Experience Level: Beginner

Learn about crocheting at Granny Squares Sunday, Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in The Studio.

In this workshop led by fiber artist Billie Theide, students will learn the basics of crochet, create basic stitches, change colors, read work, fix mistakes and bind off. No previous experience is required.

$75/person* (Ages 13+; 13-17-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult, who does not need to register.) Register by Nov. 14. All sales are final.

*Students should bring:
— 1 Lily Sugar’n Cream 100 percent cotton yarn in two solid colors
— 1 U.S. H/8 crochet hook
— 1 small sharp scissors

If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.

About the instructor

Billie Theide is a former chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she was a Professor Emerita. Theide is a metalsmith, jeweler and ceramicist. Her work is in public art collections around the world including the Smithsonian, Museum of Arts & Design in New York City, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the Racine Art Museum, among others.

She is the recipient of a Visual Arts Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and five Artists Fellowship Grants from the Illinois Arts Council. Theide has been recognized for her excellence in teaching and is a Distinguished Member and Past-President of the Society of North American Goldsmiths.

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn how to make simple yet elegant appetizers to WOW your holiday guests at Easy Entertaining Appetizers on Monday, Nov. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Mansion Carriage House. 

Led by Blue Dragonfly Catering Owner Leah Bodine, this workshop will prepare you for both invited guests as well as those who just drop in!

$60/person. Register by Nov. 11. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.

About the instructor

Leah Bodine calls herself the ‘accidental chef’ with years of experience in the food industry. She started her catering company, Blue Dragonfly Catering, to express her creative mind in food preparation and cultivating recipes. She loves sharing her skills with others and seeing the fascination on students’ faces when they realize how creative they can be and how easy it is to do so.

Her experiences in the food industry have led her to live in Paris and cater for rock and country legends.

Experience Level: Beginner

Take part in a delicious series with an international flavor at Wines of the World on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion Solarium.

Renowned wine educator and television personality Mike Lee will lead this delightful and delectable wine class, where he takes students on an enchanting journey through the vineyards of Europe and California. With a wealth of knowledge and passion for introducing students to tasting, talking, and understanding wine, Mike’s engaging style immerses students in the Old World.

Mike’s class is for beginners and wine lovers alike, from the refined elegance of Bordeaux to the inspiring hills of Tuscany and the bold flavors of Rioja. Each class will include tastings of 5 to 6 wines. You must be at least 21 years old to participate.

$60/person* (Ages 21+). Register by Nov. 13. All sales are final.

*Or $200/person for the entire series. Sign up for all four classes and use the promo code “WINE40” to get $40 off at checkout.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.

About the Instructor

Mike Lee is an accomplished wine, spirits, and beer educator with 9+ years in the alcohol industry. Having achieved the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (London) Certified Educator achievement in Wine, Lee is certified to teach levels 1 and 2 internationally. With experience with class sizes large and small, he is known for his ability to adapt to any learning environment with excellent facilitation skills.

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn the basic mechanics of using a spinning wheel to make your own yarn at Learn to Spin Yarn on Monday, Dec. 2 from 5 to 8 p.m. in The Studio. 

After a brief introduction from instructor Stephanie Block, students will have time for hands-on spinning practice and the opportunity to spin alpaca fiber into yarn using Ashford scotch tension Traditional or Traveler wheels. Discussion of fiber production and preparation methods will also be included.

$100/person. Register by Nov. 29. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.

About the instructor

Stephanie Block is the co-owner of Sundrop Alpacas near Bement. She has been producing popular yarn from her own alpacas for more than eight years. Stephanie’s spinning style is self-taught, and she is continuously learning so that she can share that knowledge with others.

In this class, students will learn to decorate provided cookies with royal icing. Instructor will demonstrate and explain wet-on-wet technique, outlining, and flooding. Participants will get to take home cookies that they decorate.

Students should bring a container to take cookies home.

Experience Level: Beginner

Experience the joy of the season at a Holiday Wreath Making on Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the  Mansion Carriage House.

Maggie Taylor of Delight Flower Farm will share basic wreath building and design techniques to help students craft a unique, seasonal decoration. Students will use locally-sourced supplies (fresh evergreens, berries, pine cones, tree nuts, ribbons, dried flowers, etc.) to make a beautiful holiday wreath to take home (about 20 inches in diameter).

A cash bar will be available.

$65/person. Register by Nov. 27. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.

About the instructor

Maggie Taylor is a farm owner who has been growing flowers and leading workshops since 2011. Trained as an artist, she loves turning natural materials into objects of joy and empowering others to as well. Depending on the time of year she may be teaching about fresh flowers or winter evergreen wreaths.

Maggie’s teaching style is accessible, informative, encouraging and often humorous! Other capable farm crew members assist in teaching large groups.

Experience Level: Beginner

Take part in a delicious series with an international flavor at Wines of the World on Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion Solarium.

Renowned wine educator and television personality Mike Lee will lead this delightful and delectable wine class, where he takes students on an enchanting journey through the vineyards of Europe and California. With a wealth of knowledge and passion for introducing students to tasting, talking, and understanding wine, Mike’s engaging style immerses students in the Old World.

Mike’s class is for beginners and wine lovers alike, from the refined elegance of Bordeaux to the inspiring hills of Tuscany and the bold flavors of Rioja. Each class will include tastings of 5 to 6 wines. You must be at least 21 years old to participate.

$60/person* (Ages 21+). Register by Nov. 28. All sales are final.

*Or $200/person for the entire series. Sign up for all four classes and use the promo code “WINE40” to get $40 off at checkout.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.

About the Instructor

Mike Lee is an accomplished wine, spirits, and beer educator with 9+ years in the alcohol industry. Having achieved the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (London) Certified Educator achievement in Wine, Lee is certified to teach levels 1 and 2 internationally. With experience with class sizes large and small, he is known for his ability to adapt to any learning environment with excellent facilitation skills.

Experience Level: Beginner

Experience the joy of the season at a Holiday Wreath Making on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the  Mansion Carriage House.

Maggie Taylor of Delight Flower Farm will share basic wreath building and design techniques to help students craft a unique, seasonal decoration. Students will use locally-sourced supplies (fresh evergreens, berries, pine cones, tree nuts, ribbons, dried flowers, etc.) to make a beautiful holiday wreath to take home (about 20 inches in diameter).

A cash bar will be available.

$65/person. Register by Nov. 28. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.

About the instructor

Maggie Taylor is a farm owner who has been growing flowers and leading workshops since 2011. Trained as an artist, she loves turning natural materials into objects of joy and empowering others to as well. Depending on the time of year she may be teaching about fresh flowers or winter evergreen wreaths.

Maggie’s teaching style is accessible, informative, encouraging and often humorous! Other capable farm crew members assist in teaching large groups.