"20 years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the one's you did. So throw off the boliness. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the tradewinds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain
Join Internationally renown Create Your Style with Crystallized Swarovski Elements Ambassador, designer/author Kristal Wick as she hosts a customized once-in-a-lifetime journey in the medieval hill town of Cortona, setting of the film "Under the Tuscan Sun", will be our base as we enjoy the camaraderie of fellow blingsters while exploring the art of creativity among the chocolates, foods, wines, culture, fashion, landscape and people of Tuscany and Umbria filled with Tuscany magic, inspiration, sparkly bling, vintage baubles, fabulous fibers, awesome artisan company, technique & color exploration, Sassy Silky Secrets and so much more...
Allow beautiful Cortona to be our muse as our days and nights are inspired by the best selling book, "Eat, Pray, Love"; the movie, "Under the Tuscan Sun" and Julia Cameron's book, "The Artists Way". We'll do many mixed media techniques including fabric surface design, as well as creativity connecting processes and short passage readings from these books/movies to inspire your adventure and unleash your creative soul. A day trip to Florence for a day of shopping & visiting local museums in Cortona; door prizes handed out during the week of classes; daily wine tasting opportunities and fine delectable Tuscan lunches and dinners. We will also enjoy a Tuscan cooking class and dinner!
Picture Yourself... among the sights and sounds of beautiful and romantic Tuscany: olive groves, vineyards, centuries-old buildings, winding streets, texture and vibrant sunlight.
Feel Yourself... in the warm ambiance of Cortona, overlooking Lake Trasimeno and the Val di Chiana, originally fortified by the Umbrians, claimed by the Etruscans, touched by the Renaissance, almost unchanged for centuries, one of Tuscany's jewels.
Experience... the joy of mixed media fiber embellishment & jewelry creativity in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere with the expert instruction of a nationally know artist and instructor and the camaraderie of a small group of learners.
Enjoy... great Italian food, delightful wines, new friends, breath-taking vistas, history and the hospitality of the people of Cortona.
This week will be a very experiential journey encompassing all the physical senses/flavors & emotional/internal possibilities in creativity and expression sponsored by the Swarovski Crystal Company featuring the ultimate in Crystal & Fiber Mixed Media Marriage!
Other sponsors include: JHB Tierra Cast Beadniks Beadalon Alacarte Clasps & Wire Lace Artbeads Rings-n-Things Plaid
Kit fee is not included in enrollment fees. Additional kit fee of $150 paid to instructor. Questions about this workshop, and kit contents and details? Email Kristal at:
All meals*** (Italian breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Daily wine tasting opportunities Tuscan Cooking Class
Day trip to Florence
A farewell wine tasting dinner
**Included with "Hotel Oasi" plans only, see details
***Included with "Group Meal Plans" only, see details
*All-inclusive plans are Hotel plans only.
****Escorted Group Travel departs Rome's Termini Station by train at 12:454pm on April 30, 2011. Early morning arrival in Rome on April 30, 2011 or at least one day earlier.
Air travel is the responsibility of each participant. Rome (FCO) the suggested arrival and departure airports in Italy.
Note: Toscana Americana reserves the right to alter this itinerary. All times are approximate
About this workshop...
SATURDAY 7pm Welcome & check in. Ciao Bella! A warm meet & greet soiree with wine and chocolate tasting at La Saletta. 8pm Evening dinner in Cortona at La Loccanda nel Loggiatto.
SUNDAY AM 9am-1pm AREZZO ANTIQUE FAIR A true Tuscany mixed media frenzy we'll treasure hunt at the Arezzo Antique Fair, the oldest and largest in Italy with over 500 stalls brimming with artistic baubles. Select ephemera for our jewelry making from a plethora of vintage goodies; jewelry, pictures, books, papers (you get the picture...)! Authentic Italian retail therapy at it's finest!
1pm Lunch
3pm-6pm Afternoon Session FABULOUS FABRICS Handpainting silks and other fibers to use in our ongoing creations. We'll dive deep and explore many of Kristal's fiber/jewelry techniques from her best selling book, FABULOUS FABRIC BEADS.
7:30p Wine tasting 8p Evening dinner & open studio afterwards
MONDAY 9am-1pm Morning Session FABULOUS FABRICS II - more mixed media fabric exploration including paints, dyes, foils, paintstiks, transfers, bleach.
1pm-3pm Lunch
3pm-6pm Afternoon Session RESIN BEZEL BLING - learn a variety of resin techniques to combine with your handcrafted fabrics and baubles.
