Workshops
FIBER ARTS…VISUAL ARTS…JEWELRY MAKING…AND MORE!
WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS & KIDS*
DESIGNED & TAUGHT BY GALA’S OWN ARTISANS
*Workshop participants under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
PREVIOUS GALA WORKSHOPS
See what Gala has offered before –Call us if you’d like us to conduct a specific workshop again!
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.Vibrant Watercolor Mandala with Martina Sestakova
Let’s get together to enjoy the beauty and meanings of mandalas! During this workshop, you will explore two ways of creating mandalas, symbols of harmony and wholeness. We will draw in watercolor within a preset pattern and then explore a freestyle abstract technique to create colorful mandalas.
Martina Sestakova, Gala artisan and textile/print designer, will take you on a journey to express your creative skills. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have completed 1-2 unique mandalas rich in color and positive energy.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($35.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
*Workshop participants under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult
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Design Your Personal Copper Cuff Bracelet with Carol-lynn Swol
Explore surface textures on copper with your hand-drawn imagery or by applying shapes and patterns you cut from tape.
Carol-lynn Swol, Gala artist, metalsmith, and educator will show you a process to chemically etch copper, apply a darkening patina, and to shape the copper into a cuff bracelet.
Please note: the copper sheets are 1” x 6” which generally fits the average-sized wrist. If you think you need to have a shorter length, please let me know before February 18 and I will make needed adjustments before the workshop.
Adults (ages 18+). No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($38.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop. Working with chemicals is not without safety concern; protective eye wear and gloves will be provided.
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Colorful Pendants in Watercolor on Yupo* with Martina Sestakova
Interested in watercolor and abstract art? Interested in jewelry making? Then, join Martina Sestakova, painter and teaching artist, to create a one-inch circular pendant through an abstract artwork in watercolor on yupo.
You will learn the basics behind abstract art, play with colors and textures, and create a pendant with your own unique abstract painting.
*Yupo is a synthetic paper made of a completely non-absorbent polypropylene.
Adults and children (ages 12+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($36.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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Watercolor Basics: Monet’s Field of Tulips with Martina Sestakova,
Intrigued by watercolor? Join teaching artist Martina Sestakova for a workshop during which you will learn basic watercolor techniques and apply them to a landscape inspired by Claude Monet’s trip to Holland in the 19th century.
We will explore colors, textures, and ways to practice watercolor on your own. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have painted a unique 8.5″ x 11″ landscape.
Adults and children (ages 12+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($38.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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Delicate Twisted Wire Necklace with Ruth Beer Bletzinger
Learn this simple and relaxing technique for creating an elegant and graceful necklace. Just right for weddings and other special occasions! If you’ve never made jewelry before, or you’ve made a lot, you’ll enjoy the ease of making this necklace and the beautiful results.
Adults and children (ages 12+). No experience necessary.
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Adults and teens. No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($25.00). Small additional fee to make multiple pairs of earrings.
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.Fold up some Origami FUN! Create magic boxes, cards, lovebirds and angels much more. You’ll learn origami basics with step-by-step, easy to follow hands-on directions.
Cindy Renteria, Gala artisan and origami teacher and artist, will also share her original origami stories to take you through folding your own unique origami designs. By the end of the workshop, you will have created some origami love!
Adults and children (10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($40).
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Make a Valentine Box with Susan Farrer
Learn collage basics as you transform a simple papier-mâché box into a red-inspired work of art by adding layers of colorful papers and more. Use the four-inch lidded box to hold a special note or Valentine’s Day gift, or keep the box for yourself!
Adults and children (ages 8+). No experience required. All materials are included with the fee ($45).
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Come and learn the basics of three dimensional wet felting. Students will felt a mini hanging plant pod using wool raised by the teacher.
Each student will complete and assemble a pod (plants not included) during class.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($25.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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Fold up some Origami FUN! Create cranes, butterflies, doves, and much more. You’ll learn origami basics with step-by-step, easy to follow hands-on directions.
