Hands are shaping clay on a pottery wheel.

A participant creates a handmade bowl during a previous pottery workshop. (Photo by Carson VanBusbirk)

September 12, 2025

Arts and crafts activities galore await at SIU’s Craft Shop this fall

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. — A diverse array of workshops, walk-in individual and group activities, private arts and crafts lessons and more are available this fall at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Craft Shop, and everyone is welcome.

Participants can create personalized pottery, stained glass, masks, glass snowflakes, stockings and much more at the shop, located on the lower level of the Student Center.

The Craft Shop will also host its popular poster sale from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 18-19 in the first floor Art Gallery at the Student Center. Check out the big assortment of posters, art prints and more to add a splash of color or infuse your personality into your home. For more information, email craftshop@siu.edu.

Hours of operation for the fall semester are noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and noon-6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. It’s closed on Sunday.

Extensive workshop lineup

The fall semester workshop offerings encompass a wide variety of media and activities, appealing 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:

  • Intro to wheel thrown pottery – Four weekly sessions will cover the basics of throwing clay on a potter’s wheel to form cups, bowls and plates, and the final class focuses on glazing and finishing. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 15-Oct. 7.
  • Intro to stained glass: copper foil – A four-night workshop teaches participants the basic skills for creating stained glass and using pieces to complete a small panel of geometric shapes with cutting, grinding, copper foiling, soldering and finishing. Sept. 23, 25 and 30 and Oct. 2, 5-7 p.m.
  • Pottery night: slab-built clay snack tray – Use pottery forms to craft a snack tray, add embellishments and color with underglaze. Sept. 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
  • Printmaking on flour sack towels – Learn to carve a linoleum stamp block and then print your pattern onto a set of four flour sack tea towels. 1-4 p.m. Sept. 27.
  • Two special “drop-in” workshops are planned during Family Weekend, Oct. 3-5:
    • Saluki tie-dye drop-in – Pop in any time between noon and 4 p.m. Oct. 3 to make your own tie-dyed T-shirt.
    • Recycled cardboard puppets drop-in – Stop by between noon and 4 p.m. Oct. 4 and use the ChompSaw to turn recycled cardboard and embellishments into a fun puppet. Funded by a Student Green Fee grant, this workshop is free and open to all ages. There is a limit of 10 people at a time, so registration is encouraged.
  • Pottery night: wheel throwing – This is a perfect workshop for beginners or anyone wanting a refresher in the techniques of throwing pottery using a wheel to create a simple cup then choose glaze for staff to use in completing the project. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 9.
  • Pottery night: hand-built bowls – Learn to use the hand-building pinch and coil techniques to make a customized ceramic bowl then add decorative touches. Oct. 16, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
  • Clay pumpkins – Make a unique ceramic pumpkin using hand-building pinch and coil techniques with the option of carving a face on it. Oct. 18, 12:30-3 p.m.
  • Intermediate wheel-thrown pottery – This three-week course offers more advanced pottery techniques for people with previous experience. Participants can make vases and a lidded jar and will also learn different decorative techniques. Tuesdays from Oct. 21-Nov. 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
  • Shibori indigo dye – Participants should bring two 100% cotton items to use in creating one-of-a-kind projects through shibori, which uses folding, stitching, twisting, bunching and binding cloth items before submerging them in an indigo dye bath. Oct. 24, noon-2:30 p.m.
  • Halloween: cardboard mast drop-in workshop – Visit the shop any time between noon and 4:30 p.m. Oct. 31 to create a mask using recycled cardboard and other supplies. This workshop is free, thanks to a Student Green Fund grant. No registration is required, but there’s space for just 10 at a time.
  • Sewing: mini-tote – Perfect for those without sewing experience, the class will include instruction in using the sewing machine, laying out a pattern, sewing and adding a zipper to make a cute mini-tote. Nov. 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
  • Clay portraits – A three-week workshop gives participants the chance to sculpt a bust or portrait. Glazing is also available. Meets 5:30-7:30 p.m. each Thursday, Nov. 6-20.
  • Clay tic-tac-toe board – All ages will enjoy creating a classic tic-tac-toe board with clay and bright underglaze colors. Nov. 8, 1-4 p.m.
  • Fused glass snowflakes – Create a fused glass snowflake using sheet glass and frit to hang in the window or on the tree. Fuse firing is included, and participants will return later to pick up the finished item. Nov. 18, 5-7 p.m.
  • Sewing holiday stockings – Make your unique holiday stocking with instructions in pattern layout, machine sewing and finishing details. Dec. 2, 5:30-8 p.m.
  • Stained-glass ornament – Learn to make a simple yet beautiful stained-glass ornament featuring your choice of colors. Dec. 10, 5-7:30 p.m.

Costs for the workshops vary, with discount pricing for SIU students. Some classes require the purchase of additional materials. The Craft Shop reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any workshop if necessary. Liability waivers must be signed by all participants prior to activities.

Find the complete schedule and additional details online.

Craft sales and other options

The Craft Shop will host two craft sales during the fall semester as well. The Family Weekend Craft Sale takes place 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 3 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 4 in the first floor Art Gallery, offering a wide variety of arts and crafts from local vendors and artisans.

Then, the giant 46th annual Holiday Craft Sale is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 4-5 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 6 in the first floor Art Gallery. This event usually draws a packed house to booths showcasing the works of about 80 or more diverse artists and craftspeople. Find more information about these and the Valentine’s Day 2026 Craft Sale online.

The Craft Shop offers many other opportunities, including:

  • A variety of options for birthday parties or other small group gatherings.
  • Numerous arts and crafts supplies for purchase.
  • Custom framing.
  • Saluki Spokes, a bicycle repair shop featuring checkout options for basic bicycle repair materials and tools.
  • Private lessons for printmaking, drawing, fused glass, painting, sewing, woodworking and much more.

For more information about the SIU Craft Shop, email craftshop@siu.edu, call 618-453-3636 or visit the website.