Second only to the clothing we choose, the way we decorate our living spaces expresses our personality – who we are and what we like.  Our living spaces also act as showcases for the things that are important to us, the people we love, the places we have traveled, and the treasures we have collected.  Our personalities speak through color, texture, pattern, shape, and style.  Just as no two people are the same, no two personal spaces are the same.  “Personal space” can take on many different forms throughout a lifetime – our childhood bedroom, our college dorm room, our first apartment, our newlywed home, the house where we raised our children, our vacation home, our retirement home.  Just as these eras in our lives are greatly different, so too is who we are at the time.  Our spaces can, and should, change as we change.  They should continue to be a reflection of who we are, and give us a comfortable place to be ourselves.

• Holiday Activity! Holiday Decorating Help – We will help unpack your decorations and put them up for you, creating beautiful artistic arrangements and displays for you and your guests to enjoy.  When the holidays are over, we will help organize and pack them away for next year!
• New!!! A Designer’s Life – Learn what is involved in becoming an Interior Designer, what a designer does every day in their job, and all of the things a designer has to know about in order to create beautiful, comfortable interiors. We will also have fun with a hands-on design project. (1 hour class plus materials)
• Interior Spruce-Up – Whether you just need to rearrange one room, or whether you need a whole-house makeover, we can work with you to design whatever improvements you need.  We can help you with paint colors, wallpaper, draperies, bedspreads, pillows, rugs, furniture, lighting, mirrors, artwork, photos, and accessories.  We can also help you reorganize the things you already have to create pleasing arrangements, and suggest low-cost project ideas.  And we can help with de-cluttering and organizing too, so that your house stays looking beautiful!
• Feng Shui Makeover – Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of decorating that uses placement, color, and materials to achieve balance and harmony.  We will analyze each room of your home according to Feng Shui principles and suggest how to rearrange furniture and accessories to enhance positive energy flow through your house, which will in turn create more positive energy and comfort for you.
• Relocation Help – Whether you are downsizing due to a recent empty nest, or relocating to a retirement community or group home, we work with you to plan the layout of your new space.  We draw the blueprints of your new home and help you decide what to take with you and how to arrange it.  We can also help you rearrange and decorate your existing house to give it a better chance of selling.  And we can meet the truck on moving day to direct the unloading effort and make sure everything goes where it’s supposed to.  Once you are moved in, we can help you with all of the things listed above under “Interior Spruce-Up”.
• Interior Decorating Class – Learn decorator “tricks of the trade” that you can apply to your own home, no matter how big or small it may be!  We will discuss decorating guidelines and tips, how to use color and pattern, low-cost decorating,  re-arranging what you already have, do-it-yourself projects, organization and clutter management, and decorator’s secrets and discounts.  (2 weeks, 90 minutes per week – 3 hours total)
• Quick Tips For Interior Decorating – A shorter, condensed version of the above class, and without organization and clutter management tips. (1 hour) This can also be done as a 15 minute slideshow with a 45 minute interior decorating collage project.
• “Balance and Harmony Through Feng Shui” Class – Learn how to createbalance and harmony in your home, apartment or office using this ancient decorating technique.  The placement of furniture and accessories can enhance the positive energy in each room, making your whole space just “feel” better.  We will learn how color, shape, and material has an effect on positive energy.  And we will also discuss the difference between “yin” and “yang” features, and how to balance them to create a pleasing harmony.  (2 weeks, 90 minutes per week – 3 hours total)
• Introduction to Feng Shui – A shorter, condensed version of the above class, consisting of an overview of Feng Shui principles.  (1 hour)

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There is nothing that takes away worries like burying your nose in a bouquet of flowers.  As we breathe in the aroma, it awakens our deep and primal connection with the earth.  It comforts us, and brings us into the present moment.  The bouquet represents the fruits of our labor that begins with an idea, and unfolds over weeks of preparation, planting, and waiting.  The mere act of digging in the dirt and making a physical connection with the earth also makes gardening one of the most basic and primitive of all activities. Unlike other art forms, garden design does not supply immediate results.  It is therefore a wonderful lesson in patience and surprise. Gardens are also living masterpieces, changing over time, and continually engaging our interest and creativity as a constant work-in-progress. And the fact that gardens depend on our attention and care to live well and thrive, gives us a feeling of importance, and gives us wonderful surprises to look forward to.

