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Classes

Learn with Dogwood Crafters

Classes are offered March through November. Join us for some new classes as well as some favorites from years before.

Unless otherwise specified, classes are held at 31 Front Street, across from the Dillsboro Town Hall with lots of parking. This is a new location for our classes.

To register for any class stop by or call Dogwood Crafters at 828-586-2248. Please have your name, phone number and email (optional) ready to register. Normally registration deadline is a week before the class. Class fees are paid on the day of the class. All payments must be in cash (no credit cards). The volunteer instructors work hard to keep the cost low, but due to rising costs in supplies and fees you may see an increase in the class fees. The class fees cover the use of the Masonic Lodge (when classes are held there). Our classes are offered to fulfill our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.

Class Schedule

Make a Small Accordion Book with Gayle Woody
Saturday, March 16: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Class fee: $12

This introduction to bookmaking class will teach attendees how to create “New” book covers from old ones. Create a six-page book by folding paper in accordion fashion. Various options for content will be presented; and attendees are encouraged to bring photos, drawings, poems, small paintings, or interesting papers to use as their content. Various materials will be provided. Register by March 8.

Make Corn Shuck Dolls with Claudia Lampley
Wednesday, March 20: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Class fee: $5

Make a corn shuck doll and learn about the Native American legend as to why these dolls have no face. Please bring craft scissors and a container for soaking your corn husks (provided). Register by March 13.

Create a Wire Jewelry Art Pendant with Stacy Adams
Friday, April 6: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Class fee: $5

This is a beginner’s wire jewelry-making class, where all materials will be provided. Learn to bend aluminum wire into different shapes by hand or with tools to create a lovely pendant. Attendees will learn how to embellish their pendants by attaching beads and bending wire. Register by March 29.

Make Wool May Day Basket Door Hanger with Susan Rhyne
Friday, April 12: 10:30 am to 2:30 pm
Class fee: $15

Attendees will weave a wool applique hanging basket and apply applique around the basket door hanger. You will learn how to cut and attach wool flowers and leaves and to stitch applique using both the Blanket and Stem stitches. All materials will be provided; however, please bring a pair of sharp, detailing scissors. Register by April 5.

Make a Wire Fairy Tree with Millie Pejakovich
Tuesday, April 16: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Class fee: $20

Make a wire fairy tree by twisting wire and applying Gem tips to embellish the tree. Attendees will make a base for the tree using air dried clay, then twist wire into a tree shape and place in the base and attach gems to tree. While supplies will be provided, please bring wire cutters and pliers or other jewelry tools if you have them. Register by April 9.

Weave a Mountain Ridge Basket with Bill and Debbie Douglas, a Two-Day Class
Tuesday, April 30 and Wednesday, May 1: 9:30 am - 3:00 pm each day
Class fee: $50

This is an Intermediate Level basket weaving class. Attendees will learn various basket weaving techniques that include a continuous weave and three and four rod wale technique. The basket wooden base and reed will be provided; and attendees need to bring their basket weaving tools. Register by April 9.

Sew a Stack 'n Whack Quilt Wall Hanging with Joyce Lantz, a Two-Day Class
Monday, May 6 and Monday, May 13: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm each day
Class fee: $25

Attendees will learn the fun and fanciful technique of “Stack” and “Whack” using a single fabric to create a myriad of designs to complete a wall hanging. If you haven’t already, you will learn the basics of quilting (cutting, piecing, and finishing). Sewing experience is needed; and please bring a sewing machine to use and fabric shears. Some tools and fabrics will be provided.. Register by April 29.

Hand Dye Silk Scarves with Joan Marsden
Tuesday, May 7: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Class fee: $40

Learn to hand dye silk scarves using instant set dyes. Attendees will make two finished, ready-to-wear silk scarves. Attendees should wear clothes that can get dirty/stained. Supplies will be provided by the instructor. Register by April 30.

