Crafting Workshops

**SEVERAL SEATS ADDED — register now to ensure your spot!** **A comprehensive 2-day class in machine quilting with Catherine Redford as you learn to finish your quilts on your domestic machine!** Begin your first day with a brief overview of Catherine’s steps for success, and then start to stitch while enjoying all the control of your walking foot. On day two, discover the magic of free motion quilting in a relaxed, no-criticism- allowed setting. Class will discuss using colored threads, combining walking foot and free motion motifs, and try adding hand stitching for maximum impact. \*\*\* Due to the size or other requirements of the class or concurrent scheduling, some classes are in our second-floor space: access is via stairs only. Registrations for all Artistic Artifacts classes MUST be paid for [through our website](https://artisticartifacts.com/collections/wk), or via a visit to our shop at 4750 Eisenhower Avenue. We encourage you to RSVP here, but to ensure your seat you MUST follow through via our website. [View our complete class policies »](https://artisticartifacts.com/pages/class-policies)

Ready for an overnight retreat? Our weekend retreats are a great place to start if you’ve established a mindfulness practice or taken a mindfulness class and you’re ready to take it to the “next level.” A weekend retreat is also a wonderful way to renew and refresh a long-standing practice. Our lives as mindfulness practitioners deepen when we’re ready to enter into the sustained practice of retreat. This residential retreat will be held mostly in silence at the beautiful [Samish Island Campground and Retreat Center](https://www.campsamish.org/) and will include a series of gently guided mindfulness practices including sitting meditation, walking meditation, gentle yoga, and the body scan. Informative talks on the process of being on retreat, mindfulness, stress reactivity, and other topics will be presented by the instructor. Small and large group discussion at the beginning and end of the weekend will center around our experience together walking, sitting, and breathing in the quiet of the beautiful retreat site. ### SCHEDULE DETAILS * Starts Friday with 4pm – 5pm check in followed by dinner and an orientation, after which we will begin our silence. * Saturday is a full day of silent practice (6:30am to 8:30pm with breaks after the meals). * Sunday is a short morning practice period, followed by breakfast and closing activities. * The retreat concludes at about noon on Sunday after cabin clean up, with a sack lunch provided for the road. **LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE:** [https://mindfulnessnorthwest.com/events/spring-weekend-retreat-samish-mar-27-26-tim/](https://mindfulnessnorthwest.com/events/spring-weekend-retreat-samish-mar-27-26-tim/) ### LOCATION [Samish Island Campground and Retreat Center](https://mindfulnessnorthwest.com/venues/samish-island-campground-and-retreat-center/) ### COST **$355 - $635** (or $89 - $159/month) * **[Sliding scale](https://mindfulnessnorthwest.com/about/program-policies/#sliding-scale-fees):** Choose what’s right for you. * **Payment plan option:** 4-months, no-interest. * **Limited scholarships available:** No need to apply; just choose a scholarship tuition during registration. * **Lodging:** Rustic cabin is included in reservation. Optional upgrade to E-cabin at registration.

Venez apprécier l'ambiance chaleureuse d'une conversation en français autour d'un verre de vin et d'apéritifs. C'est ouvert à tous quelque soit votre niveau, que vous soyez intermédiaire/avancé ou bien que le Français soit votre langue maternelle. ***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU WILL BE ALL SET TO FLEX YOUR LANGUAGE CAPACITY. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD :) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. It is irresistible, to enjoy French convo with a glass of wine, appetizers and drinks. The Event is open to all levels of French language, from intermediate to native fluency. This is mainly a social for Intermediate/Advanced/Native Speakers. It is not as such to learn a language. Beginners, if you want to learn a language, reach out to us ([info@merevents.com](http://info@merevents.com/)). We have a school and will arrange you a class. ***AFTER THE HAPPY HOUR, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!***

Meet in the parking lot of the Handy Bikes Service Center. At the start of each ride, we'll go over introductions to have a sense of participants' cycling experience. Over the course of our rides, we'll address the following: group riding dynamics; safety (ABC check & trail hazards); gear shifting; hill climbing; audible and hand communication within the group, with other trail users, and automobile drivers; what to bring on each ride; etc... Bring your questions, water & a snack. When it starts getting dark earlier, we'll need lights as well. Helmets a MUST. If you can, and especially if you've had issues with your bike, come a bit early to have it looked at ahead of the ride. PS - all levels are welcome to join, however, be mindful that if you are an experienced rider, please be prepared to ride at the pace of the newest rider in the group. Each week, depending on who's in attendance, and participants' riding ability/comfort level, we may do skills practice as a group in the parking lot or at the west end of Wheeler Ave. Once everyone is comfortable, we'll go for a ride on local trails and neighborhood streets and finish back at the shop. Happy Pedaling !! \~Maya

