Author: nanotopian

Tosca Hidalgo y Terán explores Terrestrial manifestations through combining tactile sculptural forms and audio; creating immersive environments, unNatural History dioramas, and performative wearable structures questioning Human origin and mythos. If we can say that the world of science is synonymous with truth and the world of art with that of fiction, I want to tread a middle ground that is unusual and seemingly beyond belief, yet also familiar. http://www.toscateran.com

Toronto’s Carnival of Taxidermy Book Signing event!

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Toronto’s Carnival of Taxidermy Book Signing event!
Join us Thursday evening July 6th for a wildy wondrous celebration replete with stop-motion films, taxidermy demonstrations, signature punch, oddity vendors, fortune telling and more…
Immerse yourself in an evening of wonder and revelry at this carnivalesque gala of oddity, art, and science celebrating the release of a fascinating new book on the art of taxidermy by Brooklyn taxidermists Divya Anantharaman and Katie Innamorato. Come discover the secrets and stories of this resurgent craft at this illuminating and enchanting celebration.
Oddity vendors include:
House of the Sacred Heart
In their new book Stuffed Animals, Anantharaman and Innamorato demystify the practice of taxidermy, shatter the gross stereotypes, and make it accessible to anyone. Committed to ethical and sustainable sourcing. The authors are part of the vanguard of young taxidermists who bring a sense of fun and experimentation to this old-school hobby. Join us to celebrate the release of the book!
Cash bar & Raffle – Wheel of fortune spin!
Guests have a chance to spin the wheel & win a trick or treat!
Some of the items up for grabs:
A seat in the Entomology workshop, Friday July 7
A seat in the 2-headed chick workshop, Saturday July 8
A seat in a Ring band making workshop
A beautifully bizarre jellyfish pendant
and more!
Pre-order your book and have it signed at the event! Link below.

Details:

Book Signing Carnival of Taxidermy Event, 906 Queen Street West @Crawford, July 6th 5pm – Midnight

Advance book purchase, pick-up during book signing 

Carnival of Taxidermy! Special Guest Artist workshops in Toronto

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Toronto’s Carnival of Taxidermy Book Signing event!
Divya will be in Toronto July 6th thru 9th sharing her skills through amazing workshops:
Join us Thursday evening July 6th for a wildy wondrous celebration replete with stop-motion films, taxidermy demonstrations, oddity vendors, and more…
Immerse yourself in an evening of wonder and revelry at this carnivalesque gala of oddity, art, and science celebrating the release of a fascinating new book on the art of taxidermy by Brooklyn taxidermists Divya Anantharaman and Katie Innamorato. Come discover the secrets and stories of this resurgent craft at this illuminating and enchanting celebration.
 In their new book Stuffed Animals, Anantharaman and Innamorato demystify the practice of taxidermy, shatter the gross stereotypes, and make it accessible to anyone. Committed to ethical and sustainable sourcing.
The authors are part of the vanguard of young taxidermists who bring a sense of fun and experimentation to this old-school hobby.
Super excited to announce the artists that will be giving you a horror show during our Carnival of Taxidermy event!
House of the Sacred Heart
Join us to celebrate the release of the book in Canada!
Pre-order your book and have it signed at the event! Link below.

Details:

Book Signing Carnival of Taxidermy Event, 906 Queen Street West @Crawford, July 6th 5pm – Midnight

Advance book purchase, pick-up during book signing 

Vitrigraph Cane & Murrine workshops in Toronto

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New Workshop! Vitrigraph Cane & Murrine 4 student max, $425pp  
July 22-30 10am to 5pm 
Glass cane and murrine have largely been created in the Hot Shop. Think glassblowers in Murano, Italy and roaring furnaces… Similar cane & murrine can be made in small scale studios through the use of a Vitrigraph kiln & Bullseye compatible glass**.  Deposit of half required to reserve seat & purchase materials. 
In 2013 Tosca was awarded the Glass Art Association of Canada project grant toward the research and development of constructing cane and murrine in a small scale studio environment. In 2014 she was awarded an Ontario Arts Council grant to continue work and experimentation in Vitrigraph pulled cane and murrine with the goal of bringing this research to the public through workshops.
In this workshop students will design and make multi-coloured canes and

Vitrigraph pulled glass

incorporate them with other forms of glass into several kilnformed projects. Creating the canes will involve handling and manipulating hot, molten glass. Proper safety equipment will be provided. No prerequisites.