• New!!! Birdhouse Design – A slideshow presentation of beautiful, creative, and whimsical birdhouse designs. Learn how bird houses are designed, and what different birds look for when choosing a home. This slideshow is sure to get your creative mind going! (One hour slideshow)
• Container Gardening Class – Learn how to create beautiful, versatile container gardens either indoors or out.  Learn about growing container plants, flowers, herbs and vegetables, preparation and placement of containers, soil, watering, sunlight, fertilizing, and starting from seed.  We will also teach you the principles of aesthetically-pleasing container garden design. (1 hour class) Optional hands-on gardening activity (materials fee)
• Garden Structures –  A slideshow presentation featuring the design and construction of garden gazebos, pergolas, trellises, arbors, fences, storage sheds, benches and birdhouses. Beautiful and fanciful designs, sure to get your imagination going! (1 hour class) Optional hands-on activity, building a miniature pergola model (materials fee)
• Garden Design – We work with you to design and plant gardens, either indoors or out.  Depending on your needs, the garden might be indoor container plants, outdoor container gardens, small garden plots, or larger gardens that can also include pathways, benches, gazebos, sheds, decks, trellises, fountains, sculpture, and birdbaths.  The gardens can consist of plants, trees,  flowers, herbs, and vegetables.  We can also assist with weeding and tending services. (Hours vary, materials fee)

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• Positive Living
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“Food, clothing, and shelter” form the essential triad of our basic needs, creating the platform that allows all other aspects of our lives to flourish.  And it is not insignificant that food is the first on the list!  The act of eating will always remain our first and most primal need.  The long history of our connection with food still manifests itself in our lives today.  When we have parties, all of our guests gravitate toward the kitchen.  When we get together with friends, we go out for dinner.  Our holiday celebrations always have special food dishes associated with them.  And the act of cooking allows each of us to connect with our sustenance, impart a piece of ourselves in what we create, and share it with those we love.

• Holiday Activity! Cookie Decorating and Spiced Cider Making – Participants will learn cake decorating techniques to create their own unique cookie decorations. They will also learn how to make yummy spiced cider.
• Holiday Activity! Birthday and Holiday Parties – Have a special occasion coming up?  Let us help you put together a party with all the trimmings!  We can help you shop for the ingredients, prepare the food and drinks, bake and decorate the cake, and decorate your house for the big day.  We can even help you wrap your gifts and make custom cards and bows.  Then you get to just relax and have fun with your guests!  If you would like, we can also help with clean-up afterward.
• New!!! Have Your Cake and Eat it Too – Learn to make desserts you can feel good about. Lighter and healthier options sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. We will discuss sweetener options and healthy ingredient substitutions. And we will make a recipe to eat in class! You’ll also get a pamphlet of recipes to try on your own.
• New!!! Happy and Healthy – New healthier twists on your old favorite recipes that will leave your taste buds happy…and your waistline too! We will make sample recipes in class, and you’ll also get a pamphlet of recipes to try on your own.
• New!!! Cooking for Brain Health – Learn about foods that help boost focus and memory, and reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. We will make sample recipes in class, and you’ll also get a pamphlet of recipes to try on your own.
• New!!! International Food and Facts – Sights, sounds and tastes from around the world. Learn about the interesting cultures and customs of different countries, their language and their foods. We will take a slideshow trip around the world, and taste home-made food from two of the countries. (1 hour class plus materials fee)
  o Class 1 – Brazil, China, Germany, India, Mexico and Thailand
  o Class 2 – Chile, Greece, Greenland, Italy, Tibet and Zimbabwe
  o Class 3 – Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, France, Poland and Turkey
  o Class 4 – Burma, Iran, Japan, Peru, Philippines, and Russia
  o Class 5 – Argentina, Greenland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Sweden
• New!!! International Cooking Class – Same as above, focusing on one country and doing a hands-on cooking activity of a typical dish from that country. (1 hour class plus materials fee).
• New!!! Clean Eating – Our food stream is becoming increasingly affected by pesticides, hormones, and genetically-modified foods. Is it possible to still eat “clean”? Yes! Clean eating focuses on fresh, unprocessed, unmodified foods that are in-season and high in nutrients. Learn how to eat clean, how to incorporate healthier clean choices into your diet. You’ll also get a pamphlet of recipes to try on your own. (1 hour class)
• Vegetarianism 101 – Take the confusion out of becoming vegetarian! Learn the benefits of a vegetarian diet, how to get started, and how to get all the nutritional intake you need while following a delicious and nutritious meat-free diet. We will also talk about the environmental and moral reasons why people choose vegetarianism. You’ll also get a pamphlet of recipes to try on your own. (1 hour class)
  
