The Heritage Arts Institute of Southwestern Community College and the Consumer Sciences Division of the N.C. Cooperative Extension have joined forces to offer five artist workshops on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2, at the SCC Swain Center.

“Smoky Mountain Crafts Work” is designed to provide participants with a variety of craft arts sessions coupled with lunch and learn opportunities on marketing craft arts. Participants can select from one of five two-day workshops to attend in basket weaving, clay, fiber arts, metalworking or paper making.

“Crafts are an important part of our heritage. They define our ancestry and provide a creative source of relaxation and revenue. In other words, crafts work,” said Hank Shuler, Heritage Arts Institute director. “In designing this suite of workshops, Patsy Holley of the Cooperative Extension and I hope to offer participants new twists on putting crafts to work for people in our region.”

Students enrolled in basketry will take home two projects: a red and green Christmas card basket and a wine basket. Debbie Mills, the instructor, will work with both beginning and intermediate students. Participants in this workshop should bring a ruler or tape measure, scissors, an awl or ice pick, a towel, and a pencil.

Hannah Levin’s clay workshop will provide students with the opportunity to learn many hand-building techniques. By the end of the workshop students will have created pinch pots, slab rolled mugs, wind chimes, and a whistle. They will return on Dec. 16 to glaze their articles.

Allison Woodard and Julie McGinty pair up in the fabric arts workshop to assist students in the completion of three projects. Woodard will concentrate on quilting with students, producing a quilt square for use as a wall hanging or pillow top and a quilted Christmas ornament. McGinty will help students make unique baskets from scrap threads, laces, fabric and yarns. Students should bring scissors and a sewing machine, if available.

William Rogers, a master blacksmith and welder will experiment with the laws of physics – levers, mass, and fulcrum – in the metal working workshop. Students will use pliers to bend wire, creating a drawing-like line in space. Using tin snips to cut sheet metal, Rogers will teach you how to make shapes that catch the wind, creating movement in a kinetic mobile or wind vane. Students should bring pliers with a cutting edge. Gloves are optional.

Students in the papermaking workshop will learn how to turn junk mail into treasured artifacts. Nancy Gibby is conducting this lively workshop in which students should bring an old towel and a plastic dishpan.

Russ Seagle of SCC’s Small Business Center will start a dialogue on marketing opportunities in crafts during lunch, which is provided both days.

The sessions will cost $90, which includes registration fees, materials, and lunch for both days. For additional information or to register call your nearest SCC office or 828.488.6413.