Students will work as teams, each assisting the other in pulling and cutting canes. Students will be shown how to properly cut and prepare their glass for the vitrigraph kiln. How to set-up a vitrigraph kiln will be discussed and a course outline handed out. **Students are welcome to bring in their own glass for use in this workshop and will receive a discount of $100 towards the class when doing so please, email the studio for details. nanotopia@me.com
 Students can expect to make 30-50 cane and several small plates and bowls (sushi set?)

Fascinators, Victorian bird hats; Wearable taxidermy workshop in Toronto

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Fascinators, Victorian bird hats; Wearable taxidermy workshop, Sunday July 9th 12pm to 5pm 906 Queen Street West @Crawford  Early bird discount $150pp includes materials! Reserve your seat today.   

 

 

Perfect for beginners, experts, or anyone in between, this class will provide students with materials and instruction to create a totally unique piece of wearable taxidermy! The class will begin with a short illustrated lecture on wearable taxidermy, from prehistoric speculation, to shrunken heads, Victorian hummingbird jewelry, and a modern day discussion of ethically obtained animal products in art and fashion. Students will then design their piece and bring it to life using the guidance, tips, tricks, and techniques advised by Divya, Morbid Anatomy taxidermist in residence whose wearable taxidermy designs have been featured in NY Mag’s “The Cut” and various “Top 10 of NY Fashion Week” lists. Her past life as a commercial footwear and accessory designer lives on in her passion for wearable art!

In addition to a number of small heads, paws, pelts, and wings, a selection of jewelry findings and hardware will be provided, along with beads, crystals, ribbons, and other decorative flourishes. Students will have the choice of skinning, cleaning, preparing and preserving animal parts, or using the readily prepared pieces provided. Students are also welcome to bring their own special findings or pieces for use in class. A great place to let your creativity truly run wild! Each student will leave class with a finished piece, and the knowledge to create their own pieces in the future.

It is recommended students bring a small bag or box to transport their pieces.

Toronto’s Carnival of Taxidermy Book Signing event!

nanotopian2 Comments
Toronto’s Carnival of Taxidermy Book Signing event!
Join us Thursday evening July 6th for a wildy wondrous celebration replete with stop-motion films, taxidermy demonstrations, signature punch, oddity vendors, fortune telling and more…
Immerse yourself in an evening of wonder and revelry at this carnivalesque gala of oddity, art, and science celebrating the release of a fascinating new book on the art of taxidermy by Brooklyn taxidermists Divya Anantharaman and Katie Innamorato. Come discover the secrets and stories of this resurgent craft at this illuminating and enchanting celebration.
Oddity vendors include:
House of the Sacred Heart
In their new book Stuffed Animals, Anantharaman and Innamorato demystify the practice of taxidermy, shatter the gross stereotypes, and make it accessible to anyone. Committed to ethical and sustainable sourcing. The authors are part of the vanguard of young taxidermists who bring a sense of fun and experimentation to this old-school hobby. Join us to celebrate the release of the book!
Cash bar & Raffle – Wheel of fortune spin!
Guests have a chance to spin the wheel & win a trick or treat!
Some of the items up for grabs:
A seat in the Entomology workshop, Friday July 7
A seat in the 2-headed chick workshop, Saturday July 8
A seat in a Ring band making workshop
A beautifully bizarre jellyfish pendant
and more!
Pre-order your book and have it signed at the event! Link below.

Details:

Book Signing Carnival of Taxidermy Event, 906 Queen Street West @Crawford, July 6th 5pm – Midnight

Advance book purchase, pick-up during book signing 

Science and Art workshops in Toronto #sciart

nanotopianLeave a comment
 Flame working Glass Eyes for Taxidermy & Sculpture – Thursday evening July 6th 6:30-9:30pm  $185pp 10 student max. 2 seats remain.

This is a special workshop teaching students basic murrini and cane construction methods, shaping glass at a bench-mounted, surface-mix oxygen/propane torch. Safety is discussed, tools, terminology of glass, and process. Each student will have access to a torch and will melt and form glass using a variety of hand tools. 

