Paper Marbling Workshops
Susan hosts her marbling workshop in her Berkshires studio, on the same tables where she creates her papers for everything sold in the shop. Spend a day or two learning an art centuries old, and leave with your own hand-marbled sheets.
•Marbling, the art of floating paint on a liquid and printing it on a medium, has been around for hundreds of years. Come and explore the magic of dropping paint in one of our classes.
Private lessons starting in November 2026. If you are interested in a day of one on one marbling with Susan, in her studio at any level. Please reach out to make a day of marbling.
Intro to marbling one day workshop ~
Location – Dewey Hall Sheffield, MA
Learn basic marbling techniques and patterns both traditional as well as contemporary. You will be learning on professoinal marbling tanks and combs. Everything will be prepared for you to spend the day learning the basics of marbling. How to use your paints and enly your time at the tank. If you have not marbled in a while, this is a great refresher course.
I will open up my love of the world of marbling to you.
Beginner Marbling
Location – Dewey Hall Sheffield, MA
After learning the basics the marbling world has openned up. More patterns to learn and lot of practice. This is the workshop for you. A day of exploration and expansion of the skills that you have learned.
Nov 20, 2026 Intro to Marbling
Nov 21, 2026 Intro to Marbling
Nov 22, 2026 Beginner Marbling
•One day classes $395.00 ~ Supplies and materials $30.00
•Classes are from 9~3:00
•With a lunch break, please bring lunch.
•All supplies provided
•Email susan@shandells.com or call 413.248.1063 to reserve a space.
What You’ll Learn in a Marbling Workshop
A paper marbling workshop starts with the basics: how pigment floats on a prepared bath of water, how it’s coaxed into pattern with combs and rakes, and how a single sheet of paper lifts that pattern off the surface in one try. There’s no erasing or redoing a marbled sheet, so part of what’s learned is working with the unpredictability rather than against it.
By the end of the day, participants have made several sheets of their own, in patterns and colors of their choosing. Some come in wanting a specific look and leave surprised by what actually happened on the water. That’s part of the charm of this craft; control only goes so far, the same lesson that shapes every one of Susan’s custom lampshades.
Shandell’s: Workshop Schedule & Booking
Here’s what to know before signing up for a session.
- Held currently at Dewey Hall, Sheffield, MA. Sessions will be at Dewey Hall while Susan is finishing up restoring her 19th century barn in Ashley Falls, Massachusetts.
- Small groups by design. Numbers are kept to groups of four, so everyone gets their own professional tank and tools.
- Open to all. Come solo, with a friend, or as a gift for someone else; plenty of people arrive not knowing anyone.
- Popular around the holidays. Spots fill up during busier months, so reach out ahead of time if you have a date in mind.
Reach out with a preferred date, especially around the busier holiday months, and Susan will confirm availability directly so a Sunday afternoon at the bath is easy to plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a workshop last?
Sessions typically run 9am - 3pm on the days that they are running, enough time to learn the technique, work the bath directly, and produce several finished sheets to take home.
Where are the workshops held?
Workshops are held currently at Dewey Hall, Sheffield, Massachusetts, while Susan is restoring her 19th century barn in the Berkshires. Participants use professional tanks and tools the same as Susan uses to marble paper for her table lamp lampshades and everything else in the shop.
How much does a workshop cost?
Pricing varies by session and group size, so please contact us directly for the most up-to-date rates. Susan responds to calls and emails with full details.
How do I reserve a spot?
Email or call the studio directly with a preferred date. Spots are limited to keep groups small, so it's worth reaching out early, especially around the holidays.
