Experience Level: Beginner (ages 18+)

Join us for a hands-on baking experience and leave with everything you need to bake a homemade fruitcake to share with family and friends this holiday season at Traditional Christmas Fruitcakes on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 6-8 p.m. in the Carriage House.

In this class, participants will learn about the history of the fruitcakes, and make their own richly fruited batter to take home and bake.

There is no fancy equipment needed. All other equipment, including the ingredients and the instructions, will be provided. By the end of the class, participants will have made a traditional fruitcake according to a time honored English recipe to take home and bake in their own oven—a wonderfully indulgent addition to their holiday feast!

$80/person. Registration closes Nov. 5 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students will need to bring their own mixing bowl (preferably glass, ceramic, or stainless steel, not plastic), a wooden spoon (a thick heavy spoon works best), and an 8″ round cake pan.

Experience Level: Beginner (Ages 16+) 

Assemble your very own wreath adorned with dried flowers at Everlasting Wreath Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 1-2:30 p.m. in the Arboretum Shed located at 2302 South Lincoln Avenue in Urbana.  

Instructor Maggie Taylor will demonstrate how to create a wreath using a base of grapevine or willow and everlasting flowers harvested and dried at Delight Flower Farm. These dried wreaths are great to hang or use as a table centerpiece for upcoming holiday gatherings.

$65/person*. Registration closes Nov. 7 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Students should bring gardening gloves. 

Experience Level: Beginner (All ages; parents/guardians are not required to register with their children, but they are encouraged to be present for those 13 and younger.)

Create a unique piece of art out of locally sourced alpaca fiber at Needlefelt Owl on Saturday, November 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. in The Studio.

Stephanie Block of Sundrop Alpacas will walk students through the needlefelting process to make an owl, which can be customized to make them look authentic, whimsical or anything in between. The class is perfect for those wanting to learn a new art form.

Take advantage of a fun opportunity to bring a friend or family member for a $10 add-on fee as you work together on a single project kit!

$65/person* + $10/person for add-on (limit one). Register here. Registration will close Nov 7 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*A $15 discount is available during registration for those who bring their own needlefelting tools.

Experience Level: Beginner  

Learn to make your own soap at a Soap Making Workshop on Sunday, Nov. 15 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Mansion Carriage House.  

Instructor Sally Walsh will walk students through the process of making soap including the science of making soap, safety, ingredients used, and the herbal benefits. Students will then learn how to make their own bar of soap with their preferred scents. 

All students will take home four pounds of soap, plus a booklet of instructions and recipes.

$110/person*. Registration closes Nov. 8 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Students should wear old clothes. 

Entry Level: Beginner (ages 18+)

Have you ever wondered why some numbers repeat throughout your life? Now is your chance to find out at Mystic Mondays: Intro to Numerology on Monday, Nov. 16 from 6-8 p.m. in the Mansion Library.

In this lively and informative class, Llewellyn Worldwide author Charlie Rainbow Wolf will teach you what the different numbers mean when it comes to their significance in your life and the lives of those close to you. You’ll learn about your life path number, your soul path number, your heart’s desire number, and more!

The study of numerology is rich and thick and—unlike astrology—it doesn’t matter if you know your exact time of birth or not! It’s the combination of the name you were given at birth, the name you use now, and the date of your birth that make you unique individual that you are! Want to take a deeper look? Grab a notebook and pen and join us for this fun class. Let’s unlock the secrets of your numbers!

$55/person. Registration closes Nov. 13 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

Experience Level: All Levels

Be guided through the process of making your own woven basket at Basketweaving: Simple Elegance on Friday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in The Studio. 

Instructor Bonnie Rideout will teach techniques including start/stop weaving, twining, triple twining with an arrow and a step up, the use of overlays and double lashing. Rolled, leather Amish handles adorn the sides of the basket, and a complementary floral sprig and metal embellishment adorn the front. Accent colors are teal, caramel and chocolate brown.

Dimensions of finished basket: 8 ¼” W x 9 ½” W x 5 ½” H

$95/person. Registration will close Nov. 13 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

Experience Level: Beginner  

Curious on how to whittle or carve in the round? Join us for Woodcarving Basics: Holiday Ornaments on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 1-5 p.m. in The Studio. 

Instructor Lou Ann Koebel will share safety protocol and the three basic wood carving cuts as she leads students in creating a small holiday ornament. Students will choose between a snowman or fir tree, and small eyelets, ribbon, and paints will be available to uniquely decorate each ornament.   

$85/person*. Registration will close Nov. 16 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Students should bring: 
- Carving Glove 
- Flex Cut Carving Knife Set 
OR 
-Flex Cut Roughing Knife 

Experience Level: Beginner 

Fall is the perfect time to learn to crochet at Crochet 101: Fingerless Gloves on Sunday, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m-4 p.m. in The Studio. 

Instructor Billie Theide will lead students in crocheting a pair of fingerless gloves with a unique cable-like stitch pattern. Students will learn to read crochet patterns, determine size, learn to chain, turn, crochet through the back loop, do half double crochet, slip stitches, and yarn over. Additionally, the class will explore blocking and caring for hand crocheted items. 

$95/person*. Registration closes Nov. 15 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Students should bring the following: 

OPTION 1 YARN 

2 skeins (same dye lot) Cascade 220 Sport. This is classified as a lofty sport to DK weight yarn of 100% Peruvian Highland Wool. There are 164 yards per skein. Available in 73 colors. It is hand washable in cold water. Avoid purchasing a dark colorway. 

OR 

OPTION 2 YARN 

2 skeins (same dye lot) Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light. This is classified as a DK weight yarn made of 50% Super Fine Alpaca and 50% Peruvian Wool. There are 146 yards per skein. Available in 36 colors. It is hand washable in cold water. Avoid purchasing a dark colorway. 

AND 

--US F (3.75MM) crochet hook 
--pair of small sharp scissors 
--laptop, iPad, or smartphone 
--pencil