This is the chance to experience working molten glass and make glass eyes! Various iris methods will be demonstrated: Dragon eyes, mammalian, avian, cephalopod, alien as well as pulling eye cane and adding nichrome wire. Working with hard glass and soft glass students will produce eye shapes and sizes they can use in their taxidermy specimen, sculptural work or jewellery.   Class fee includes all materials
No experience necessary!btn_buynow_LG Ages 12 on up are welcome!

Back & Front view
Back & Front view

ENTOMOLOGY 101: Morphos & Jewels {Beetles & Moths) Friday, July 7th 6:30-9pm Lecture/demo starts at 6:30pm  $75 for full workshop 6:30-9pm  btn_buynow_LG

 

This workshop takes place at 906 Queen Street West (at Crawford)

In this class, students will learn everything about basic insect preparation. We will discuss harvesting and drying specimen, rehydrating dried specimen, and in class we will practice handling techniques, spreading, mounting, the nuances of posing, display, and maintenance. An assortment of ethically sourced insects; Beetles, moths and butterflies, in various sizes, shapes, and colors will be provided. Students will learn how to put together and maintain their own rehydration chamber, things to check for during all stages of the process to ensure a clean and successful end product, and tips for gentle handling. We will also cover how to select museum quality materials for displays. Students receive 1 Riker mount for their specimen, 1 set of insect pins & 2 insects.

As always, all specimen are ethically sourced. We will be reviewing the origins of the insects used in class, how students can ethically and legally source specimen, and suggested, reputable suppliers.

Students go home with their own prepared insects, one Riker mount display, the pinning/spreading board made during class, resource list as well as 1 set of insect pins.and the knowledge to create their own pieces in the future. It is recommended students bring a small bag or box or display case to transport their pieces. Wooden spreading boards, insect pins, archival habitat materials and various insects are available at the studio for purchase.

Spreading boards, insect pins, archival habitat materials and various insects are available at the studio for purchase.  (participants can choose 2 insects to work on)! 299217

Lecture and demonstration can be attended for $25. Lecture/demo fee can be added towards the full workshops offered if you change your mind (if space is available)! Full workshop includes 2-3 insects (a variety to choose from!) one Riker mount display, the pinning/spreading board made during class, resource list as well as 1 set of insect pins.

Other unusual insects will be available for purchase before and after the workshops! Tea, coffee, water and snacks will be available during class.

Lecture/Demo
Lecture/Demo
proud member
proud member

Proud member

Metal + Glass courses, Pate de verre workshops June

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Pâte de verre workshops in Toronto and Metal + Glass courses; fabricate, form metal, forge ring bands, set stones, lo-tech, in house casting methods and more. Please see below!

Sunday, June 18th workshop: Participants learn how to fill a pre-made mould of a small bowl with glass paint, glass powder and fine glass -frit-, the moulds are then fired and participants *return to the studio to divest and finish their bowls. 
Materials included, no experience necessary!  
 

Students learn the basics of pâte de verre from start to finish while making a thin-walled, kiln formed bowl. Students have access to a broad palette of coloured frit (crushed glass) and samples to help predict and understand fired qualities. Demonstrations include various techniques of working with glass powders against the mold, working with color reactions, as well as how to back-fill a packed mold to support the walls of the piece during firing. 

2nd Option: Same workshop only you sculpt your own bowl and learn how to build a refractory mould! This option teaches how to mix refractory materials, differences in mould materials available, working with water based clay to form bowls. Sunday, May 18 noon to 5pm (*return date to be determined during workshop).

 

 

Sunday, June 25th workshop: paper thin sculptural work.  Students learn the basics of pâte de verre from start to finish while making thin-walled, kiln formed sculptural pieces. Students have access to a broad palette of coloured frit (crushed glass) and samples to help predict and understand fired qualities. Demonstrations include various techniques of working with glass powders, working with color reactions, as well as how to fire paper thin structures. 

 

 

 

 

METAL + GLASS 4wk: Next course starts up Monday June 26th – runs Monday & Wednesday afternoons or evenings • Learn basic Goldsmithing – 12pm to 3pm or 6:30-9:30pm 

evening #1: First evening: working with copper: safety, drilling, sawing. Adding textures.

evening #2: Making a band ring out of silver (stamp, hammer finish, roller print, etc.)

evening #3: Working with wax create pieces w/the lost wax technique- to be cast in Sterling silver or bronze/brass.

evening #4: Finishing wax projects, Cuttlefish casting (lo-tech) in house.

evening #5: Kilnworked glass. Fuse several glass pieces (buckle, pendant, cabochon for setting later!).

evening #6: Enameling copper projects, forming, how to make your own basic findings.

evening #7: Bezel settings cabochon stones or fossils or crystals, or an enamelled or Fused glass piece.

evening #8: Finish up projects

No experience necessary!