Make Turkey Wing Whisk Brooms with Bill Douglas
Wednesday, May 15: 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Class fee: $35

Attendees will make two Turkey Wing whisk brooms and be provided with a brief historical background of the whisk broom, including the different materials they have been made from. Written instructions, materials, and tools required to make the brooms will be provided. Participants will need to be physically fit to use the treadle provided, which requires some physical strength to operate. Register by May 1.

Hand-Build Pottery with Cheryl Thompson, a Two-Day Class
Tuesday, May 21 & Tuesday, May 28: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm each day
Class fee: $38

Attendees will hand-build a small piece of pottery on the first day, which will be fired. On the second day, attendees will stain their fired piece of pottery, which will be taken and fired again. The instructor will contact attendees to arrange a pickup time at Dogwood Crafters to get their completed pieces. Register by May 14.

Weave a Market Basket with Junetta Pell and Andrew Beck, a Two-Day Class
Wednesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 23: 10:00 am - 3:30 pm each day
Class fee: $25

This class is for beginning to intermediate skill level experience in basketweaving. Attendees will learn to weave a market basket with a finished size of approximately 10 x 14 inches in diameter and 7 inches deep. Those attending will learn to weave a base using flat reed, and insert a wooden D-shaped handle, which they will decorate by weaving the handle with reed. Skills taught will include twining, start-and-stop weaving, and how to stain a finished basket. Attendees have the option of selecting two or three colors of reed to use in making their basket. Students need to bring basic basket tools (shears to cut reed, tape measure, pencil, packer or flat blade screwdriver, sandpaper, a container for water to soak reed, an old hand towel or paper towels, spring-type clothes pins or small roach type clips/clamps. A sponge and/or spray bottle are optional. Register by May 15.

Make "Birds or Bees" Gourds with Donna McCarthy
Tuesday, June 11: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Class fee: $25

Make either a “Bird or Bee” gourd. Choice 1 Birdhouse: You will decoupage the outside of your predrilled birdhouse (gourd) to decorate, which you can take home to put on your porch or outside tree area. Choice 2 Bumble Bee on a Tree Root: You will paint and work with wire to create your bee’s antenna and 4 wings on a gourd, which will become a cute shelf piece for your home. All supplies will be provided; however, please bring an apron. Register by May 28.

Carve a Spirit Face with Ron Yount
Thursday, June 13: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Class fee: $18

Attendees will learn the skills and techniques for carving a “Spirit Face” using Locust Tree bark. Some experience in carving is needed up to intermediate carver level.  Please bring carving tools, especially gouges. Register by June 6.

Make a Poplar Bark Basket with Joe Williams
Tuesday, June 18: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Class fee: $32

Attendees will learn how to peel bark off a Poplar log and how to turn a one-piece Poplar bark into a basket. You will learn how to fold bark for basket, how to lace it up together, and how to attach a handle. All materials will be furnished. Register by June 4.

Make Flower Pounding Notecards with Claudia Lampley
Tuesday, June 25: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Class fee: $5

Relieve your frustrations by pounding flowers on notecards to make a beautiful array of colorful notecards. Learn how flowers can shed their pigment by pounding and smudging flowers onto paper. Materials will be furnished; however, please bring a hammer. Register by June 18.

Make Mini Books with Gail Holt
Monday, June 27: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Class fee: $5

Learn how to make 1 or 2 mini books. Materials will be furnished; however, please bring a pencil and a ruler. Register by June 20.

Make a Gourd for Christmas in July with Donna McCarthy
Tuesday, July 9: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Class fee: $25

Enjoy the spirit of Christmas in July by painting three round gourds stacked on top of each other and mounted on a wooden stand. Decorate happy or silly snowman faces and embellish with sorted Christmas type accessories or artificial snow. All supplies will be provided; please bring an apron. Register by June 25.