Cindy Renteria, Gala artisan and origami teacher and artist, will also share her original origami stories to take you through folding your own unique origami designs. At the end of the workshop, you will have created origami flying creatures to decorate your home or office.
Adults and children (10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($40.00).
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Mindful Art: Photo Mandalas with Martina Sestakova
Let’s explore the beauty and meanings of mandalas through a colorful photo collage! During this workshop, you will learn about the history of mandalas, study shapes and composition, and create a vibrant mandala of your own.
Martina Sestakova, Gala artisan and textile/print designer, will take you on a journey to mindfully express your creative skills in a mandala, symbol of wholeness and harmony.
Adults and children (ages 12+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($38.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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.Learn to make beautifully draped necklaces and bracelets with a classic knotting technique.
You’ll also be able to repair that beloved pearl necklace that’s been sitting in a drawer, as well as create brand-new pieces.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with a knotted necklace that you’ve made yourself!
No experience required. All materials (beads, cord, clasps) included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
The holidays are around the corner! Learn the art of needling felting while crossing some gifts off your list! Locally sourced wool.
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Let’s zentangle!… Enjoy this relaxing technique that increases concentration and creativity as you transform simple lines into strikingly intricate patterns. Gala artisan and textile designer, Martina Sestakova, will guide you as you learn about the accessible art of creating zentangle drawings and its meditative aspects. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have made several “tiles” (3.5” x 3.5”) with your own unique designs.
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Adults and children (ages 12+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($38.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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X Marks the Spot! Cross Stitch Basics with Jacqueline Bryant Campbell
Cross stitch is a fun, easy way to embroider. Learn the basics with Jackie Campbell and you’ll be on your way to creating your own designs for bracelets, ornaments, bookmarks, and more. She will bring materials, you bring the creativity.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($50.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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Watercolor Bouquet of Tulips with Martina Sestakova
Ever “felt” that your bowls weren’t colorful enough? Well…Come felt your own personalized bowl using locally sourced wool. Perfect for air plants, jewelry, or an accent piece.
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Twisted Wire Branch Necklace with Ruth Beer Bletzinger
Learn this simple and relaxing technique for creating an elegant and graceful necklace. Just right for weddings and other special occasions! If you’ve never made jewelry before, or you’ve made a lot, you’ll enjoy the ease of making this necklace and the beautiful results.
Adults and children (ages 12+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
.Join teaching artist, Martina Sestakova, on a journey of creative self-discovery through the art of mandala. Popular for centuries, mandalas are symbols of harmony and a wonderful tool for gaining insight and joy. Together, we will learn about the history of mandalas and explore 3D paint as an artistic technique. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have completed a distinctive mandala ready to display in your home or to give as a gift! And bring a friend along for an evening of fun and creativity.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($38.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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Locker Hooking with Anne Stone –
Come learn the English craft of locker hooking! Gala’s Anne Stone will show you how. You will make (but may not finish) a trivet and in the process will learn all the steps necessary to create more trivets or expand to other sizes. If you have unused fabric laying around in your home, this is an ideal way to reformulate it into a usable item.
No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
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Intro to Making Chain & Beaded Chain Jewelry with Ruth Beer Bletzinger
Learn basic techniques for transforming wire and beads into chain and expand the possibilities for making jewelry. Gala’s Ruth Beer Bletzinger will show you how and demonstrate the variety of ways you can incorporate handmade chain into your own designs.
Adults and children (ages 13+). No experience required. Kit with materials included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
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Zentangles with Martina Sestakova —
Let’s zentangle!…And, enjoy this relaxing technique that increases concentration and creativity as you transform simple lines into striking patterns.
Gala artisan and textile designer, Martina Sestakova, will guide you as you learn about the accessible art of creating zentangle drawings and its meditative aspects. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have made several “tiles” (3.5” x 3.5”) with your own unique designs.
Adults and children (ages 12+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($40.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop..
