YOUR FIRST JAPANESE PRINT

Mara, engraver

Become a carver and printer for a day and create your first Japanese woodblock print. An afternoon to be introduced to the wonders of this ancient printing technique that does not require the use of solvents or acids. After a brief introduction where you will have the chance to admire some original vintage woodblocks and some original Ukiyo-e prints; I will explain you the steps to create your first print. At this point you can work at your own design, or you can let yourself inspire by the many books in the studio. Carve and print your first simple printing with two wooden matrices and then print more copies of them on Japanese paper.

AVIGLIANA, To

BEADS IN FAMILY

Marisa, glass bead

Do you want to play with the glass beads in my colorful lab with your family? It seems like being in a treehouse! You will learn how to string beads as the Venetian "Impiraresse" do, and the kids will challenge their parents in some games of skill and fantasy. Then, once you get familiar with this art, we will create a little wonderful present that you will carry with you to remember our meeting. And if you want to discover more about the venetian glass beads, their preciousness and their travels to far horizons, I will be happy to tell you some good stories about them. Trust me, we will have fun!

VENEZIA, Ve

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

YOUR BESPOKE JUTE HAT

Carlotta, milliner

To open the doors of a workshop means to unveil the most intimate secrets of a craftsman. A small world in which ideas are shaped by the most valuable tool that we have, our hands. And this will be our starting point. Through a tactile experience we will understand how to identify the key features of different fabrics. In particular we will analyze the potential of jute, a natural fiber, 100% biodegradable and recyclable, lightweight, durable and very malleable. Together we will explore this amazing malleability and we will discover how to create a unique and precious object with a material which is considered "poor". Every participant will challenge his creativity producing a bespoke hat. Starting with an off-cut of jute you can choose to work with a base-made pattern or to adopt a fully-manual technique like the Moulage. Both methods will be explained and shown during the workshop. The experience will last the whole day, from the morning until the afternoon. Timing are flexible, I will do what I can to meet your personal needs and requests. A buffet - lunch is scheduled on the fresh porch facing a wide garden.

VERBANIA, Vb

CREATE YOUR OWN STAMP

Anita, engraver

The creation of your own stamp begins with the definition of a logo. After that we'll etch on lino or wood the chosen drawing. In the first part of the workshop, in the morning, we'll define the drawing and we'll start the etching. In the afternoon we'll conclude the definition of the stamp. Later we'll do some printing trials on different types of papers, handmade papers, card-boards, fabrics and plastic materials. Each participant will bring home his own stamp to be used on his own letterhead, on letters and envelopes!

VENEZIA, Ve

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

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

LEATHER CLASS

Giuseppe, leather craftsman

During this experience you'll be able to create 4 small leather or fabric goods, such as frames for your photos or a hard cover for your personal planner. You can choose the type and color of material to work with and, under our guidance, you will learn all the steps for the realization of the products that you will bring home as a memory of the experience. The workshop will end up with a dinner based on pizza, cooked in a wood oven at the craftsman's house.

GUBBIO, Pg

CARVING THE PIETRA SERENA

Andrea, stone worker

We offer a guided tour within our lab. We want to give you the chance to get to know the main steps that allow us to create pavings, benches and gates starting from a piece of stone. At the end of the visit one of our stone-cutters, will help you carving your name and/or surname on a piece of Pietra Serena. You will have your special souvenir then, so that you will remember of our meeting.

LASTRA A SIGNA, Fi