art/craft studio in historic downtown Silver City, NM
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​Bookbinding
Weaving
Other Fiber Arts
Paper Arts & Surface Design 
​Kids' Classes
Other Opportunities

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​

2019 Creative Workshops for Adults

Course offerings for ages 15 to 115.

Bookbinding Workshops
Bookbinding:  Buttonhole Stitch with a Soft Cover
Come learn this playful stitch that can be used with various covers to create a book that lies open flat, making it easy to write or draw in. In this workshop, you will make and take home one book with a soft vinyl faux-leather or real leather cover, using fun decorative papers to enhance the peek-a-boo window to the book’s spine, and a button closure. Bookbinding skills learned:  working with basic bookbinding tools (awl, piercing cradle, bone folder, straight needles, piercing templates),  folded signatures, flexible cover, completely non-adhesive partially-exposed spine bookbinding, sewing buttonhole stitch using waxed thread. All bookbinding tools and materials will be provided for your use in the workshop, and you’ll go home with one completed blank book, 4-½”  x 5-¾”. Adult workshop, appropriate for all levels. 
Saturday, September 21 – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
$25 + $10 materials (Optional:  additional $5 for leather cover) ​
Bookbinding: Secret Belgian
The Secret Belgian stitch for making books is an excellent way to create a hard cover book with a protected spine that lies open flat and has a unique decorative stitch finish. It is also one of the sturdier binding techniques. We’ll also explore how to construct a hard cover for a book. Bookbinding skills learned: working with basic bookbinding tools (awl, piercing cradle, bone folder, straight and curved needles, piercing templates), folded signatures, hard covers, sewing Secret Belgian stitch using sturdy binding thread. All bookbinding tools and materials will be provided for your use in the workshop. You will make and take home one 4-½” x 5-¾” hard-cover book. Adult workshop, appropriate for all levels.​
Saturday, November 9 – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
$25 + $10 materials
Bookbinding:  Cross Stitch
Learn to make your own blank, soft cover book with this interesting bookbinding stitch that creates pages that lie completely flat, handy for journaling, sketchbooks, or photo albums, and creates a unique, decorative spine. Bookbinding skills learned:  working with basic bookbinding tools (awl, piercing cradle, bone folder, straight needles, piercing templates), folded signatures, flexible covers, completely non-adhesive closed spine bookbinding, sewing cross stitch using waxed thread. All bookbinding tools and materials will be provided for your use in the workshop. You’ll go home with a completed 4-½“ x 5-¾“ blank book with a soft vinyl (or leather, for an additional fee) cover. Adult workshop, appropriate for all levels.
Sunday, November 17 – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
$25 + $10 materials (Optional:  additional $5 for leather cover)
Bookbinding:  Mini Tied Binding with a Slipcase
Come learn this unique binding method that makes a highly decorative little book.  Different from the other kinds of binding stitches we cover, this book leans more towards an art book, but also makes an excellent book for displaying photos or special sentiments.  Then you’ll make a smart little slipcase to contain your book. Bookbinding skills learned:  working with folded, glued, and tied signatures, tied binding using waxed thread, creating a slipcase. All bookbinding tools and materials will be provided for your use in the workshop, and you’ll go home with one completed book and slipcase, approximately 3” square. Adult workshop, appropriate for all levels.
Saturday, December 14 – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
$25 + $7 materials

Weaving Workshops
Funky Hat Class (Floor Loom Weaving)
Exercise your creativity with this fun introduction to freestyle weaving. By the end of the workshop, you will have woven and assembled your funky little hat to keep for yourself or to give away. You’ll be encouraged to think outside the box about the materials and techniques you use in your weaving, perfect for brand new weavers and experienced alike, so this workshop is appropriate for all levels of weavers. Skills learned: freestyle weaving techniques, how to weave, letting go of perfection, trusting yourself, advancing the warp, finishing off a weaving. All equipment and materials will be provided for your use in the workshop. If you have any special yarn or other inclusions to add, be sure to bring them with you. Adult workshop, appropriate for all levels of weavers, from brand new to advanced.
Saturday, November 23 – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
$35 + $5 materials

**Please note: This workshop is limited to three students. Be sure to register early to guarantee your spot!​ ​
Coming Soon
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Watch for more freestyle weaving workshops coming soon! (You can also join us for our weekly weaving sessions, or schedule a private meditative weaving appointment.)

