Creative Perspectives with Ferne Jacobs
This small group workshop will be for anyone who has taken beginning fiber techniques previously. Those who have learned weaving and off-loom fiber techniques from other teachers are welcome. The intention is for students to be working on a piece of their choice or starting one from scratch. The group will discuss creative approaches for pushing the piece forward and each person will receive individual attention.
Ferne will work with students for the day, advancing the skills from various techniques the students have already learned. Basic technique will not be taught. Discussion and exploration of the creative process and development of forms will be the focus, expanding the technical knowledge already gained.
Students will provide their own materials.
The workshop fee is $125.00. Limit of 9 students.
Parking: Since most of the parking in the area has a two hour limit, the most convenient option is to pay to park at the Beverly Connection less than a block west on W. Third Street. Handicapped parking is available behind Freehand.


Beginning Off-loom Fiber Techniques with Ferne Jacobs
This one-day workshop will be a quick introduction to three off-loom fiber techniques: knotting, twining and coiling. It will be a time for playfully exploring the basic attributes of each technique. Students will create a sample comprising all three techniques, gaining a beginning knowledge of each one. The sample can then serve as a reference for ensuing projects. The outcome will be both informative and exploratory.
Students provide: Scissors, repair or tapestry needles, a macrame or foam core board (12” x 12” x .5” or larger/thicker), and T-pins. Optional: yarn or cord (3-ply or more) from your own collection. Further details and links provided with sign up.
Workshop fee: $150; the prime cord will be provided.

Opening Reception for Chris Maynard: Soar and Feathered Adornments: Boris Huang
Please join in to celebrate the opening of these exhibitions featuring finely crafted works made of feathers. Both artists will be present.
Pacific Northwest artist Chris Maynard cuts individual feathers into intricate shapes and then arranges them in shadow boxes and installations.
Hawaiian artist Boris Huang uses feathers employing the ancient Hawaiian tradition of feather art, imposing his own contemporary and cross cultural designs inspired by his native Taiwan. Boris will be demonstrating his technique during the reception.


Artist Talk: Chris Maynard
Join us for an in-person talk with exhibiting artist Chris Maynard.
Birds were always a part of Maynard’s childhood and he began working with feathers at age 12. Learn about the process Maynard has developed where he intricately carves feathers and arranges them into delicate compositions. His work highlights the patterns and colors of the feathers themselves.
Maynard is featured in the SCIENCE episode of Craft in America’s PBS documentary series.
This talk is presented in conjunction with the Craft in America Center exhibition, Chris Maynard: Soar, on view January 18 through April 26, 2025.
To join online, please register. To join in person, please email rsvp@craftinamerica.org
Cynthia Lockhart on her career
Cynthia Lockhart on her career as a handbag designer, teacher, and quilt artist, and the importance of collectors. Bonus video from COLLECTORS episode streaming on the PBS App November 12, 2024. PBS broadcast premiere December 27, 2024/.
Images courtesy of Cynthia Lockhart, GlobalStock/Pond5, RomanSokolan/Pond5, Vecarla/Pond5, Sunrisestock/Pond5, Dimid_by/Pond5, Imagelab/Pond5, Blvdoneprime/Pond5, Richard Levine / Alamy, Alexis113/Pond5, Dmurph24/Pond5, Dualstock/Pond5.
Boris Huang
Boris Kekaiuluikahikina Huang is proud to be an apprentice of the late and highly renowned Hawaiian Feather Lei Master, Aunty Mary Lou Kekuewa.
Huang creates original lei hulu patterns using different colored feathers, (both dyed and natural) from many types of birds (such as goose, pheasant, duck and peacock). His styles range from traditional to contemporary designs.
It is Huang’s endeavor to bestow upon the viewer the ability to see and feel the thought and emotion which inspire the artworks. Huang takes pride in the fact that his feather artworks differ from others because they demonstrate the highly refined skill that originated in the traditional Hawaiian techniques and yet they are also inspired and influenced by his own native Taiwanese heritage. Every choice of color and placement of the materials has deep symbology and significance.
Huang has received many awards and participated in a number of public events such as: Hawaii Craftsmen Annual Statewide Juried Exhibition, Japanese Chamber of Commerce “Commitment to Excellence” Art Exhibition, Fiber Hawaii Juried Exhibition, Hawaii Pacific University Ohana Gallery Juried Exhibition, First Mixed Media Festival, and Textile Society of American Biennial Symposium. He has also been a demonstrator on the TV program “Scenic Hawaii.”