7:30p Wine tasting 8p Evening dinner in Cortona
TUESDAY 10am-1pm Morning Session SHHHHHH, SASSY SILKY SECRETS - Learn all the secrets of making Kristal's signature silk beads. There's plenty of time to play with this addictive technique (kind of like potato chips, simply cannot eat just one...)
1pm-3pm Lunch
3pm-6pm Afternoon Session OPEN STUDIO - Continue to play with all the techniques you learned to create components we will use in our jewelry creations. Receive personalized instruction from Kristal during this playtime.
7:30p Wine tasting 8p Evening dinner in Cortona
WEDNESDAY 8am Day trip to Florence with 4pm departure for Cortona
7:30pm Wine tasting 8pm Dinner
THURSDAY 9am - 1pm Morning Session BLING IT UP BABY - "Enchanting Tuscany" Swarovski & Fabric bead set.
1pm - 3pm Lunch
3pm -5:30pm Afternoon Session RESIN BEZEL BLING II - Design your resin masterpiece creations combining your fabric beads, crystals, pearls, and baubles found along your adventures in Tuscany.
6pm Tuscan Cooking Class
FRIDAY Morning TERIFFIC TRANSFERS Learn how to use transfers on fabric and create mini framed artwork from the masters. We'll embellish away and create variety of projects with this fun medium.
Afternoon OPEN STUDIO & WRAP UP - Continue to play with all the techniques you learned to create components we will use in our jewelry creations. Receive personalized instruction from Kristal during this playtime.
SATURDAY Morning Check-out and departure from Cortona Each guest must make taxi/travel requests through the Hotel Oasi front desk. Optinal visit to the outdoor market in Cortona
Hotel Oasi Neaumann proud partner of Toscana Americana Workshops since 2003
Visit Hotel Oasi Neumann online
About Cortona
Cortona is one of the true jewels of the Tuscan “hill towns.” Cortona, which is often called the “City of Art,” has its origin as an Etruscan city that pre-dates Roman times with sections of its walls dating back some 2500 years. As is typical of Tuscan hill-towns, Cortona is a walled city that, for purposes of defense, was built atop a prominent geographical point. The stone buildings and streets not only have the romance, style, and charm that are particular to Tuscany, but also speak of the lives and times Cortona has witnessed. An encounter with Cortona is an encounter with music & art, with history and with spirituality. Getting to know this timeless city is a real rediscovery of our past. Cortona offers testimony to its history as well as an enchanting view of the landscape enclosed by Lake Trasimeno and the Apennine mountains.
Supplies and tools you need to bring: Chain-nose pliers, round-nose pliers, Flat-nose pliers, cutters, rotary cutter/mat/ruler.
Kit fee is not included in enrollment fees. Additional kit fee of $150 paid to instructor. Questions about this workshop, and kit contents and details? Email Kristal at: www.KristalWick.com
Travel with fellow artists, family & friends! In addition to Non-participating guest options, did you know that other workshops are offered this same week! Enjoy the experience together while immersed in different topics! View calendar for details!
Meet your hosts in Tuscany...
Angela Lucani was born and raised in Cortona and never tires of living within the walls of this vibrant Tuscan hilltown! She trained as an elementary school teacher and taught in various locals within Cortona from its mountain villages to the growing post-war part of Cortona known as Camucia. Angela has always been passionate about Tuscan cooking, which she began to learn at an early age aiding her mother in the kitchen. She maintains respect for local cooking traditions and recipes and shares that with Italians and foreign visitors through cooking classes conducted both in Italy and in America. She has extensive knowledge of Cortona's various areas, from the mountains to the fertile Val di Chiana, and continues to learn about its long and colorful history. She is also passionate about travel and enjoys learning about and experiencing customs, traditions and characteristics of other countries, cultures & people. Her travels destinations have included the United States, England, Egypt, South America, France, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Greece. She enjoys serving as a bridge between visitors to Tuscany and the local culture.
Patrick Mahoney (Miami University BA'80, MA'82) lives in Cortona where he continues a thirty-year career in the field of Arts & Entertainment producing events, workshops and tours and providing opportunities to share the Italy experience with travelers, artists and people who share his interests for foods, wine, art, culture. Patrick's passion is to conceive and realize various ways in which the human spirit can express and demonstrate its capacity to create. His ability to fearlessly think, conceive, and work "out of the box" has earned him the attention of artists & musicians, colleges & universities, public & private organizations, and business and industry. Patrick brings integrity and a unique vision to Toscana Americana and he is committed to realizing the opportunity for participants to create in an atmosphere of peace, joy, respect and mutual support. As a "slow traveler" and a supporter of "slow food" Mr. Mahoney rides trains, walks, lingers over lunch, dinner or a cup of espresso, stops to smell the roses and savors the sensory feast wherever he is!