Copper, wax, glass, and some sterling silver are supplied*.  A list of local suppliers is included.   Questions concerning this course? Please see our FAQ’s

What is included: (items with asterisk included with Lab Fee)

Approx 3″ x 3″ piece of 16 to 18 gauge copper & *16 ga Sterling silver sheet & wire/15 gr casting grain

Sterling silver for 1 ring band, approx 60mm in length and 1.5mm thick (6mm wide)

Wax

Solder

1 dozen 3/0 saw blades, *1 gross selection of Jeweller’s saw blades

Glass powders/Frit & sheet for Fusing *Approximately 1kg of Lead crystal towards a lost wax casting.

Bezel wire for 1 setting

Use of tools & equipment *Bench pin and saw frame to take home

Students are encouraged to supply their own cabochon cut stones, crystals, rocks, etc. However there is a small selection of stones for students to choose from.

June 26th to July 19th 2017 ($275pp) afternoons 12pm-3pm or evenings 6:30pm-9:30pm 4 seats left for the afternoon course

 

 

Optional Lab Fee (includes items above with *): $125

 

Make a glass bowl – Pâte de verre workshop Toronto

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Bowls just coming out of kiln

Pâte de verre workshops – noon to 3:30, 12 student max.  $85pp  Sunday, June 18

Participants learn how to fill a pre-made mould of a small bowl with glass paint, glass powder and fine glass -frit-, the moulds are then fired and participants *return to the studio to divest and finish their bowls. 
Materials included, no experience necessary!  
 

Students learn the basics of pâte de verre from start to finish while making a thin-walled, kiln formed bowl. Students have access to a broad palette of coloured frit (crushed glass) and samples to help predict and understand fired qualities. Demonstrations include various techniques of working with glass powders against the mold, working with color reactions, as well as how to back-fill a packed mold to support the walls of the piece during firing. 

2nd Option: Same workshop only you sculpt your own bowl and learn how to build a refractory mould! This option teaches how to mix refractory materials, differences in mould materials available, working with water based clay to form bowls. Sunday, May 18 noon to 5pm (*return date to be determined during workshop).

Ring band, Wedding & Engagement ring workshops Toronto

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Ring Band Workshops: Saturday June 10th 12pm-3pm Sterling silver included for 1 ring band. $88pp

Learn how to properly measure your finger(s), layout your pattern and hand cut, form, forge a sterling silver ring band! Demonstrations on adding textures via hammers, stamping tools, and Rolling Mill add inspiration. Finishing techniques; brush, satin, rustic and high mirror polish and leave the workshop with a beautiful sterling silver ring or set of 3 thin stacking rings*!

Participants learn how to hand saw, add texture, form, solder and finish their rings in this super fun workshop! All materials included. Sterling silver for 1 wide band ring or sterling silver for 3 stacking rings, or a combination of sterling copper and bronze for stacking rings.

Space is limited, registration is 1st come, 1st served. Please leave a note at checkout with your preferred date option, May 20 or May 27.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nanopod studio ring band (Sterling) workshops are 3 hours long and include Sterling silver for one ring band (rectangular wire 6mm wide x 2mm thick). $88pp 

Wedding band workshops vary upon approach, materials used, etc. Generally the wedding band workshops are private bookings.

There are essentially 4 options:

  1. Sterling ring band workshop $88pp,
  2. Wedding band workshop (wax) $300pc+metal,
  3. Wedding band workshop (fabricate-gold) $350pc+BYOM,
  4. Wedding band workshop wax & DIY cast in the studio! $600pc+metal.
If you and your fiance are looking to create non-traditional rings, I recommend the lost wax process for couples with no experience.
Lost wax involves: carving (for hard wax), sculpting, and/or filing wax ring blanks (or form ring blanks from soft wax using your fingers). These models are then cast in either Gold, Sterling or Bronze.
Before they are cast we weigh the wax and determine cost, if the waxes need to be adjusted to fit budget, etc., we adjust the rings at this wax stage.
Wax is also more forgiving and if  you make a mistake, etc., you can easily start over or fix the model.
Working straight from gold stock is not the same, can be considerably more expensive, and there isn’t a lot of room for error, plus solder needs to be purchased as well, see www.imperialproducts.com for quotes. They are located in Markham, ON.
White gold comes in 10k, 14k, 18k, 19k the higher the karat the more gold, lower means more alloy to make it appear ‘white’, same applies with red gold, or green gold.
Wedding set. 18k white gold with blue and white diamonds.
Wedding set. 18k white gold with blue and white diamonds.

