Make Some One-of-a-Kind Gifts at NH League of Craftsmen

Tucked along Main Street is an emporium of art and craft. Beyond the unique handmade items for sale, the League of NH Craftsmen as part of its mission continues to offer hands-on instruction in a variety of unusual handcrafts.

In case you didn't know: Founded in 1932, the League of NH Craftsmen is one of the oldest and most prestigious craft organizations in the country. The League was formed during the years of the Depression to help New Hampshire craftspeople make a living through difficult financial times, through education and by building an audience and market for fine handmade craft. The League continues this mission today.

Craft approved by the League's rigorous Standards Program is presented and sold through a network of seven retail galleries around the state, at the Annual Craftsmen's Fair, at The Gallery and at other League sponsored events. Due to its high standards for quality craft, the League, through these very same programs, invites the public to interact with and learn about the fine craft produced in New Hampshire. In addition, the League supports community-based craft education programs throughout the state.

The League of NH Craftsmen is a nonprofit, tax exempt organization. Donations, memberships and grant funding to the organization are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Thank you for your support!

The mission of the League of NH Craftsmen is to encourage, nurture and promote the creation, use and preservation of fine contemporary and traditional craft through the inspiration and education of artists and the broader community.

UPCOMING CLASSES

On-going Basket Weaving Classes

Instructor:   Ruth Boland

Date: Thursdays (6:15 – 9:15pm) and Fridays (9:30am – 12:30pm),

Year Round Tuition: $20/class  ($60/4 week month)

Material costs vary by project

Ages:  Adult and teens 14+

Classes are offered in an “open weave” tradition.  In these classes students can choose from numerous skill-level appropriate projects and progress at their own pace with teacher assistance.  All levels from beginner to advanced students are welcome.   

Resin Inlay Pendant

Instructor: Karen Mitchell

Date: October 13, 2012

Time: 11am – 3:30pm

Tuition: $40 Materials: $35

Ages: Adult and teens 14+

Love color? Love to experiment? I’ll provide the silver pendant form and wire; you create a simple design and bring it to life with colored resin. We’ll color the resin with anything dry. That’s the fun part! Kitchen spices, seeds, powdered eye shadow and paint, glitter, enamels, crushed glass, small beads, you name it! I’ll have a good supply and you can bring anything you’d like to try. You’ll leave with a pendant that’s ready to wear and boast about. No experience required!  

Introduction to Zentangle®

Instructor:  Suzanne Binnie

Date:  Saturday October 20

Time:  10am -12pm

Tuition: $20  Materials: $10

Ages:  Adults and teens 12+

Come learn to Zentangle®!!  A Zentangle® is essentially a structured, contained doodle created with the intention of producing a finished piece of art.  The process of creating a Zentangle® is fun and relaxing and many people find it relieves stress and provides an escape from their busy lives.  You will leave with an art form to use over and over again.  Tools and special papers included in materials fee will be yours to take home and re-use!  No experience required.

Zentangle® on a pumpkin

Instructor: Suzanne Binnie Date:

Saturday October 20

Time: 1pm-4pm

Tuition: $30   Materials: $10

Ages: Adults and teens 12+

In this class we will Zentangle® on a craft pumpkin.  Create a fall decoration you can keep for years!  Appropriate for both beginners and those with some Zentangle experience.  A Zentangle® is essentially a structured, contained doodle created with the intention of producing a finished piece of art. The process of creating a Zentangle® is fun and relaxing and many people find it relieves stress and provides an escape from their busy lives. You will leave with an art form to use over and over again.  No experience required.    

Flute Making

Instructor:  Gerald Oellette

Date: Saturday, October 27

Time: 9am – 5:30pm

Tuition: $80  Materials Fee: $60

Ages: Adult and teens 12+ (under 15 accompanied by adult)

Make a wooden flute from start to finish in this one-day workshop!   Learn from a master flute-maker whose workshops have been said to be as fascinating as they are informative.   Your finished product will be as beautiful as it is functional.  No previous experience required.  

