This year’s Jewelry Boot Camp features 13 jewelry workshops taught by a diverse group of dynamic artists all in town at the same time. This lovely weekend of workshops is just in time for Mother’s Day. Plan to treat the special women in your life with a handmade gift you create, or join us for the Saturday JBC Showcase—special creations by our instructors, students, and volunteers. It’s a sparkling celebration of the Shake Rag Alley community!
Registration deadline is April 22.
Glass art has unlocked a door for Artwork in any medium is born from a spark of intention like a dance fully emerging from thought, passing through hands, and eyes. Torch fired glass has been with me for over 24 years. It has taught me focus, given me happiness and failures, challenges and successes. Meticulously constructed, I use the torch to melt the glass layer upon layer, reading the heat and applying ancient techniques and skills. I strive to capture beauty within my glass art. Glass art has unlocked a door for me. In 2014, Beadazzled By Julz, LLC was born out of the desire to teach the ancient art of glass bead making skills and art jewelry. I’ve since expanded to include glass blowing and enameling.
What sets me apart as a creator and teacher is my 29 years of experience working in public education. I am grateful for the opportunities to foster creativity, make friends, and share my skills. My charitable donations include “Beads Of Courage”.
Workshops
The jewelry that Sarah Mann designs and handcrafts skillfully merges geometric and organic elements to create a style that is recognizably her own. She was introduced to metalsmithing at the University of Wisconsin in her hometown of Milwaukee. She furthered her interest under the expert guidance of Heikki Seppa at Washington Universty in St. Louis and at Fuji Studio in Florence, Italy. She then lived in New Orleans, where she worked amidst its thriving community of metalsmiths and honed her skills in preparation for a transition to New York City. The dynamism of the city inspired the strong form and kinetic elements in her pieces. She has since returned to her roots in the Midwest and continues her silversmithing here, creating bold yet elegant jewelry with unique surface treatments.
Sarah introduces a new line consisting of earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings about every 10 months. She herself carefully crafts each and every piece and presents it as one of a limited edition.
Workshops
Leslie Perrino is an artist and “art evangelist” who loves to share the power of art and creativity with people, particularly in her beloved areas of metals and enameling. Her artwork is a quirky mix of traditional and found objects, most recently combining computer/electrical components with enamels. She is a charismatic and effective teacher who encourages skill building and exploration of the medium.
Workshops
Cheryl Smeja is a Mineral Point leather artist, nationally known for her pioneering work in wet-formed leather sculpture. She has appeared on The Carol Duvall Show, taught at national leather conventions and has had articles published in The Leather Crafters and Saddlers journal. For over 25 years she sold her formed leather masks, wall hangings, jewelry, pots, and more at art fairs and from her Mineral Point gallery/shop. Now semi-retired, Cheryl enjoys pursuing other interests such as needle felting, wire jewelry, polymer clay, paper making, and Photoshop image manipulation. Cheryl serves on the Shake Rag Alley Curriculum Committee. A versatile artisan and dedicated teacher, Cheryl is ever ready for a new challenge.
Workshops
Luann Smith began making jewelry to help with school expenses while studying figure painting and illustration at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. After moving to Madison, she worked as a freelance illustrator, portrait painter, and taught watercolor for the UW Extension.
Years of painting realistically has morphed into more sculptural work, which incorporates vintage and found objects into her jewelry, mosaic water pieces, and bird sculptures. Luann’s jewelry can be found at River Arts on Water Gallery in Prairie Du Sac, and Longbranch Gallery in Mineral Point.
Workshops
Sherry Viktora is a senior instructor in silver metal clay. She brings a love of nature and gardening to her art and an enthusiasm for sharing to her teaching. She combines metal clay with glass and organic materials to create unique work. After receiving PMCC certifications and art clay instructor certification, Sherry retired to become a full-time senior instructor. Sherry’s work has been published in national art and jewelry magazines and can be found at Longbranch Gallery in Mineral Point.
Workshops
Fine Silver Rings in a Day – May
Fine Silver Rings in a Day – August
Fine Silver Leaves from the Garden
Katie White grew up on a farm in Stockton, IL. She graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2012 with a BFA degree in ceramics. She has participated in ceramic residencies throughout the country including the Cub Creek Foundation in Appomattox, VA, Red Lodge Clay Center in Red Lodge, MT, as well as at Wichita State University in Wichita, KS. Katie moved to Mineral Point in June 2017 and worked as studio assistant at Bruce Howdle Studio. She continues to create her pottery and sculpture at the Globe Clay Center and wood fires in the Mineral Point area.