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Watercolor Bookmarks with Martina Sestakova
Have fun learning the basics of watercolor painting! Teaching artist and textile designer, Martina Sestakova, will share several water coloring techniques– including using salt and plastic!– while you explore shape and color in creative ways.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have painted onto a variety bookmark-sized papers (8” x 2.5”), meanings of which you will enjoy sharing with others. And your artworks will make for pretty page markers in your favorite books.
Adults and children (ages 12+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee
($40). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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New! Create a Collaged Landscape with Susan Farrer
Explore collage as you create an 8- by 10-inch landscape “painting” with colorful, textured papers. This new workshop will introduce basic collage materials, design, and assembly as you create a frameable artwork to keep or give as a gift.
Adults and children (ages 11+). No experience required. All materials are included with the fee ($55).
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Intro to Making Beaded Jewelry with Ruth Beer Bletzinger0
Have fun learning the basics of making beaded jewelry from stringing, to using crimps to attach clasps, to making wire loops to create dangle earrings. Gala’s Ruth Beer Bletzinger will guide the way.
Students will complete 1 to 2 pairs of earrings and a bracelet or a necklace.
Adults and children (ages 13+). No experience required. Kit with materials included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
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.Create origami with easy step-by-step instructions from Cindy Renteria, Gala artisan, origami expert, and fine artist. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, she’ll instruct you on folding origami designs that express your creativity.
You’ll craft animals and decorations to make your home or office shine. Fold-up stars, boxes, flowers, birds, dragonflies, and much more!
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have completed several one-of-kind origami designs.
No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($35.00).
Create a Colorful 3D Mandala with Martina Sestakova – Sunday, July 8, 10:00 am – Noon
Join teaching artist, Martina Sestakova, on a journey of creative self-discovery through the art of mandala. Popular for centuries, mandalas are symbols of harmony and a wonderful tool for gaining insight and joy.
Together, we will learn about the history of mandalas and explore 3D paint as an artistic technique.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have completed a distinctive mandala ready to display in your home or to give as a gift! And bring a friend along for an evening of fun and creativity.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($40.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
($48.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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Learn to make beautifully draped necklaces and bracelets with a classic knotting technique.
You’ll also be able to repair that beloved pearl necklace that’s been sitting in a drawer, as well as create brand-new pieces.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with a knotted necklace that you’ve made yourself!
No experience required. All materials (beads, cord, clasps) included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
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Create a Mandala with Pencils & Markers with Martina Sestakova
Mandalas are symbols of wholeness and balance. Let’s get together to craft a distinctive colorful mandala design from scratch using rulers, pens, and color pencils and markers. During this workshop, you will learn the meanings of mandalas, explore their unique features, and create one that reflects your inner beauty and creativity.
Martina Sestakova, Gala artisan and textile/print designer, will take you on a journey to express your creative skills. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have completed a unique mandala reflecting your positive energy.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($50.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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New! Make a Spring-Inspired Floral Collage with Susan Farrer
Welcome Spring by making a flower-inspired collage using a selection of fun, colorful papers. Learn about collage planning, materials, and assembly as you create your own artwork, ready to frame and hang on a wall.
Adults and children (ages 11+). No experience required. All materials are included with the fee ($55).
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Adventures in Felting: Needle Felted Hearts with Sheila Burns
And, speaking of Valentine’s Day…Sheila Burns has a special workshop for you to create a personalized needle-felted heart for the one you love! Using wool from the sheep Sheila raises, you’ll embellish the heart with stitching and beads.
Adults and children (age 10+). No experience required. All materials are included with the fee ($40), as well as felting tools for you to take home.
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Create a Mandala with Watercolors with Martina Sestakova
Let’s get together to enjoy the beauty and meanings of mandalas! During this workshop, you will learn the basics of watercolor painting and then apply them to create a colorful mandala in a pre-drawn template.
