Private Lessons and Workshops

Learn the basics of throwing clay on the potter's wheel. Each week will focus on how to make a different form on the wheel from cups, bowls, and plates. The final class will focus on glazing and finishing. A return visit will be needed to pick up the final work after the glaze firing approximately 2 weeks after the last class. Perfect for beginners or those wanting to improve their skills.

Cost: $90 students / $100 community, clay extra.

Clay is extra and can be purchased at the front desk. Clay- 5 lbs. - $9 for students / $10 community. 10 lbs. $18 SIU Students, $20 Community, Amount required depending on size of projects. 

Craft Shop Instructor: Andy Hill, Graduate Assistant

Age: 16+ 

Students will be taught the basic skills of stained glass to complete a small (5" x 7" – 6" x 7") panel using simple geometric shapes. The class will create a project using class patterns, cutting, grinding, copper foiling, soldering, and finishing. Beginning to immediate skills levels welcomed. Closed-toed shoes are required. Materials are extra, and a large selection of stained glass is available at the Craft Shop supply shop.

Cost: $110 students / $130 community, Materials extra. Supplies can be purchased at the Craft Shop front desk. 

Instructor: Tina Price, Community Instructor

Learn how to use GR Pottery Forms to make a cute slab built snack tray, add fun embellishments and color with underglaze. All supplies provided, including 2.5 lb clay, slips and glazes. A return visit will be need to pick up after the firing.

Cost: $30 SIU Students / $35 Community. Materials Included.

Craft Shop Instructor: TBD

Age 16 +

Add creative flair to your kitchen by creating your own patterned tea towels with linoleum stamps. In this class you will learn to carve a linoleum block and then print it onto a set of 4 flour sack/tea towel. All materials are provided. Younger students will be able to use foam printing techniques to avoid sharp tools if desired.

Cost: $40 students / $45 community. All materials are included.

Craft Shop Instructor: Randi Paetsch

Age: All ages 

In celebration of Family Weekend  join us at the Craft Shop for a Saluki Tie Dye drop in workshop. We will have maroon, black dye along with the full range of colors if you prefer a rainbow. We will have a limited supply of pre-screenprinted saluki pattern tee-shirts available till they run out and will be printing more throughout the day during demonstrating how to screenprint and tie dye in various patterns. Stop in and have some fun with your family. Registration appreciated for head count but not required. 

Cost: $20 students / $25 community. All materials are included.

Craft Shop Instructor: Friday Staff

Age: All ages 

Join us during the Saturday of Family Weekend to create cardboard puppets perfect for your tailgate, we will use recycled cardboard and other craft supplies to materials to create cardboard puppets make a saluki dog, a frog, bird, monster, or just use your imagination. Our cardboard Chompsaw will help us all ages safely cut the cardboard to create fun cardboard shapes. Decoration supplies are provided. Feel free to bring additional items to really make your puppet shine. 

This workshop is free and was made possible by a grant from the SIU Green Fund Grant!

Registration appreciated for head count but not required.  Space and equipment are limited to ten at at time. All ages are welcome.

Cost: Free students and community, 

Craft Shop Instructor: Stephanie Dukat, Craft Shop Coordinator

Age: All ages

This one-night wheel-throwing workshop is perfect for beginners and those wanting a refresher. Learn to throw pottery from start to finish using the pottery wheel to make a simple cup. Pick your glaze and our staff will glaze it for you. All materials are included.

Cost: $30 / $35 community, materials are included.

Craft Shop Instructor: TBD

Age: 14+

Learn to make a custom ceramic bowl using hand-building techniques of pinch and coil. Add decorative surfaces of stamping, underglazes or slips. Materials include 2 1/2 lbs. of clay, underglazes, slips, and glazes. Let us know what color to glaze or come back to glaze it yourself. Pick up finished work two weeks after the workshop.

Cost: $30 students / $35 community. All materials included.         

Craft Shop Instructor: Andy Hill

Age: 12+ 

The workshop will demonstrate basic Shibori dyeing techniques and patterns. Shibori is a Japanese dyeing technique using folding, stitching, twisting, or bunching cloth and binding it. Items are then submerged in an indigo dye bath. During the workshop, each will experiment with two 12 by 12-inch white cotton samples to experiment and learn the different styles. Then you will be able to dye two items of your own. Sample fabric, dye, and sewing and binding materials are included.