Workshops
Denise Anton Wright has made three really good decisions in her life: becoming a librarian, marrying her husband, and dabbling in jewelry-making. Since retiring from Library Land in 2015, Denise spends her days creating, taking care of two high-maintenance cats, and watching lots of classic old movies while working on jewelry projects. Her growth as an artist and creator has been helped immeasurably by the wonderful classes that she’s taken at Shake Rag Alley (a big shout-out to Lorraine Reynolds). Her jewelry business is Salve Regina Tchotchkes; the name is a combination of Latin and Yiddish and can be very roughly translated as: shiny objects with no practical purpose for our Heavenly Queen.
Workshops
Explore a new art form, or grow your skills with new techniques! Beginners and experienced students alike can choose from a variety of classes with a range of styles from funky to fine. Use this weekend to explore new materials, be inspired anew, and network with other jewelers. You’ll leave with new ideas and something stunning. Come for the weekend and enjoy our gem of a town.
Thursday
8-9am Registration + Breakfast Treats | Art Cafe
9am-4pm Textured Band Rings with Sarah Mann | Smejas’ Studio
9am-Noon Messy Memory Wire with Denise Anton Wright | Cabinet Shop
Noon-1pm Lunch
1pm-5pm Wire Wrapped Cabochon Pendant with Cheryl Smeja | Lind North
Friday
8-9am Registration + Breakfast Treats | Art Cafe
9am-4pm Textured Drop Earrings with Sarah Mann | Smejas’ Studio
9am-4:30pm Intro to Silver Metal Clay with Sherry Viktora | Lind Pavilion North
9am-4pm Micro-Mosaic Pendants with Luann Smith | Sardeson Studio
Noon-1pm Lunch
4:30-5:30pm Social Hour | Lind Pavilion
Saturday
8-9am Registration + Breakfast Treats | Art Cafe
9am-noon Broken China Pendants with Katie White | Cabinet Shop
9am-3:30pm Making Glass Beads with Julie Lukosaitis | Lind Pavilion South
9am-3pm Embossed Enameling with Leslie Perrino | Smejas’ Studio
9am-4:30 Fine Silver Rings in a Day with Sherry Viktora | Lind Pavilion North
Noon-1pm Lunch
1-4pm Broken China Pendants with Katie White | Cabinet Shop
6-8 pm JBC Showcase | Lind Pavilion
Sunday
8-9am Registration + Breakfast Treats | Art Cafe
9am-3pm Fused Loop Earrings with Leslie Perrino | Smejas’ Studio
9am-3:30pm Making Glass Beads with Julie Lukosaitis | Lind Pavilion South
Noon-1pm Lunch
Coach House
18 Shake Rag Street
Art Café
Ellery House
restrooms
4 of 33restrooms
5 of 33restrooms
6 of 33Open Air Parking
7 of 33Lind Pavilion Parking
8 of 33Roadside Parking
allowed on Commerce Street
Smejas’ Studio parking
10 of 33Smejas’ Studio
30 Doty Street
Curbside Parking
as indicated
Accessible Parking
with curb cut
Accessible Parking
with curb cut
Alley Stage
15 of 33Cabinet Shop
French Cabin
1830 Log Cabin
Potter’s House
Blacksmith Barn
Federal Spring
21 of 33Monarch Garden
22 of 33Lind Pavilion
411 Commerce Street
two blocks to
High Street & Commerce Street
Restaurants, Shops & Galleries
To Grocery Store
Point Foods
622 Dodge Street
Street Parking with Additional Parking behind Smejas’ Studio
26 of 33The Green
open air park
Stair Steps
between
Cabinet Shop & Lind Pavilion
Stair Steps
to Alley Stage
Stone Bridge
over
Federal Spring
Weaving & Fiber Arts Studio
Cannery Row Arts Incubator
121 Water St.
Footbridge
33 of 33ADA accessible buildings: Lind Pavilion, Coach House (first floor), Smejas’ Studio
18 Shake Rag St.
Mineral Point, WI 53565
(608) 987-3292
