Alft Decorators

09/05/2026

TEXTURTOP WAXES!....did you know they can be used so many different ways besides for polishing & sealing plaster? I've been using them for 20 plus years to push finishes to another level of color, texture & creativity! One of my faves, I will be sharing everything I know about using these amazing waxes in my classes @ 's ""FINE FINISH EXPO 2026" ....
Sing up now @ idal.org/workshops

09/05/2026

HUGE thank you to the Finishing Trades Institute of the Upper Midwest for collaborating with us and inviting us to their amazing facility for 's "Fine Finish Expo 2026"! As a decorative artist, a painter, a student, apprentice or contractor...we would love to introduce you to our world of plaster! CLASSES for all skill levels, DEMOS, LECTURES, GIVEAWAYS....networking, new products, inspiration!!!! It's time for our industry to share an event like this! For more info,
Check out this link, where u can sign up classes, book a reduced rate hotel room & get more details on our event! Idal.org/workshops
Can't wait to see you all on October 7-9 in Minneapolis! Sign up NOW!

09/04/2026

Decorative Artists, Painters, Designers...NOW is the time to sign up for out 3 days of classes at
"Fine Finish Expo" Oct 7-9 @

In Minneapolis! Plus, plan to attend our Free Friday EXPO with business lectures from masters of our industry, demos amazing artists including, Shower plaster application, plaster fluting, Plaster Relief, & Muralism! In addition to giveaways, new products, hands on sample making....Inspiration, creativity & networking!
More info & to register to attend:

idal.org/workshops
Contact Alft 715-340-3035 with questions.

09/03/2026

Well, there is only instructor left to spotlight...and that would be.....me! Mave Alft !
For those of you who don't know me personally, I own Mave's Decorative Market & Alft Decorators.
I have been in the painting & decorating business for 50 years. I have worked for 2 Italian Plaster companies as sales rep & master class instructor. My current role is working with @ in sales, teaching, tech support & creative director. One of the first plasters i used was and im happy to say I have come full circle...Texturline products have always been one of my faves & I'm very happy to share everything I've learned along my journey!
"Creative Combinations" is a one day Wednesday class where attendees will complete a minimum of six sample boards. I will share how i mix & match plasters & products from all the companies I represent to create unique finishes using a variety of textures. Tools, & plasters! I will share many variations on the techniques i am teaching & introduce new products to the market!
On Thursday, I, with the help of , will host a studio day where attendees are able to "play" with a wide variety of plasters & paints to learn those products, be creative and do sample boards for your market & projects. Available as an all day session, or just morning or afternoon to fit into your schedule with other classes! "Creative Studio Day"

Reserve your spot today in mine and our other amazing instructor's classes by clicking this link for more information and sign up today at..

Idal.org/workshops

is presenting our 1st
"FINE FINISH EXPO"
October 7, 8 & 9
Minneapolis, Minnesota
hosted by:


-3 days of classes, skill level...novice to expert!
-Free Friday EXPO with amazing sponsers,
demos with Plaster, paint & tool products, business lectures by industry masters!
-Free "Play with Plasters" time at Expo!
-Business discussions by master's of our industry!
-Networking, inspiration, creativity & fun!
-Open to Painters, Decorative Artists,
Designers, Contractors, all professionals
in our industry!
Questions? Contact 715 340-3035

09/02/2026

Donna Mock runs Classic Wall Finishes near Sarasota Springs, NY, after 7 years working in Boca Raton. She specializes in synthetic & Italian Lime plaster, metallic & concrete finishes, wood training & gilding. Donna is our artist of the day!
She will be teaching "Architectural Finishes: 7 in a day" at "Fine Finish Expo" in October! From synthetic & lime Venetian Pl asters to clay, Marmarino, grasscloth & marble. You will leave with a portfolio of current, sellable finishes.

Donna will be also sharing her business building experience at our Free Friday EXPO with her "Growing your faux & mural business" lecture!

Reserve your spot today in Donna''s and our other amazing instructor's classes by clicking this link for more information and sign up today at..

Idal.org/workshops

is presenting our 1st
"FINE FINISH EXPO"
October 7, 8 & 9
Minneapolis, Minnesota
hosted by:


-3 days of classes, skill level...novice to expert!
-Free Friday EXPO with amazing sponsers,
demos with Plaster, paint & tool products, business lectures by industry masters!
-Free "Play with Plasters" time at Expo!
-Business discussions by master's of our industry!
-Networking, inspiration, creativity & fun!
-Open to Painters, Decorative Artists,
Designers, Contractors, all professionals
in our industry!
Questions? Contact 715 340-3035

08/31/2026

Janet Rudd is our "Fine Finish Artist" of the day! Janet is an amazing artist and business woman running a very successful painting & decorative art company, !
Janet's crew does painting, decorative finishing, wallpaper...a full service design & painting company. Janet has so much to.share from her v experience in her "Timeless Textures" class. You will learn proven professional techniques creating highly sellable plaster textures along with tips & tricks for business success!

