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.

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.