Fall craft classes at the Arboretum
Local artists share their crafting techniques in a series of half-day classes

Beeswax candles

Beeswax candles

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The Arboretum at Flagstaff will host a series of four half-day craft classes this fall. On Saturday, Sept. 19, Laura Merrick Roe will teach a class about hand-made paper from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participants will learn how to create paper using a Western style mould and deckle technique. They will gather flowers, grasses, and other botanical bits from the gardens to use as inclusions in hand-made notecards and envelopes.

From 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. participants in the Japanese Bookbinding class will learn two different styles of bookbinding: Four-Hole Stab Binding and Accordion Sutra Binding with Roe. Participants will combine silkscreen paper, masa paper, and silk thread as well as binder's board and bookcloth to create two types of books.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, The Arboretum will offer two more craft classes: Traditional Beeswax Candle Making from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Block Printing from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. In the morning class, participants will learn how to hand-roll beeswax candles with local artist Janet Mendyk of Northern Arts Candles.

An easy-to-learn demonstration will guide participants through hand-rolling techniques that will yield a four-inch pillar candle as well as a pair of taper candles. Mendyk will share her unique method of embellishment and use of multiple colors of beeswax.

During the afternoon class, participants will learn how to create block prints inspired by nature. Instructor Julie Williams, a featured artist in the August issue of "Mountain Living Magazine," will share her knowledge of relief printmaking history, editioning a series, tools, types of paper, equipment, and resources. Participants will learn how to draw, carve, and print 4-by-6 images on "Speedy Cut" blocks.

The fee for each class is $25 for members and $30 for non-members. There is an additional materials fee for each class. To register, please call (928) 774-1442, ext. 110 or e-mail Rachel.Edelstein@nau.edu.

The Arboretum is a botanical garden, research center, and nature preserve dedicated to educating the public about the plants and plant communities of the Colorado Plateau. It is located four miles south of Route 66 on scenic Woody Mountain Road in west Flagstaff. The Arboretum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April through October.

For more information, visit thearb.org or call (928) 774-1442.

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