Paint a Summer-Themed Barn Board Quilt with Deborah Freedman, a Two-Day Class
Wednesday, July 10 and Thursday, July 11: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm each day
Class fee: $160

Attendees will tape and paint a 24-inch square MDO board suitable for exterior use. You must select a pattern (provided at signup). Each attendee will be provided with a prepared board, which is pre-drawn by the instructor with your selected pattern. All supplies and paint needed for your selected design will be provided. Please wear old clothes. Register by June 12. Location: Deborah's Workshop in Tuckasegee (select design #)

Paint Glass Balls in Alcohol Ink with Kathy Murray
Thursday, July 18: 11:00 am - 1:30 pm
Class fee: $30

Come and have fun applying alcohol ink to clear, frosted, and white glass ball ornaments. Attendees will learn how to blow, drop, swirl, sponge, or drip alcohol ink to the outside and/or inside of the glass balls to decorate ornaments.  All materials will be provided, including glass balls, canned compressed air, straws, sponges, alcohol ink, blending solution, rubbing alcohol, Krylon Kamar varnish, and gloves (Note: Gloves provided are made of nitrate and latex so if you are allergic to those, please bring your own gloves.) Boxes with dowels to hang your ornaments to get them home safely will be provided. Please wear an apron or an old top, you do not mind getting ink on. Register by July 11.

Make Paper, Add Dried Flowers with Marjorie Eyre
Thursday, August 1: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Class fee: $20

Attendees will learn how to prepare pulp for making paper and learn the skills to pull their own home-made paper sheets. Participants may select dried flowers to embellish their own paper that they can take home. Please wear old clothes or bring an apron, it can be a messy process. Register by July 25.

Make Leather Leaves with Brenda Anders
Tuesday, August 6: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Class fee: $10

Attendees will learn how to cut leather into shapes of leaves. Please bring an assortment of leaves and a pair of very sharp scissors that can cut leather. All other supplies will be provided. Register by July 30.

Make a Decorative Gourd Vase with Donna McCarthy
Tuesday, August 13: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Class fee: $25

Decorate rounded gourds into vases. Attendees will apply small stencils onto the gourd surface and use wire daubers and apply a variety of alcohol inks. You will learn how to remove stencils after paint dries to display a beautiful motif. All supplies will be provided, including a brass ring, which is to be inserted into the top of your gourd for installing dried flowers at your leisure when you return home. Please bring an apron. Register by July 30.

Weave a Pine Needle Bowl with Heather Seaman
Tuesday, August 20: 10:00 am- 2:30 pm
Class fee: $25

Attendees will learn the basics of needle basketry, including how to coil Southern Long Leaf Pine needles into a round bowl. Using artificial sinew, a needle, and a wooden base, participants will learn how to stitch sinew to hold coils to build and shape your bowl using a basic stitch, and how to hide your knots, tape down the coils, and back stitch to finish your bowl. Please bring an apron. Register by August 13.

Make a Falling Autumn Leaves Gourd with Donna McCarthy
Tuesday, September 10: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Class fee: $25

Attendees will sponge paint on already cleaned gourds. Fun begins with cutting leaf designs using cookie cutters to stamp into Quik wood, which is rolled out like pie dough. You will then place these leaf designs on your gourds and paint them in fall colors. All supplies will be provided, including paint and clay tools. Please bring an apron. Register by August 27.

Make a Hand-Dyed Wool Pumpkin with Susan Rhyne
Friday, September 13: 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Class fee: $15

Attendees will cut wool and shape into a pumpkin, stuff the pumpkin and stitch it together. Participants will also cut applique leaves and attach them and stem tops to their pumpkin. All materials will be provided; however, please bring a pair of sharp, detailing scissors for cutting wool. Register by September 6.

Learn to Knit with Sarah Hirsch
Thursday, September 19: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Class fee: $5

Attendees will learn the basics on how to knit. Techniques that will be taught include learning how to cast on and knit a square for an Afghan blanket, then how to cast off to finish your first square. All supplies and yarn will be provided. Register by September 12.