Tri-Weave Bracelet (Bead Weaving)

Instructor:  Deb Fairchild

Date:  Saturday, November 3, 2012

Time:  10:30am – 3pm

Tuition: $40 Materials:  $18

Ages:  Adult and teens 16+

Tri-weave is a first cousin to right-angle weave so the tri-weave beadwoven ‘fabric’ is soft, flexible, and supple. In this class you'll learn tri-weave as you create a band of crystal ‘flowers’ for your wrist.  This bracelet is a great choice for gift-giving too!  Experience is helpful but not necessary.      

Intuitive Drawing

Instructor: Sue Forster-Dimartino

Date: Saturday, November 10, 2012

Time: 1 – 4pm

Tuition: $30 Materials: $10

Ages: Adults and teens 16+ (younger if accompanied by an adult) This workshop will cover techniques used with graphite and charcoal drawing. Students will create two non-objective drawings that examine the visual illusion of mass, volume and three dimensional space through a guided exercise. Materials fee includes a drawing kit and paper. Suitable for both experienced artists as well as those with no drawing experience.     

Weave a Hen Basket

Instructor:  Lynn Goldberg

Date:  Saturday, December 1,  2012

Time:  10am – 4:30pm

Tuition:  $60 Materials:  $35

Ages:  Adult and teens 14+ Learn to weave a Hen Basket using rib construction techniques and 2 different sized hoops.  Hen baskets were actually used in the 19^th century to transport hens!  No experience required.  

Earrings in a Day

Instructor:  Joy Raskin

Date:  Sunday, December 2, 2012

Time:  10am – 4pm

Tuition:  $70 Materials:  $20

Ages:  Adult and teens 14+ Have you ever wanted to make your own earrings?   Make great gifts for the holidays?   In a few hours, we will bend, shape, spiral, hammer and wrap thin wire, beads and other cool stuff into fabulous earrings.   Bring any beads, sea glass or interesting findings you want to incorporate into your earrings.  Instructor will provide silver-plate, gold-plate, and copper wire, seed beads and some copper disks to build your masterpiece.  No experience required.

Stained Glass/Beginners*

Instructor: Mark and Kathy Frank

Saturday Class:  Octobet 20 thru November 17                                    

Time:  10am – 12:30pm

Tuition:  $250 (Includes tools), $175 (Bring your own tools)

Materials: Cost of glass ($15 - $30) In this 5 week course we explore all the basic techniques needed to accomplish at least 2 finished stained glass pieces in the copper foil method.  Starting from scratch, you will learn glass cutting, grinding, copper foiling and soldering.  Beginner patterns are included.  No previous experience is necessary.   Adults only.  

Stained Glass/Intermediate*

Instructor:   Mark and Kathy Frank

Thursday Class:  October 18 thru November 15

Time:  6:30 – 9pm

Tuition:  $150 (Bring your own tools)  Materials:  Cost of glass ($25)

This is a fun, informal, 5 week course where you can perfect your skills, learn new techniques, do projects with a higher level of difficulty, and make friends while you’re at it!  Your choice of projects.  Adults only.  

Fundamentals of Making Jewelry** 

Instructor:  Sussy-Rose Shields

Date: Open Enrollment, Wednesdays/Thursdays,  6 sessions total Time:   2 hours/session

Tuition:  $210   Materials Fee: Varies

Ages:  Adult and teens 14+ Learn techniques with basic bench tools that are easily accessible for creating your own jewelry. Techniques covered will be pattern and design transfer, sawing and piercing, filing, sanding, finishing, soldering, forming metal, and stamping. The concepts of design and development; understanding cost and pricing of jewelry; and selling is also explored. Classes limited to 4 people for personal attention. Metals used are copper, brass, and sterling silver. Students can complete 3-4 jewelry projects. ** This class will take place at the Sussy-Rose Shields Jewelry Studio, 35 Howard Street, Wilton, NH   

Fine Print

Parking is available behind the building. Class Fee is due at registration -       Material Fee is due to the instructor at the class (cash or check only). A refund less a $10 admin fee will be given if you withdraw from a class at least 7 days prior to the first day. No refund will be given after that time. We reserve the right to cancel a class due to inadequate enrollment and other circumstances beyond our control. In the event of a cancellation, a credit or full refund will be given.