
Toronto’s Carnival of Taxidermy Book Signing event!

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! Ages 12 on up are welcome!
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
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)!
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.
Ars Vitraria Experimentalis : kiln casting Sand casting workshop
6 Sessions: Saturday & Sunday afternoons, 1pm – 5pm, Next course starts February TBA 2017 $430 includes materials. This course is perfect for people looking to turn non-glass items into glass, sculpt items out of clay/wax to be cast in glass, incorporate other materials with cast glass (wood, cement, stone, found items, etc). Using the lost wax casting process as well as sand casting, this course covers various mould making techniques. Adding metal inclusions. Packing moulds with glass, casting and annealing cycles, working with alginate, making silicone moulds to replicate pieces. Students will learn how to hand finish pieces; grind, sand, and cut glass. Participants in this class will create original sculptures, while learning the infinite possibilities of Kiln casting and Sand casting. Participants work by recycling glass bottles and casting this glass into sand, create clay models and learn how to build silicone moulds for lost wax castings, etc. No experience necessary! Size max 18cm in any direction. Deposit of $215 required to hold seat.
Students will make silicone moulds from items they wish to cast in glass. Examples: plastic/vinyl toy/action figure, anatomical models or small branch, unusual vegetable/fruit, seed pod. Items could also be modelled from Sculpey clay and fired ahead of attending the workshop. Glass options are discussed.
Students pour multiple waxes from their silicone moulds, refine their wax models (add or subtract). Models are then weighed and various glass options are revisited. Once glass choice is determined pouring gates are added to models and then a silica based refractory mould is built around the wax models. Once moulds set up the wax is then steamed out. Meanwhile, glass is weighed, and cleaned.
Sand Casting (BYOB): Students are asked to bring in 3-4 empty beer bottles. Bottles are cleaned of labels then broken down and melted in a crucible. Simple forms are pressed into sand and the molten glass is slowly poured into these impressions. Glass is then annealed. – further details/instruction given in class.
What’s included:
2 kg of glass
Approx. .9 kg silicon& plastics necessary for mould building (determine if you will need more through the online material calculator)
Refractory materials
Wax
Nitrile gloves
n95 Particulate respirator
Cold-working consumables
Note: These workshops are messy! Please wear/bring in clothing that can get covered in clay, plaster, water, etc.
Looking for artists/crafters interested in sharing the 322 Harbord Studio space September thru January 2017 (possibly longer) $1100 – Utilities included. Rent includes use of tools and equipment, 24/7 access. Or pay the total of $4500 and make it your own space*! Ikea shelving units optional. 510 square foot storefront with partially finished basement (main floor approx 300sqft). Washroom, upstairs sink, two hose hook-ups. Willing to rent out as a Holiday pop-up for $900 (Dec 1-31st)
Please email nanotopia if interested. Time is of the essence.
Glass cabochons, bezel settings & fold forming, heat rivet connections & simple hollow forms. 4 evenings starting Tuesday June 7th-28th (runs Tuesday evenings 6:30-10pm), $280pp Deposit of half required to hold seat. Seating is limited-register soon!
Students form molten glass into cabochon forms for bezel and tab settings.
1st evening: Working with hard glass students learn how to form, add inclusions, powders, and foils to create cabochon forms. Annealing schedules are discussed, learning heat control and manipulating molten glass.
2nd evening: Students remove their glass ‘cabs’ from the annealing kiln, inspect them, cold-work if necessary and start to design and solder their bezel settings. Fold forming, heat rivets (or pinning) is demonstrated, and hollow-form construction. Students start to build their pieces.
3rd evening: Thick wire tab setting is demonstrated. Students continue building their work.
4th evening: Students finish up their projects.
What’s included: Copper, brass, solder, all glass and copper metal foil.
Students are encouraged to bring in their own fine silver foil, bezel wire and sterling silver sheet, but this is not mandatory.