Join our mailing list to learn about upcoming workshops and events at Craftfolk Collective. We offer free and paid in-person experiences at our schoolhouse in Colfax, CA. We also share stories about makers and craft traditions across the globe through our semi-monthly newsletters.
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Week of April 20th: Classes and Events at Craftfolk
Published about 2 months ago • 4 min read
There are so many artists in our community!
Thank you to everyone who came out to our Fork & Palette event with Snapdragon Provisions this past Saturday. Everyone painted the most beautiful and unique plates and I can't wait to see them fully fired and glazed. I continue to be blown away by the creativity in our community and we plan to have more pottery painting nights this year! We also have several evening events planned with Snapdragon, including a summer soiree on June 13th (save the date!).
If you painted a plate with us, there are being fired this week and I will reach out shortly via email to coordinate pick up.
Chris and Kallie dishing up small bites and mocktails in the kitchen. We are so lucky to share space with the talented crew at Snapdragon Provisions :)
We also enjoyed a workshop with Gail Weger this past week creating paper mosaics over glass vessels. We utilized the natural bleeding quality of the paper to create layers that looks like watercolor canvases. Everyone went home with multiple up-cycled vessels to use as vases, candles holders, and around the home. Gail is an incredible teacher and we thoroughly enjoyed learning this new craft, which can also be used to create seasonal artworks on windows in your home!
Gail posing with our creations.
Vase project by Gail.
At Craft Club last week, we enjoyed a sneak peak of new original artwork by artist and Craft Club regular, Laura H. Over the past few weeks, we've watched Laura's design unfold for her most recent project: creating a sticker and tee shirt design for the Big Boy train event. She worked on the project from initial sketch concepts, to digital painting, and production at our Craft Club meetups, sharing with us each step of the process. She brought the final stickers for us to see last week and I wanted to share them here. You can check out all of Laura's designs on her website, including downtown Colfax stickers, original art, Big Boy Train merch, and more.
We are busy planning summer workshops and the studio is a bit quieter these next few weeks. We invite you to join us for Craft Club on Thursdays from 4-6pm, which will continue to be held in our studio through the end of April.
Please note: we are moving Craft Club outdoors to the Colfax Farmer's Market (just 1 block away) starting on May 14th. All the dates are listed on the website, so be sure to check hereif you have any questions about dates or the location.
Our next weekend workshop will be Handbuilt Ceramic Planters: An Introduction to Clay with Simone on Saturday, May 2. Many of you asked for clay classes in our class survey and we heard this request! We are so lucky to collaborate with Simone and our friends at Auburn Clay Artsto offer this class. If you are an experienced or aspiring potter, definitely check out their studio and class offerings. Also a huge shout out and thank you to Aurora at Auburn Clay Arts for firing the plates for us from the Fork & Palette event!
Class info: Join us for a hands-on introduction to hand building with clay, where you'll learn foundational ceramic techniques to create your own planter pot. Working with a mix of methods, we'll guide you through the basics of shaping and building with clay from start to finish. You'll create a finished piece ready for the kiln. We'll handle the firing after class and your completed planter will be ready for pickup within a few weeks.
All materials provided. No prior experience needed.
Or full May class calendar is now posted and we are continuing to add new classes for the summer months. Be sure to check out the CLASS CALENDAR on our website to see all upcoming offerings.
Wishing you a creative week and hope to see you soon, Gretchen
Gretchen Boyce Founder, Craftfolk Collective
Meet Our Instructors!
Handbuilt Ceramic Planter Pots: An Introduction to Clay with Simone Saturday, May 2, 10am-Noon
Simone is a life-long ceramic artist turned teacher. She takes a playful and holistic approach to creativity. In her classes, you will find a balance of technical skill building and self-expression. Simone explains: “For me, clay is one of many ways we can feed our souls. As we dig into the sensory experience of playing with mud, we process, release and get to know ourselves a little better. This is especially powerful when done in community. I like to believe I am not the teacher, the clay is your teacher.”
Introduction to Embroidery with Gretchen Boyce Tuesday, May 12, 6-7:30pm
Gretchen is a historian, multidisciplinary craftsperson, and founder of Craftfolk Collective. Her work centers on the connections between people, place, and craft, shaped by a career in cultural landscape preservation. A lifelong maker, Gretchen’s practice spans fiber arts, herbal medicine, and traditional foodways, rooted in seasonal rhythms and intentional practice. Gretchen also sings and plays fiddle in the local bluegrass band, The Breakovers.
Join us for an informal gathering of makers, neighbors, and friends. Bring your own project and work in the company of community. We offer the space, hot mugs of tea, and light snacks to enjoy.
Free! Bring your own materials/projects. Please RSVP.
Note: We will continue Craft Club at the studio this month and will move to the Colfax Farmers Market on South Main Street starting May 16th.
We are scheduling classes for the spring and summer based on your feedback! Please fill out our survey and tell us what you want to learn at Craftfolk.
Craftfolk is a community craft school rooted in local connection, lifelong learning, and the joy of making by hand. We are seeking skilled, thoughtful teachers to lead small-group workshops in a focused, supportive environment. We are currently scheduling classes for the spring and fall. If you are interested in teaching, please fill out our survey.
a gathering place for creative community in the Sierra Foothills.
Join our mailing list to learn about upcoming workshops and events at Craftfolk Collective. We offer free and paid in-person experiences at our schoolhouse in Colfax, CA. We also share stories about makers and craft traditions across the globe through our semi-monthly newsletters.
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