Explore Our Classes
March 2019
Soap Making
- Sold out!
Learn to make all natural glycerin-based soaps, infused with essential oils and natural fragrances! Join Wendy McGraw for an introduction to basic soap making, as well as a sea salt body scrub with olive and avocado oils. Students will leave prepared to make soap at home with a complete manual and supply list, along with six hand-made sample bars of soap and jar of body scrub. Students should bring: apron Class will be held at at the Gammelgarden Museum, 20880…
Find out more »The Essential Birch Bark Box
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Birch bark has been used since ancient times in northern countries such as Scandinavia, the Baltics, Russia, the Northern islands of Japan and more locally, by Native Americans. Students in this class, will learn to prepare birch bark properly for craftwork, use a carving knife safely & with confidence, layout a traditional ‘finger type joint,’ and fit bottoms and lids to their box. Come and be amazed by the birch. The instructor will supply all necessary tools and materials. This…
Find out more »April 2019
Carpenter’s Star for Beginning Quilters
Curious to begin quilting? This class provides your initial taste into this creative world with your knowledgeable guides, Wynn Martin and her helpful quilt-mate, Gloria Mueller. Take your sewing skills and interest to a new level, in this supportive and fun class. This is a 2-Day class: Saturday, April 6 & Saturday, April 20, 10am-4pm Each student will make a small quilt suitable for use as a baby quilt or decorative wall hanging. We will use the “Carpenter’s Star” block…
Find out more »Intergenerational: Pysanky-Ukrainian Egg Decoration
Just in time for the Easter season, learn the art of making pysanky – Ukrainian Easter Eggs. Using beeswax and dyes applied in layers, students will create amazing, beautiful eggs that will please the Easter Bunny or anyone lucky enough to receive the egg as a gift. The term ‘pysanky’ is of Eastern European-Slavic heritage, from the words ‘pysaty’ – to write and ‘kraska’ - color. Pysanky suggests ‘things written upon with color’, which will become clear as students learn…
Find out more »May 2019
Beginning Crop Art
Is Crop Art the first exhibit you race to at the Minnesota State Fair every year? This is the class for you! Typically incorporating a variety of seeds, grains and other natural materials, crop art has been described as the ‘collision of art and agriculture’. Is crop art ‘kitsch’ or ‘art’ or somewhere in between? You decide, as you join the fun and create your own design. Did you know the Minnesota State Fair is the only state fair with…
Find out more »Making a Slab-built Pottery Mug with Connie Helke
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Beloved potter Connie Helke is generously donating her time to benefit Marine Mills Folk School! Your class fee will go 100% to supporting our new folk school. Be one of the lucky few to spend an afternoon with Connie, learning to create a functional mug complete with handle. You will learn to roll out a slab of white stoneware clay, cut, add texture and then form it into a mug with handle. The class will take place at Connie’s studio…
Find out more »Intergenerational: Make a Gift for Mother’s Day
Know what a mom really wants for Mother’s Day? To enjoy some silence and time to herself while her loved ones plan a fun surprise for her! We’ve got some help for you. Bring Mom a handmade key holder, yummy chocolate and a posy of flowers, then bask in her smile on Mother’s Day! Ms. Iredale, art teacher from River Grove Community School, will guide children as they decorate a wooden house to create a key holder or necklace hanger…
Find out more »Kombucha is For Everyone!
Get on the kombucha bandwagon! If you love kombucha and have considered making it at home, but haven’t yet started, this class is for you. You’ll receive all the knowledge you need to brew with success, and even a coveted SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast) to get you started. Brewing kombucha is not hard, but there are a few key details you need to know to ensure your brew stays healthy and delicious. Because of the nature of…
Find out more »June 2019
Make a Salmon Leather Wallet
Did you know eco-friendly fish leather uses the skin of processed fish that would otherwise be thrown away? Fish leather is being used today in the design of handbags, shoes, even clothing. In this class you’ll create your own leather bi-fold wallet using tanned/dyed salmon leather. Fish leather is the second strongest leather after kangaroo leather! Each student will take home a wallet with a cash pocket plus 2-4 credit card pockets. The salmon leather is imported from Iceland and…
Find out more »Needle Felted Birds: Chikadee-dee-dee
Needle felt a beautiful three-dimensional chickadee. Makers will learn needle felting basics and techniques to needle felt details and realism in wool. Instructions will be given for making wire legs and feet, and for hanging your bird as an ornament. Participants will complete one bird in class and leave with enough supplies to make a second one on their own. Felting is older than spinning or weaving and found in many world cultures. Felting wool means to agitate the fibers…
Find out more »Making a Slab-built Pottery Mug with Connie Helke
- Sold out!
Connie Helke is amazing and generous, and we love her! Because of high interest, she has agreed to hold another class at her studio, to benefit Marine Mills Folk School! Your class fee will go 100% to supporting our new folk school, as Connie is donating her time. Be one of the lucky few to spend an afternoon with Connie, learning to create a functional mug complete with handle. You will learn to roll out a slab of white stoneware…
Find out more »October 2019
Saami Inspired Scandinavian Bracelet
The dramatic landscape of northern Scandinavia is that of the midnight sun, northern lights, and the Sámi, a nomadic tribal group that follows the migration of the reindeer. Traditional Sámi jewelry incorporates elements of their northern landscape – softened reindeer leather, braided pewter wire, and sculpted antler. Discover this unique tradition with veteran instructor Liz Bucheit and create a beautiful bracelet in one day. Students will explore the traditional jewelry techniques of triple braiding, coiled pewter wire, and sewing the finished…
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