Martina Sestakova, Gala artisan and textile/print designer, will take you on a journey to express your creative skills. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have completed a unique mandala reflecting your positive energy.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($50.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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New! Make a Valentine Box with Susan Farrer
Learn collage basics as you transform a simple papier-mâché box into a red-inspired work of art by adding layers of colorful papers and more. Use the four-inch lidded box to hold a special note or Valentine’s Day gift, or keep the box for yourself!
Adults and children (ages 8+). No experience required. All materials are included with the fee ($45).
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Twisted Wire Branch Necklace with Ruth 
Beer Bletzinger
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, learn this simple and relaxing technique for creating an elegant and graceful necklace. If you’ve never made jewelry before, or you’ve made a lot, you’ll enjoy the ease of making this necklace and the beautiful results.
Adults and children (ages 12+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
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Locker Hooking with Anne Stone
Come learn the English craft of locker hooking! Gala’s Anne Stone will show you how. You will make (but may not finish) a trivet and in the process will learn all the steps necessary to create more trivets or expand to other sizes. If you have unused fabric laying around in your home, this is an ideal way to reformulate it into a usable item.
No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
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Creating a Mandala with Photos with Martina Sestakova
Let’s explore the beauty and meanings of mandalas! During this workshop, you will create a vibrant mandala using colorful photographs. We will learn about colors and shapes and how they interact visually within a mandala, a symbol of wholeness and harmony.
Martina Sestakova, Gala artisan and textile/print designer, will take you on a journey to express your creative skills. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have completed a unique mandala reflecting your positive energy.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($50.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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Felting: Coin Purses and Pouches with Sheila Burns
Felting artist and popular Gala instructor, Sheila Burns, is back with a workshop that folks love! Learn how to make beautiful and practical pouches using the ancient art of wet felting. A terrific workshop for adults and kids, alike!
You’ll be using locally produced wool from Sheila’s very own sheep. You’ll have a selection of beautiful colors from the wool that Sheila hand-cards and hand-dyes herself.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience required. All materials provided with the fee ($48.00).
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New! Make Your Own Collage Ornaments with Susan Farrer
Create a pair of collage ornaments to decorate for the holidays or to hang in your home all year round. Perfect as gifts, too!
During the workshop, you’ll choose from a selection of fun, textured papers that you’ll layer onto papier-mâché forms to make these beautiful ornaments, uniquely designed by you!
Adults and children (ages 9+). No experience required. All materials are included with the fee ($43).
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Drawing Basics: Watercolor with Martina Sestakova
Have fun learning the basics of watercolor painting! Gala artisan and textile designer, Martina Sestakova, will share several watercoloring techniques — including using salt and plastic! — while you explore shape and color in creative ways.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have painted two to three abstract scenes (8.5” x 5.5”), the meanings of which you’ll enjoy sharing with others.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($55.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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NEW! Create a Colorful Collaged Box with Susan Farrer
Learn collage basics with artist Susan Farrer, as you transform a papier-mâché box into a work of art by adding layers of colorful, textured papers. Give the lidded, four-inch diameter box to someone special, use it to hold a special gift, or keep it for yourself to enjoy!
Adults and children (ages 11+). No experience required. All materials are included with the fee ($53).
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Enjoy a hands-on lesson on crafting your own natural perfume. After an explanation of the properties of various essential oils and absolutes, enjoy formulating your own personalized scent using perfume-grade ingredients.
Throughout, expert perfume-maker, Mary Kearns will give you the tools and knowledge that can be applied to your future DIY projects. Head home with some Herban Lifestyle sample products, as well as your own aromatic creation!
Adults and children (ages 14+). No experience required. All materials provided with the fee ($70.00).
NEW! Crochet Pumpkins with Michelina Castelli
It’s pumpkin season, when the weather cools and the holidays are around the corner!
What to do? Learn to make these adorable crochet pumpkins with Gala artisan and crochet expert, Michelina Castelli!
Some experience with crocheting chain stitch and single crochet. All materials included with fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
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Felted Beads with Sheila Burns
Learn to make felt beads from locally raised wool, as well as combine them with glass beads to design your own necklace.
