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 March 30th: Classes and Events at Craftfolk
Published 18 days ago • 5 min read
Sharing Homemade Remedies
What a week it has been at Craftfolk Collective! We were thrilled to welcome so many new and returning students through our doors, and the energy in the school has been inspiring.
In our elderberry syrup making workshop this past weekend, we learned about the power packet berries, herbs and spices that go into the elixir and their herbal actions. We enjoyed elderberry mocktails, made a huge batch of syrup, and everyone brought home two big bottles. Part of why I started Craftfolk was to empower people with practical knowledge to share with friends and family. I love teaching these types of workshops, and you can expect more homesteading, herbal remedies, and skills-based offerings on the calendar ahead.
Did you miss out on the Elderberry workshop? We have an Herbal Infused Skincare class with Hannah Stephens of Dirty Boots Floral this Saturday and there are still spaces available!
We also had a group of determined students tackle the intricate art of hand-beaded earrings this weekend. Under the patient guidance of our teacher Teresa, everyone worked their way through the process step by step. This was our one of our most challenging class so far, and we're already applying lessons learned to upcoming offerings.
Thank you to everyone who keeps showing up, trying new things, and cheering us on as we build Craftfolk from the ground up! Your presence means everything, and your feedback shapes what comes next.
Ann's turquoise and gold earrings matched her outfit!
We have a wonderful and diverse lineup of classes coming up this spring, and we just added new offerings in May and June, with plenty more on the way! To make sure our teachers have enough time to gather supplies and plan the class, please register as early as possible (at least 2 weeks in advance if you can). We'll keep asking for your input on the types of classes you'd like to see, so please fill out the survey below or simply reply to this email with your ideas.
We're also excited to announce that we'll be adding a free table to our weekly Craft Club gatherings, based on your feedback and requests! Every Thursday from 4 to 6pm, feel free to bring any new or gently used craft supplies, art and craft books, or related items you'd like to pass along for someone else to enjoy. Craft Club is our free community offering and open to everyone, and it has been so rewarding to see participants joining us from all across the region: Sacramento, Roseville, Carmichael, Auburn, Meadow Vista, New Castle, Grass Valley, Nevada City, Dutch Flat, Colfax, and beyond. It warms my heart to see the start of new friendships budding over the craft table each week and I hope you will join us this Thursday!
Below are new teacher highlights, a list of our April workshops, and descriptions of the new May and June workshops. Be sure to view our full CLASS CALENDAR 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!
Goat Milk Soap: A Beginner's Workshop with Sergio Navarro of Astral Farm Saturday, April 11, 10am-Noon
Growing up, Sergio Navarro split his time between Jalisco, Mexico, and northern California, where he acquired a number of skills for self-sufficiency, including working in automotive, blacksmithing, farming, and general building maintenance. These environments developed his love for tools and what they can accomplish. He enjoys sharing his knowledge of skills that are both practical as well as beautiful art form. Currently, Sergio runs a small goat farm called The Astral Farm with his wife and family in Grass Valley.
We are so thrilled to have Sergio join us this spring to teach soap making, using goat's milk from his farm. Each student will go home with an entire batch of custom scented soap (that's 10 bars!)
Painting with Tissue Paper on Glass with Gail Weger Tuesday, April 14, 6-8:30pm
Gail Weger is a practicing artist of 50+ years; her specialties are watercolor painting and chalkboard drawing. She is a long-time Waldorf educator and mentor of students, parents and colleagues for 30+ years. She loves to weave beauty and practicality together in all realms of life: as an artist, gardener, foodie, singer, woodworker, builder, and lover of nature. Through all her endeavors, Gail strives to use the guiding principle of living in harmony with the earth as her North Star.
Join Gail for a fun and experimental class. We will decorate a selection of glass vessels you bring from home with colorful stained glass-inspired tissue paper designs.
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.
Saturday, 5/2, 10am-Noon Handbuilt Ceramic Planters: An Introduction to Clay with Simone
Learn hand-building techniques as you create your own ceramic planter pot 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.
Tuesday, 5/12, 6-7:30pm Embroidery 101: Absolute Beginner with Gretchen Boyce
Learn foundational hand embroidery stitches — running stitch, back stitch, satin stitch, and more — in this relaxed, beginner-friendly workshop. You'll leave with a started sampler, plus your hoop, needle and thread kit, and a printed stitch reference guide to continue practicing at home.
Sunday, 6/7, 1-4pm Block Printing Basics with Jill McCann
Learn the fundamentals of rubber block printing in this beginner-friendly workshop. You'll transfer a design onto a rubber block, then carve, ink, and print using foundational techniques. Materials fee includes a take-home kit with carving blocks, tools, ink tray, baren, and paper so you can keep printing at home.
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.
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.
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.
No Kidding! Spring Classes are Here This past Saturday, a group of us learned how to make soap from Sergio and Rebecca Navarro of The Astral Farm in Grass Valley. Rebecca and Sergio brought raw goats milk from their small herd of goats and a variety of organic oils and butters for us to use and we each crafted a custom-scented batch to take home to cure. The group had a wonderful time blending and stirring as Sergio and Rebecca took us step-by-step through the process of creating our own...
Happy Spring Crafting Spring has officially sprung here in Colfax! We enjoyed a weekend of beautiful weather and a fun and informative class by Hannah Stephens of Dirty Boots Floral. Hannah taught us how to make calendula infused facial oil and salve and we each created a custom scent by adding essential oils. I took the class as a student, and was so engrossed in the instruction I almost forgot to take pictures! I did snap a shot of the Easter themed cupcakes baked by my husband Chris, who...
Meeting Paper People and What's Coming Up at Craftfolk I just returned from the Chicago Stationery Fest and had such a wonderful time. I was invited by my dear pen pal Kristine, who sent me a postcard about it. We've been writing to each other for 8 years now and there is something so special about putting handwritten words to paper and the slow cadence of snail mail correspondence. I bough way too many stickers, cards, pens, and journals at the show, and left with new pen pals and friends. I...