• Vegetarian Cooking Class – A hands-on cooking demonstration where we prepare and sample a vegetarian dish. You’ll also get a pamphlet of recipes to try on your own. We will also discuss the benefits of a vegetarian diet, and how to get started becoming vegetarian. (1 hour class plus materials fee. Can also be done in a series with different recipes each time.)

• “Healthy Cooking for One or Two” Class – Learn easy ways to cook healthy meals, without a lot of fuss, and without eating the same leftovers every day.  You will learn some easy recipes, how to use ingredients to create more than one dish and how to store ingredients and leftovers safely.  You will also learn about the importance of healthy eating, and tips for making healthy food choices.  And we’ll give you a pamphlet of healthy recipes to try on your own!  (1 hour class)
• Recipe Books – We help you gather all of the recipes that are meaningful to you and write down the stories and memories that make the recipes so special to you.  We then compile the recipes and stories, along with photographs you want to include, and publish it as a beautiful professional-looking cookbook. The cookbook makes a wonderful heirloom for your family and friends.
• Special Meals – We help you create a special dinner menu from your favorite recipes, including an appetizer, soup, salad, main dish, side dish, vegetable, bread/roll, beverage, and dessert.  We then help you prepare the meal for your family (and friends if you wish).  You get to serve your delicious, special meal while telling the stories about why these recipes are so important to you.  We can also help you shop for the ingredients if needed.
• New!!! A Healthier Thanksgiving – New twists on your favorite Thanksgiving classics. Lighter and healthier versions sure to satisfy you and your guests. We will also learn new recipes that are sure to become “old classics”, and we will make a recipe to eat in class! You’ll also get a pamphlet of recipes to try on your own.

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• Massage Therapy
• Music
• Pet Connections
• Positive Living
• Reiki
• Writing
• Yoga and Posture

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The creative arts are a wonderful opportunity to express individuality and be the sole creator of something beautiful that never before existed.  The act of creating something new, using materials with your own form of personal expression, can be very therapeutic and empowering.  Our projects have very flexible goals so that even those with limited experience, or limited abilities, can succeed in creating.  We demonstrate the techniques and guide you through the learning process.  Our individual assistance helps take the fear out of getting started, even if this is your first art project.  And if you are having trouble seeing or using your hands, we can help you make it.  Our classes are offered individually, or you are welcome to invite a group of friends over for a fun “art party” at no extra cost.  All classes are 1 hour long unless noted otherwise.