Your instructor is Sheila Burns, felting expert, artist, and someone who raises sheep to produce her own wool. You’ll love this class and learning from Sheila!
No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($52.00).
Drawing Basics: Create Mandalas Using Watercolors with Martina Sestakova
Let’s get together to enjoy the beauty and meanings of mandalas! During this workshop, you will explore two ways of creating mandalas, symbols of harmony and wholeness. We will draw in watercolor within a preset pattern and then explore a freestyle abstract technique to create colorful mandalas.
Martina Sestakova, Gala artisan and textile/print designer, will take you on a journey to express your creative skills. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have completed 2-3 unique mandalas rich in color and positive energy.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($50.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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Make an Autumn Leaf-Print Box with Susan Farrer
Use paint, real leaves, and simple tools to create a beautiful three-dimensional artwork inspired by Autumn!
Starting with a plain papier-mâché box, you’ll paint a base layer, then add colorful leaf prints in your own unique design. Teaching artist Susan Farrer with guide the way. You’ll love the results! Perfect to keep or give as a gift!
Adults and children (ages 11+). No experience required. All materials are included with the fee ($53).
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Felted Soap with Sheila Burns
Adults and children (ages 6+). No experience required. All materials provided with the fee ($24.00 per one-hour session).
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Intro to Wire Crochet Jewelry with Ruth Beer Bletzinger
Expand your jewelry-making know-how by crocheting with wire. The technique is straightforward and fun with beautiful results that look deceptively intricate! Gala’s Ruth Beer Bletzinger will show you how.
During the class, you’ll combine thin-gauged wire with beads and a couple of simple crocheting techniques to create your choice of a necklace or bracelet.
Adults and children (ages 13 and up). Experience crocheting is helpful, but not required. All materials included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
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Drawing Basics: Zentangles with Martina Sestakova
Let’s zentangle!…And, enjoy this relaxing technique that increases concentration and creativity as you transform simple lines into striking patterns.
Gala artisan and textile designer, Martina Sestakova, will guide you as you learn about the accessible art of creating zentangle drawings and its meditative aspects. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have made several “tiles” (3.5” x 3.5”) with your own unique designs.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($40.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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Classic Knotted Necklace with Ruth Beer Bletzinger
Learn to make beautifully draped necklaces and bracelets with a classic knotting technique.
You’ll also be able to repair that beloved pearl necklace that’s been sitting in a drawer, as well as create brand-new pieces.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with a knotted necklace or bracelet (your choice) that you’ve made yourself!
No experience required. All materials (beads, cord, clasps) included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
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Explore Surface Textures & Applied Color on Copper with Carol-lynn Swol
Personalize copper disks with steel stamps and hand-drawn imagery that inspires you.
In this workshop you will learn to stamp and etch copper having the opportunity to make up to five charms or pendants.
Adults of all ages. No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($70.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
NEW! Fun with Crochet with Michelina Castelli
Join Gala artisan and crochet expert, Michelina, to make a beautiful cowl with buttons. Cowl can be worn in many ways. The size of the cowl is 8 x 32. Bring one ball of 4-ply yarn of your choice and two 1″ buttons. Crochet needles will be provided for use during class.
This is an advanced-beginner class for students familiar with chain stitching and double crochet. Practice yarn included with fee ($60.00) along with tools for use during the class. (Don’t forget to bring a skein of 4-ply yarn and a couple of 1-inch buttons to make the cowl!)
Felting for Kids: Felted Bowls with Sheila Burns
Ages 9 and up. No experience required. Materials provided with the fee ($35.00).
Adventures in Felting: Coin Purses and Pouches with Sheila Burns
Felting artist and popular Gala instructor, Sheila Burns, is back with a brand-new workshop! Learn how to make beautiful and practical pouches using the ancient art of wet felting. A terrific workshop for adults and kids, alike!
