Shrines & Icons

Students will use personal imagery and collected objects to create small reliquaries; suggestive and intimate spaces housing objects and symbols of meaning, be they spiritual or secular. Lots of group interaction as we discuss the "why" as well as the "how". This special workshop will cover many methods of assembly as we put unusual and unlike materials together. Bring those things that you've been saving for something special and make a shrine worthy of them.

AUSTRALIAN Supply list

New: Shrines KIT!

REQUIRED TOOLS:

The tools below are things you will be certainly using in the workshop, and to avoid having to wait for a communal tool to become available, you should plan on getting them for the class:

• roll of 'reo tie wire' (found for under $10 in hardware stores in the construction materials section, near the cinder block and chain-link fencing. IMPORTANT: make sure it is steel or iron wire, NOT galvanized!...it should be dark grey-black) If met with blank stares, tell them it's for tying reo-rod together. NOTE: You won't need to haul the whole roll, as it's quite heavy - bring 1/4 of it with you and you'll have plenty! (a small roll comes in the Shrines kit above)

• hand power drill - If you have a variable-speed hand drill already, you won't need a cordless, but if you don't own a power drill yet, this is a good (and inexpensive) example.

• steel bench block - <Here>

• Lightweight matte acrylic varnish <here>

• Lightweight Gloss acrylic varnish <here>

• Special Capped Glue Syringe filled with Fuller Ultra-Clear <here>

• Memory wire cutters (this makes cutting the re-bar wire a cinch): <Here>

• automatic centre punch <here>

• foam ear plugs, if you're sensitive to hammering (we'll keep the noise down as much as possible, but there will be some, so just to be safe....

• Work gloves (to protect hands while working the wire - look for a close-fitting kind, rather than a big gardening-glove type)

• Bar clamps <Here> 150mm is great. You may be able to find them cheaper - Bunnings and Mitre 10 stores may carry them. The little 100mm 'micro' one is handy as well for small projects. Get one of each if you can find them at a good price, you'll use them all the time.

• A small ball-peen hammer < Here > Wherever you buy this, look for it to be 15mm diametre / 125g.

• a regular pair of utility or linesman pliers (you can buy the bees-knees ones < here >.

• round-nose pliers I will have large ones for sale in class. If you have a regular size jewellery pair bring them as they can be used too.

• Bench Pin <here>
• Bar clamps <Here> 150mm is great. You may be able to find them cheaper - Bunnings and Mitre 10 stores may carry them. The little 100mm 'micro' one is handy as well for small projects. Get one of each if you can find them at a good price, you'll use them all the time.

• drill bits (any standard hardware-store set)
• extra 1/16" drill bit
• piece of scrap wood to drill into

OPTIONAL TOOLS:
The tools below are not required for the class; they're helpful, so don't run out and buy them all. They would facilitate you to go in many directions with your work. Bring what you have.

• Jeweller's saw / blades - <Here> and <Here>

• 3M Polishing Paper Set - quite simply some of the coolest polishing equipment money can buy <Here>

• small file (any fine-tooth file will do)
• fine steel wool (find it in a paint-supply section of a hardware store)
• Fine point permanent marker
• Work gloves (to protect hands while working the wire - look for a close-fitting kind, rather than a big gardening-glove type)
• foam ear plugs, if you're sensitive to hammering (we'll keep the noise down as much as possible, but there will be some, so just to be safe....
• pack of Blu-Tack from an office-supply store (to mount under your steel block to keep it from moving)
screwdrivers
tin-snips or metal shears
scribe
hacksaw
circle / geometric templates
masking / sticky / scotch tape
sandpaper
paint brushes

And any tools particular to a media you are conversant in...if you're a book artist, bring materials for binding, etc., painters bring your paints and sketchbooks...and those who've never ventured out into creative waters bring some junk and an open mind!

Ideas for the housing:

broken box cameras or appliances
small scraps of wood or small readymade found boxes
cigar boxes
tin cans
medicine or candy tins
small wooden or metal drawers
clock cases
jewelry boxes
hand mirrors
old picture frames
ETC.
ETC.
ETC.

Ideas for the guts:

glass scraps
acrylic paint
cutlery
electronics / machine parts
personal effects or memorabilia
letters
documents
postcards
maps
photos
stamps
fabrics
buttons
keys
record albums
audio cassettes
eyeglasses or magnifying glasses
medical tools
dental tools
interesting old pencils or pens
toys
dominoes
dice
game pieces
artifacts: religious or secular
bones
feathers
leaves
seed pods
insects
straw
stones
eggshell
bark
teeth
fossils
pressed flowers
screws
washers
hinges
hooks
nails
x-rays
keys
ETC.
ETC.
ETC.
ETC.
ETC.
Get the picture?
The list could go on forever, because nothing you bring CAN'T be used!

It's really a list to perhaps spark some inspiration on your end for what to pack. Any small objects that you find interesting for any ole reason should be brought.

RESOURCES FOR OBJECTS:

thrift / junk / antique shops
scrap metal yards
flea markets
garage sales
auctions
antique / ephemera fairs
hardware stores
art / craft supply stores

FREESOURCES FOR OBJECTS:

roadsides
parking lots
beaches
woods (bush to the Commonwealthers!)
abandoned buildings
dumps
dumpsters (only for the strong-stomached)
caves
eaves
attics
neighbors' attics
friends' eaves...

