As the holiday season approaches, we invite you to join us in kicking off the festivities with our exciting mini-workshops during the first week of December!
It’s a Wrap – the 2024 Craft School season was a success!
From stained glass making to bowl carving and everything in between, this year’s season of learning, making and forging connections has been outstanding! Here’s a short recap of the season highlights!
If you missed joining us for a workshop, please save the dates for our December mini workshops: 12/3-7/24 and in 2025 our 1 & 2 day sessions: Feb. 15-16, Mar. 22-23, Apr. 26-27, May 17-18, and June 21-22.
Watch for the 2025 workshop schedule to be published at the beginning of October, or if you are coming out to the Waterford Fair (10/4-6-24), stop by our tent and pick up a copy of the schedule! For Fair details visit: waterfordfairva.org.
Instructor Highlight: Pat Brodowski, Gardening & Foraging Natural Dyes
Well-known as the former Vegetable Gardener at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, Pat has given natural dye workshops for fiber arts groups and museums in the Mid-Atlantic area for over 20 years.
Pat has explored the fascinating life of plants from seed to food, to medicine, in ceremony, and in art. In 2022, she researched the plant histories and dye methods of 57 dye plants to grow, forage, or purchase and published them in a manual, “Gardening and Foraging Natural Dyes”, to encourage experimentation. Her workshops include plant lore from antiquity, linking today’s students to dyers from long ago.
Students will have the opportunity to purchase dye plants for their gardens. Plant selection: Woad (blue), Weld (yell0w), Orange Cosmos (pumpkin orange), Japanese Indigo (blue), & Dyers Coreopsis (yellow to green, rust to brown), $8 each, and $10 for Madder (reds and orang-reds).
Join us June 22nd for this information jam packed workshop!
All workshops can be found at craftschool.waterfordfoundation.org.
Instructor Highlight
Amie Otto, a long time quilter, sewist, and fiber enthusiast, is joining the Craft School for the first time this May for an adult half-day quilting workshop and then coming back in June and July to teach summer camp!
Amie’s journey into the world of needle and thread began at an early age when she learned to make garments with dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Later in high school, she made her first quilt as an independent study for art class. Since then, she has honed her sewing and quilting skills through countless classes, conferences, and seminars. In addition to her role as an instructor, Amie is an active member of several quilting and textile art communities. She frequently participates in classes, conferences, sew-alongs, and workshops, staying abreast of the latest trends while respecting the timeless traditions of the craft.
Amie’s teaching philosophy revolves around creating a supportive, fun and inspiring environment for her students. Her classes are not just about mastering techniques; they are a celebration of creativity and self-expression. Through patient guidance and hands-on demonstrations, she empowers her students to turn fabric into masterpieces, fostering a sense of accomplishment, confidence and pride in each creation. You can see more of Amie’s work on Instagram @quiltnest and @redfoxstitchery.
If you have a little between the ages of 8-13, check out the Sew A Fox Pillow or the Make Your Own Doll camps.
Adults can learn the basics of quilting in her half-day May 19th workshop making a pillow cover in the log cabin block pattern.
Both camps and the workshop can be found at craftschool.waterfordfoundation.org.