Additional items: Please bring two 100% cotton white items. Items to dye must be 100% cotton, white, and should be small or medium-sized. Ideal items include button-down shirts, t-shirts, tanks, leggings, white jeans, canvas tote bags, dish towels, table runners, pillowcases, and throw pillow covers. Due to size please avoid bringing large items such as curtains. Old or stain items will also work as the dye will cover any stains on the fabric.

Cost: $30 SIU Students / $35 Community, Materials included, bring extra fabric to dye.

Craft Shop Instructor: Stephanie Dukat, Craft Shop Coordinator
Age 16 +

Create a ceramic pumpkin using hand-building techniques of pinch and coil. Carve in a spooky face or leave it blank for a classic look. Our staff will glaze it for you, a return visit in approx. two weeks is required after firings to pick up the finished piece just in time for Halloween. All materials are included. All ages are welcome!

Cost: $25 students / $30 community. All materials are included.

Craft Shop Instructor: Randi Paetsch

Age: All ages 

This wheel-throwing workshop will focus on more advanced pottery techniques! This workshop is for those who have some experience on the wheel and can center the clay. The class will learn to make vases, lidded jar, and discuss different decorative techniques.  A return visit will be to glaze and then to pick up the final work after the glaze firing.

Cost: $70 students / $75 community. Clay is extra and can be purchased at the front desk.

Clay- 5 lbs. - $9 for students / $10 community. 10 lbs. $18 SIU Students, $20 Community, amount required depending on size of projects. 

Craft Shop Instructor: Stephanie Dukat, Craft Shop Coordinator 

View Stephanie's work

Age 16+ 

This workshop is perfect for beginner sewers. You will learn how to use the sewing machine, layout a pattern, sew, and a mini tote bag from two fat qaurters. A variety of fabric will be provided. Feel free to bring your own fabric is you have a design in mind and  your own sewing machine if you would like to learn how it works. Don't have a sewing machine, we have will have our sewing machines ready to go to the workshop for you to use!

Cost: $25 students / $30 community. All supplies included.

Craft Shop Instructor: Julia Dunlap

Age: 16+ 

Happy Halloween! Stop by the Craft Shop and create a cardboard mask, we will use recycled cardboard and other craft supplies. Our cardboard Chompsaw will help us all ages safely cut the cardboard to create fun cardboard shapes. Paint & decoration supplies are provided. Feel free to bring additional items to really make your shine.

This workshop is free and was made possible by a grant from the SIU Green Fund Grant. 

Cost: Free students and community, Space and equipment are limited to 10 people at one time,

Drop in, no registration required.

Craft Shop Instructor: Friday Staff

Age: All ages

Learn to sculpt a bust or portrait from clay. The workshop will dive into how to break down the facial features to capture life like expression. Please bring images with different viewpoints to use as a reference. A return visit will be needed to pick up project after firing and if you would like to glaze work.

Cost: $80 students / $90 community, 10 lbs. of clay is included in the workshop fee.

Craft Shop Instructor: Andy Hill, Craft Shop Graduate Assistant

Learn to create a fused glass snowflake to create snowflakes with sheet glass and glass frit. Perfect for hanging in the window or for a holiday decoration. A return visit will be required to pick up work after fuse firing. Glass is extra and can be purchases at the Craft Shop Supply store. Firing Fee and kiln paper included in workshop fee.

Cost: $25 students / $30 community, Glass extra.

Craft Shop Instructor: Stephanie Dukat

Age: 16+  

Create a clay tic-tac-toe board, use bright underglaze color to decorate. A fun project for all ages.

Materials include 2 1/2 lbs. of clay, underglazes, slips, and glazes. Let us know what color to glaze or come back to glaze it yourself. Pick up finished work two weeks after the workshop.

Cost: $30 students / $35 community. All materials included.         

Craft Shop Instructor: TBD

Age: All ages 

This sewing workshop will teach you how to make a custom holiday stocking. The workshop will cover how to layout your pattern, use the machine to sew and add finishing details. Materials are extra, a variety of solid, patterned, and holiday-theme fabrics will be available at the Craft Shop Supply Store. Feel free to bring your own material, quilted batting and other sewing supplies will be provided.

Cost: $30 students  / $35 community, Fabric extra.

Craft Shop Instructor: Stephanie Dukat, Craft Shop Coordinator

Age: All ages

A great way to finish out the semester with learning stained glass. Learn how to make a simple stained glass ornament. Template will be provided you will be able to select the colors of glass you prefer for the project.

Cost: $40 Student / $45 Community, all materials included. 

Community Instructor: Tina Price

Age: All ages