About the Artist

Christi Friesen was born at a very young age, kidnapped and raised by lemmings.  She escaped to California where she got married, had various wonderful kids, and amassed credit card bills.  She is currently considering having a midlife crisis, unless there’s something good on television.

Her work is known for the embellishments of gems, semi-precious stone, pearls and beads she incorporates into her polymer clay sculptures, art jewelry and focal beads.  CF’s award-winning work is showcased in magazines and books.   She is also the author of a series of how-to books.

Meet the teacher

Friday Night Meet&Greet….Sweet! I will be rollin’ into town on Friday, ready to play! Join me and the Tampa Bead Café group for an evening of fun. I’ll be signing books (you can buy one or two or eight at the store, or bring your previously purchased books – either way I’ll scribble in them for you!) We’ll have some fun demos (to get you revved up for a weekend of classes) and even a few give-aways. You won’t want to miss it!

The fun starts at 5 pm Friday, September 10th! See you there!

email: info@tampabeadcafe.com or call: 813-374-9099 to reserve your seat today!

Universal Materials for Class

. embellishments:  fun things to accent your sculptures, especially beads!  Anything that can go into the oven is great.  I suggest you bring an assortment of beads (natural pearls, stone, glass, crystal, enamel, metal, ceramic… NO plastic or resin beads).  You can also bring jewelry findings (vintage metal findings, metal spacers and bead caps, chain…),  and/or fibers (natural such as cotton, hemp…) – anything you think might look nice in your creation.  You can bring a lot or a little!

. headpins/wire for attaching the embellishments: 28 gauge craft wire, about a foot.   Headpins of any size, gauge and length, about 2 dozen

. tools -  I’ll be bringing tools to share!, but if you have any of the following tools, bring them:  sculpting tools, needle tool, needle-nose tweezers, cutting blade, wire cutters, pliers, pasta machine (optional)

Steampunk Bird

Cost: $60 plus materials

Instructor: Christie Friesen

Materials:

For the steampunk bird bring one package each of: gold, silver, orange, brown (any shade), and any additional colors to accent the feathers (such as blue, purple, fuchsia….)

If you can, pre-condition your clay before class (so we won’t waste too much time or need to take up too much space with excess pasta machines).

Do you steampunk?  If not, well, it’s time! Steampunk is a great look for polymer clay – using watchparts and other metallic accents to bring a funky, Victorian/mad scientist feel to the piece – you’ll love it!!  In this class you will learn sculpture techniques and steampunk tricks.  Your piece can be a focal bead or a brooch.

This class is perfect for all skill levels, even beginners.

Mermaid

Cost: $60 plus materials

Instructor: Christie Friesen

Materials:

For the mermaid bring one package each of: white, blue (any shade – blue pearl, turquoise or ultramarine), green pearl (or any other shade of green), ecru, gold.  You can also bring any additional color for her hair (like yellow, orange or brown).

If you can, pre-condition your clay before class (so we won’t waste too much time or need to take up too much space with excess pasta machines).

Ocean Commotion: Mermaid –  This is a swell class! You will create an ocean-blend background and adorn it with a wonderful mermaid.  Adding beads and findings to enhance the creation is where it really gets fun.  In this class you will learn sculpting tricks, design and composition skills and techniques for adding embellishments to polymer clay.  Your piece can be a focal bead, wall piece, art vessel or necklace.

This class is perfect for all skill levels, even beginners.

Polymer Vintage Necklace

Cost: $90 plus materials

Instructor: Christie Friesen

Materials:

For the garden bring two packages of: green (two different shades, such as green pearl and fluorescent green), and one package each of:  gold, ecru, white, blue (any shade) and another floral accent color (such as fuchsia, purple, red, yellow…).  You could also bring brown and/or copper, if you have it.

If you can, pre-condition your clay before class (so we won’t waste too much time or need to take up too much space with excess pasta machines).

This class is just blooming with interest! You will create a set of pendants that can be linked together to form an art jewelry necklace, or kept separate as a series of focal beads (you could even make a wall piece if you prefer). You will learn sculpting tricks, design and composition skills and techniques for adding embellishments to polymer clay.

This class is perfect for all skill levels, even beginners.