Basket Making - Berry/Bun – Instructor: Roberta McClellan         Enrollment: 5

As an introduction to basket making you will choose to make either a simple “berry basket” or a “bun basket”. While getting comfortable with the materials and the process of weaving you may find making these baskets can be quite addicting.

This is a Beginner level class. 

Workshop fee: $45 - Includes all basket making supplies.

Friday PM – This class will meet from 12-4. Please bring your lunch with you.

Saturday AM – This class will meet from 9-1. Please bring your lunch with you.

Extra kits will be available for purchase from the instructor.

Materials student must bring to class: 5 Gallon bucket for soaking, a long, thin screwdriver

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Basket Making – Mail/Market – Instructor: Roberta McClellan           Enrollment: 5

If you have had some basket making experience and want to try a larger, more involved project you have the choice of making either a “wool basket” or a “market basket”. Learn about shaping, handles and finishing techniques as you create a basket you’ll be proud to display.

This is an Intermediate level class.

Workshop fee: $65 - Includes all basket making supplies.

Sunday  - All day class

Extra kits will be available for purchase from the instructor.

Materials student must bring to class: 5 Gallon bucket for soaking, a long, thin screwdriver

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Color Blending for Spinners – Instructor: Linda Whiting                     Enrollment: 8

Ever look at those expensive multi-colored yarns and long to take them home with you? Learn how to create your own designer yarns and exciting color combinations. By blending warm and cool colors, dyed and natural colored fiber you can give your handspun yarns greater depth and variation. Create subtle blends or go color wild. Learn what works and what doesn’t and why.

This class is suitable for all levels. Must be able to spin a yarn.

Workshop fee: $65 - Includes fiber and handouts.

Sunday – All day class

Materials student must bring to class: Spinning wheel, also hand cards and/or drum carder if you have them.

Felted Flowers – Instructor: Leslie Samson                                          Enrollment: 10

Using a variety of wet and dry felting techniques and colorful fiber create a veritable bouquet of lovely three-dimensional flowers. You’ll learn how to mold the flower base, make delicate petals, and add tiny details to make flowers so true to life you will almost be able to smell their fragrance.

Workshop fee: $85 – Includes pre-dyed wools and an assortment of dyed wools and exotic fibers for embellishments, and felting needles

Saturday – All day class (FULL)

Materials student must bring to class: Photos of flowers which you would like to translate into felt. Please bring a hard sided container in which you can safely take your needles home.

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Felted Landscape Techniques - Instructor: Leslie Samson                          Enrollment: 10

Recreate a photograph of your choice using an assortment of colored fibers and wet and dry felting techniques. Begin by making a wet felted base and add the finer details with felting needles to create a ‘one of a kind’ picture. Edge treatments, mounting suggestions and embellishment techniques will be discussed, including working with beads and embroidery.

This is class is suitable for the Beginner to the Totally Obsessed

Workshop fee: $85 – Includes pre-dyed wools and an assortment of dyed wools and exotic fibers for embellishments, and felting needles

Friday - All day class

Materials student must bring to class: Three photos or sketches of an image which you would like to translate into felt. One will be selected. Bring any special fibers you might like to include and two thick bath towels to blot your work. Please bring a hard sided container in which you can safely take your needles home. The needles are approximately 4" long and very sharp.

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Felted Vessels: Introduction to Three Dimensional Form

 Instructor: Heather Kerner                                         Enrollment: 10

Learn how to create a unique felted wool vessel in just a day!  Starting with the basic wet “felt on a ball” technique, we will experiment with efficient techniques for surface design, principles of shaping while the wool shrinks and stretches, add woven rims for structural integrity and stitch to make a one-of-a-kind sculptural piece. 

No experience required.  Some physical endurance required. 

Workshop fee: $85 - Includes wool for vessel, 17 gauge aluminum wire for rim, balloon, panty hose, additional yarns for coiling.

Saturday – All day class 

Materials student must bring to class: Bring needle (with sharp point), novelty yarns, beads, feathers, or other embellishments for your vessel.

Freestyle Hooked Bag - Instructor: Rikki Gallagher                            Enrollment: 8

This is a class for both novice and experienced rug hookers.  Utilizing a simple motif (flower, heart, star, animal) students will hook their design into a soft linen background.  Once hooked the bag begins to evolve.  Color, texture and simple embroidery stitches will transform each hooked piece into a one of a kind original bag large enough for your checkbook, keys and cell phone.  Enjoyment of hand stitching is a must for this class!

Workshop fee: $80 - Includes hook, small embroidery hoop, linen backing, wool strips, needle and threads, assorted yarns, fabric for lining and handle, buttons for closure. 

