Experience Level: Beginner  

Are you looking for a unique and experimental experience?  Join us for Thread Bowls on Wednesday, Nov. 4 from 12-4 p.m. in the Dining Room.  

Explore color theory and design as you create a beautiful decorative thread bowl that can resemble glass. Using a special fabric base, sewing thread, yarn, fabric scraps, and dimensional embellishments, you'll transform everyday materials into a richly textured, functional work of art. Bring your imagination, leftover thread, yarn, embroidery floss, small fabric scraps, and an optional sewing machine. No experience is necessary.  

$100/person*. Registration closes Oct. 28 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Students should bring the following: 
-one 12” ruler 
-two blue or black ink pens 
-one pair of scissors 
-one roll of paper towels 
-sewing machine (optional) 
-a few sewing needles 
-blow dryer (optional) 
-and a monochromatic collection of: 
     - spools of left over sewing thread  - bits of left over yarn in any fiber 
     - partial skeins of left over embroidery floss 
     - left over crochet thread 
     - left over fabric scraps 

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu. 

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken. 

About the instructor 

Billie Theide is Professor Emerita and a former Chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Theide is a metalsmith, jeweler, textile artist, 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: All Levels (All Ages 15+) 

Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season by painting a beautiful Christmas ornament in Holiday Radiance: Watercolor Workshop on Friday, Nov. 6 from 6-9 p.m. in The Studio. 

In this relaxed, beginner-friendly workshop, students will explore watercolor techniques while adding touches of metallic watercolor and acrylic marker details to create a painting that sparkles with holiday charm.  The ornament design will be lightly pre-drawn, allowing everyone to focus on enjoying the painting process rather than worrying about drawing. Students are encouraged to make the piece their own by experimenting with different ornament colors, ribbon choices, and creative details. By the end of class, you'll leave with a festive watercolor ready to frame, display, or gift for the holidays. All supplies are provided, and no previous watercolor experience is necessary. 

$115/person*. Registration will close Oct. 31 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

*All supplies will be provided 

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia at owarren@illinois.edu. 

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken. 

About the Instructor 

Emily Tackitt is the artist behind Moonbeam Jellyfish and works in mixed media, blending watercolor, acrylic, gouache, ink, drawing, and collage to create whimsical, fantasy-inspired artwork. With a process that is playful and intuitive, Emily is often guided by curiosity, storytelling, and whatever feels magical in the moment. Her classes are designed to feel supportive and accessible, encouraging students to build confidence through a thoughtful, step-by-step creative practice.

Experience Level: Beginner (Ages 16+)  

Assemble your very own wreath adorned with everlasting flowers harvested and dried at Delight Flower Farm at Everlasting Wreath Workshop on Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Dining Room.  

These dried wreaths are great to hang or even use as a table centerpiece at all your upcoming holiday gatherings. Wreath bases are made of grapevine or willow. Materials needed for assembly will be provided 

$65/person*. Registration closes Nov. 3 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

*Students should bring gardening gloves. 

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu. 

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

Experience level: Beginner 

Are you a beginner, or interested in refining your wet felting skills? Join us for Wet Felt Bowls on Wednesday, Nov. 11 from 12-4 p.m. in the Dining Room.  

In this workshop you will transform wool into art as you use a resist to wet felt into a decorative bowl or vessel. The class will use luxurious silk, dyed wool roving, wool felt sheet, and dimensional inclusions to explore and transform ephemeral materials into a richly textured, sturdy, and functional work of art. Materials will be provided. You will receive a list of suppliers so that you can source materials and continue to welt felt at home. No previous experience is required.  

$130/person*. Registration closes Nov. 4 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

*Students should bring the following: 
--two bath-sized towels 
--one 12” ruler two blue or black ink pens 
--one pair of scissors 
--one roll of paper towels 

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu. 

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken. 

About the instructor 

Billie Theide is Professor Emerita and a former Chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Theide is a metalsmith, jeweler, textile artist, 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 about the art of stained glass at Intro to Stained Glass: Feather on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in The Studio.

Students will assemble an elegant feather suncatcher design. Participants will also learn how to cut glass, grind, foil, and solder. All skill levels are welcome. All supplies and safety gear will be provided.  

$100/person*. Registration will close Nov. 5 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should wear closed-toe shoes. Safety glasses and gloves will be provided.

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia at owarren@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the instructor

Kari Keller has been a Champaign/Urbana resident since 2008, originally hailing from the tiny community of St. Anne. Illinois. She has had a passion for art since she could hold a crayon and loves to experiment with many different styles, rarely sticking to one theme for long.

Keller has dabbled in cartoons, acrylic pouring, zentangles, patterns, logo design, pottery painting and other art forms. Her influences include Alphonse Mucha, HR Geiger and the art of Northwest coastal Native Americans. She also has a thriving side business as a face painter.

Kari is happiest when immersed in a new project and can’t imagine life without art!

About The Farms

The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.

Experience Level: Beginner (Ages 16+) 

Assemble your very own wreath adorned with everlasting flowers harvested and dried at Delight Flower Farm at Everlasting Wreath Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 1-2:30 p.m. in the Arboretum Shed.  

These dried wreaths are great to hang or even use as a table centerpiece at all your upcoming holiday gatherings. Wreath bases are made of grapevine or willow. Materials needed for assembly will be provided 

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

*Students should bring gardening gloves. 

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu. 

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

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. 

“Simple Elegance” starts by weaving a woven, filled base.  Techniques include 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.  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.

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

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the instructor

Bonnie Rideout wove her first basket in 1994 and quickly caught the “basket bug.” She created a business — Bonnie’s Baskets in Decatur — in 2006 to teach others to weave. She is also a traveling instructor and has taught weaving in 18 states.

Find out more about Bonnie on her website, Facebook, Instagram and Etsy pages.

About The Farms

The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, health & wellness, history, nature & outdoor education, or science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.