TBSDG Member Meeting
Date & Time: July 13, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting Location: King of Peace MCC, 6085 Park Blvd Pinellas Park
Please arrive a few minutes early so that we can all socialize and start the meeting on time.
Show-n-Tell: We are all anxious to see show-n-tell items in-person, but please limit your number of items to three, so that everyone will have a chance to "show-n-tell." If you attended last month's workshop, please bring your created items to share.
Mini Demo: Jill Lennox will show how to create and use Shrinkets for jewelry making, embellishments, and more
A "Free Table" will be available for the free exchange of no longer needed surface design materials and supplies. Please check the table before you leave the meeting to be sure to take home with you anything you bring that does not go home with someone else.
Curveball: A Mixed Media Experimentation Game
Instructor: Sarah A. Uys, Conceptual eco-artist & educator
July 18th, 11 am to 5 pm
Suntan Art Center, 411 19th St S. St Petersburg
Members $50, Non Members $70
Description:
Research shows that artists make better work when given obstacles to overcome and problems to solve. In this game-style workshop, you'll draw random constraints and use them to push past your comfort zone in mixed media.
Before the workshop, you'll receive two handouts: the game instructions and a mixed media guide covering a range of techniques — some familiar, some you may never have tried. I strongly encourage everyone to work through the brainstorming section of the GAME INSTRUCTIONS (2 pages only in bullet point) at home before the workshop — the more you put in upfront, the more you'll get out of the day. If you are unsure how to draw thumbnails please see these links:
https://youtu.be/CgcfKwsw-Kk?si=8SscyCYtIfUlEaoI
https://youtu.be/Opq0ziOW8zA?si=8ww6v7ikqu-GZUT7
We'll walk through the highlights of the mixed media handout together, then you'll choose your medium, draw your constraints, and get to work. Sarah will be there throughout to troubleshoot, demonstrate, and help you find unexpected solutions. At the end of the session, participants who want feedback can opt into a scored critique using a structured rubric.
Materials Instructor Brings:
Everything you need, including curveball items, heavy body acrylic, water-soluble oils, watercolors, colored pencils, graphite, charcoal, soft pastels, a variety of papers, fabrics, yarn, string, stuffing, fibers, hand sewing needles, acrylic polymer, PVA glue, and more.
Materials Student Brings:
Bring scissors.
Anything you want to use. If you have a preferred paint or palette or a sewing machine you are attached to, bring it.
Date & Time: August 10, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Mini Demo: Sarah Uys will address "What do your materials mean? How to tell better stories with intentional choices."
Junk Journals: Structures and Creation
Location: King of Peace MCC 6085 Park Blvd Pinellas Park
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026 pm
Time: 9 am - 5 pm
$65 for members, $85 for non members
Description: Why create a Junk Journal? It is a fun, creative process that uses minimal tools and incorporates materials that would otherwise be discarded. These journals serve as excellent places to store tutorials, formulas, trial pieces, photos, and ideas. They can be unique art pieces or thoughtful gifts.
This class is suitable for all skill levels. Beginners will be guided through the process, while experienced participants are invited to experiment with a variety of materials. Packets containing all necessary supplies will be provided.
In the morning, we will create common structures such as tags, pockets, and belly bands, mounting them into a soft-cover journal for your future reference. In the afternoon, we will construct a hard cover and begin the final creation of your journal. You may choose between a themed packet—containing focal images, postcards, and stickers—or select from a wide variety of "junk" materials.
As this is a slow, creative process, you may not fully complete the decoration of your journal during class time. However, all supplies will be available for you to take home to finish your project.
Student to bring: Paper scissors and metal ruler would be helpful but not essential. Also, if desired, bring anything relatively flat that you would like to include (letters, photos, "things"
Instructor to bring: Instructor will provide all materials needed.
Date & Time: September 14, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Mini Demo: Cathy Simms will demonstrate how to modify photographs for mixed media and journal use and making an intuitive folding book.
Date & Time: October 12, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Mini Demo:
Date & Time: November 16, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Date & Time: December 14, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Mixed Media Collage Enhanced With Thread with Nneka Jones
Date: Friday, January 22, 2027
Time: 10am - 4pm
Location: King of Peace Church, 6085 Park Blvd. Pinellas Park, FL
Member Price: $200
Non Member Price: $240
Workshop Description:
Exploring Surface Design Through Paint and Embroidery
Join internationally exhibited mixed-media artist Nneka Jones for an immersive workshop exploring the intersection of paint, pattern, and embroidery. Drawing from her distinctive artistic practice, Nneka will demonstrate how botanical-stenciled imagery, layered color, and hand stitching can be combined to create contemporary textile-inspired artwork rich in texture and meaning.
In this hands-on workshop, artist Nneka Jones will guide participants through her signature process of combining stencil-based painting techniques with hand embroidery to create richly layered designs.
Participants will explore methods for transferring imagery, working with stencils, building color through paint application, and enhancing compositions with simple embroidery stitches. Through demonstrations and guided experimentation, students will learn how to create texture, depth, and visual interest while developing their own unique artistic voice.
This workshop is suitable for beginners as well as experienced makers looking to expand their surface design practice. Students will leave with a completed mixed-media artwork, new technical skills, and inspiration for incorporating paint and stitch into future projects.
Skills Covered:
Design transfer methods
Stencil application techniques
Color layering and paint application
Introduction to embroidery for mixed media
Creating texture and dimension through surface design
Minimum # of students: 10 Maximum # of students: 20
Materials Students are Expected to Bring:
Scissors
Fabric swatches - solid or patterned(optional)
Embroidery hoop (optional)
Embroidery threads
Pencil
Pen
Materials Provided by Instructor:
Fabric or canvas
Stencils/templates
Acrylic paints
Paint application tools (brushes and sponges)
Transfer materials (carbon paper)
Demonstration samples
Instructional handouts
Needles
Needle Threader
Embroidery thread
Needle holder (tubes)
Supply List: A detailed supply list will be distributed to registered students approximately 60 days prior to the workshop. Students should anticipate bringing basic embroidery supplies.
