Creativity Care ClassesHoly Ghost, Printed Form

• Printed areas to represent the tangible, physical reality of your chosen moment.
  
• Blind embossing (uninked impressions) to evoke the presence of the Holy Spirit—what is unseen but deeply felt.
  

• Ages: 14 through adult
  
• Duration: 3 hours, including cleanup
  
• Materials: All provided—just bring an open heart and a willingness to create

• Printmaking paper 
  (Rives BFK or similar) cut to size
  
• Large sealable Ziploc bags for storing damp paper
  
• Wax paper or plastic sheets between damp sheets in the stack (to prevent sticking/tearing)
  
• Spray bottles with clean water for misting paper during class

• Cleaned, flattened milk and soup cartons (pre-cut for samples)
  
• Extra whole cartons for participants to cut themselves
  
• Cutting mats/boards (1 per student)
  
• X-Acto knives with #11 blades (plus extras)
  
• Scissors
  
• Metal rulers
  
• Paper for wiping
  
• Magazines, catalogs as wipe stations
  
• Tools for plat manipulation
  
• Q-tips, paper towels and other wiping tools
  
• Sandpaper
  
• Gloves
  
• Paper scrapers
  

• AKUA water-based intaglio ink (black, plus chine collé accent colors if desired)
  
• Palette knives
  
• Small inking surfaces (plexi, glass, or laminated boards)
  
• Tarlatan cloths (cut from old clothes or purchased)
  
• Newsprint or scrap paper for test pulls
  

• Small etching press (main station)
  
• Pasta maker press (secondary)
  
• Barens, wooden spoons, or rubbing tools
  
• Registration sheets/guides

• Glue sticks or archival glue for attaching decorative paper
  
• Pre-cut stacks of thin decorative papers (rice paper, tissue, colored papers)
  
• Lightweight paper + small watercolor sets for participants to paint their own chine collé colors
  
• Brushes and water cups (for glue moving and if watercolor option is offered)
• Drying space for painted papers before use (I have tabletop drying racks)

• Aprons or disposable gloves (I do not have loads of aprons yet, will try to thrift some more)
  
• Table coverings 
  (vinyl cloth or plastic)
  
• Paper towels/rags
  
• Cleaning supplies
  
• Recycling bin for carton scraps
  
• Hand wipes
  
• Access to water

• 2 large central tables
  • Presses: small etching presses, pasta maker press 
    
  • Space in the middle for drying small sample prints or holding plates awaiting printing
    
  • I am stationed here to guide printing, troubleshoot, and cheer the “big reveal” moments
    
  • Paper, pre-moistened in bags according to size
    
  • Trash station at one end
    
  • Water/cleaning station at the other, for any clean up needed in situ
    

• 5-6 outer tables, each seating 2 students (or 3 if needed) facing inward toward the central hub
• Each table has tool kits fro each student:
  
• Cutting mats
  
• X-Acto knives & spare blades
  
• Scissors
  
• Metal rulers
  
• Carton plate blanks (milk/soup cartons)
  
• Small inking surfaces (plexi/glass) for personal use
  
• Access to glue sticks and decorative paper for chine collé (these can be at shared mini-stations on each hub table)

1. Work at station – Students cut, score, and prep plates at their table.
2. Optional inking/chine collé at table – Light inking work can be done at the outer table to avoid crowding the hub.
   
3. Come to hub – Students bring their ready plate and paper to you for printing on one of the presses.
   
4. Return to table – After printing, they can do more plates or prep chine collé paper for another run.

• Students have ownership of their own small workspace.
  
• The ring layout encourages small group conversation without isolating anyone.
  
• The central hub makes me visible and accessible to all at once.
• Keeps the messy, high-pressure printing step in one controlled space.

• Arrange central printing hub & outer ring of tables (2–3 students per table, facing inward)
  
• Prep presses, tools, and materials at each station
  
• Moisten printmaking paper, store in damp packs with wax paper between sheets
  
• Set chine collé paper station (colored papers, glue, optional watercolor sets)
• Lay out sample plates/prints to inspire participants

• Brief intro, workshop purpose, and the Holy Ghost / printed form metaphor
  
• Show finished samples (black ink + chine collé)
  
• Explain printed areas vs. blind embossing as metaphor for seen/unseen
  
• Safety talk: X-Acto knives, rulers, press etiquette

• Show how to cut and peel carton surface for line & texture
  
• Demonstrate different mark effects
  
• Demonstrate transferring designs to the plate
  
• Students begin sample plate at their tables

• Show inking process with AKUA ink, wiping, and registration on press
  
• Print sample plate in front of group
  
• Students ink & print their sample plates (come to hub in pairs)

• Students create larger/more detailed plate inspired by a “moment of holiness”
  
• I circulate for feedback/troubleshooting
  
• Optional: prep chine collé paper (cut or paint lightweight paper)

• Students bring plates to hub for printing
  
• Dry prints laid out on display table
  
• Encourage viewing of finished prints as they emerge

• Try blind embossing or chine collé accents on same/new plates
  
• Continue printing as time allows

• View and discuss prints at display table
  
• Invite brief sharing of process and meaning
  
• Thank participants, mention possible future workshops

• Students sort tools/materials into labeled bins (cutting, rulers, inking, chine collé)
  
• Sort “like with like” and stack on central cart
  
• Any items needing deep cleaning go in bussing tray to take back to studio
  
• Wipe tables, remove coverings, stack chairs

Resources