• Holiday Activity “Holidays Around the World” – An interactive slideshow presentation featuring holiday traditions from around the world, complete with holiday songs and games.
• Holiday Activity Folk Art Snowman Art Project – Painting and glued objects to create a wooden folk art snowman
• Holiday Activity “Create a Snowy Day” Art Project – A torn paper art project to create a wintry wonderland
• NEW !!! Flower Pot Painting – Various paint types and colors used to create flower pot works of art
• NEW !!! Mini Birdhouse Decorating – Pre-made mini birdhouses are painted and decorated
• NEW !!! Rock Gardens – Rocks are decorated with tissue paper flowers to create a “garden”
• NEW !!! Bean Mosaic – Beans and seeds are glued to a mat board to create designs and patterns
• NEW !!! Box Owls – Felt and wool are glued to a box to create a decorative owl
• NEW !!! Paper Weaving – Strips of colorful construction paper are woven together to create abstract patterns
• NEW !!! Found Object Printing – A variety of “found” objects are covered with paint and used to print patterns on paper
• NEW !!! Abstract Printing – Paper is placed over a colored medium. When scraped away it creates a unique abstract print. Can be done with soap bubbles and tempera paint or shaving cream and food coloring
• Art Travelogue
  During this fun, relaxed approach to art, students will “visit” a foreign country and learn the type of art originating from there. Each person will create a simple example of this art form. A passport can also be created to show each country visited by making a hand stamped image representing that country. Each topic takes two weeks. (Materials fee $3-$5 per person)
  • CHINA – Block Prints -1 hour if just paper is printed on/ 2 hours if book is made
    You will create a simple design on paper which will be traced onto a styrofoam tray. Your design will be transferred onto paper by using a stamp pad or paint and sponge. The repeating of this pattern will give you an entirely new design. This design can then be used as a cover for a handmade book for the continuation of this project
  • BRITISH COLUMBIA – 2 hours Inuit rug – paper sewing
    The Inuits told stories of their life by making hooked rugs which were both functional and decorative. You will create a paper rug using an animal as the main focus and sewing that animal to a paper background.
  • FRANCE – 1 hour – Notre Dame Stained Glass Window Using special colored acetate that has been treated with black wax, you will “scratch” away the wax to reveal colorful designs which you have drawn. This makes a beautiful sun catcher for your window.
  • JAPAN – 1 hour if just paper is printed on – Marbling on Paper/ 2 hours if a book is made
    You will learn two techniques of marbling on paper. One is using shaving cream, the other is using Ivory liquid and water. Drops of India ink or food coloring will be used to create the designs. The paper can then be used to create a handmade book.
  • CARIBBEAN – Sailor’s Shell Box – 1 hour
    A small cardboard box will be painted then decorated with sea shells and ribbon. A fabric lining will be placed inside the box. The box can be used to hold jewelry, or a special treasure you might have.
  • RUSSIA – Nesting Doll – 1 ½ hours
    The Littlest Matryoshka is read before we begin drawing our nesting doll. The doll is painted on a piece of wood in traditional colors and later can be hung on the wall.
  • IRELAND – 1 hour – Illumination
    This is the Celtic art of fancy lettering used to enhance books and the bible before the printing press was invented. You will choose one letter and create designs which become part of the letter. Markers and gold paint will be used.
  • AUSTRALIA – 1 hour – Dot & X-Ray Painting
    The Aborigines told stories of their beginnings through “dream” paintings. Symbols represented different aspects of their heritage while they painted these with dots and lines. This is a fun and easy way to tell your story through painting.
  • AFRICA
    • Mask – 1 hour – Paper – A simple mask will be drawn on paper, designs applied and filled in with markers and or colored beans and raffia.
    • Mask – 1 hour – Foil – The same procedure will be used only drawing on foil and embossing the designs.
    • MANCALA GAME – 2 hours (Some sewing involved) Mancala is a traditional African game of strategy using beans on a hollowed out piece of wood. We will paint an egg carton ( our board) in bright African colors. While it is drying, a small fabric pouch will be sewn to hold the beans. Playing the game afterwards is the fun part.
  • MEXICO
    • 1 ½ hours – Tin Art (A framed mirror will be created using a foil sheet which will be embossed and needle sized holes punched into the designs. A small mirror will be glued in the center of the designs and the bottom will be adorned with wire and beads.)
    • Bark Painting – 1 ½ hours (Amate bark painting is made from special bark that has been pounded into paper. We will use a brown
      paper bag that has been textured with crayon to create our painting of animals, flowers and designs. Neon paint and a black marker will complete this colorful project.

