Teacher Information Page for The Nova Studio in Point Richmond, CA (SF Bay Area Classes)

Teacher Information

Lori Nova soap, candle, bath & body	David Critchfield big batch / production soap making	Alice Duvernell natural bath & body
Patrik Kusek pmc jewelry making	Diane Bouchard paper arts / altered books	Angela Silva paper arts / image transfers

Lori Nova, owner of the nova studio, began making natural bath & body products in her kitchen in 2000 as a way to make family & friends homemade, practical gifts. Shortly thereafter, she began sharing her passion & teaching classes. Lori has taught similar classes for The Learning Annex of SF, Juniper Tree, The Native American Cultural Center, Foothill De Anza Community College & The Berkeley Ecology Center. Lori currently offers Private Lessons as well as 15 different Group Classes on how to make soap, candles and over 30 different bath & body products at the nova studio (see Private Lesson Page for a list of all Lori's classes or the Calendar Page for upcoming classes & descriptions). She also teaches 2 multiple-day intensives: 2-Day Soap Boot Camp and 4-Day Bath & Body Boot Camp. Click here to read comments from LORI's students. Visit the About Page for more information on Lori and how the nova studio began.

David Critchfield, veteran Soapmaker and owner of Mission Peak Soap Products, began soapmaking in 1995 when his wife presented him with a beginning soapmaking book. From the early days of ugly soap and vanishing fragrances, David now makes a steady stream of fine, aromatic, handcrafted soap for fund raisers, local health food stores and specialty retailers. David teaches a Liquid Soap Making Class, Big Batch / Production CP Soap Making, and also participates in our widely popular 2-Day Soap Making Boot Camp at the nova studio. Click here to read comments from DAVID's students.

Alice Duvernell is an artist and gilder who recently moved to the Bay Area after living in the south of France for the past 8 years. There she started researching problematic and sensitive skin types and developed an interest in the amazing virtues of essential oils and hydrosols. Her interest in culture and her studies in anthropology led her to travel in South America where she expanded her passion and awareness in native medicinal plants. During her last journey to Brazil, she set up a laboratory where she shared with the locals her homemade techniques for making hydrosols & other cosmetics, using only native plants. Alice currently teaches Handmade Hydrosols and Fresh Facial Masks & Exfoliants at the nova studio.

Patrik Kusek is a seasoned Precious Metal Clay (PMC) artist, Certified PMC Instructor and member of the PMC Guild. He sells commissioned pieces of jewelry to individuals and also sells his work at Harriet’s Fashions in The Cannery. He is a graduate of FIDM (The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) Merchandise Marketing Program and a graduate of the Academy of Art University. Patrik is also an award winning graphic designer who specializes in the lifestyle industry. Patrik currently teaches Introduction to PMC, PMC Ring Making, Intermediate Techniques in PMC, 2-Day Intensive PMC Boot Camp, and the new PMC Perfume Amphora classes at the nova studio. Click here to read comments from PATRIK's students.

Diane Bouchard is a member of the International Society of Altered Book Artists (ISABA) and the hostess of multiple Round Robin's and Swaps. Diane has been stockpiling vintage ephemera and craft supplies for years and recently discovered the ultimate method for archiving them - in an Altered Book. In addition to sharing her ideas and techniques in Altered Books (101) and Advanced Altered Books (201), Diane also teaches Beeswax Collage (101), Advanced Beeswax Collage (201), Artist Trading Cards, Altered Book HIdden Keepsake Box, and her newest workshop Cigar Box Assemblage at the nova studio. Click here to read comments from DIANE's students.

Angela Silva is a self-taught collage artist based in Berkeley who has taken workshops with national artists: Ann Baldwin, Claudine Hellmuth, and Jonathan Talbot. Her artwork emphasizes strong personal imagery and mixed-media techniques, including digital manipulations. Angela is also an established corporate trainer who has worked at major advertising agencies for many years. Angela currently teaches a very popular full-day workshop, Image Transfer Intensive, at the nova studio. Click here to read comments from ANGELA's students.

Angela Silva - Image Transfer Classes at The Nova Studio in Point Richmond (SF Bay Area, CA)

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If you have teaching experience and a unique/creative class idea in the soap, candle, bath or body area, please with a class proposal, your resume and references.