Portland Spring 2027

Who knew used tea bags could be turned into glorious works of art!  With the guidance of the instructor students will learn how to take used tea bags and create a variety of different types of art and ephemera.  During this class ten different ways to recycle and create one-of-a-kind art with used tea bags with be taught.  Students will learn how to deconstruct different tea bags and ready them to make art.  The decision process regarding which shape and size of tea bag to use, matching it to the type of art desired will be discussed.  The process of making tea bags look, "lighter", "darker" or "grungier" will be explained.  With guidance of the instructor, students will learn the art of collage onto tea bags.  Ways in which to make a tea bag special will be suggested (Happy Birthday, Happy Mother's Day, etc).  Attendees will learn how to paint on tea bags with paint including sketching the initial idea onto the tea bag.  The art of "emphasizing" finished tea bag art with permanent gel pens will be demonstrated.  The process of stamping onto a tea bag with a rubber stamp will be explained.  The method by which tea bags can be used to insert photos and/or other ephemera elements and then reconstructed will be taught.  Decorating tea bags using paper or fabric placed onto the tea bag will be demonstrated.  Making a tea bag fold-over pouch will be demonstrated.  The instructor will also show students how she packages her Tea Bag Art for sale to give ideas to the class attendees.   The sky is the limit with the art you can create on tea bags, come and learn how!  

Materials Fee $20 paid at beginning of class includes:

Written Instructions
Two old Pictures per student
Ephemera for collage
File Paper for template creation
Precision Tip Glue 
One set of whimsical collage elements per student  
Cardstock for Flower Art
PVA Glue  
White Gesso
Clear Gesso
Beads for the string adornment
Wax Seal Elements
Permanent, Waterproof Black Stamping Ink
Rubber Stamp
Thread/String/Needle for tea tags
Glue Dots
Rub-ons
Paper
Fabric
Awl
Paper for Labels
Lace Scraps
Small Buttons
Parchment Paper - insert so items don’t stick
Tea Bag Closure Options
Fine tip 0.35mm permanent gel pen - black for demonstration
Needle Threader

Supplies Needed  to bring for Class:

25-30 each used tea bags, completely dry (a variety of round, square or rectangular tea bags is preferable) - please do not empty the tea bag contents prior to class, the instructor will walk you through this process.  Note:  If the tea bag has a string and a label, please leave these attached.  If not, the instructor will teach the class how to make strings and labels from scratch. 
One Small bottle of Fabri-Tac Glue (two ounces)
One Permanent Glue Stick
Small container of Collage Medium  
Very small Brush for use with Collage Medium  
Small set of Watercolors - don't buy anything special, bring what you have
Two or three small watercolor brushes - one brush should a detail size     
Small Scissors
Ruler
Pencil with Eraser
One fine tip 0.35mm permanent gel pen - black  
If you have a photo or two you want to incorporate into a personal-theme bag, feel free to bring it, with a dimension of one inch or less in any direction