Hot Shops

Last summer my husband and I visited Hot Shops, a local art center here in Omaha. The first area we went in was Loken Forge. They had an activity where you could choose up to seven pieces of metal and arrange them into a sculpture. I immediately got really excited and started picking out my pieces, and then looked up a few minutes later and wondered why my husband wasn’t picking out any for himself. I found six suitable pieces and designed this awesome structure.

Since this activity was actually planned for children (and I don’t know how to weld), the guys at the Forge actually welded it for me. I did get to look through welding goggles while they did it. We walked around the rest of the Hot Shops while it cooled and then went back to the Forge where they spray painted it for me.

The rest of the Hot Shops were also very interesting. They have just about every medium of arts and crafts there. The one area we didn’t spend a lot of time in the glass blowing area (it was August when we went). I see they have another open house planned for December 4^th and 5^th, though, so I’ll probably check it out then!

Supplies Needed:

• Steel or iron base piece
• 5-6 small steel or iron pieces
• Blow torch
• Safety goggles
• Spray paint

Paint Yourself Silly

For the entire four years I was at UNL, I wanted to go to Paint Yourself Silly. I finally went on one of the last weekends before my younger sister graduated (five years after I did). She, my mom, and I spent an evening in Lincoln's Haymarket painting and chatting. It was as much fun as I had dreamed it would be. Mom picked a flower vase, my sister choose a mug, and the moment I saw this Sun & Moon candle holder, I knew it was meant to be.

What I learned is that I am an extremely slow painter. By the time they were both finished and the workers kicked us out of the store because it was closing time, I was about 40% done with the first coat. Luckily, my husband ran the Lincoln Marathon a couple weeks later so I was able to finish my project then. The shop then glazed and fired it for me, and my sister picked it up the day before she graduated.

It was a fun time and I'm happy with the way it came out, but I need to learn how to paint quicker. They recommend applying at least three coats of paint so that the colors stay bold after it is fired. I thought I applied three coats everywhere, but you can see that the paint is pretty thin in some areas. I think one more coat would have done the trick.


Supplies Needed:

• Money (They supply everything else at Paint Yourself Silly)
• Ceramic Pottery
• Up to 6 Colors of Paint
• Paint Tray
  
• Paintbrushes
• Water
• Clear Glaze
• Kiln Fire