Other Fiber Arts Workshops
Crochet Granny Squares
​Granny squares are a great next step once you’ve learned the basic crochet skills, as they teach you how to put individual stitches together to create something more intricate than just rows going back and forth, plus it is excellent practice in following a pattern. They allow you creative freedom, too, and we’ll learn how to make both single-color squares and multi-color squares, as well as how to keep adding on to make your squares bigger and bigger! We’ll also talk about how to combine granny squares to create larger pieces such as scarves or blankets. Skills learned:  basic granny square patterns and techniques, changing colors, adding rounds (and hiding ends as you go), blocking, joining squares. The registration fee does not cover tools or materials—please bring your own size I or J crochet hook and a skein of “worsted” (size 4) yarn to the workshop. Adult workshop, appropriate for advanced beginners and anyone needing a refresher in granny squares. Note:  Our Beginning Crochet workshop, or the equivalent experience, is required before taking this workshop.  
Friday, September 20 – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
$25 (bring your own hook & yarn) 
Drop Spindle Spinning
Learn how to make your own yarn using a simple drop spindle and some wool fiber. We will also explore plying two singles together, discuss how to finish your yarn, and learn about different kinds of spindles and yarn. Skills learned:  pre-drafting and drafting fiber, making your own leader, spinning on a suspended spindle using “park and draft” method, adding fiber, removing fiber from spindle, plying two “singles” together to create two-ply yarn using a homemade lazy kate. All tools and equipment will be provided for your use in the workshop. (If you have your own spindle, feel free to bring it to the workshop!) Adult workshop, appropriate for all those new to spinning on a drop spindle.
***THIS IS A 2-SESSION COURSE.
Sundays, November 3 & November 10 – 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
$35 + $5 materials

Paper Arts & Surface Design Workshops
Suminagashi
​​Suminagashi, or “floating ink” in Japanese, is a traditional form of marbling using water and ink to create beautiful designs on plain paper. Easy to learn and almost mesmerizing, suminagashi is an excellent introduction to the art of marbling. You can use it to decorate anything you’d use paper for, including book covers, cards, photo mats, or just art for your wall, as well as fabric. Skills learned:  basic water marbling techniques. All tools and materials will be provided for your use in the workshop, and you will take home all of the marbled paper you are able to complete during the workshop. Be sure to wear clothing you don’t mind getting a little wet and/or dirty. Adult workshop, appropriate for all levels.
Saturday, October 12 – ​1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
$20 + $5 materials
Handprinted Fabric:  Stamps and Stencils
​​Create and take home a one-of-a-kind printed cotton tote bag using your choice of fabric printing methods and tools, including stamps, stencils, and freehand. Skills learned:  basic fabric printing principles, using stamps, using stencils, freehand drawing on fabric, finishing hand-printed fabric. All tools and materials will be provided for your use in the workshop. Adult workshop, appropriate for all levels.​​ 
Sunday, October 13 – 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. 
$10 + $10 materials
Hot Glue “Batik” Scarf
Batik is traditionally done using hot wax to create elaborate designs on fabric, but we will learn to create something similar using simple hot glue and dye on a lightweight scarf for you to take home. Please note:  This is a unique modern take on the concept of batik, not actual batik; your results will be different than what you might expect from traditional batik. Skills learned:  surface design using pencil, hot glue, and dye; finishing dyed fabric in the microwave. All tools and materials will be provided for your use in the workshop. Adult workshop, appropriate for all levels.
Saturday, November 2 – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
$25 + $10 materials
Glass-etched Votive Holders
Come design and create your own etched votive candle holders, perfect for lending your own unique personality to your home decor. They also make the perfect gift! You'll design and cut your own mask/stencil, then use it to etch two glass votive holders, going home with a one-of-a-kind pair. Skills learned:  creating a vinyl stencil/mask, preparing glass for etching, basic glass etching skills, stopping the etching process. All tools and materials will be provided for your use in the workshop. Adult workshop, appropriate for all levels.
Sunday, December 1 – 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
$10 + $5 materials
Click here to print a one-page, chronological version of our 2019 Workshop Calendar.

​*Please note that all creative workshops require a non-refundable 50% deposit to hold your spot in the workshop. All prices will have 8% NM gross receipts tax added on.

 Kids' Classes
We do not have any Kids' Classes scheduled during this session. It is possible that we may allow children younger than 15 to register for an adult workshop, depending on their ability and with the presence of an adult they know. Please talk with us before registering a child younger than 15 in any of our adult workshops. Thank you.

Other Opportunities
YOU + 2
  • See a workshop you’d like to take, but the timing doesn’t work for you?  Find two (or more—up to 6 to 9 total, depending on the workshop!) friends to take it with you and we can arrange to teach any workshop in our catalog at a time convenient for you. 
  • There is a minimum charge, based on three people taking the workshop, and an additional per-person fee above three people—these are exactly the same as our regular workshop rates. Fees depend on the particular workshop, and all fees are paid in advance.
  • This is a great option to participate in a more customized class, to arrange your own private girls’ night out, to have a fun family activity, or to create a team-building experience for your workplace. 
  • If you’d like (and for an additional fee), we can also build in time in our workshop space for additional activities that you want to plan, making this the perfect option for your private parties (birthday parties, wedding showers, baby showers, and such).  Some workshop topics can even be scaled up and done in the place of your choosing—family reunion, anyone? 
  • See our full Workshop Catalog here for a listing of our offerings.  Then contact us to set up a workshop time.  It’s that simple.
 
