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 July 29th: Next Steps for Craftfolk
Published about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Craftfolk Update
As we close out our first series of workshops and events at Craftfolk, I wanted to reflect on what we've accomplished...In the past half year, we hosted 20 workshops and events, 262 students came through our doors, we've built a dedicated community of crafters and musicians through our free weekly offerings, over 400 of you have signed up for our email list, and we hosted local participants as well as folks from as far away as Sacramento, Folsom and Truckee! This is incredible and it's encouraging to me that this idea to create a community craft school in Colfax resonates with so many people in the larger community. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for showing up and supporting this dream. I'm inspired by the community support, engagement from talented local artists and makers, and overall positive response to this endeavor.
As we move into the second half of the year, you'll see some changes in our operations. We'll be taking a break from workshop offerings in August to regroup and start planning for fall. We have enjoyed every minute of our time sharing space with our friends at Snapdragon Provisions, but starting next month, we will begin the search for a new space as the building undergoes some much needed repairs. I am currently on the look-out for a space (or series of spaces) where we can host workshops starting in September. We're looking for a mostly turn-key space with a kitchen, bathroom, large unfurnished room to hold workshops and events, and easy parking. We're open to sharing space with another business or having our own dedicated space. Ideally we'd like to start with a month-to-month lease, but are open to a longer commitment depending on the space. We'd like to stay in or near Colfax to keep the momentum going here. I am calling on this community to send me your ideas! Please hit reply to this email if you know of a space we should consider.
We aren't going anywhere and you'll continue to see us this summer at the Colfax Farmer's Market on Thursdays for Craft Club and the Craftfolk Jam (Note: we won't be there this week on July 23, but will resume on July 30). Stay tuned via these weekly emails for general updates and announcements once we have our workshops back up and running. Thank you again for making this dream a reality!
Last Week's Recap
We hosted two sold out workshops this past weekend. On Saturday, we learned to make fresh goat cheese from Sergio and Rebecca Navarro from The Astral Farm. It was a delicious and educational class: everyone got to taste fresh chèvre made with milk from Sergio and Rebecca's goats and went home with two custom-blended cheeses to enjoy.
Some of our happy cheese makers with teacher Sergio and their chèvre.
On Sunday, Meredith Cherry taught us how to build our own frame looms from upcycles wooden picture frames and how to weave a basic tapestry. We used yarn scraps to weave our first pieces and it was as fast and enjoyable craft.
Class participants with their looms and tapestries in process.
Tapestry weaving in progress.
At Craft Club on Thursday, Victoria shared some basic watercolor techniques with a small group of us who asked for instruction. I love the knowledge sharing and friendships blooming during these weekly meet ups. One regular participant said he looked forward to Thursdays all week because he gets to craft and play music with friends! Our free Thursday activities are open to everyone and we hope you will join us in the coming weeks.
Example watercolor paintings by Victoria.
Join us for Craft Club (4-6pm) Bluegrass & Old-Time Jam (6-7:30pm) next Thursday, July 30th at the Colfax Farmer's Market (Note: there is no Craft Club or Jam this week).Bring any craft project you want to work on and a chair. We provide the space and sweet treats to enjoy. RSVPs are helpful so we know how many cookies to bake, but walk-ins are also welcome. Anyone is welcome to come by to listen to the music and crafters are welcome to stay through the jam to listen and continue working on their projects.
Last week's jammers and listeners enjoying ice cream from Cocos!
Thank you for making our first season of Craftfolk such a joy! We'll be taking a break from workshops in August and will resume in the fall. Craft Club and the Bluegrass & Old-Time Jam will keep going all summer long. Hope to see you there! Note: There will be no Craft Club or Jam on July 23rd and we resume on July 30th.
Wishing you a creative week and hope to see you soon, Gretchen
Gretchen Boyce Founder, Craftfolk Collective
Weekly Events:
Thursdays, 4-6pm: Community Craft Club (FREE!)
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 and light snacks to enjoy.
Free! Bring a chair and your own materials/projects.
Location: Colfax Farmers Market, South Main Street, Colfax.
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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