Wedding band [wax & DIY cast] workshops runs three sessions:

1st session involves working with your designs and creating them out of wax.
I show you different approaches to working with wax, various jeweller’s wax, tools and equipment used, carving using hand tools, and rotary tools, etc. Rings are created.
2nd session – If you opt to cast the rings yourself/in house*. We go through the process of Spruing your wax ring models and investing them. The mould is then cured and ….
3rd session: Metal has been purchased and your rings are invested and ready to cast! We go through the entire process of centrifugal casting on this day then, go over various finishing techniques, filing, sanding, polishing.
The Wedding band (wax) workshop runs= $300 per couple + metal for approx 9hrs does not include stone setting** Deposit of half to book time.
Cast at studio $600pc
metal costs are based upon the spot price of the day- I do not charge any extra for gold unless shipping is involved. Basically, you are paying less than wholesale for your custom rings.
Gold rings in past wax carving workshops have run $250 to $650 per ring for 14k. $400 to $850 per ring for 18k. Lost wax cast Sterling silver rings are considerably less, $30 to $110 depending on size.
alyzzaHow much metal would you need (gram wise) is completely dependant on size of ring & your Sprue. A rough idea: approximate gram weight for an 8.5 to size 9 ring would weigh 9 to 10 grams and cost (if purchased through a metal supplier) around $460 to $500 (for 18k rectangular wire same dimensions as Sterling mentioned above) plus solder (18k medium grade) which could run $85 to $100+ for a coupon.
 That said, adding a small amount of high karat yellow gold to sterling is also an option (fused and/or soldered to the Sterling). The beauty of adding high karat gold to Sterling is the bi-metal look plus you could add a patina using Liver of Sulfur that would make the Sterling appear black and the gold pop. Here is a link to my friend’s website (artist/metalsmith Vina Rust) demonstrating LOS on sterling w/gold.
Another option, though completely different would be to work with iron nails and add gold to that.
Here is a link to images (goldsmith Chris Nelson) to give you an idea of what iron/gold look like together –Pinterest Rings
Wedding band workshop-fabricate (melt your own gold (generally equalling more than 10 grams worth), work w/alternative materials, etc) $350per couple (pc)+ BYOM 6hrs. The difference between this workshop and the wax? This workshop YOU bring in your metal strip or enough high karat yellow gold to melt down and roll out into strips that are then cut, filed, sanded, formed, soldered, etc. Similar to our Sterling ring band workshops in method, yet you supply the raw materials.
Group of Sterling silver rings bands.
Group of Sterling silver rings bands.

Generally available- Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Please email me to discuss your ring ideas!

*There is also the option of having your rings cast in Platinum – this takes place off site at a commercial casting company downtown GTA

** Cast in place! For entirely one-of-a-kind rings consider casting raw diamonds into the ring, or meteorites/tektites, iron. Another idea: cast two different metals!

Pâte de verre workshops in Toronto

nanotopianLeave a comment
Bowls just coming out of kiln

Pâte de verre workshops – noon to 3:30, 12 student max.  $85pp  Sunday, June 18

Participants learn how to fill a pre-made mould of a small bowl with glass paint, glass powder and fine glass -frit-, the moulds are then fired and participants *return to the studio to divest and finish their bowls. 
Materials included, no experience necessary!  
 

Students learn the basics of pâte de verre from start to finish while making a thin-walled, kiln formed bowl. Students have access to a broad palette of coloured frit (crushed glass) and samples to help predict and understand fired qualities. Demonstrations include various techniques of working with glass powders against the mold, working with color reactions, as well as how to back-fill a packed mold to support the walls of the piece during firing. 

2nd Option: Same workshop only you sculpt your own bowl and learn how to build a refractory mould! This option teaches how to mix refractory materials, differences in mould materials available, working with water based clay to form bowls. Sunday, June 18 noon to 5pm (*return date to be determined during workshop).