• American Folk Art
  Discover the beginnings of American Folk Art and why it is so popular today. Students will learn interesting facts of American History while creating a small sample of the day’s theme using many different techniques and supplies. Length of class is marked below. (Materials fee $2-$5 per person)
  • Ice Fishing Decoy – 1 hour – Students will design and paint a traced or hand drawn fish on a wooden board.
  • Weather Vane – 1 hour – Using green construction paper, metallic crayons, and popsicle sticks, students will design a weather vane representing themselves in the form of a hobby, interest or past occupation. For a more involved project, copper foil can be embossed in place of paper.
  • Heart & Hand Paper Valentine – 1 hour – Students will trace and cut their own hand or use a hand stencil using red or white paper. A paper heart will be cut to decorate the hand. A simple weaving technique will be used on the wrist part of the glove to finish it off.
  • Sailor’s Treasure Box – 1 hour – Small cardboard boxes will be painted then decorated with shells and ribbon.
  • American Eagle – 1 hour – The eagle will be drawn on paper and a variety of materials will be used to enhance the drawing and make the eagle complete.
  • Theorem Painting – 1 hour – Stencils of fruit and a basket are used to create this still life on fabric. A simple application of fabric paint with a sponge will complete this traditional style of painting.
  • Rag Doll – 1 hour- muslin fabric is used to create a simple doll by cutting, braiding and tying.
  • Penny Rug
    • 1 hour – Felt cut in circles of different sizes and buttons are glued together onto a larger piece of felt to create a small representation of a penny rug)
    • 2 hours – Same procedure only circles are sewn together onto a larger piece of felt)
  • Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Sign – 1 hour – Using markers and pre printed designs students will color in the designs OR they can create their own designs using samples of hex signs.
  • Cross Stitch Sampler – 2 hours -Students initials are placed on gingham fabric. They will cross stitch the initials then sew a running stitch around the edge to attach it to a background.
  • Fraktur Birth Certificate – 1 hour – On a preprinted birth certificate, students will decorate around the wording in the style of the Pennsylvania-German illuminated text using markers and gold paint.

• Fun with Art History  This class explores the life and work of one particular artist (various artists are available). Participants will learn about the artist’s art and life, and will then explore his/her work through a hands-on art project. The class helps participants to reestablish ties with the past while becoming familiar with the special techniques of the artist. Participants will leave with at least one finished piece. (Materials fee $5 per person)
  
• A Collage of Me! Participants will create visual stories of themselves using collaging and drawing to illustrate their individual interests. They will select photos from magazines that tell their story, and combine them with easy drawing techniques. The stories are always interesting and complex, and we will encourage participants to share important discoveries about themselves with the group. (Materials fee $5 per person)
• Painting on Acetate – A great way to gain confidence with painting, and create beautiful pictures suitable for framing.  A picture or photograph of your choosing is drawn or traced on a piece of acetate, then painted with acrylic paints. Guidance will be provided in mixing colors and achieving the results you desire. (Materials fee $5 per person)
• Tissue Paper/Mixed Media Painting – Images are drawn or traced onto paper with marker or brush and ink.  Layers of subtle color are then applied with dye-infused tissue papers, using brush and water.  If desired, pen and ink or pastels can be applied to intensify colors and add depth.  This technique is perfect for floral compositions or beautiful abstracts. (Materials fee $5 per person)
• Stamp Printing – Personalized stamp images are designed and cut out of foam sheets, then glued onto blocks of wood.  The stamps are then inked onto paper to create unique patterns and designs. We will also work with novel stamping materials such as fruit and found objects to create interesting patterns and textures. (Materials fee $7 per person)
•  Styrofoam Printing – This is a variation of a beautiful form of fine arts etching. Images are drawn or traced onto styrofoam sheets, and the lines are then etched into the styrofoam.  The surface is then coated with printing ink and paper is pressed on top, revealing a white line contour drawing in reverse. Each piece is one of a kind, but can be printed several times to create a limited edition series. (Materials fee $5 per person)
• Greeting Cards  – Make your own unique greeting cards for any special occasion or “just because”. We will use a combination of stamping, painting, stenciling, and other decorative techniques to create one-of-a-kind designs. (Materials fee $5 per person)