Weave a Chair Seat with Junetta Pell and Andrew Beck, a Two-Day Class
Wednesday, September 25 and Thursday, September 26: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm each day
Class fee: $25

Attendees will learn how to replace a seat on a chair by weaving flat reed or cane in a diagonal pattern. This pattern can be used on a stool, straight chair, or rocker. Participants need to bring a chair, which has a good frame shape or refinish prior to the class; contact the instructor if you need a chair. The instructor will contact students before class to obtain information on whether you will use reed or cane and the size of chair you are bringing. Attendees should bring their basket-making tools or if new to weaving bring the following: container for water, old hand towel, sponge and/or water bottle, shears to cut reed, zip ties, clothes pins or roach type clips, and pencil. Register by September 18.

Make a Pine Needle Wreath Ornament with Joyce Lantz
Monday, October 7: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Class fee: $8

Attendees will make one or two Pine Needle Wreath ornaments by weaving pine needles around a round ring to shape their pine needle wreath. You will stitch the long pine needles using artificial sinew or dental floss. Good hand dexterity skills or previous pine needle weaving is suggested. All supplies will be provided. Register by October 1.

Make Halloween Gourds with Donna McCarthy
Tuesday, October 8: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Class fee: $25

It’s Halloween Gourd time! Attendees may choose to use a medium sized gourd or choose two smaller gourds to stack and mount on a stand to make something scary or silly using paint and embellish them with a full assortment of fall accessories.  All supplies will be provided. Please bring an apron. Register by October 1.

Use Gouache to Plein Air Paint Outside with Marjorie Eyre
Tuesday, October 15: 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Class fee: $35

Attendees will learn how to sketch paint (Plein Air Painting) outside with minimal supplies. The trick to painting outside is to sketch paint, details are discouraged. Attendees should dress warm but layered and wear hiking boots or other closed toe boots as feet may get wet. Also bring either a small easel or board to work on. The class will begin with timed sketching exercises and then allow longer intervals for participants to paint what they see. Gouche paint, tape, paper, water, and brushes will be provided, as well as tarps to sit on ground. The class instruction will focus on learning to ‘sketch’ a landscape quickly. Class will be outside. Register by October 1.

Paint a Fall-Themed Barn Board Quilt with Deborah Freedman, a Two-Day Class
Tuesday, October 22 and Wednesday, October 23: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm each day
Class fee: $160

Attendees will tape and paint a 24-inch square MDO board suitable for exterior use. You must select a pattern (provided at signup). Each attendee will be provided with a prepared board, which is pre-drawn by the instructor with your selected pattern. All supplies and paint needed for your selected design will be provided. Please wear old clothes. Register by October 1. Location: Deborah's Workshop in Tuckasegee (select design #)

Learn to Braid a Rug with Dianne Ellis, a Two-Day Class
Thursday, October 24th and Thursday, October 31: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm each day
Class fee: $5

Attendees will learn the techniques of rug braiding and lacing. Please bring braiders and scissors if you have them. Register by October 17.

Make a Pinecone Owl with Heather Seaman
Tuesday, November 5: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Class fee: $15

Attendees will make an owl out of pinecones using a hot glue gun and nature materials, which will be provided. Please bring your hot glue gun with you and gloves if you prefer to use them. All other supplies will be provided. Register by October 29.

Weave a Star Reed Ornament with David Jordan
Wednesday, November 13: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Class fee: $5

Attendees will learn to weave a reed star, which may require some gluing. Register by November 6.

Make a Light Bulb Snowman Ornament with Alva Houston
Thursday, November 14: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Class fee: $15

Attendees will make a cute snowman ornament using a recycled light bulb. Participants will paint features of a snowman on a light bulb and embellish it with sticks. All materials will be furnished. Register by November 7.

Make a Stained Glass Tree Ornament with Marjorie Eyre
Wednesday, December 4: 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Class fee: $35

Attendees will learn to cut glass, grind, foil, solder, and finish a one-piece Christmas Tree ornament, which they will embellish with wire and beads and solder on their tree. This will be a one-day class and involve cutting only one piece of glass, providing a basic introduction to stained glass. Please wear old clothes, closed-toed shoes, tie your hair back, and don’t forget your glasses. All materials will be provided, and students should anticipate sharing tools. Register by November 27. Location: Marjorie's Art Studio in Sylva.