Creature making classes come to the Mount Baker Community Clubhouse!

Creature making??
 Creature making is the art of designing and creating unique handmade plush toys. Students will learn basic sewing and needle felting techniques which they will use to create creatures, dolls, and animals of their own design. This quarter the class will begin with lessons on deconstructing and reconstructing previously owned stuffed animals to create entirely new, one of a kind toys. From there we will move on to creating " Sweater Beasts" out of recycled sweaters, and finally the students will be independently creating their own designs using a variety of materials. We will always have examples of our own work on hand as well as specific projects that the students can replicate, but everyone will be encouraged to make their own “guys” in their own ways. Our goal is always to serve as facilitators of the unique creative vision of each child.

If you are new to the world of artist made plush toys we suggest you take a look at the PlushYou! blog at http://plushyou.blogspot.com/ , and stop by Schmancy toys if you happen to be downtown by the Moore Theater. Schmancy is right next door to the Moore and has the best plush collection in the city. Also scroll down for photos of students' work.


Where and when?
Classes begin on Monday October 4th from four to five PM and will run every Monday for ten weeks. The cost for the ten week session is 235.00, which includes all supplies. We welcome students of all skill levels from age six and up. If you are interested in signing up for the class please email Coco Howard at softlife@mac.com to reserve a space. Payment is due in full on the first day of class, and checks should be made out to Germaine Howard. Classes are held in conference room at the Mount Baker Community Clubhouse : 2811 Mt. Rainier Dr S, Seattle, WA 98144
                                               

 About the Instructors 

Coco Howard is a fiber artist and art teacher who currently lives in the Mount Baker neighborhood. She has been teaching children in the Seattle area for eight years as a classroom art teacher, art therapist, artist in residence, and after school arts enrichment teacher, and is dedicated to bringing the concept of DIY art, craft, and design into the lives of young people. She has exhibited her own work in Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, and Tokyo. You can find out more about her work at http://www.softlifeindustry.com

Stevie Baka was born and raised in the Midwest, where she found her drive for art at an early age. She mentored with Gene Pluhar as his ceramic tech at Grosse Pointe South high School. Soon after she moved to Chicago and started studying scientific illustration and art brut, also known as outsider art.
Stevie now focuses on found art collaborations and sustainable art pieces. This really just means saving money by using recycled and found art supplies to create something new. 
Stevie is currently living in mount baker and working at mioposto. In her free time she nannies and teaches one on one art classes with kids of all ages.

Creature making class photos