Adventures in the Material World
with Robert Dancik

Class Description
Have you ever wondered how to incorporate a butterfly wing, or a photo of your Mom, or an old Cracker Jacks prize with a gemstone in that sterling silver bracelet or artist's book you’re working on? If so – then this very useful and extensive workshop will show you how. Students will explore various ways of attaching almost anything to almost anything else in a permanent manner while maintaining the integrity of even the most delicate materials and designs. At the same time, we will work with connections that allow the manner in which materials are put together to become part of the actual aesthetic of the piece. We will talk about how the way elements are connected can not only enhance the design of the piece but also further the narrative and allow a fuller artistic voice to be present.
Though many materials may seem familiar, we will be using them in very different ways while building a matrix of technique, material, process and procedure, allowing a much greater freedom of expression.
Some of the many materials explored will include, concrete, Faux Bone, epoxies, polymer clays, Plexiglas (Perspex), various adhesives paper maché, cold connections and many types of mechanical connectors. Participants will learn how to combine these materials with each other and /or with pieces they have made or found. All of the techniques, materials, and processes may be used in tandem with traditional metalworking, sculpting, book making and multimedia work or be used alone as finished artwork.
Prerequisites
None
About the Instructor
Robert Dancik has been an artist & teacher for more than 30 years. He is the originator of Faux Bone™, a new, wonderful material for artists involved in jewelry, artist’s books, sculpture, and many other artistic disciplines.
Robert is the author of the book “Amulets and Talismans: Techniques for Creating Meaningful Jewelry”.
He teaches workshops nationally and internationally and has work in numerous museum, public and private collections both here and abroad. He has artwork published in many books including, in the Lark series, “500 Pendants”, “500 handmade Books and “1000 Rings”. Other books his work is featured in are “PMC Decade”, “Fine Art of the Tin Can”, “The Art of Resin Jewelry,” “Zilver Klei” (Denmark), and “Creative Metal Clay Jewelry”.
He lives in Connecticut, teaches around the world, is an avid cook (I didn’t say good) and collector of toys, maps, and compasses.
Students need to bring
Materials Kit $30 (Supplied by Instructor)*
Cancellation Policy
Maximum Number of Students
Ten. Students must be over 18 years old and will be required to sign a waiver.
Register on Meetup
Have you ever wondered how to incorporate a butterfly wing, or a photo of your Mom, or an old Cracker Jacks prize with a gemstone in that sterling silver bracelet or artist's book you’re working on? If so – then this very useful and extensive workshop will show you how. Students will explore various ways of attaching almost anything to almost anything else in a permanent manner while maintaining the integrity of even the most delicate materials and designs. At the same time, we will work with connections that allow the manner in which materials are put together to become part of the actual aesthetic of the piece. We will talk about how the way elements are connected can not only enhance the design of the piece but also further the narrative and allow a fuller artistic voice to be present.
Though many materials may seem familiar, we will be using them in very different ways while building a matrix of technique, material, process and procedure, allowing a much greater freedom of expression.
Some of the many materials explored will include, concrete, Faux Bone, epoxies, polymer clays, Plexiglas (Perspex), various adhesives paper maché, cold connections and many types of mechanical connectors. Participants will learn how to combine these materials with each other and /or with pieces they have made or found. All of the techniques, materials, and processes may be used in tandem with traditional metalworking, sculpting, book making and multimedia work or be used alone as finished artwork.
Prerequisites
None
About the Instructor
Robert Dancik has been an artist & teacher for more than 30 years. He is the originator of Faux Bone™, a new, wonderful material for artists involved in jewelry, artist’s books, sculpture, and many other artistic disciplines.
Robert is the author of the book “Amulets and Talismans: Techniques for Creating Meaningful Jewelry”.
He teaches workshops nationally and internationally and has work in numerous museum, public and private collections both here and abroad. He has artwork published in many books including, in the Lark series, “500 Pendants”, “500 handmade Books and “1000 Rings”. Other books his work is featured in are “PMC Decade”, “Fine Art of the Tin Can”, “The Art of Resin Jewelry,” “Zilver Klei” (Denmark), and “Creative Metal Clay Jewelry”.
He lives in Connecticut, teaches around the world, is an avid cook (I didn’t say good) and collector of toys, maps, and compasses.
Students need to bring
- Jeweler’s saw frame (I will have them to use)
- Bench pin for sawing (I will have them to use)
- Round and flat nose pliers
- Medium file (not needle file) half round is best
- Craft knife
- Collage items (paper, ephemera, images, photographs, anything you may want to include)
- Drill or pin vice
- Optional items:
- Sheet metal (I will have copper)
- Found objects Old jewelry, beads, bangles, buttons and bows for inclusions
- Silicone molds you have or have made
- 1 pkg. or more of polymer clay Premo, Sculpey III or any other polymer clay is fine - 1 transparent/translucent, 1 black (this is optional but we may delve into how to use it for connections)
- 1 pkg. of 2 part epoxy - Devcon, Loctite, or similar available at Rio Grande, Home Depot, most hardware stores NOTE: don’t buy the syringe type dispenser epoxy – the package is designed to yield bad results
- All your favorite tools you can carry comfortably to class
- $30 cash or a check made out to Robert for the materials kit *
Materials Kit $30 (Supplied by Instructor)*
- Copper
- Special nearly unbreakable blades for jeweler’s saw
- Concrete for projects and samples
- Faux Bone
- 16 gauge copper wire
- 18/19 gauge iron wire
Cancellation Policy
- You may cancel up to 45 days prior to the start of the class and receive a full refund, less $25 processing.
- Cancellations less than 45 days prior to the start date will not be refunded,
- In the event we have to cancel a class, you will be notified prior to the start date and will be issued a full refund.
- Registration is not transferrable. You may not sell your seat to another student.
Maximum Number of Students
Ten. Students must be over 18 years old and will be required to sign a waiver.
Register on Meetup