I teach kintsugi classes/workshops to women and girls in various contexts:
- Individuals and small groups (in Utah)
- Workshops at events (conferences, conventions, retreats)
- Non-profit collaborations
- Church activities
Classes can be repeated as many times as desired to work on different, more intricate, or more advanced vessels!
I recommend kintsugi classes for women and girls ages 14+. (Younger girls are welcome provided there are sufficient adults to supervise and assist, as kintsugi requires advanced motor skills, steadiness, patience, and the safe use of scalpels.)
LOCATION: Utah – but travel may be an option for larger events; contact me for details.
Pricing
NON-PROFITS: Classes are discounted for charitable and religious organizations. Please contact me for pricing.
The following prices include registration, supplies, and instruction. There may be additional fees for special accommodations or if a venue needs to be rented.
Option 1: Complete Gold Flush Method ($35/participant)
This is a two-part class, as we will be rebuilding part of the vessel and the plaster needs to dry overnight. Each class will run for approximately 2 hours. In the first class we will be introduced to the art and meaning of kintsugi, then proceed to break the vessels, repair with an epoxy, and recreate part of the vessel using a plaster mixture. During the second class we will sand the plastered areas, paint all breakage areas with gold, and then apply a finishing coat. This class type has a $140 class minimum, meaning in order to reach the $35/participant pricing we will need to have at least 4 registrants.
Option 2: Simplified Gold Flush Method ($20/participant)
This version of the course requires only one class session, about 2 or 3 hours. We will discuss some of the symbolism of kintsugi. Each participant will be provided a vessel to break, mend with an epoxy, paint with metallic gold, and then apply a finishing coat. There is no plastering with this class option due to time constraints, so chips and missing pieces will not be reconstructed; instead, you can choose to illuminate the missing portion with gold paint. There is a $100 class minimum for this class type, meaning that in order to reach the $20/participant pricing we will need to have 5 registrants.
Option 3: Volunteer Session (free)
In this version of the course, participants volunteer their time to perform kintsugi on vessels which will be donated to women who have survived trauma, are refugees, and other women who can find special meaning and hope in the symbolism of kintsugi. Class availability varies by demand, and may involve either the entire kintsugi process or just one or two steps.
Class Settings
My course material is flexible and can be adapted to various settings. Contact me to schedule a class or workshop!
Small group classes
Get your friends together for a girls' night and let's do some kintsugi! Think "Paint Night", but with a kintsugi class instead. Choose between one-session and two-session classes. You can either host the class (in a home, residential clubhouse, office, etc.) or we can rent a small venue for your group. Venue fees will be split among participants on top of the normal registration prices, meaning the individual venue fees will be cheaper with more registrants.
Christian Group Activities
My class is a suitable activity for religious groups and ties in nicely with spiritual beliefs. For these classes I will integrate Christian principles explaining how they can be related to the symbolism behind kintsugi. Participants will practice kintsugi on a small vessel that they can take home as a reminder of that symbolism. I can teach a simplified version of the gold flush method in a single 2 or 3 hour class. The activities committee would need to collect rsvp's for their group 2-3 weeks in advance so that we ensure we have enough materials.
I teach for free for a select number of church groups per year. For these classes my rates are drastically discounted. The church group would only be assisting with materials costs, not paying for the class itself. Please reach out to get scheduled if you are interested in getting on the calendar!
Event workshops
Hosting an event like a women's conference, convention or retreat? Including a kintsugi workshop is a unique way to cultivate an atmosphere of hope, healing and belonging. Depending on time constraints, it could include a single class or a two-part class if the event spans more than one day. These workshops can be customized to fit your event. Whether you want the topic to be focused on healing and the general symbolism behind kintsugi, or you want to intermix other themes that can be tied into kintsugi. This workshops would include a small presentation at the beginning to give an overview of kintsugi (history, symbolism, etc.), why it has become a meaningful part of Kelsie's journey, as well as elaboration on any other approved themes to add in. Then each participant will have the opportunity to practice a modernized version of kintsugi so they can have a take-home piece to remember the symbolism that was taught. Reach out to receive a quote!
What to Expect
Welcome to class! Participants will be provided their own place setting with all the tools and materials they need:
After some brief instruction, we will break our vessels in preparation for kintsugi:
The Gold Flush kintsugi method involves using an epoxy to assemble the pieces, recreating missing portions of the vessel with plaster, painting over the seams with golden pigment, and then using sealant on the cracks:
The shortened version can be taught in one class by omitting plaster:
Each class is approximately 2 hours. By the end of either workshop, your vessel will become uniquely your own, illuminated by beautiful scars.
Notices and terms
Special accommodations: The standard method I teach involves the use of sharp blades, hammers, and chemicals with fumes. Class venues will need to be ventilated (circulated air, e.g. windows, fans, or central air). Please let me know if there are any special concerns or requests regarding scalpels, loud noises, or fumes, and we will see what we can do to accommodate.
Broken pottery is very sharp! It can be easy to get a cut even with great care.
Payment terms: Refunds are not guaranteed. Costs that are incurred in preparation for the class, including but not limited to: the purchase of supplies, paying a deposit on a venue, etc. are not refundable.
Waiver: First-time participants are required to sign a standard waiver. If the participant is a minor, a parent or guardian must sign for them.