Beadwoven Ropes with Mara Colecchia
This workshop teaches the creation of playful beaded ropes that can be worn like lariat necklaces, knotted on one’s décolleté. Colecchia will demonstrate three specific tubular weaving techniques: Chenille, Peyote and Cubic Right Angle, as well as how to transition from one to another. Colecchia will discuss her beading style, showcasing different types of lariats, to stimulate a creative and personal approach to the classic beaded rope.
Students will complete their work at home, with the help of the printed instructions provided by instructor.
Some experience required: Basic beading or stitching skills are required and advanced beginners are welcome.
Workshop fee is $160 and includes all materials.
Born and raised in Italy, Mara Colecchia (Maracole Bijoux) graduated in Rome with a specialization in Drawing Animation and game design from IED. She worked in the animation industry till 2008, when she took the chance to relocate to Los Angeles, with the aim to consolidate her career in children’s entertainment. Instead, she started making visual art and exhibiting her work in local galleries, specializing in Pop Surrealism. Colecchia experimented with many mediums until she discovered seed beads. Since 2019, Maracole Bijoux, a line of high end handwoven jewelry, is her main endeavor. She has exhibited her work at The Smithsonian’s Craft Show and her collections have been featured in magazines dedicated to art and fashion.


Workshop fee is $160 and includes all materials
Parking: Since most of the parking in the area has a two hour limit, the most convenient option is to pay to park at the Beverly Connection less than a block west on W. Third Street. Handicapped parking is available behind Freehand.
Creative Perspectives with Ferne Jacobs
This small group workshop will be for anyone who has taken beginning fiber techniques previously. Those who have learned weaving and off-loom fiber techniques from other teachers are welcome. The intention is for students to be working on a piece of their choice or starting one from scratch. The group will discuss creative approaches for pushing the piece forward and each person will receive individual attention.
Ferne will work with students for the day, advancing the skills from various techniques the students have already learned. Basic technique will not be taught. Discussion and exploration of the creative process and development of forms will be the focus, expanding the technical knowledge already gained.
Students will provide their own materials.
The workshop fee is $125.00. Limit of 9 students.
Parking: Since most of the parking in the area has a two hour limit, the most convenient option is to pay to park at the Beverly Connection less than a block west on W. Third Street. Handicapped parking is available behind Freehand.


Frame Loom Weaving with Lesley Kice-Nishigawara
Learn how to weave on a frame loom, a small portable way to weave. The frame loom is used by artist Sheila Hicks to create her small Minime weavings. This workshop will take participants through the process of weaving on a frame loom including setting up the loom (warping), weaving with a tapestry technique to create images and/or patterns, and finishing a weaving.
Looms and tools for weaving are included in the price, participants can bring home a loom with them after the workshop. Yarn will be available to use although participants are encouraged to bring unconventional materials to weave with also. Students will need to bring their own scissors. Open to those 14 years of age and older. Workshop fee is $150.
Parking: Since most of the parking in the area has a two hour limit, the most convenient option is to pay to park at the Beverly Connection less than a block west on W. Third Street. Handicapped parking is available behind Freehand.

Judith Chernoff and Jeffrey Bernstein
Based in Laurel, Maryland, Judith Chernoff and Jeffrey Bernstein are craft advocates and avid collectors. They focus on sculptural and turned wood but collect a range of other media, including baskets, ceramics, fiber and glass.
Over the past thirty years, their wood collection has grown to include outstanding museum quality pieces from artists nationally and around the world. With the belief that sharing their collection with the public is what gives it greater meaning, they recently donated 43 objects in wood to the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery. In addition, over the years, they have opened their home to give educational collection tours to many wood centered groups and those new to wood.
Jeffrey and Judith have each held the position of President of Collectors of Wood Art, Jeffrey from 2009–2010 and Judith from 2014–2016. Judith has also been a volunteer docent at the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery since 2012.
