Your Ah Haa Moment: Artful Gift Series

05 Nov Your Ah Haa Moment: Artful Gift Series

There’s something especially satisfying about making your own holiday gifts. Not only is it a fun escape to indulge in a few hours of art making, but it’s equally fun to give away something that you created with your own hands – a one-of-a-kind gift that cannot be found in any store, but in fact, came from your heart (and caused minimal carbon footprint, to boot).

It is in this spirit that the Ah Haa School is offering The Artful Gift Series this November and December, featuring a variety of affordable workshops that will allow participants to learn new skills, explore their innate creativity, and make art that doubles as a great gift. Classes in the series cost between $65 and $110, including materials.

Those interested in wearable art have two opportunities to learn from jewelry artist Jennifer Dewey this fall. Design and fabricate your own rings or bracelets in her Beginning Metal Jewelry classes, Saturday, Nov. 9, and Sunday, Dec. 8, respectively. Both classes run 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and all materials and tools are provided.

Founder and former owner of Tomboy Soap Company, Jessica Newens, will teach Cold-Process Soapmaking on Friday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Students will learn the art and alchemy of transforming vegetable oils, essential oils, lye, and water into beautiful bars of soap that will elevate your bathing experience and perhaps turn you away from commercially-made soap forever.

Finally, with thoughts of turkey still in your head, chef Rhiannon Chandler will lead students in a post-Thanksgiving cooking and canning class on Saturday, November 30, 2-6 p.m. Her Create and Can Three Holiday Sauces class menu features Spiced Cranberry Chutney, Tangy Tomato Jam, and Pear Apple Butter – all selected for their ability to deliciously pair with holiday meals, from roast ham and pork tenderloin, or as an accompaniment to dessert. Each sauce will be prepared and then canned in glass jars during class, enabling an extended shelf life for future gift giving.

While Ah Haa’s Artful Gift Series is intended to inspire people to create unique holiday gifts for the holidays, the classes are for anyone wishing to explore art and learn some new skills. For the slightly more ambitious, John Hopkins will teach a weekend Introduction to Fused Glass class on Nov. 23-24. This project-oriented weekend workshop teaches decorative glass, allowing students to create jewelry, plates, abstract art, and more. Also on Ah Haa’s roster this fall are two evening Adobe design classes taught by Lauren Metzger: Adobe Photoshop: Tips and Tricks, Nov. 19-20; and In-Design Basics, Dec. 2-3.  She’ll also offer Intro to Adobe Illustrator in January.

To register and for more information on all Ah Haa’s upcoming programs, including scholarships and work-study opportunities, visit Ah Haa or call 970/728-3886.