Ever wanted to make a holiday wreath or a ceramic platter for a celebratory dinner? Turn to Whatcom Community College’s Community & Continuing Education for diverse classes this autumn. Imagine impressing friends with handmade crafts – and it only takes a few hours and the expertise of artisan instructors.
Whatcom Community College (WCC) delves into the holiday spirit by offering classes for adults and children. According to Courtney Kendall, WCC Program Specialist, “We’ve always offered some holiday classes, though we have added several new classes this year.”
Kendall keeps the busy holiday season in mind when scheduling the classes, giving students a jumpstart to the season.
“Rarely will we offer anything past the first weekend in December and that is usually just the Beautiful Holiday Swags & Wreaths class. Everything else is typically offered in November, particularly since many of our classes are aimed at DIY or gift-giving ideas,” says Kendall.
Kendall keeps emotions in mind too. WCC is offering Clearing Emotional Clutter from the Holidays ($29), by Journal Therapist Carolyn Koehnline offered on November 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. “In the upcoming workshop, journal processes will help reveal what holiday traditions and expectations may be in the way of experiences that would be more restorative and meaningful,” describes Koehnline regarding students’ experiences.
Some students prefer to get their hands dirty with a fun craft. Ceramic artist Deborah McCunn founder of the Baker Creek Ceramic Studio, teaches Handmade Holidays: A Platter to Keep or Gift class ($55), on Saturday, November 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
For those folks who doubt they have a creative bone in their body, McCunn offers encouragement. “The last session a teenage girl was attending with her dad. It was clear the dad had signed up at the insistence of his daughter and he was a little skeptical. But once he got his hands in clay, he was just as enthusiastic as his daughter. They made two very different but equally beautiful platters.”
Other adult classes include, Beautiful Holiday Swags and Wreaths ($45), taught by Cheryl Jackson on Saturday, December 3, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. As well as, Essential Oils for the Holidays taught by Andrea Jacques on November 30, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The class fee is $39 and supplies are an additional $25.
Fashion designer and seamstress Renee Sherrer teaches two sewing classes. Sew a Holiday Stocking on November 3 and 10, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ($59, which includes two sessions) will prep you for December festivities. Decorative Pennant Garlands for Any Occasion is offered on November 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ($35).
WCC’s community education also offers childrens classes for the holidays. Children can learn several crafts during Make and Take Your Own Gifts, taught by instructor Jennie Goforth on Saturday, November 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ($39 plus a $45 supply fee paid directly to the instructor). This course is taught to students, ages 8- to 17-years-old.
“When we planned the course in May, the instructor had not made a firm decision on which crafts would be taught. The class may include lip balm, melt and pour soap, herbal tea, winter luminaries, bath salts, and more. Goforth has taught this class at other locations and said that students will learn the process for many crafts and take home instructions on them, while also getting time to focus on making five completed crafts by course end,” says Kendall.
And why not gift your children with a venture into Harry Potter territory? Goforth will also teach at Hogwarts Satellite School (ages 8 – 14) on December 28, 29 and 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The class fee is $115 with an additional $50 fee paid to the instructor. What child wouldn’t want to learn about herbs and practice magic during their holiday break? It’s a great gift idea during winter break.
According to Kendall, “We’ve been offering Hogwarts Satellite School since summer of 2007. Typically we just offer it in the summer, but this year we decided to offer it during winter break due to its immense popularity, the upcoming Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie, and the thought that this would be a great Christmas gift for a Harry Potter fan.”
Goforth originally came up with the concept for a home schooling program. Children are in expert hands. “This is my 15th year teaching Hogwarts, and I’ve had the pleasure of working with well over 2000 students,” she says.
Whether you seek holiday fun for your children or a class to learn a new skill for the holiday season, make this year a DIY holiday with Whatcom Community College’s Community & Continuing Education.
To register for a class, visit the Whatcom Community College website. Online registration for Whatcom Community College classes can be found here. Find the full Discover schedule here.
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