Time to craft for the holidays with EWC

Alexis Barker
NLJ Reporter
 
Whether you’re interested in welding, sewing or crafting in general, Eastern Wyoming College’s community outreach program has a craft class for you, just in time for the holidays. 
“I think it’s great that we can offer classes for the community people to take to come together and either make crafts for themselves or for gifts,” said Kim Conzelman, Newcastle’s outreach director for EWC. 
According to Conzelman, most of the craft classes are single-day classes that require just a few hours of commitment. 
“It accommodates those people with busy schedules and busy family lives,” Conzelman said. “They can come to a one-night class to make a nice craft or gift for someone on their holiday gift list.” 
According to Conzelman, the classes also provide important enrichment for participants, combining learning with enjoyment. 
“You have a chance to learn something new in a fun and relaxing environment with your fiends and other community members,” Conzelman said. 
The first craft class scheduled is a Cricut Christmas gift class on Saturday, Nov. 3. The registration deadline has been extended to Friday, Oct. 26, Conzelman said, because instructor Jessica Patton hoped to increase participation. 
“For the Cricut Christmas class, participants will make an ornament and cookie plate and, if time allows, a gift tag,” Conzelman said. 
According to the class description, participants need to bring their Cricut to class to receive instruction on creating the ornament and cookie plate. The class will be held from 2-4 p.m. at Newcastle High School in Room 113. The cost for the class is $20 plus the cost of supplies. 
Erin Haynes will teach the second holiday art class. Participants will learn how to create a mason jar string art wall hanging for use as a gift or as their own home décor.
“If you are a Pinterest guru, you have probably seen the beautiful string art projects,” the class description says. “If you want to try string art but aren’t sure where to start or what to do, this is your chance to try this super simple project.” 
Those who register for this class must bring a hammer and decorative flowers from home. The rest of the supplies will be provided for an associated cost of $5. 
The registration deadline for the string art class is Nov. 1, and there is a $20 registration fee. The class will be held Nov. 8 from 6-8 p.m. in Room 130 at the high school. 
Crafters who like to sip while they craft have the opportunity to take a winter wine bottle class with instructors Brenna Crawford and Cammy Johnson. According to the class description, participants will have different themes to choose from, including Santa and snowmen. 
The winter wine bottle class has a registration deadline of Nov. 9 and costs $20 plus $3 for supplies. The class will take place at a currently unknown location on Nov. 17 from 6-8 p.m. 
The joy décor “family photo” display class, instructed by Conzelman, is the only craft class that is a repeat from last year’s holiday craft class lineup. 
“This is the perfect Christmas gift to make for grandma and grandpa or Christmas décor to display during the holidays,” Conzelman said. “In this class, you will use a collage of family photos and you will Mod Podge them to wooden pieces that spell joy.” 
The registration deadline for the class is Nov. 12; cost is $15 plus the cost of supplies. The class will be held Nov. 26 from 6:30-8 p.m. in Room 130 at the high school. 
Ashley Tupper will offer “stuffy ball sewing class.” 
“This pattern is a perfect way to store your child’s many stuffed friends. Simply put them away inside the stuffy ball and then zip it up and use it as a beanbag chair,” the description states. “This is a wonderful pattern for a confident beginner.”
Sewing machines will be provided to those who attend, although those who wish to bring their own are more than welcome to, according to Conzelman. 
A supply list will be provided to participants at the time of registration; the deadline to register is Nov. 27. The class will take place on Dec. 4 from 6-9 p.m. in Room 223 of the high school. The cost for the class is $24; those who want to have their beanbag personalized will have an additional cost of $10. 
The last of the holiday art classes is a horseshoe Christmas tree class that will be taught by Newcastle High School’s welding/ag teacher Taylor Rieniets. This class will take place over two weeks. 
“Learn or expand your knowledge with the MIG welding process. Create a table-top Christmas tree out of horseshoes for display over the holidays,” the class description states. “Participants will have the opportunity to paint and decorate your tree as desired.” 
Participants will learn how to run the MIG welding machines, sandblaster, grinders, air Dremel and spray paint and use various tools in creating the holiday décor. Those who attend will be required to follow all safety instructions, as well as sign a liability waiver. 
The registration deadline for the horseshoe décor is Nov. 26 and the class will be held Wednesdays and Thursdays, Dec. 5-13, from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. in the industrial arts building at the high school. The cost for the class is $50 plus a $10 fee for horseshoes, paint and craft supplies. People who want new horseshoes or different decorations for their trees will have to provide their own. 
Registration for all EWC outreach classes can be done by calling Conzelman at 746-3603 or by going to the Weston County School District No. 1 website at wcsd1.org. Under Departments, choose “Eastern WY College Outreach” and then choose to “Register for Community Ed. Classes” in the left sidebar.