This is a unique event. More than 20 embassies from countries that have French speakers will have booths with incredible home-made food and interesting wines and beer. The catch is that it's always packed, but there is always plenty of food. So if you like to sample all kinds of foods, enjoy dancing, and don't mind the crowds and the splurge (around $60 including food, and drinks for the first two hours), it is a yummy, fun-filled party with a distinct French accent! I waited a couple days to post to make sure tickets are still available. It usually sells out pretty quickly. **\*\*Here is [the link](https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/2026lgf?utm_source=wordfly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MAR26eMLaGrandeFete3.2.26&utm_content=version_A&promo=287221) to buy the tickets.\*\*** Also it's not a walk-around-with-the-group kind of event, though we will try to meet up later in the evening when the live musical entertainment starts. Just too crowded. The key is to get in line outside as early as possible - by 6 pm if you can. That will give you about 30 minutes of access to all the food booths before it gets nuts. The annual month-long Francophonie Cultural Festival spotlights the music, art, literature, film, cuisine, and customs of French-speaking countries and regions from across the globe. One of the celebration’s highlights, La Grande Fête is always *magnifique*, and this year’s bash is no exception. The don’t-miss event is your passport for a world tour of francophone cultures. Starting at 7 p.m., sample food and drink from more than 20 embassies as you explore each nation’s unique attractions and traditions. Participating organizations and countries include France, Belgium, Guinea, Canada, Gabon, Kosovo, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, French-American Chamber of Commerce, Tunisia, Québec, Central African Republic, Alliance Française of Washington, DC, Democratic Republic of the Congo—and that’s just the start of the growing list. This year’s live entertainment features TBD.

Learn how to safely make 2 matching coasters out of wood and resin. Choose an oceanscape or create your own design using a low-fume epoxy resin. You will be completing this design on 2 matching wooden coasters. In this live tutorial style workshop, you will learn the basic skills of how to safely mix the resin and how to apply. The class begins with wearing proper Personal Protective Equipment followed by a quick overview of the basics of the resin art, including types of resin and proper mixing techniques. Participants will then either choose the suggested oceanscape design or pick their own design. Instructor will then teach the good pouring technique. The pieces will be left for overnight curing and can be picked the next day. Before finishing the class, the instructor will also provide some troubleshooting tips for future use. Each participant will walk out with two wooden coasters. Not recommended for pregnant women. No experience needed. All supplies included. Ages 10+ Registration open until March 21.

We’re starting a small group to explore the C&O Canal through observation, documentation, and making. For this first event, we’ll meet in Georgetown, take a short walk along the canal the site of the historic incline plane, and create simple zines using photos and notes from what we notice along the way. **Event Overview:** * Meet at Blue Bottle Coffee patio (Georgetown waterfront) * Distribute blank zines, clipboards and art materials * Walk a short stretch of the canal together (\~3 miles) * Take photos, jot notes, work on zines along the way * Return to the starting area to share zines and recap **What to bring:** * Your phone (for photos) * Optional: notebook or pen * Comfortable shoes * Water bottle * Umbrella/rain jacket if the forecast calls for rain **Details:** * Dog friendly * All experience levels welcome * We’ll mostly be on flat towpath / paved areas, but surfaces can be uneven in places Space is limited for this first walk. **Optional reading (if you’re curious):** 1\. https://www\.atlasobscura\.com/places/co\-boat\-elevator\-ruins 2\. https://www\.nps\.gov/choh/learn/historyculture/inclineplane\.htm

**SOLD OUT: [add your name to our waitlist](https://artisticartifacts.com/products/beautiful-buttons-with-catherine-redford) via our website.** Enjoy a full day of button making with Catherine! We’ll start with Dorset Buttons, a traditional English craft... learn the basics as you make the traditional Blandford cartwheel before discussing some variations, including a fan-style button and the Maltese Cross. Then we’ll move onto Shirt Lace buttons, a more modern innovation. Read complete details about this class, review your student supply kit fee and register via Artistic Artifacts’ secure online website: [https://artisticartifacts.com/products/beautiful-buttons-with-catherine-redford](https://artisticartifacts.com/products/beautiful-buttons-with-catherine-redford) \*\*\* Due to the size or other requirements of the class or concurrent scheduling, some classes are in our second-floor space: access is via stairs only. Registrations for all Artistic Artifacts classes MUST be paid for [through our website](https://artisticartifacts.com/collections/wk), or via a visit to our shop at 4750 Eisenhower Avenue. We encourage you to RSVP here, but to ensure your seat you MUST follow through via our website. [View our complete class policies »](https://artisticartifacts.com/pages/class-policies)

