female working clay on a potters wheel

August 16, 2021

SIU’s Craft Shop offers an array of arts and crafts opportunities this fall

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. — You can create pottery, tie-dye, glasswork, painting, woodwork and so much more during the fall workshops at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Craft Shop.

Located in the Student Center, the shop is hosting a full lineup of workshops. Extra cleaning and safety regulations are in place, including limiting registration to 10 people per class and masks are required.

The registration deadline is at least two days before the start of each workshop but due to class size limitations, organizers encourage early sign up at  

studentcenter.siu.edu/activities/craft-shop/workshops.

At this time, plans also call for hosting the traditional Family Weekend Craft Sale Sept. 24-25, the Holiday Craft Sale on Dec. 2-4 and the Valentine’s Day Craft Sale and Bazaar on Feb. 14, 2022. Vendor applications are now being accepted for all three events. The public will be welcome to attend the sales.

Fall workshops highlights

The schedule of workshops for this semester includes:

  • Woodshop safety course - Session 1 is 1-2 p.m., Aug. 28; Session 2 is 1-2 p.m. Sept. 11, free.
  • Techniques in tie-dye – 5:30-7:30 p.m., Aug. 31, $12 for students, $14 for others, including materials.
  • Wheel thrown pottery – 6-8:30 p.m. Sept. 2, 9, 16 and 23, $75 for students and $85 for others for the 4-week class, plus $12 for 10 pounds of clay.
  • Lunch-hour watercolor: small objects – noon-1 p.m., Sept. 1, $12 for students and $14 for others, including all materials.
  • Glass bead making – 6-8 p.m., Sept. 17, $25 for students, $30 for others, with glass purchased separately. A second session is set for 6-8 p.m. Nov. 16.
  • Custom Greek paddle – 12:30-3 p.m., Sept. 18, $30 for students, $35 for others and includes materials.
  • Blockprint tote bag – 6-8:30 p.m. Sept. 22, $25 for students, $30 for others, including materials.
  • Soy Wax Batik tapestry – 6-8:30 p.m. Sept. 28 and Oct. 6, $65 for students and $70 for others, including all materials for both weeks of workshop.
  • Intro to sewing – 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 1, $20 students and $25 for others, materials are extra.
  • Intro to quilting – 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27, $100 for students and $120 for others, plus materials. Supply list will be provided before the four-week workshop.
  • Knitting: scarf – 6-8 p.m., Oct. 7 and 14, $20 for students, $25 for others plus materials for both weeks.
  • Slab-built coffee mugs – 12:30-3 p.m., Oct. 9, $25 for students, $30 for others. Cost includes 2.5 pounds of clay and all slips and glazes.
  • Intro to stained glass – 5-7 p.m., Oct. 19, 21, 26 and 28, $100 for students, $100 for others for all four sessions, plus materials which can be purchased at the shop.
  • Wheel thrown pottery – 6-8:30 p.m., Oct. 19, 26 and Nov. 2, 9, $75 for students, $85 for others for all four sessions, plus $12 for 10 pounds of clay.
  • Lunch hour painting: fall foliage – noon-1 p.m., Oct. 20, $12 for students, $14 for others including all materials.
  • Metalsmithing: cuff bracelet – 1-3:30 p.m., Oct. 23, $30 for students, $35 for others including materials.
  • Intro to woodworking – 12:30-3 p.m., Oct. 23, 30 and Nov. 6, $65 for students and $70 for others for all three sessions, plus materials.
  • Polymer clay sculptures – 6-8 p.m. Oct. 22, $30 for students, $35 for others including materials.
  • Hand-built pottery – 6-8:30 p.m., Oct. 21, 28 and Nov. 4, $55 for students and $60 for others for all four sessions, plus $12 for 10 pounds of clay.
  • Lunch-hour pen and ink – noon-1 p.m., Nov. 3, $12 for students, $14 for others including materials.
  • Dye and sew: pillowcase – 1-3 p.m., Nov. 6 and 13, $45 for students, $50 for others for both weeks and includes materials.
  • Custom-printed holiday cards – 6-8 p.m., Nov. 10 and 24, $30 for students and $35 for others and includes all materials for both sessions.
  • Fused glass ornaments – 6-8 p.m. Nov. 16, $25 for students and $30 for others; glass is purchased separately.
  • Silver rings – 5:30-8 p.m. Nov. 23, $35 students and $40 for others including materials.

All times and dates are subject to change.

To learn more

The age requirements vary for the workshops. Find complete details about all of the workshops and other activities, as well as registration information and specifics about the upcoming craft sales, at studentcenter.siu.edu/activities/craft-shop/workshops. Or, email craftshop@siu.edu or call 618-453-3636 for more information.

Other options available

In addition, the Craft Shop offers:

  • Opportunities to hold birthday parties or other small group gatherings.
  • Private lessons.
  • Group Zoom craft parties.
  • Virtual craft workshops.

Information is available online. Email craftshop@siu.edu or call 618-453-3636 for complete details.