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• Holiday Activities
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• Laughter Yoga
• Life Stories
• Massage Therapy
• Music
• Pet Connections
• Positive Living
• Reiki
• Writing
• Yoga and Posture

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We can turn off the radio, we can walk past a museum, and we can choose not to write poetry.  But we cannot avoid Architecture.  Buildings form the backdrop for almost all of our activities: we live in them, work in them, shop in them, and learn in them.  Architecture is part of the essential “food, clothing, and shelter” triad.  Our experience of the built environment begins when we are young, with memories of our childhood home.  It continues through all phases of our lives and becomes an important part of our life experience.

• NEW !!! An Architect’s Life – Learn what is involved in becoming an architect, what an architect does every day in their job, and all of the things an architect has to know about in order to create beautiful, comfortable and safe buildings. We will also have fun with a hands-on building project. (1 hour class plus materials)
• NEW !!! The Architectural History of Cleveland Part II (1931-Present) – Continue the fascinating journey through Cleveland history as seen through the eyes of architects and designers. Learn how the Great Depression and the rise of Modernism changed the face of our skyline. Students will learn not only about the buildings themselves, but also the stories behind them, and the architects who designed them. (1 hour class) This can also make a fun and interesting guided bus tour!  Please contact us to discuss this option.
• The Architectural History of Cleveland Part 1 (1835-1931) – Step back through time from an architectural perspective and learn about the buildings that have helped to shape Cleveland’s skyline as well as its rich history. Students will learn not only about the buildings themselves, but also the stories behind them, and the architects who designed them.  (1 hour class)  This can also make a fun and interesting guided bus tour!  Please contact us to discuss this option.
  Building Styles of Cleveland Class – Learn how to recognize the characteristics of the prominent residential and commercial building styles in Cleveland.  Students will learn about the materials and features that make each style unique, and how to identify each style as they drive around the area.  (1 hour class)
• Home Analysis Class – This class looks at ways people can adapt their homes to accommodate physical and mental health challenges due to age, illness, or injury.  We will discuss specialty products and construction projects that help people live safely and comfortably in their homes.  This can include things like making the bathtub easier to get into, installing door hardware that is easier to grasp, and special accommodations for those who are using a walker or wheelchair. We will study simple, inexpensive product options for earlier stages of adaptability; all the way up to more complex projects for later stages.  We will explain how to make informed, cost-sensible decision as needs progress.  This class is helpful for those who wish to stay living in their own homes (“Aging-In-Place”), as well as families who have someone with physical challenges living with them. (1 hour class)

FREE DOWNLOADS!

Simple Recommendations for Fall Prevention

Special Recommendations for People with Dementia

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 Watch the video
Judith discusses “Aging in Place”
on the Voice America radio show.

 

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• Hand Drafting Class – For anyone who has ever wondered what it’s like to be an architect, this class will teach the principles of hand drafting and how to use drafting equipment.  We will guide the students through practice exercises and then help them create a drafting project of their choice – perhaps house blueprints or drawings for a craft project.  (6 weeks, 2 hours per week – 12 hours total)
• Life History Museum – If your building has an extra room or an extra corner in the lobby, we can create a museum display where people contribute artifacts or heirlooms from their lives, or artwork they have created.  The stories behind the display items are written out, to explain their significance.  This can be either a permanent or temporary installation; and it can be a changing display, where the items on display are varied throughout the year.
• Building Garden Structures – Beautiful wooden decks, gazebos, arbors, trellises, benches, and planters to help turn your community yard into an outdoor living room.  We can even coordinate with landscaping companies to provide beautiful trees, shrubs, and plants to integrate into the design.

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View other Classes

• Architecture
• Cooking
• Drama
• Fiber Arts
• Fine Arts
• Gardening
• Holiday Activities
• Interior Decorating
• Laughter Yoga
• Life Stories
• Massage Therapy
• Music
• Pet Connections
• Positive Living
• Reiki
• Writing
• Yoga and Posture

Visit our Services for Caregivers page