Reserve your spot today in Janet's and our other amazing instructor's classes by clicking this link for more information and sign up today at..

Idal.org/workshops

is presenting our 1st
"FINE FINISH EXPO"
October 7, 8 & 9
Minneapolis, Minnesota
hosted by:


-3 days of classes, skill level...novice to expert!
-Free Friday EXPO with amazing sponsers,
demos with Plaster, paint & tool products, business lectures by industry masters!
-Free "Play with Plasters" time at Expo!
-Business discussions by master's of our industry!
-Networking, inspiration, creativity & fun!
-Open to Painters, Decorative Artists,
Designers, Contractors, all professionals
in our industry!
Questions? Contact 715 340-3035

08/29/2026

Saturday spotlight is on Amazing artist and plaster relief master, Ellie Ellis!

Ellie will be teaching "Depth in Motion: Sculpting the Rising Form in October at PlasterCenter's "Fine Finish Expo 2026"! Students will create an 11"X14" plaster relief panel as they learn both the artistic & technical foundations for this beautiful art form. Class is Thursday, Oct 8-Friday, October 9.

Ellie will be also sharing her master skills on Wednesday, October 7th with "The Return of Relief", a 90 minute lecture on the evolution of plaster relief. Whether or not you are a decorative painter, muralist, faux finisher or simply curious about dimensional art, this presentation will change the way you see walls & what is possible with them!

During our Free Friday Expo, Ellie will do a demo of her work, so you can watch the master creating her art!

Reserve your spot today in Ellie's and our other amazing instructor's classes by clicking this link for more information and sign up today at..

Idal.org/workshops

is presenting our 1st
"FINE FINISH EXPO"
October 7, 8 & 9
Minneapolis, Minnesota
hosted by:


-3 days of classes, skill level...novice to expert!
-Free Friday EXPO with amazing sponsers,
demos with Plaster, paint & tool products, business lectures by industry masters!
-Free "Play with Plasters" time at Expo!
-Business discussions by master's of our industry!
-Networking, inspiration, creativity & fun!
-Open to Painters, Decorative Artists,
Designers, Contractors, all professionals
in our industry!
Questions? Contact 715 340-3035

08/28/2026

Here's any easy schedule of "Fine Finish Expo" Classes! Open to all skill levels...
Basic finishes, multicoat decorative finishes for walls & canvases, murals, dimensional relief plaster, limes & acrylics, real metal finishes, marbles, business lectures, free demos & play with plaster time, network with industry masters & pros, inspiration galore!!! Hope to meet you there @ "
#
More info: idal.org/workshops or
contact Mave @ 715 340-3035

08/28/2026

08/27/2026

Introducing Beth Schafer-Swinton, our 5th featured amazing instructor at our Fine Finish Expo!
We are thrilled to have Beth teaching 2 classes at our event!
1- "Metallo Fuso: The real Metal Workshop"
A hands-on workshop for professional decorative painters & finishers who want to add genuine metal work to their portfolio! Novacolor Metallo Fuso is a 2 part component coating made with real metallic alloy powders in silver, copper, brass & bronze. Students will learn application & business aspects of selling this product.
2- "Modern Minerals"....Learn Novacolor lime plaster finishes most in demand right now.....
Application & selling of 5 popular lime plasters...a great addition to your portfolio!

Beth Schafer has experience with both the application and sales of Novacolor Italia for over 25 years. Running a decorative effects application studio, The Inside Wall, allows her to understand the needs of the customer & the applicator.

Reserve your spot today in Beth's and our other amazing instructor's classes by clicking this link for more information and sign up today at..

Idal.org/workshops

is presenting our 1st
"FINE FINISH EXPO"
October 7, 8 & 9
Minneapolis, Minnesota
hosted by:


-3 days of classes, skill level...novice to expert!
-Free Friday EXPO with amazing sponsers,
demos with Plaster, paint & tool products, business lectures by industry masters!
-Free "Play with Plasters" time at Expo!
-Business discussions by master's of our industry!
-Networking, inspiration, creativity & fun!
-Open to Painters, Decorative Artists,
Designers, Contractors, all professionals
in our industry!
Questions? Contact 715 340-3035