Hey Poetry Lovers! This group is on a roll. Here’s the gist: We meet at the **Capital One Café in Chinatown** from **12pm - 2pm** every other week. For enrichment, we start by reading and reflecting on a **“published poem”**, suggested by someone in the group. No advance preparation is necessary. But feel free to check out some of the poems we’ve read [here](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vSyE_wCLQCPHRrKmN5F9tOIeeRQUZESxjRXGVBoCF2uU8Gm0_d0uECiCBCQXEy6ksxfsBOhtRIOpW3T/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true&widget=true&headers=false%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E). Or submit suggestions for future meetings [here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexGc2Z2Kp6bZW0D3_hfJ7NUUkfNHf7TXX-43FglCeBd9EF2Q/viewform?usp=send_form). Next, we **share our work and offer feedback**. Depending on attendance, everyone gets \~10 minutes to use as they like. (No need to share, though; you’re welcome to come even if you prefer just to listen.) We maintain a **Discord server** to help share our work and communicate outside our bi-weekly meet-ups. If you haven’t used Discord before, take a moment to download it and create an account before arriving. When we meet you on Saturday, we will add you to our server, the “DC Poetry Workshop”, and can help you navigate the app if you have questions. Finally, if you plan on sharing a poem, consider how you will do so. Some options include: * Print 5-10 copies to distribute in person * Take and share screenshots in the Discord chat. * Copy the poem into a google doc, change sharing settings to “anyone with link”, and copy the google doc link into the Discord chat. Most importantly, we’re excited to meet you! Catch you on Saturday, Diego / Ian / Cayden / Nate / Otasha / Lia / An

5:45-7:45 in Conference Room B, Library lower level. Bring your yarn projects, meet new friends. If you plan to attend, please RSVP yes. If you can’t attend, please change your RSVP to no. This helps anyone who is waitlisted and it allows me to have an accurate count of attendees as our space is quite limited. Plenty of parking in the lot, in the overflow lot across the street, and on the street. See you there! Winter Note: If the weather is bad and I have to cancel the Meetup, i will issue the cancellation not later than 3 p.m. of that day.

12:45-3:45 in the Meeting Room on the library lowest level. Bring your yarn projects, meet new friends. If you plan to attend, please RSVP yes. If you can’t attend, please change your RSVP to no. This helps anyone who is waitlisted and it allows me to have an accurate count of attendees as our space is quite limited. Plenty of parking in the lot, in the overflow lot across the street, and on the street. See you there! Winter Note: If the weather is bad and I have to cancel the Meetup, i will issue the cancellation not later than 3 p.m. of that day.

5:45-7:45 in Conference Room B, Library lower level. Bring your yarn projects, meet new friends. If you plan to attend, please RSVP yes. If you can’t attend, please change your RSVP to no. This helps anyone who is waitlisted and it allows me to have an accurate count of attendees as our space is quite limited. Plenty of parking in the lot, in the overflow lot across the street, and on the street. See you there!

5:45-7:45 in Conference Room A, Library lower level. Bring your yarn projects, meet new friends. If you plan to attend, please RSVP yes. If you can’t attend, please change your RSVP to no. This helps anyone who is waitlisted and it allows me to have an accurate count of attendees as our space is quite limited. Plenty of parking in the lot, in the overflow lot across the street, and on the street. See you there!

In April WQC's Creativity Circle will be making beaded bracelets and keychains! All supplies provided, open to all, bring yourself (and a friend or two) for when you are able to make it in the two hour window. Note: Seats are Limited to the provided space at the Westerville Public Library in Meeting Room D.

Welcome to the Art School - 20's & 30's artists Meetup group! This is a community for young artists who are passionate about exploring different mediums and techniques in the world of art. Whether you're a painter, sculptor, photographer, or mixed media artist, this group is the perfect place to connect with like-minded individuals, have a space to work on your craft, and showcase your work. Let's inspire and support each other on our artistic journeys! Whether you're a novice or a seasoned artist, all skill levels are welcome. Join us and unleash your creativity! This month we will be discussing **Frank Santoro**, an American cartoonist, painter, and comics critic known for his expressive lines, experimental page layouts, and vibrant use of color. His graphic novels—including *Storeyville*, *Pompeii*, and *Pittsburgh*—blend personal storytelling with innovative visual structure, often exploring memory, place, and relationships. In addition to his comics, Santoro has been an influential voice in comics education and criticism, co-founding the magazine *ComicsComics* and creating the **Santoro Correspondence Course for Comic Book Makers**, which has helped train and inspire a new generation of cartoonists. Afterwards, we will have time to work on our individual art projects, hang out, and if anyone is interested in feedback on their work, there will be time for that as well.

Let's Crop!