DAY WORKSHOPS

February 23

Fallbrook, California

Fallbrook School of the Arts (about 1 hour north of San Diego)

The art school is located in the historic little town of Fallbrook. In the 1-day introductory class students will start a pine needle basket around a polished stone cabochon. It’s an easy way to start a basket and the stone makes a stunning center. Students will learn the swirling basic stitch that lines up stitches on both sides of the basket, making the vessel attractive on both the inside as well as the outside. Students also learn how to shape their basket, how to taper down and finish the final coil. Students provided with pine needles, but your new skills can be used to coil many other common plants. Students will choose their materials from a large assortment of stones and Irish waxed linen.

Check here for more info and registration

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Workshops in Nadine's home (about 25 minutes north of San Diego in Olivenhain)

$60 plus $40 materials (optional)

January 12

February 9

March 16

April 20

My home workshops are limited to 7 students, so everyone gets plenty of instruction. All skill levels welcome - beginners come to learn how to make a basket, and experienced coilers attend to take their skills into exciting new territory such as learning how to make Teneriffes, lids, footed bases, handles, beads between coils, creating patterns with sheaves, using objects with holes such as black walnut slices, how to create free-flowing sculptural pieces, and much more!! I will also teach how to coil on gourds (contact me so we can discuss before class). To inquire or register, email me at info@nadinespier.com

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Carlsbad, California

Carlsbad Flower Fields

Choose from April 6, 27, and 28

In the 1-day introductory class students will start a pine needle basket around a polished stone cabochon. It’s an easy way to start a basket and the stone makes a stunning center. Students will learn the swirling basic stitch that lines up stitches on both sides of the basket, making the vessel attractive on both the inside as well as the outside. Students also learn how to shape their basket, how to taper down and finish the final coil. Students provided with pine needles, but your new skills can be used to coil many other common plants. Students will choose their materials from a large assortment of stones and Irish waxed linen.