Friday – All day class

Materials student must bring to class: Scissors, pin cushion, design you might consider for your bag as well as any extra specialty items you might want to use for embellishments of your choice. 

Instructor will provide one sewing machine for use in class.  However, if you have a portable machine it would be advisable to bring it to class. More than one machine will help expedite putting the final bag together. 

Please contact the instructor with your favorite color scheme to assist her with ample wools and fabric for all students!       Rikki Gallagher - email to rikkigall@aol.com  or (207) 655-3541

G’dye – Color Play With Acid Dyes  – Instructor: Linda Whiting         Enrollment: 10

There is more than one way to dye your wool. Learn a variety of methods using acid dyes and different tools and containers to create colorful fiber to take home. We will cover immersion in a single color dyepot, doing a light base color and then adding colors by hand painting as well color mixing in the pot, microwave dyeing, oven dyeing, sprinkle dyeing, blending in the pan, squirting and mixing, and others.  This is a chance for you to discover options – what results when you do certain things, how you can shift colors, and what utensils, containers and pots can be utilized. We’ll talk about how to protect your fiber from felting, getting the most from your dyes and try to answer whatever questions you bring to the class.

This class is suitable for all experience levels.

Workshop fee: $75 – Includes dyes, a skein of yarn to dye and handouts

Friday – All day class

Materials student must bring to class: While fleece and yarn will be provided, students are encouraged to bring some of their own roving, and other clean protein fibers to add to the dyepots. This will be a chance to experiment with different techniques. Old clothes, an apron, and protective gloves, if you choose to wear them, are also good to bring.

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Hooking van Gogh – Instructor: Janet Conner                                           Enrollment: 8 

From 1853 to 1890, the country folk art of Rug Hooking was flourishing in North America, particularly along the coast of Northern New England and Maritime Canada. Amazingly, during the exact same period in Europe, Vincent Van Gogh lived his troubled and vividly creative life. In this class, we will learn more about this innovative painter, while interpreting his lively colors and rhythmic brush strokes into our medium of rug hooking. Janet Conner will present a simple system of color and texture planning which allows hookers to recreate images inspired by Vincent’s beautiful art, while still maintaining our individual style.  

PREREQUISITE: any prior rug hooking experience

Workshop fee: $25 – Includes handouts with information about Vincent Van Gogh and illustrated ‘painting with wool’ techniques.

Sunday AM & PM – Half day class 

Materials fee:  A wide variety of individually designed kits including a small Van Gogh print, linen foundation fabric, and an incredible palette of hand dyed wools will be available for sale. Please plan on a materials fee of $50 for your unique Van Gogh Sampler Kit.

Materials student must bring to class: Your favorite hook, scissors or strip cutter (additional scissors and cutters will be available to share)

Knitted Rug Techniques – Carpet Bags– Instructor: Rose Ann Hunter         Enrollment: 8 

By adapting a few rug making techniques, make a quick and easy project. By recycling fabric and left over wool yarns with just a basic garter stitch, knit a small fun bag to use. Create your own original style. A fun project for the beginner. 

Workshop fee: $45 – Includes a kit to get you started with cut fabrics for embellishments.

Friday PM  

Materials student must bring to class: A pair of scissors, #7 or #8 ten inch knitting needles, a small assortment of colorful fabrics and a worsted weight yarn to knit with, and various other bits and pieces of yarns leftover from other projects to knit in. 

Knotted Rugs – Instructor: Rose Ann Hunter                                            Enrollment: 8 

Learn to transfer simple designs onto canvas. Then by using a tapestry needle and various yarns to make  French knots create a small table mat or handbag with this simple technique. Use leftover yarns to knot a whimsical sheep or a more traditional floral design. Bring a small stash to add to your kit and get creative. This is a very quick process with bulky yarns. Finer yarns give a more detailed look.          

Workshop fee: $45 -  Includes kit with canvas, needle and assorted yarns to make a small project.

Saturday AM

Materials students must bring to class: A pair of scissors, small stash of colored yarns and a little creativity. 

Kumihimo Braiding – Instructor: Sue Black                                            Enrollment: 8 

Kumihimo, which means “the gathering of threads,” is the ancient art of Japanese Braiding. Generally made of silk these braids are widely used as functional or decorative elements of the kimono, the traditional Japanese dress, and can be used in many other ways. Traditionally these braids are woven on a “Maru dai”, a stand for weaving kumihimo. The threads, wound on wooden bobbins, are lifted in pairs and set down in opposing positions to create a variety of interesting patterned braids. We will be using a handheld braiding disk with plastic bobbins, a portable and inexpensive substitute. There will also be an opportunity to use  a Maru dai. 

No experience necessary.