You’ll be using locally produced wool from Sheila’s very own sheep. You’ll have a selection of beautiful colors from the wool that Sheila hand-cards and hand-dyes herself.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience required. All materials provided with the fee ($48.00).
The Art of Felting: Bowls with Sheila Burns
Who knew that you can make bowls using the ancient craft of wet felting! And, this is a terrific workshop for adults and kids, alike.
Felting artist and instructor, Sheila Burns will show you how by teaching you the basics of wet felting. You’ll be using locally produced wool from Sheila’s own sheep. You’ll have a great time exploring your creativity in this workshop.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience required. All materials provided with the fee ($48.00).
Fabric Postcards with Jacqueline Bryant Campbell
Create truly individual small works of art that you can mail as is, or give as gifts! During the workshop you’ll use fabric paint, make your own stamps, fuse, add beaded embellishment, and do simple hand embroidery.
You’ll love learning from instructor and Gala artisan Jacqui Bryant Campbell of Jacq’s Dolls!
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience required, just a willingness to cut things up!
Materials provided with the fee ($50.00).
Fabric Postcards with Jacqueline Bryant Campbell
Just in time for Valentine’s Day! Create truly individual small works of art that you can mail to the one you love, or give in-person as a gift! During the workshop you’ll use fabric paint, make your own stamps, fuse, add beaded embellishment, and do simple hand embroidery.
You’ll love learning from experienced instructor and Gala artisan Jacqui Bryant Campbell of Jacq’s Dolls!
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience required, just a willingness to cut things up!
Materials provided with the fee ($50.00).
Knotted Cord Bracelet using a Lucet with Carol-lynn Swol
What’s a lucet? It’s a wonderfully simple tool for making beautiful knotted jewelry with cord and bead embellishments.
During the workshop, you’ll choose from a variety of cord colors and colorful beads. Gala’s Carol-lynn Swol, jewelry artist, metalsmith, and educator, will instruct you.
No experience required. All materials are included with the workshop fee ($40.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
Drawing Basics: Florals with Martina Sestakova
Let’s get together to admire the beauty of flowers! During this workshop, you will explore three ways to turn a photo of your favorite flower into a unique creation of yours. We will draw in color, explore the world of black-and-white sketches, and delve into abstract art.
Bring 3-5 images of flowers you love and let these take you on a creative journey with Martina, Gala artisan and textile/print designer. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have made 2-3 note cards with your own unique floral designs you may want share with your loved ones.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($50.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
The Art of Felting: Beaded Necklaces with Sheila Burns
This is a two-in-one-workshop! You’ll learn to make felt beads from locally raised wool, as well as combine them with glass beads to design your own necklace.
Your instructor is Sheila Burns, felting expert, artist, and someone who raises sheep to produce her own wool. You’ll love this class and learning from Sheila!
No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($52.00).
Intro to Making Beaded Jewelry with Ruth Beer Bletzinger
Have fun learning the basics of making beaded jewelry from stringing, to using crimps to attach clasps, to making wire loops to create dangle earrings. Gala’s Ruth Beer Bletzinger will guide the way.
Students will complete 1 to 2 pairs of earrings and a bracelet or a necklace.
Adults and children (ages 13+). No experience required. Kit with materials included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
Felting Fun for Kids with Sheila Burns,
Learn the basics of wet felting while making your own soap and bowl. Felted soap is fun and useful…and who wouldn’t like their very own felted bowl?!
Students will be using locally raised wool and will see samples of wool fresh off the sheep to be dyed and felting ready.
Ages 8 and up. No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($40.00).
Locker Hooking with Anne Stone
Come learn the English craft of locker hooking! Gala’s Anne Stone will show you how. You will make (but may not finish) a trivet and in the process will learn all the steps necessary to create more trivets or expand to other sizes.
If you have unused fabric laying around in your home, this is an ideal way to reformulate it into a usable item.
