Usually, it's the spring that's associated with new beginnings and turning over a new leaf. But why would you wait when all over the Valley fall workshops are offering fresh starts? Of course, there are autumn-themed ones, like Pith + Marrow's fall floral workshop, but there are also more out-of-the-ordinary ones, like Mesa Art Center's shield-building workshop. Basically, there's something for everyone.
So grab your mallets, flowers, silkscreens, and paint brushes, and check out our list of the 10 most anticipated fall workshops.
See also: How to Make Origami Envelopes
Letterpress Workshop Hazel & Violet Custom dates in October and November
Walk into any gift boutique in town, and you'll see see the card section spilling over with letterpress greetings. Hazel & Violet offers the chance to make your own unique cards, coasters, stationary, and more with a small group of your choosing. Just grab a group of four, pick a date and time in October or November, and you are on your way to learning how to use three flatbed presses and walking away with something that truly has your mark on it. Workshops begin at $200 for a group of four, with a $50 charge for each additional person. For more information on what you can make and setting up a date, visit www.hazelandvioletink.com/Workshops.
The Art of Music: Drawing and Painting Classes Musical Instrument Museum October 5, 12, and 26; November 2
Visual art and music go hand-in-hand for us, and we jump at any opportunity to mix the two. Luckily, the Musical Instrument Museum agrees. Starting Sunday, October 5, students will have the opportunity to learn the art of still life from artist Roberta Kritzia. After choosing an instrument from MIM's Education Collection, Kritzia will teach students ranging from beginners to experts how to capture that instrument using pencil and watercolor pastels. The four-class series will cost $115 with a $10 supply fee. A list of additional supplies, estimated to cost $30, will be discussed during the first class. To sign up and get more information, visit mim.org.
Fall Floral Series - Part 1 Pith + Marrow October 7 from 7 to 9 p.m.
The only thing better than having guests ooh and ahh over your centerpiece is being able to then tell them that you made it yourself. The ladies behind Pith + Marrow have just the thing to help -- their fall floral series. Students will enjoy some light snacks and wine while learning how to make free-form, fall-inspired arrangements. As you may have guessed from the title, this class is part of a series. So, if you get bit by the flower arranging bug, Pith + Marrow has your back with two more classes this fall. Part one of the Fall Floral Series will cost $225 and take place at Camelback Flower Shop. For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.pithmarrow.com.
Hand Embroidery with Heather Heather Hales Designs October 7, 14, 21, and 28
Self-taught designer Heather Hales has decided to open her Tempe home and teach a four-week hand embroidery class this October. Whether you're just getting started or have been embroidering for years but just want to meet like-minded people, this class is for you. Hales will go over everything from transferring your pattern from paper to fabric to the most common embroidery stitches. The course is $80 plus supplies, which you can bring yourself or purchase through Hales for any additional $25. For the supply list and information on how to sign up, visit heatherhalesdesigns.com.
Contact Transfer Workshop Frances October 9 from 6 - 8 p.m.
First things first. A contact paper transfer if a chemical-free way to transfer an image onto a specific surface and is often used to layer two separate images or layer text on top of an image. You've probably seen this technique used on dozens of items throughout Frances. During this workshop, Josie Cirincione will show students the ins and outs of contact transfers using gift tags and greeting cards. The class is $40 with all materials included, a 20 percent discount on items at the store, and snacks and refreshments. For more information, visit francesvintage.com.
Screen Printing for Beginners Art Intersection October 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There's something special about creating with your own hands. When you can wear that thing around in, say, the form of a T-shirt, well, that's even better. If you agree, grab those blank T-shirts and head over to Art Intersection to start learning the art of screen printing from printmaker Jacob Meders. Meders will take the class through the basics of making and using silkscreens during the morning session. Then, he'll let the students get hands-on practice in the afternoon after an hourlong break. The all-day workshop is $150 for the public and $135 for friend and student members. All materials are included, but students can also bring their own if they choose. For more information on how to sign up, visit artintersection.com.
Millinery Workshop Cleo & Clementine October 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
We understand that flower crowns are all the rage right now, but honestly, they aren't really our thing. Anything from Cleo & Clementine, though, is definitely our thing, especially their hats and other headgear. Monique Sandoval and Rachel Regan will be teaching how to make some of these gorgeous pieces during their millinery workshop. During the class, students will learn advanced flower-making techniques, including an introduction to the flower iron. We're not sure exactly what a flower iron is, but if it results in something that looks anything like Cleo & Clementine's delicate hair pieces, we're in. The two-hour workshop is $75. For more information, visit www.cleoandclementine.com, and if you're still ogling their gowns and accessories an hour later, we won't blame you.
The Art of Collecting Photography Phoenix Art Museum October 15 at 7 p.m.
You may be surprised to find out there is more to photo collecting than just posting another frame to your Instagram account. Norton Family Photography Curator Rebecca Senf is prepared to teach you all about collecting physical photos, which requires a little more than just adding a filter and pressing "share." Senf will discuss everything from where to find photos, how to start a collection, and how to care for the photos you do acquire. The class includes a visit to the INFOCUS PhotoBid Silent Auction exhibition for a little inspiration. Visit www.phxart.org for more information.
Blacksmithing Workshop: Shield Building Mesa Arts Center November 8 and 9
Heating, melting, and forming iron into steel to encase a wooden shield? Yep, that's just a typical weekend. Or, at least, it could be if you enroll in Mesa Arts Center's blacksmithing workshop. Students will learn the basics of blacksmithing and woodworking while also learning a little bit of the history behind Nordic shield-building and the designs that were used on these round shields. The two-day class is $168 with an additional fee that can be paid to the instructor of up to $30 for materials. For more information, visit www.mesaartscenter.com.
Book Arts Workshop Shemer Art Center Tuesdays, November 18, to December 16 with no class on December 2
Have you ever been walking through a bookstore and wondered how all of those beautiful books were stitched together, bound, and covered? Shemer Art Center's book art workshop has all the answers. In this four-session course, students will learn about everything from handmade oragami books to German cross-stitched hardcover ones. So if you're eager to make your own journals, up your scrapbooking game, or use books to create other works of art, Shemer Art Center has you covered. The workshop is $140 with a $50 supply fee payable to the instructor due on the first day of class. Visit www.shemerartcenter.org for more information.
