YOUR HAND-SEWN BOOK

Paola, bookbinder and restorer

This experience is for those who want to take a trip inside the magic world of bookbinding. You will discover the whole lab, the machineries and the working tools, but most of all I will tell you how they work and how a book is made. After this tour we will put our aprons on and start working in order to create your own hand-sewn book. You will decide how to make your book cover by choosing the material and I will teach you how to create a book only with needle and thread so that you’ll be able to do that. We will create together the structure of the book and the cover that can be personalized even with a golden engraving (yes, I will also show you how hot foil stamping is made!) The final work will then be a unique book to bring home with you as a keepsake of our experience together.

TORINO, To

RAKU BENEATH THE STARS

Giuliano e Claudio, ceramist

The experience is full day one, from 1 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.. At the beginning we'll spend about 4 hours at the “Laboratorio Artistico”, our atelier. There will be a brief introduction on Raku technique. Later each participant will glaze 2 or 3 pieces freely chosen among a wide range at the atelier (vases, dishes, sculptures). After the glazing we'll move in the hills, at about 20-minute drive from the atelier, where we'll fire the artworks. Raku technique in fact envisages a second firing, open-flames almost 1000°, at which will follow the extraction of the pieces, still incandescent. Moreover we'll do a number of operations, with water, air, smoke, that will confer to the pieces unique colors and shades. During the firing, that will last about 3 hours and that will happen during sunset/evening, we'll offer to the participants a happy hour/dinner. The end of the experience is expected to be at about 10.30 p.m.. You can then bring home with you your creations.

REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, Re

WET FELT HAT

Maria-Federica, milliner

To create a hat beginning from carded wool by using the technique of handmade felt. What is handcrafted felt, and how does the process of felting work? The different qualities of wool, the differences between carded and combed wool. Creation of “Bergschaf” and “Merino” wool samples. Experimentation of decorative effects. How to create a three-dimensional shape without seams. Creation of a cloche hat or of an extra-faint Merino's wool beanie. The three-dimensional felt technique could be used to create many other objects. I will explain you how to keep experimenting. All the materials are included, and you will bring home with you a beautiful one-of-a-kind object made by your own hands.

LA SPEZIA, Sp

THE CERAMIST'S LAB

Elisa, ceramist

In my workshop you will learn how to shape the clay by using different techniques. From the coil building to slab, everything can be created. From sculptures to tea set, it is all possible. Most of all though, you will laugh and relax yourself! For this visit I will welcome you in my workshop for a demonstration of lathe machining and other ceramic processing techniques, including creation and manufacture of enamels. I will generally talk about the process that leads clay to become ceramic, from the mountains to our tables.

COMO, Co

YOUR SPECIAL MOSAIC

Matteo, mosaic maker

What better than your name can identify you? Decorate with a mosaic the initial of your name or of the person you want to give it to. Imagine the letter of your name with a mosaic part in it. You can use it to furnish an old dresser, a shelf, or any other place to bring your personality. In fact in this workshop you can decide the decoration and the color of the tiles. These will be used to fill up with a mosaic the etched space in the wooden letter. Later I'll show you how the marbles, stone-paste and gold leaf tiles are cut. We'll see how to lay the glue down and how to position the tiles to create the decoration of your personal letter. Of course, once the object will be finished, you can bring it back home with you. The only things I ask you is to tell me the chosen letter, so that you can find it ready to be decorated. Moreover you can choose between the blue or dove-grey color to paint the letter yourself. The workshop will last about 2/2.5 hours.

PARABITA, Le

IN THE SIGN OF "FEDERICO"

Maria Josè, restorer

Do you want to learn the techniques of the XVI century knowledge? We'll show you and tell you our manual skills in restoration, in faithful reproduction of vintage furniture, in cabinetmaking, in painting and gilding. We'll re-experience emotions, the study, the passion in doing the faithful reproduction of the “Studiolo del Duca di Montefeltro”, of which the original is located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. We'll have lunch together in a typical restaurant of Gubbio. Later we'll go together to see the replica of the “Studiolo del Duca di Montefeltro”. We created it and now it is possible to see it in its original location, at the Doge's Palace in Gubbio. In this important context, you'll have the chance to admire other fine artifacts that we restored.

GUBBIO, Pg

RAKU POTTERY, FROM CREATION TO FIRING

Andrea, ceramist

The workshop is divided in two stages. The first envisages the creation of two objects (a dish and a vase) by using manual techniques and various molds. This experience will take place in the atelier of Verona, located within the shop. (it will last about 4 hours). The second stage instead, will be at the atelier of the Raku's furnace. It is in an open space close to Verona. It envisages the coloring and the firing of the objects. (it will last about 4 hours). Total hours expected for the workshop are 8. For the biscuit to be available, you have to wait at least two days. That is why we'll agree upon a the date of the second stage of the experience.

VERONA, Vr

GOLD AND SILVER

Iacopo, interior decorator

Through the ancient technique of the gold leaf, the participants will create a photo frame in gold and silver leaves (imitation). We'll use modern materials and tools that allow the creation of the objects to be quick. The frame that will be created will become a very personal furniture. You can collect it at the end of the workshop. All the materials that we'll use are solvents free. During the workshop we'll visit my atelier and I'll show you other working techniques that I use, such as resins and mosaics.

SESTO FIORENTINO, Fi

IMPIRARESSA FOR ONE DAY

Marisa, glass bead

Do you like creating objects with beads? Are you interested in the various techniques for threading ordinary and Venetian glass beads how the "impiraresse", threaders of glass beads from once upon a time used to? Would you like to see how I use them now? This workshop then is perfect for you! We will learn about Venetian beads, how they traveled across the world and how they are used, we will decide how best to use them to create your own jewelry! I will share with you all I've learned during a life time with glass beads! Take the most of it as we "impiraresse" tend to be volatile and I may change my mind ;) The only thing I will not be teaching is working with corals, as it is a secret, but the rest of my knowledge is at your disposal in my small and colorful workshop in the center of Venice.

VENEZIA, Ve