Above: Visitors peruse some of the unique and special items offered at a previous Craft Shop Craft Sale. (Photo by Yenitza Melgoza). Below: Creating handmade paper is one of the numerous workshop possibilities offered by SIU’s Craft Shop this fall. (Provided photo)
September 06, 2024
SIU Craft Shop offering sales, workshops and more this fall
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Pottery, stained glass, screen-printing and a variety of other artistic crafting opportunities await this fall at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Craft Shop, courtesy of its fall workshop series.
The Craft Shop will also be hosting its popular poster sale on Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 9-10, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the first floor Art Gallery at the Student Center. Featuring posters, art prints and more, organizers say, it’s a great opportunity to add a bit of color or personality to your home. For more information, email craftshop@siu.edu.
The Craft Shop, located on the lower level of the Student Center, also offers walk-in activities. Hours of operation for the fall semester are noon to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It’s closed on Sunday.
Diverse workshop lineup
An eclectic mix of workshops will appeal to all ages and interests. Class sizes are limited for many, and registration is on a first come, first served basis, so officials encourage early signup at studentcenter.siu.edu/activities/craft-shop/workshops.
The fall schedule includes:
- Wheel thrown pottery – 4-week sessions covering the basics of throwing clay on a potter’s wheel to form cups, bowls and plates with a final class focusing on glazing and finishing. Session 1: Sept. 28, Oct. 5, 12, 19, noon-2:30 p.m.
Session 2: Oct. 22, 29, Nov. 12, 19, 6-8:30 p.m.
- Wheel thrown pottery night – A one-night class to create a cup just as you like it.
Session 1: Sept. 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Session 2: Oct. 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Session 3: Nov. 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Screen-printing with vinyl stencils – Learn to screen-print with vinyl contact paper. The workshop will cover printing on paper, but participants can bring T-shirts, towels or other items to print on or purchase items at the Craft Shop supply store. Sept. 17, 5:30-8 p.m.
- Intro to stained glass: copper foil – A four-night workshop to learn the basic skills for creating stained glass and use them to complete a small panel of geometric shapes with cutting, grinding, copper foiling, soldering and finishing. Sept. 17,19, 24, 27 from 5-7 p.m.
- Papermaking – Create handmade paper from recycled materials using a Hollander beater purchased with SIU Green Fee funds. Oct. 15, 6-8:30 p.m.
- Intermediate oil painting – A four-week workshop for intermediate to advanced painters by taught by local artist Jacob Yandle giving instruction in oil painting techniques. Oct. 18, 25, Nov. 1, 8, from 5 to 7 p.m.
- Halloween tie-dye shirts – Bring two or three T-shirts or natural fiber items to tie-dye with jack-o-lantern, bat or cool Halloween designs. Oct. 23, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Clay pumpkins – All ages are welcome to create their own ceramic pumpkins using the hand-building pinch and coil techniques then leave them blank for a classic look or carve faces on them. Oct. 26, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
- Handmade paper: ornaments and gift tags – Get in the holiday spirit by making handmade paper gift tags and ornaments from recycled materials using the Hollander beater, funded by SIU’s Green Fee. Paper molds will allow participants to create shapes and details and embellishments like glitter can be added. Nov. 7, 5:30-8 p.m.
- Hand building in clay: sculptures and pottery – A three-week foray into various techniques including coil, pinch and slab for making sculptures and functional pottery with clay and then adding colorful underglazes, slips, paint and mixed media to provide color to finished pieces. Nov. 2, 9 and 19, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
- Fused glass tree ornaments – Learn to cut, layer and melt fused glass to create a glass tree ornament. Dec. 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The Craft Shop reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any workshop if necessary.
Craft sales and other opportunities
The Craft Shop will host two craft sales during the fall semester. The Family Weekend Craft Sale takes place 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 20 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 21 in the first floor Art Gallery, offering a wide variety of arts and crafts from local vendors and artisans.
Then, the massive 45th annual Holiday Craft Sale, typically featuring booths showcasing the works of about 80 diverse artists and craftspeople will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5-6 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 7 in the first floor Art Gallery. Find more information about these and the Valentine’s Day 2025 Craft Sale online.
The Craft Shop offers other opportunities, including:
- Private lessons.
- Options to hold birthday parties or other small group gatherings.
For more information about the SIU Craft Shop or any of its workshops or options, email craftshop@siu.edu, call 618-453-3636 or visit the website.