• roll of 're-bar tie wire' (found for under $10 in hardware stores in the construction materials section, near the cinder block and chain-link fencing. IMPORTANT: make sure it is steel or iron wire, NOT galvanized!...it should be dark grey-black) If met with blank stares, tell them it's for tying reo-rod together. NOTE: You won't need to haul the whole roll, as it's quite heavy - bring 1/4 of it with you and you'll have plenty!
• Cordless hand drill - If you have a variable-speed hand drill already, you won't need a cordless, but if you don't own a power drill yet, this is a good example. And while I'm at it, I might as well show you the BEST, smallest cordless hand drill on the Australian market. So if money is no object (around $200-250, and can be found at many Bunnings stores), try the AEG drill here. Can you tell I love my new drill?
• Memory wire cutters (this makes cutting the re-bar wire a cinch): <Here>
• A small ball-pein hammer - go here and choose 'Generic BALL-PEIN Hammer: Indian made / Face: 15mm diam'
• small bench vice (about a 3" (75mm) jaw is good. IMPORTANT: Do not bring a suction-type vice, nor can it be one of those hobby-type hollow metal ones. It must be solid steel. Here is a pic of just what to look for - either the type like in the image that is screwed down to a table, or a clamp-on model.
• automatic centre punch: a cheap-as-chips one can be had here
• foam ear plugs, if you're sensitive to hammering (we'll keep the noise down as much as possible, but there will be some, so just to be safe....
• Work gloves (to protect hands while working the wire - look for a close-fitting kind, rather than a big gardening-glove type)
• A small ball-pein hammer - go here and choose 'Generic BALL-PEIN Hammer: Indian made / Face: 15mm diam'
• a regular pair of utility pliers
• jewellery pliers: a round-nose and a flat-nose (if you don't have any jewellery pliers, here's an inexpensive well-made set of four.
• a small plier with a serrated edge on the inside (gripping edge)
• Ring Clamp: <Here>
• Bench Pin: <Here>
• Bar clamps <Here> 450mm is shown. You may be able to find them cheaper - Bunnings and Mitre 10 stores will carry them. The little 150mm one is handy as well for small projects. Get one of each if you can find them at a good price, you'll use them all the time.
• small file (any fine-tooth file will do)
• drill bits (any standard hardware-store set)
• extra 1/16" drill bit
• piece of scrap wood to drill into
• fine steel wool (find it in a paint-supply section of a hardware store) or Scotch-Brite pads (found in supermarket)
• 3M Wet-Or-Dry Polishing paper - quite simply some of the coolest polishing equipment money can buy <Here>
• Atelier Medium & Varnish: You'll want to get at least the gloss and matt bottles. If you're not strapped for cash, get the satin as well. Scroll down the page to the 'Medium & Varnish' <Here>
• Fuller's ULTRA CLEAR: Available at most hardware stores. DON'T buy a substitute!! This is the only one that has the properties we need. <Here>

ADDITIONAL TOOLS FOR WORKSHOPS THAT ARE THREE DAYS LONG OR OVER:

• jeweller's saw (get one ideally with a 4" (102mm) to 6" (152mm) 'throat'... House of Jewellery has the perfect saw frame. Go here and click on the image. You'll want frame 4, item #49.705, or 49.706.
• saw blades (get two sizes: 1 dozen of the #1 or #2 size and 1 dozen of #3/0 (that's "three-aught") size, any brand
• automatic centre punch: a cheap-as-chips one can be had here.
• Ear protection: foam ear plugs, or other headgear for hearing protection, if you're sensitive to hammering (we'll keep the noise down as much as possible, but there will be some, so just to be safe....
• Work gloves (to protect hands while working the wire - look for a close-fitting kind, rather than a big gardening-glove type)
• small bench vice (about a 3" (75mm) jaw is good. IMPORTANT: Do not bring a suction-type vice, nor can it be one of those hobby-type hollow metal ones. It must be solid steel. Here is a pic of just what to look for - either the type like in the image that is screwed down to a table, or a clamp-on model.
• Flush-cutters. An absolutely brilliant pair of cutters can be found here. Specify the FLUSH-CUT model. They cost $US29. If you cut wire with any frequency, these are more than worth the money. I covet my pair, which I paid way too much for ($US70!), but even so, I wouldn't give them up for anything. However, if you want a cheaper alternative ($7), these will do; or cheaper still, for those who aren't planning on using them much outside the class time: <Here>

OPTIONAL TOOLS:

The tools below are not required for the class; they're helpful, so don't run out and buy them all. They would facilitate you to go in many directions with your work. Bring what you have, and call the workshop venue to check and see if they have some of these things on hand. Some studios are very well equipped, and some rely on students bringing what they need.

• Pin Drill: Micro-Mark carries this as a 'Micro Hand Drill' : <Here>
• Miniature drill bits: <Here>
screwdrivers
tin-snips or metal shears
scribe
hacksaw
circle / geometric templates
masking / sticky / scotch tape
sandpaper
paint brushes

And any tools particular to a media you are conversant in...if you're a book artist, bring materials for binding, etc., painters bring your paints and sketchbooks...and those who've never ventured out into creative waters bring some junk and an open mind!

I look forward to a wild ride of exchange and creation with you all. As we share these days together, I ask each of you to bring slides and/or actual examples of your own work to share with each other, if you have them...this exchange heightens the creative energy and will enable you and I to personalize your own approach to the found material arena.

Please email me with any questions you might have that this page didn't address.

See you there! Keith