Workshop Fee: $25 

Materials Fee: $13 – Includes braiding disk, bobbins, braiding threads, instruction sheets.

Sunday PM 

Materials student must bring to class: Scissors, pen or pencil for taking notes.

Making Faces – 3D Felting – Instructor: Leslie Samson                                  Enrollment: 10

A light-hearted introduction to needle felting in which you will learn to make three-dimensional and sculptural forms. Using natural fibers and specialized needles you will learn the techniques to create facial structures with correct proportions, and make expressions and details that can be applied to making dolls, ornaments and other constructions.

 This class is suitable for all experience levels.

Workshop fee: $85 – Includes all necessary materials and tools.

Sunday – All day class

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Nalbinding – Instructor: Rudy Amann                                                   Enrollment: 10

Nalbinding is worked with a single piece of yarn and a short flat needle made of bone or wood. Spiral rows of interconnected loops make a fabric that is often fulled. Long before the arrival of knitting in Scandinavia, nalbinding was used to make hats, mittens, leggings, and foot covers. You will learn several nalbinding stitches and how to use them for simple projects. No spinning or knitting skills are necessary. Nalbinding needles will be available, but bring yours if you have one.

This is a beginner level class.

Workshop fee: $40 - includes yarn and handouts.

Sunday AM

Materials student must bring to class: Nothing but a willingness to try something different.

Natural  Dyeing  – Instructor: Michelle DeLucia                         Enrollment: 10

Enjoy a day of natural color, fiber and fun as you stroll through Michelle's own farm and garden where you will identify native dye plants in the landscape and see newly-started dye plant seedlings. Learn how to plant your own dye garden and how to set up a safe dyeing environment at home using a safe mordant. Discover the magic of natural dyeing using native spring dye plants (ferns, dandelions, apple leaves, sumac, lamb's quarters) as well as, cultivated annual flowers.

This class is for Beginner level dyers and anyone who wants to add to their experience.

Workshop fee: $60: Includes fleece, plant dyes, and mordant.

Saturday – All day class

Materials student must bring to class: Pencil and a notebook.

Please bring a brown bag lunch since this is a full day workshop. There will be herbal treats and spring herbal teas throughout the day.  Students will be picked up in the morning at the Denmark Arts Center and returned at the end of class.

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Nuno Felt Textures – Instructor: Heather Kerner                                   Enrollment: 12

In this workshop, Heather will reveal her technique for producing a firm, thick nuno felt swatch with "pebble" surface texture.  Heather is currently incorporating this technique into felt and leather bags, however your swatch may be used for anything after the class (depending on your sewing capabilities):  framed fiber art, a base for embroidery or beading embellishment, sewing into a small pouch, a small pillow front, a checkbook or journal cover, a bag pocket etc. 

Workshop fee: $40 – Includes 4 oz. merino wool top, felt shapes for texture, dyed silk chiffon, cotton gauze

Sunday AM

 Materials student must bring to class: A small basin or bucket, 3 old bath towels, sponge, liquid dish soap, 2 squares bubble wrap at least 24" wide x 24" high, sharp fabric scissors.

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Penny Rugs – Instructor: Janet Conner                                          Enrollment: 8

These are simple appliquéd shapes of felted wool fabrics layered to create simple folk art patterns and designs. Each shape is  embroidered in place using a blanket stitch around its borders.  Penny  Rugs are so named because one of the commonest designs is  small  circles layered onto one another. Seldom actually used as  rugs, these wool appliqués can be used as table mats or wall  hangings. Small projects could include a scissors case or an eyeglass case, pincushion or little bag.

Workshop fee: $25

Saturday AM & PM - Half day class 

Materials Fee: $35  - Includes of hand dyed wools,  embroidery thread, interfacing, and custom patterns (Makes 1 large or 3-4 small projects)

Materials student must bring to class:  A pair of good sharp fabric scissors

Rug Hooking Basics – Instructor: Connie Schmotzer-Fletcher             Enrollment: 6

This class is geared to the Beginner or rug hooker who wants to revisit hooking skills.

Workshop fee: $65 – Includes pattern for 4 coasters drawn on linen, your wool, hook, and box for you to paint.  I will provide a hooking frame for you to use during the class.

Friday – All day class or Saturday – All day class

Materials student must bring to class:  Please bring your own scissors.

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Sculptural Felted Hats – Instructor: Heather Kerner                                   Enrollment: 10

Learn how to create one-of-a-kind signature felted hats in just a day!  Starting with the basic wet “flat felting with a resist" technique, we will execute whimsical designs for a merino wool hat.  Learn to sculpt your form from a starting template, add spikes, bobbles, dreads, flowers, sophisticated folds, flaps and more!  A wonderful introduction to intermediate flat felting techniques.  