Join us — we look forward to being your creative outlet!
KIDS’ WEAVING

Kids are always welcome to weave with us during our regular Walk In & Weave times, but we also have a special weekly weaving session just for kids (from any age old enough to reach the pedals of the loom, alone or with the help of an adult, up to age 12).  Kids can be weaving with just five minutes of basic instruction, even if they’ve never woven before!  (And kids often weave the most creative cloth, because they are much more open to possibilities than adults.)

During the school year, every Thursday – 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
During the summer, every Thursday – Noon to 1:30 p.m.

$15 (Fee includes materials – kids must take their weaving home at the end of each session.  Basic instruction in sewing, to make a cell phone case, purse, and such, is also an option during this time.)
PUBLIC WEAVING SESSIONS
Join us for our regularly scheduled Public Weaving Sessions, freestyle weaving instruction two-three times weekly, for all ages—adults and kids, alike. Come once, or come as often as you'd like!
  • If you’ve never woven before, consider Walk In & Weave to be your “Introduction to Weaving” class. You can be weaving on your own with about fifteen minutes of instruction.
  • If you have some (or a lot of!) experience weaving, consider Public Weaving Sessions to be your time to just relax and weave, or to explore some new techniques that you find on our in-studio samplers.
  • We do the hard part of weaving for you—warping, or setting up, the loom!
  • Choose from any of our great variety of yarns.
  • Take your finished piece home with you at the end of the two-hour session.
Pre-registration is not necessary—simply show up at the regularly-scheduled time that works best for you. (However, if you want to reserve a loom during a specific time, you can now do that online.) To get the most out of your two hours, please be sure to arrive by the starting time of each session (10 minutes before if this is your first time).

$20 + materials ($2/oz.)

Public Weaving Session times don't work for you? Consider Weaving by Appointment. Click on our Freestyle Weaving page for more information.

For more information about Public Weaving Sessions, or Weaving by Appointment, click here.
GIRLS' NIGHT OUT

Watch for our occasional Girls' Night Out events.  Check our home page or our Parties & Events page to see what's coming up!
OPEN BOOKBINDING STUDIO

Have you take a bookbinding workshop at The Makery, then never made a book again because you don't have the tools you need? Then we have just the thing for you! 

We are now offering Open Bookbinding Studio by appointment. Here you will be able to use any of our bookbinding tools, and someone will be here to offer advice and assistance, as well. The cost will be $10 for up to the full two hours (come as little or as long as you want within that two-hour time period). We'll also have supply kits (cover material, paper, binding thread) available if you'd like to use those materials to make your book, or you can bring your own.

Please note that this will not be a time for basic bookbinding instruction--it is meant for people who have completed a bookbinding workshop at The Makery, or who can otherwise demonstrate basic competence in bookbinding.    

We will also soon have bookbinding kits for sale, that will provide all of the basic tools you need to make books on your own!

REGISTRATION

To help us prepare for your creative workshop, please register at least one day before the first day of the workshop. Please note, too, that our workshops are limited in size--be sure to register early to save your spot!
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You can register in several ways:
  • Stop by our studio at 106 East Market during our open hours (see current hours in footer below).
  • Email us at wendi@makerysvc.com
  • Call us at 575-590-1263
  • Register online by clicking the "Register Now" button below
All workshops take place at The Makery, 106 East Market, in Silver City.
We will provide all tools and materials for use in the workshop (unless otherwise noted)--you supply your own unique sense of beauty!

art/craft for everyone

Our goal is to make the world of art/craft accessible to everyone, of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and abilities.  We teach you the basics, then encourage you to let loose and have fun with it, whether it's freestyle weaving, or any number of other more traditional handcrafts.  We believe that every individual has their own sense of beauty and spark of creativity, and we want to create a nurturing space where you can gain the basic skills, then feel comfortable to express that creativity in your own way.  No rules, no mistakes--just joyful creation from the heart!

Our Workshops

With this goal in mind, throughout the year, we will offer evening, after-school, and weekend workshops in all kinds of fiber arts, paper arts, and bookbinding for children and adults.  Some examples include:
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  • Kumihimo (disk and marudai)
  • Bobbin lace
  • Surface design, such as screenprinting, batik, fabric printing
  • Crochet
  • Knitting
  • Knitting without needles (spool, loom, finger, and arm)
  • Spinning
  • Making monoprints and paste paper
  • Specialty kinds of weaving (such as inkle, peg loom, and tablet weaving)
  • Various bookbinding techniques, such as Coptic stitch, secret Belgian, stab binding, folded books, long stitch, buttonhole stitch, and pamphlet stitch.  

​We will provide tools and materials for use in your workshop--you supply your own unique sense of beauty!

Remember Our Other Offerings:​

In addition, we offer individual and group instruction in freestyle weaving, arranged ahead of time, or on a drop-in basis during our Public Weaving Sessions.

Want to do something different for your next special occasion?  Plan your next party at our studio, and unleash your creative side with your friends!

Watch for our special events, coming soon!  We'll plan special nights out where we do the hard part, and you come and have the fun of creating something new.
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Bobbin lace
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Peg loom weaving, spinning, inkle weaving
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​keep you updated on our current schedule of open studio times, workshops, camps, and special events.
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