profile

Craftfolk Collective

Week of May 18th: Classes and Events at Craftfolk

Published 22 days ago • 2 min read

Last week we enjoyed the first outdoor Craft Club of the season at the Colfax Farmer's Market. The group convened under the shade of a nearby tree and enjoyed chatting with the market patrons who stopped by the see what we were up to this week: painting, wire wrapping, scrap booking, knitting, and temari thread wrapping. It was a perfect spring evening to spend out and about in Colfax and we hope you will join us this week on Thursday. We will have tables set up at the end of the market near the Colfax Theater on South Main Street from 4-6pm. Please bring your own chair and project to work on. We will bring light snacks to share. More details here>>

​
​Acrylic painting above by Laura.

Last week I taught an introduction to embroidery class where students learned basic running and filling stitches, plus the always popular French knot. It's so fun to watch the wheels churning as someone figures out a new skill.

All of our upcoming workshops are on the website, include classes on the rose apothecary, block printing, visible mending, wet felting, gel plate printing, cheese making, and more. Be sure to check out the CLASS CALENDAR to see all upcoming offerings.

Wishing you a creative week and hope to see you soon,
Gretchen

Gretchen Boyce
Founder, Craftfolk Collective

Teacher Spotlight:

Jill McMann, Block Printing (6/7) and Gel Plate Printing (7/11)

We are so fortunate to have Jill McMann teaching at Craftfolk this summer. Jill will share 2 different printing techniques with us: block printing and gel plate printing. Jill is a Craft Club regular and has shared some of her incredible work with us.

Bio: Jill McCann is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans painting, fiber arts, printmaking, collage, mixed media, and digital art — a practice shaped by over two decades of experimentation and a deep connection to the Sierra Foothills landscape she calls home. Alongside her studio practice, Jill has worked for many years in public education, supporting students with disabilities and designing professional development for educators across Placer County and California, and currently teaches in a special education teacher intern program. She also leads adult art workshops through community education programs. Learn more about Jill at jillmccann.com​

Upcoming Events & Workshops:

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, hot mugs of tea, and light snacks to enjoy.

Free! Bring a chair and your own materials/projects.

New Location! Colfax Farmers Market, South Main Street, Colfax.

Sunday, 5/31, 1-3:30pm
The Rose Apothecary with Gretchen Boyce

Sunday, 6/7, 1-4pm
Block Printing Basics with Jill McCann

Saturday, 6/13, 1-3pm
Visible Mending with Birdsong Sundstrom

Saturday, 6/13, 6-9pm
Summer Soiree Flower Bar Mini Bouquets with Craftfolk

Saturday, 6/27, 1-4pm
Make a Wet Felted Purse with Beth Leydon

Saturday, 7/11, 1-3:30pm
Print and Play: A Gel Printing Workshop with Jill McCann

Saturday, 7/18, 10am-Noon, Chèvre: Make Your Own Traditional Goat's Milk Cheese with Sergio and Rebecca Navarro

Sunday, 7/19, 1-3pm, Build & Weave: An Introduction to Frame Looms with Meredith Cherry

Tuesday, 7/28, 6-8pm, Drum Carding & Fiber Prep for Wool Crafters with Meredith Cherry

Interested in teaching 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.

38 N. Main Street (rear unit), Colfax, CA 95713

​UNSUBSCRIBE​

Craftfolk Collective

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.

Read more from Craftfolk Collective

Yesterday we explored the basics of block printing with Jill McCann. Jill introduced us to the tools of the trade, including brayers, cutting tools, barrens, rubber blocks, and inks/paints. She showed us how to cut sample blocks using an assortment of lines and textures, and then we each cut a design of our choice to stamp on various papers and fabric. I've always wanted to learn this craft and will definitely be incorporating it into my collage and sewing practices (I'm dreaming of hand-made...

1 day ago • 3 min read

Yesterday's The Rose Apothecary workshop was a full rose immersion! We surrounded ourselves with fresh rose petals, drank cold infused rose tea; and made rose honey, rose tea blends, rose infused oil and lip balm. We explored all parts of the rose, its petals, hips and thorns. We talked about how information about plants was passed down through generations via the oral tradition in fairytales and folktales. Rose is featured prominently in Sleeping Beauty (aka. Little Brier Rose, first...

8 days ago • 3 min read

This month I'm trying to revive my home garden, which I have neglected as I've been getting Craftfolk off the ground. In between weeding sessions, I'm enjoying the last flush of spring roses and have been harvesting and drying fresh petals each week to save for tea and other uses through the summer and fall. I am expecting a shipment of fresh rose petals from the Sonoma County Herb Exchange (an amazing resource for fresh organic herbs) this week in preparation for The Rose Apothecary workshop...

15 days ago • 4 min read