Some physical endurance required. 

Workshop fee: $80– Includes 4 oz. merino wool top, plastic template

Friday – All day class

Materials student must bring to class: Small basin or bucket, 3 old bath towels, sponge, liquid dish soap, 2 squares bubble wrap at least 24" wide x 24" high, sharp fabric scissors, hat forms if you have them.

Shawl Pin Making – Instructor: Leslie Wind                                        Enrollment: 6

Geared for knitters, crocheters and weavers who have never worked with metal before, this workshop teaches simple metalworking techniques. Using copper, bronze and nickel wire in a variety of gauges participants will learn forging, surface texturing and finishing to make an unlimited variety of shawl pins and orifice hooks.  Although the focus is on fiber related items, the basic skills and available materials can be used to create earrings, necklaces and other decorative items.  A short lesson in making sterling earwires is included so  earrings made in class may be worn home.

No metal working experience necessary

Workshop fee: $35– Includes wire for shawl pins, use of tools. All tools, materials and sample ideas supplied by the instructor.

Friday – AM & PM   Saturday – AM & PM   Half day class

Materials student must bring to class: Nothing needed but a willingness to learn. Those who have their own hand tools may bring them along as well as any special beads to be incorporated into a design.  

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Beginning Spinning – Instructor: Rudy Amann                                                 Enrollment: 6

This is a workshop for the beginning or very novice spinner. In the morning, learn how to draft and spin yarn on a high whorl hand spindle, and in the afternoon use those skills on a spinning wheel. Also learn about different weight spindles and different types of spinning wheels. Hand spindles will be provided, but students need a spinning wheel in good working order.

This is a Beginner level class.

Workshop fee: $80 – Includes spinning fiber and handouts.

Friday – All day class

Materials student must bring to class:  Please bring a spinning wheel if you have one. (Wheels may be rented for $20 – see registration form)

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Spinning– Beyond the Basics – Instructor: Rudy Amann                        Enrollment: 10

Have you recently learned how to spin and are now ready to try new challenges to increase your skills? If so, this workshop is for you. It is also a great workshop if you have several years of experience and want new ideas to revitalize your spinning. Different techniques of spinning and drafting will be practiced.

For the spinner who can spin a continuous length of yarn and is familiar with the mechanics of their wheel.

Workshop fee: $80 – Includes spinning fiber and handouts.

Saturday – All day class

Materials student must bring to class:  Spinning wheel. (Wheels may be rented for $20 – see registration form)

Standing Wool Rugs – Instructor: Rose Ann Hunter                                           Enrollment: 8 

This historic technique from the late 1700’s recycles your old and worn clothes into a wonderful “shirred memory rug.” This is a sewn rug, using a three inch shirring needle and heavy cotton thread. There are several types of shirring and we will cover three of them: mono, center, and patch shirring. You will start by creating a beaded wool pin cushion by rolling small strips of wool into round wool beads and stitching them together. Then you will go on to making the center of your own heirloom rug. 

Workshop fee: $45 - Includes kit to begin your rug - Shirring needle, heavy sewing threads, and small bits of wool for a small pincushion.

Friday AM 

Materials students need to bring to class: A pair of sharp scissors, small bits of wool fabric that has been washed in the washing machine on hot water and then dried in the dyer. This ‘hot wash and dry’ step will “full” your wool making it easier to cut.

Tambour Rug Technique – Instructor: Rose Ann Hunter                     Enrollment: 8 

Learn this historic technique from the 1800’s. By using just a crochet hook, pull yarn or fabric through a canvas from behind loop by loop to create a wonderful surface braid which can be used to design floral patterns, geometric log cabin, or freeform design. In class you will make a small project that becomes the first square of a larger rug, or design it to become a handbag, or a small pillow.           

Workshop fee: $45 - Includes kit with hook, mesh backing, and assorted rug wools.

Saturday PM 

Materials students need to bring to class: A pair of sharp scissors, small stash of worsted weight yarns and cotton fabrics. 

Wooly Woofs - Needlefelting Specific Breed Dogs

Instructor: Julie Yarbrough                                                                              Enrollment: 8

In this workshop we will concentrate on needle felting techniques and making specific dog breeds out of wool and wire. We will discuss design elements and how to make wire and wool actually look like a real dog. We will find which breeds lend themselves to this technique and which ones to shoo away. This is a fun and light hearted workshop where we concentrate on our love for dogs and wool.

Needlefelting experience is helpful.

Workshop fee: $75 – Includes all materials needed: wire, wool, felting needles.

Sunday AM – This class will meet from 9-1. Please bring your lunch with you.

Materials student must bring to class:  Photos of your pet or  the dog you wish to create.