No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
Adventures in Felting: Needle Felted Hearts with Sheila Burns
And, speaking of Valentine’s Day…Sheila Burns has a special workshop for you to create a personalized needle-felted heart for the one you love! Using wool from the sheep Sheila raises, you’ll embellish the heart with stitching and beads.
Adults and children (age 10+). No experience required. All materials are included with the fee, as well as felting tools for you to take home.
*Already taken Discover Zentangle Drawing? Continue the journey with Discover Zentangle Drawing II on Friday, June 17, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm!
Introduction to Wire Crocheted Jewelry with Ruth Beer Bletzinger
Expand your jewelry-making know-how by crocheting with wire. The technique is straightforward and fun with beautiful results that look deceptively intricate! Gala’s Ruth Beer Bletzinger will show you how. During the class, you’ll combine thin-gauged wire with beads and a couple of simple crocheting techniques to create your choice of a necklace or bracelet.
Experience crocheting is helpful, but not required. Ages 13 and up. All materials included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
Needle Felting Fun with Sheila Burns
Have fun learning the basics of needle felting!
Gala artisan and expert felter, Sheila Burns, will start with a brief history and overview of felting and the uses of felted wool.
Then, using locally raised fiber, she’ll show you how to needle felt a set of four coasters,
No experience required. All materials will be provided, and felting tools will be yours to keep. Fee $52.00
Wire Wrapped Rings with Ruth Beer Bletzinger
Fun and fabulous, wire-wrapped rings have pizzazz!
Learn how to make three different kinds of wire wrapped rings with wire, beads, and buttons. Gala’s Ruth Beer Bletzinger will demonstrate the techniques.
You’ll have a blast making as many rings as you like during the class!
No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($35.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
Springtime Needle Felting with Sheila Burns
Celebrate spring and warmer weather with expert felter and Gala artisan, Sheila Burns.
She’ll show you how to create your own needle felted birds and flowers. Birds can be hung, and felted flowers can be made into an eye catching pin or make a few for a bouquet.
No experience required. All materials will be provided, and felting tools will be yours to keep. Fee $52.00
Intro to Wire Wrapped Jewelry with Ruth Beer Bletzinger
Open a world of possibilities with just a few wire wrapping techniques!
During the workshop, you’ll get the feel for working with wire to wrap beads, as well as stones without drilled holes. You’ll love how each piece is unique and uniquely created by you.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have made a pair of earrings and two to three pendants.
No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($50.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
Light Catcher with Hillary Blackton
Hillary’s light catchers are gracing windows and yards throughout Montgomery County and elsewhere. Now, learn to make your own beautiful and decorative hangings for outdoors, as well as indoors. When hung outside, your light catcher will sway in the breeze and glitter in the sunlight.
Using mirrors, wire, and beads, you’ll make up to two light-catching hangings that will add sparkle to the summer season. Great as gifts or for your own use!
Adults and kids (12 and up). No experience required. All materials are included with the fee ($50.00). Tools are provided for use during class.
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Adventures in Felting: Flower Pin with Sheila Burns
Encourage springtime by creating a wet-felted flower pin. In this fun new workshop, felting expert, Gala artisan, and instructor, Sheila Burns, will guide you through the cool process of wet felting. This is another good workshop for kids, as well as adults.
You’ll be using locally produced wool from Sheila’s very own sheep. You’ll have a selection of beautiful colors from the wool that Sheila hand-cards and hand-dyes herself.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience required. All materials provided with the fee ($48.00).
Felting for Kids: Felted Bookmarks with Sheila Burns
Designed especially for kids, this workshop is in honor Kensington Day of the Book festival coming up on April 23. Students will learn the basics of wet felting while creating a colorful bookmark. What’s more, they’ll use wool that comes from Instructor Sheila Burns’ own sheep, Fiona and Irish Rose!
Ages 7 and up. No experience required. Materials provided with the fee ($24.00).
New! Adventures in Felting: Necklace/Choker with Focal Button Closure with Sheila Burns
No experience required. Materials provided with the fee ($48.00), except the button, which will be available for purchase separately for $5.00 each, or bring your own!
