I teach kintsugi classes to women and girls in various contexts:
- Individuals and small groups
- Workshops at events (conferences, conventions)
- 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.)
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. 50% of all proceeds from paid classes go directly to help fund integrated charity efforts.
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.
Option 2: Unplastered 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 illimunate the missing portion with gold.
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! Ideal group size is about 4-8. Choose between one-session and two-session classes.
Church activities
My class is a suitable activity for religious groups and ties in nicely with spiritual beliefs. I can teach a version of the gold flush technique without plaster in a single 2 or 3 hour class. Please ask your members to RSVP so we can get a headcount 2-3 weeks before the activity.
Event workshops
Hosting an event like a conference or convention? My class makes a great workshop for women and girl attendees. The full workshop would be two sessions, but we can do a condensed form of the process in a single session if needed.
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. Download the waiver document.