Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
Making Mixed Media Books
May 16 - May 21
4 Teaching Days
Description
In this four-day, hands-on workshop, students will create three unique mixed media books from start to finish. We’ll explore the full process of bookmaking as an expressive art form — beginning with making our own papers, then designing and decorating covers, and finally filling our books with drawing, mark-making, collage, and writing.
Each book will use a different structure and approach, giving students a variety of formats to take home and continue working in long after the workshop ends. Along the way, we’ll experiment with accessible mixed media techniques and focus on playful exploration rather than perfection.
This class is designed to be welcoming and inspiring for all experience levels. Whether you’re new to mixed media and bookmaking or looking to deepen your creative practice, you’ll leave with finished books, new skills, and plenty of ideas for continuing on your own.
All instruction will be step-by-step, with demonstrations, guided work time, and individual support throughout the workshop.
No prior experience necessary.
Biography
Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a mixed-media artist, educator, and creative coach with over two decades of experience teaching artists of all levels. She is the author of Carve Stamp Play, a hands-on book that explores stamp carving as a creative practice rooted in play, repetition, and experimentation.
Julie has hosted and appeared on multiple art television programs, including Scrapbook Soup and Make It Artsy, where she shared accessible, process-driven techniques with a wide audience. Her work and teaching have been featured in numerous books, magazines, and online platforms, and she has taught workshops internationally as well as online.
A college-level art instructor, Julie brings together decades of teaching experience, an active studio practice, and a deep interest in creative process to help students build confidence and develop sustainable art habits. Her teaching philosophy centers on art as a practice—not a performance—and emphasizes experimentation, reflection, and curiosity over perfection. Students are encouraged to take creative risks, develop their own visual language, and leave with tools they can continue using long after the class ends.
Julie is also the founder of My Art Practice, an online membership and learning space dedicated to supporting artists in staying motivated, engaged, and connected to their work.
Learn More about Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
Fees
If 12 or more students attend class (all teaching days): $695
If 11-10 students attend class (all teaching days): $720
If 9-8 students attend class (all teaching days): $740
If 7-6 students attend class (all teaching days): $800
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Room & One Dinner Fee plus tax: $490
(There are 5 nights’ accommodations included in the “Room & One Dinner Fee” listed above.)
Itinerary
Itinerary for 4-teaching day class
Saturday, May 16
Check-In to your unit at Dillman’s (check-in time is 3:00)
5:00 Welcome Reception (included in package)
6:00 Dinner at Dillman’s (included in Room and Meal Package. $28 additional for day students.)
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday May 17-20
Breakfast On Own
9:00 a.m. – Noon Class in Session
Lunch On Own
Meals are on your own. All accommodations have cooking facilities. You may preorder box lunches and dinners for meals to be taken alone or with your group in: your studio, the lodge deck, cafe, or your accommodation. (Pre-ordering for lunches and dinners is required.)
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Class in Session
Wednesday, May 20
9:00 a.m. – Noon Class in Session
NOON Champagne Toast & Dessert (included in package)
Lunch On Own
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Class in Session
4:00 Class ends
Thursday, May 21
Depart – check-out time is 10:00
Optional Events – Sign Up Required / Subject to Change:
Sunday 5:00 p.m. Dine-Around Dinner (Depart from Lodge Lobby)
Monday 5:00 p.m. Dine-Around Dinner (Depart from Lodge Lobby)
Monday 7:00 p.m. S’more Roast (no charge)
Tuesday 7:30 a.m. Yoga
Tuesday 5:00 p.m. Dine-Around Dinner (Depart from Lodge Lobby)
Wednesday Noon & 4:00 p.m. Pontoon Ride on White Sand Lake (no charge)
Wednesday 5:00 p.m. Moondeer & Friends Gallery Tour (no charge)
Wednesday 6:00 p.m. Dine-Around Dinner
Thursday 5:00 p.m. Dine-Around Dinner (Depart from Lodge Lobby)
Dine-Around Dinners: Registration required at the front desk, meet at 5:00pm in the main lobby for carpooling.
Day students are welcome to attend the Welcome Reception and Farewell Reception (included in your package). You are also invited to join the class dinners (additional fee). PAL’s (Participants at large) can vacation at Dillman’s for $40 per night for accommodations. Costs for box lunches and dinners are additional.