Family Craft Studio is a new intergenerational program at the Appalachian Center for Craft that occurs one Saturday a month. Kids and their grown-ups are invited to participate in this free program, which features a different craft project each month. Participants will learn craft techniques in glass, fibers, wood, clay and metals through unique and engaging projects led by Craft Center instructors. The projects are designed to engage youth and adults at various skill levels and ages, and to encourage family groups to work together. Participants will take home their projects at the end of the session, except for projects that need to be kiln-fired or annealed, like glass or clay. These projects will be available to take home later. Registration is recommended but not required. Walk-up guests will be welcomed as long as supplies last. Youth participants should be at least 6 years of age, as some of the project materials are choking hazards and/or require careful handling for participants’ safety. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Spring 2025 Family Craft Studio Projects and Schedule:
Participants may drop in anytime between 9am and 11:30am and may leave whenever they are finished with their project, or by 12pm. All Family Craft Studio programs will happen at the Appalachian Center for Craft in the 3D Design room. Click here for a campus map.
February 22, 9am - 12pm
Felted Faces
Learn how to craft with wool! We’ll use a technique called wet-felting, which is like painting, but with wool. You’ll work with dyed wools, in a variety of colors, and “paint” or felt them together by using warm soapy water. For this project, we’ll be focus on creating fun, expressive portraits. You can make it look as abstract or realistic as you want. Make your own-self portrait or make a picture of a friend, family member, or even your favorite pet. Afterwards, take home your piece so you can proudly display your work!
March 8, 9am - 12pm
Fused Glass Tiles
Create a unique piece of glass art! We’ll start with a clear glass tile and layer small pieces of colored glass on top to create our own design. Explore geometric patterns, get inspired by the nature around you, or make something totally unexpected. When you’re done, leave your piece with us and we will heat it in our kiln, causing all of the pieces to melt and fuse together. The finished tile will retain your original design but you’ll see some differences, especially rounder, softer edges. You won’t get to take your work home right away, though we will get your address and mail it to you promptly. Or, you can pick it up within a few days.
April 12, 9am - 12pm
Marble Mazes
Now’s the time to put your hammering skills to the test! Design and build your own marble maze, a fun and challenging handheld game. Our mazes will be built on a square sheet of wood and we’ll use nails and rubber-bands to create pathways for the marble to travel through. Before we start hammering nails, we’ll design and decorate our wood bases with drawing materials–this will help guide us when we start adding nails. When it’s all finished, take your maze home and see if your friends and family can conquer it!
May 17, 9am - 12pm
Embossed Wind Chimes
Welcome the fresh springtime air and windy weather with your very own wind chime! We’ll use copper, a reddish-gold metal that’s both strong and easy to work with. Learn a metalworking process called “embossing”, a process that uses special tools to press or push shapes into the metal. You’ll customize your windchime with embossed metal shapes, chimes, and beads, and then assemble it yourself. Take your wind chime home and enjoy its unique musical sounds each time the wind blows!
