Course 1: Mixed Media: from an Original to Multiple Products
Creating, Producing and Selling Multiple Products
using an original Mixed Media Art
Course 1 is about the transition from ceramic to mixed media, the product development process, inspiration, the ceramic influence in my mixed media and the unlimited possibilities with equipment for making tiles, t-shirts, mouse pads, puzzles, switch plates, pillows and much more. Step by step instructions with videos and all information will be included. In addition, I will share the business aspects I have learned about how to sell them in stores.
This module will be offered in 5 weeks beginning in January 8, 2013, with enough time to make new projects for Valentine’s Day and Mother and Father’s Day.
When and How Much?
- January 8, 2013 – February 8, 2013 (5 weeks)
- Price: $129 USD
- Access to the classroom will be available until March 8, 2013.
- A course PDF will be available at the end of the class as part of the course content!
These classes are for you if:
- You are interested in learning how to translate a ceramic design into a mixed media work and vice versa.
- You are interested in mixing multi-media with ceramics.
- You want to learn how I create my own painted papers for my original mixed media art.
- You would like to learn insider tips to getting your work into stores and make a living with it.
- You want to learn how to digitize an original painting, mixed media, or collage.
- You want to learn the steps of transferring your printable art in ceramic tiles, mouse pads, puzzles, fabric, t-shirts and more using the new sublimation and chromablast technology available.
- You want to learn how to make many products out of an original work.
- You want to spark your creativity.
- You want to know the equipment I use to make different products that sell well in stores.
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Course 2: Creative Ceramic Designs with Clay Slabs
A Fun, Easy and Productive way to Create, Reproduce and Sell
- 12+ easy projects with ceramic-slab techniques
- These projects sell for $600+ in retail
- Have you ever wanted to learn how to create a beautiful, functional art piece in ceramic?
- Did you ever dream of creating your own ceramic art?
- Have you ever asked yourself: how does a ceramic artist make and sell ceramic work for so many years through gift, décor, and art stores?
The Time is NOW!
You will be learning the basic and easiest steps to help you create successful ceramic pieces with slabs of clay. After 20 years making ceramic works and 16 years selling them in stores in Puerto Rico, plus a few of them reproduced and sold through Avon Puerto Rico, this is the time to share. I am very excited about this new step in my creative journey!
I will be sharing my knowledge and experience with ceramic and the techniques learned through experimentation and practice during throughout those 20 years.
Each week, until week 6, I will teach a new piece plus a few variations, guiding you through each step with advice and tips for each of the projects. I will also encourage and guide you through the process of creating your own ceramic design. Weeks 7-9 will be dedicated to decorating, painting, glazing and firing techniques. It won’t be long before you discover how easy slab ceramic is and that by using just a few new techniques, imagination and inspiration, you can build a ceramic piece designed by you.
The last week will be dedicated to reproduction techniques, demo classes and processes with collaborating artists. I will also introduce my experience selling to stores and the manufacturing experience with a few of my ceramic designs. My industrial engineering expertise will be a great tool to let you know the how to make more ceramics in less time, reducing the cost of each piece produced.
Easy to learn and quick to implement, you will be making professional looking ceramic pieces, both functional and decorative. By the end of the 10th week you should have a $600+ retail value of ceramic pieces you can show in your own space or use as a gift for that special person in your life. Your creativity will be challenged and the possibilities in for a creative business adding ceramic will bloom!
The class will include:
- Welcome videos.
- Colorful downloadable PDF with photos and step-by-step instructions for each lesson/project.
- 12 step-by-step projects from my original pieces and more than 20 project ideas.
- Over 20 sheets of printable blueprints to use in the ceramic pieces we will be creating and others you can make after the end of the course (a $60 value!).
- Quality Videos with instructions, step by step, made inside my studio and in a few spots selected around Puerto Rico. Special bonus, this will include a beautiful beach in Puerto Rico and my childhood playground area.
- Reminder emails when the classroom is updated with new materials.
- Private Group gallery to share your work and view the work of your classmates.
- Private Facebook Group message board to share your thoughts with your classmates.
- Email access to me for 10 weeks.
- Weekly Round Ups of Questions and Answers.
- Ten one-hour live chats with me for 30 participants (20 minutes sessions) through Skype. Submissions to participate will start the second week.
- Five Video Round-Up Questions and Answers with real demonstrations.
- Productivity challenges with tips and tricks to make ceramic pieces in less time. I will put my industrial engineering skills to work for you to demonstrate how to minimize the time to make a piece in the event you want to make ceramic for selling purposes, especially if they are to be sold at whole sale prices.
- List of online suppliers.
- Reference list of books.
When?
- Course 2: March 2013
- A course PDF will be available at the end of the class as part of the course content!
This Course is For You If:
- You love to create.
- You dream to have your own hand-built ceramic designs.