Create Small, Colorful Epoxy Personal Collage Pendants with Carol-lynn Swol
Create fabulous resin pendants with Carol-lynn Swol, jewelry artist, metalsmith, and educator. During the workshop, you’ll mix a variety of dry media with hardware-store type fast-curing, 2-part epoxy* to fill rhodium-plated pewter pendant frames. Bring paper-based images and/or text, small objects, and small samples of your favorite dry spice and/or your favorite eye shadow for color.
You’ll leave the workshop with three pendants that you’ve designed and made yourself!
No experience is necessary. Except for the personal items you wish to include, all materials are included with the workshop fee ($45.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
*Please note that when mixing and working with epoxy there is a strong scent, but once it is fully cured there is no smell. A fan to help disperse the smell will be employed and nitrile gloves will be available for your use. If you have a known allergy or sensitivity to these materials, please consider your participation in this workshop wisely.
Make Your Own Jewelry Clasps & Ear Wires with Ruth Beer Bletzinger
Take the next step in designing your own jewelry by making your own clasps and earring wires. During this workshop, you’ll learn how to bend and hammer wire to create closures for necklaces and bracelets. It’s fun, not hard, and you’ll have the satisfaction of saying, “I made this jewelry, including the clasp!”
If you’ve got a stash of beads or a project underway, bring it along in case there’s time to complete the piece with a clasp that you’ve made yourself.
Adults and children (ages 13+). No experience required. Kit with materials included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
Previous Events
4th Annual Gala CREST Craft Fair
Sunday April 24 — 11am-4pm
In conjunction with the 11th annual Kensington Day of the Book, GALA invites fabulous local artists to join the fun on Armory Ave. Find one of a kind and unusual arts and crafts while enjoying live music, food trucks and fun!
See you on Armory Ave (behind the Safeway)
Gala Crest 2015
Susan Stockdale
Joining us on Sunday April 24 11AM – 2 PM … Local author/illustrator Susan Stockdale will read and sign her award-winning picture books that celebrate animal life. She will show her book illustration sequences, from sketches to finished images, and play a matching pattern game included in her book, Stripes of All Types. Every child will receive a sticker of an animal featured in the book, ranging from a ring-tailed lemur to a brilliant poison dart frog. Susan’s books can be viewed at www.susanstockdale.com.
Valentine’s Day 2016!
Fourth Annual Cupid Rescue and beer tasting! Saturday, February 13, 6-8. Stop by for an easy shopping experience for that special someone. We will fill your cup with a tasty brew and help you find the perfect gift in any price range. Don’t forget our wish list! Make the choice even easier for your sweetie by filling out a wish list with exactly what you want! ♥
Cannot wait for the fun!
VALENTINES DAY 2015:
3rd Annual Cupid Rescue and beer tasting! Friday February 13, 6-8. Stop by for an easy shopping experience for that special someone. We will fill your cup with a tasty brew and help you find the perfect gift in any price range. Don’t forget our wish list! Make the choice even easier for your sweetie by filling out a wish list with exactly what you want! ♥
Holiday Open House Friday December 5, 7pm-9pm
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY is Saturday, November 29. Please support local, independent businesses like Gala.
Trunk show Saturday November 29, The Chocolate Theory. 10am-2pm
In keeping with our commitment to supporting local artists of all types and introducing them to our wonderful customers, we are hosting Sofia Goodwin of The Chocolate Theory for a trunk show from 10-2 on Saturday November 29. (Small Business Saturday). Stop by Gala to meet this wonderful culinary artist and taste her small batch, hand mixed fudge.
Sofia creates artisanal fudge in 10 flavors using only the best, freshest ingredients. and packs her products in original, eco-friendly and reusable containers to conserve the environment.
September 19th, It’s our Birthday!
Gala’s 2nd birthday! Join us Friday September 19 from 6-8 pm for a birthday open house!