- You are interested in learning my ceramic design process and how I make ceramic pieces that are sold in stores.
- You want to learn more about how to reproduce with less effort and less cost your own ceramic designs.
- You are deciding to apply to a ceramic curriculum in any university but you want to learn the basics of making a ceramic piece out of clay slabs.
- You want to join a community of like-minded people on a fun and inspiring creative journey in ceramic art.
- You dream of one day reproducing and selling your own hand built ceramic designs but don’t know where to start.
- You want to learn how to get inspiration to make a ceramic piece.
You will do this by actually creating more than 12 pieces in ceramic, all of them designed by me. You will also be encouraged and guided to design, develop and make your own design (with a clay slab) in a special class one day each week. Instructions will be written and in video.
Important Notes:
- You do not need a kiln oven or a slab roller to create the ceramic pieces of this course. However, if you are planning on selling your own designs it is highly recommended to invest in a kiln and a slab roller.
- You can create all the ceramic pieces with a minimum investment of materials and tools.
Course 2 Content
- The Clay, which one you need.
- The Tools: commercial, nature, home made.
- How and where to seek out inspiration for your ceramic designs.
- The sketching process for ceramic art.
- How to make a blueprint to use forever and ever.
- How to make the appropriate clay slab for each design.
- How to create stamps for the ceramic design: commercial, home and nature findings, ceramic, linoleum, and more.
- How to make 12 or more of my designs, step by step… from the clay slab to the finish product assemble.
- How to turn an idea into a ceramic work.
- How to develop your signature style and use this to brand your business.
- How to work with color glazes, under glazes, some oxides, mixed colors and brands.
- Time-saving tricks to produce in less time with less cost.
- The secrets for a successful wholesale ceramic design.
- How to plan a mural with ceramic tiles created by you.
- How to start and set a ceramic studio with safety measurements included.
This class will not include:
- Wheel Pottery classes.
- Step by step Raku firing (a demonstration class will be provided but this is not a RAKU technique Class).
- Pinching and coil techniques. These are very basic techniques that can be used for small or big projects. I have never used these techniques for the ceramics I sell but a list of reference books will be provided and a demonstration class.
- Mold making, although a demonstration class will be included.
- Except for the 20 blueprints and the PDF document, no other material will be supplied.
- PLUS, the course will also include bonus demos classes on Raku technique and firing, Wheel Pottery and Mold Making.
- PLUS behind the scenes of Elizabeth’s life as a ceramist, product designer and successful seller in stores for 16 years.
My Art Journey
When I was in High School I was encouraged to be in Science and Math curriculums instead of art classes because my grades were straight A’s. Well, I am not bragging about it, it is just a way of telling you the real story. Art was not meant to be for me. I entered an engineering school in Puerto Rico and finished my Industrial Engineering degree, and then I went to be part of the work force with a regular job. I was bored to death in any job I was hired even if they liked my work or that I had good ideas to implement. Instead of looking for positions related to my professional area I was always dreaming of art or craft projects. This also happened when I was in college. I was never part of any professional association.
As soon as I graduated and at the same time I was working as an engineer, I filled an application for a craft and artisan certification and by that time I only knew “almost nothing” about art or crafts, just a few macramé and patch work with fabric. My first son was born and this was the time to quit my job. I wanted to take care of him and I started to be a stay-at-home mom. While taking care of my son was always my first priority, I was also filled with lots of ideas and projects to create. I was always fighting with my true self. I wanted to be a great professional but I was in love with my life taking care of my son, then my two sons and finally my three sons. If I could have the opportunity to change that, I would never do it. I was at peace with myself and nothing could take that away from me.
By that time and to make some money I started sewing and “designing” blouses and then children clothes, most of them for my sons. I wanted by all means to help with the family finances but I was not ready to leave my sons in the care of any other person. It was at that moment that my idea of selling something to a store created by me started and my journey in art and business began.
The complete story will be part of the course… if you want to know more…
What others say:
- PR Arts and Crafts Store owner Tony Amador:
- “We have sold Elizabeth Gonzalez’s crafts for over 12 years. Her artistic ability continues to grow as her crafts evolve into her unique expressions.”
- Natural Home Store owner Sema Tupnil:
- “I have been selling Elizabeth’s art for almost six months. My business and my concept store became very cheerful with her tiles. It is like a poem that I tell all my customers about her work and the story behind them.”
- Customers:
- “I like some art pieces more than others, but I can’t say there is something I don’t like.”
- “I have a lot of your ceramic art in my house, they make my home more cheerful.”
- “Your art makes me smile.”
- “Your art is beautiful and I can feel the passion you put in it.”
- “Your work is so cheerful, colorful and meaningful, it could be use for therapy.”
- “I can distinguish your art in any medium you use, ceramic, mixed media, no matter where it is, it makes me smile.”
