This three-day class is an introduction to the process of handweaving on a floor loom. All materials and equipment are provided, and no previous weaving experience is required. Students will be provided with ample support from two experienced instructors as well as current members of the Tavern Spinners & Weavers Guild.

• Instructor: Tavern Spinners & Weavers Guild; Classes will be held in the “Tavern Meeting Building” and the Spinners & Weavers Guild Studio inside the Tavern
• Maximum of 6 students
• $250 for the 3-day class

Whether you have taken the first class of Botanical Illustration with Celeste or not, this class will enhance your technique and skills when drawing and painting natural plant material.

In this two-day class, held successive Fridays, students will learn history, technique and procedures for creating a true botanical work of art. The first class will cover background information, making sketches and developing values. You will then pick your plant or flower, make thumbnail sketches, learn its anatomy and begin drawing. In the second class, you will critique and tweak your drawing, transfer it to watercolor paper and paint. Finally, we will share your beautiful botanical work of art with classmates. Stroll over to the Tavern for lunch after your class!

• Instructor: Celeste Johnston; Class will be held in the “Tavern Meeting Building”, which is located directly behind the Tavern.
• Maximum of 10 students.
• $125. All supplies and materials will be provided. Stroll over to the Tavern after class for a bite to eat.

Learn how to make a beautiful and delicious loaf of sourdough bread. Along with a foundational understanding of sourdough, you will go home with your own batch of sourdough starter to begin your sourdough journey.

• Instructor: Barbara Hoxsie; Class will be held in the “Tavern Meeting Building”.
• Maximum of 12 students.
• $65. All equipment and supplies are included. Time will be provided for you to stroll over to the Tavern Café for lunch.

Learn the basic skills of blacksmithing to create your own metal projects from the Tavern’s Heathsville Forge Blacksmith’s Guild. You will learn tapering, tempering and hardening of mild steel, and make a punch or chisel to use in another project you will complete. All supplies included in the price of $120 per student. Eight slots available. The Forge is located behind the Tavern.

Learn the blacksmithing skills required to create a hand-forged iris flower that is suitable to sit on a table or shelf.   Students will hammer out petals and leaves.  Then, the instructors will weld them together for your flower.

Learn the ancient craft of turning pine needles into beautiful and functional coiled baskets. You’ll be taught how to gather, prepare and start a small basket or woven mat, using pine needles gathered locally on the Northern Neck. No experience is necessary. Whether for yourself or as a gift, these handmade beauties will hold pride of place in any room.

• Instructor: Vicki Cornish; Class will be held in the “Tavern Meeting Building”.
• Maximum of 8 students.
• $40, the majority of which the instructor is donating back to the Tavern Foundation. All equipment will be provided but a small material fee of $10 will be payable directly to the instructor. Time will be provided for you to stroll over to the Tavern Café for lunch.

This unique program teaches participants the art of pressing plant material.  Sheila Weisensale starts her program by discussing the mechanics of pressing flowers – harvesting, pressing and storing plant material.  She then demonstrates the ABCs of how to make a design using actual pressed flower material.  Once you know all the tips and tricks, Sheila will facilitate a hands-on workshop.  

Each student will make their own one-of-a-kind pressed flower bookmarks to take home – two per person.   Sheila will provide all the workshop materials including a wide variety of locally grown pressed flower material from her own garden. Enjoy lunch at the Tavern Café prior to the class! 

• Instructor: Sheila Weisensale; Class will be held in the “Tavern Meeting Building”, located behind the Tavern.
• Maximum of 12 students.
• $35. All supplies are provided.

From delicate pinks to the soft greens of tender leaves and sunny yellows of early spring, pan pastels are the perfect medium for capturing the soft colors of early spring.  Using the welcome floral signs of spring such as Pussy Willow, cherry blossoms and some bulbs, students will be guided through the creation of a Spring Bouquet design.

Paint a fun and festive turtle on a 12-inch round wooden surface suitable for hanging. Demonstrations and a talks about materials and supplies used will be given. Open of all skill levels.

• Instructor: Janet Hockman; Class will be held in the “Tavern Meeting Building”, directly behind the Tavern.
• Maximum of 15 students.
• $95. All supplies and equipment will be supplied.  Stroll over to the Tavern Café at lunchtime for a bite to eat.

Learn the basic skills of blacksmithing to create your own metal projects from the Tavern’s Heathsville Forge Blacksmith’s Guild. You will learn tapering, tempering and hardening of mild steel, and make a punch or chisel to use in another project you will complete. All supplies included in the price of $120 per student. Eight slots available. The Forge is located behind the Tavern.

• The one-day class is limited to eight students
• Class hours: 9 am to 4 pm
• $120 class fee. The price includes all materials
• Classes will be held in Dan’s Forge located behind the Tavern

Learn the blacksmithing skills required to create a hand-forged daffodil suitable to sit on a table or shelf.    Students will hammer out petals and leaves.  Then, the instructors will weld them together for your flower.

• All supplies are included in the price of $65 per student. Class size limited to 8 students.
• The one-day class is limited to eight students
•  Students must be at least 16 years old. 
•  Class hours: 9 am to 4 pm or until your flower is complete
• $65 class fee. The price includes all materials
•  Classes will be held in Dan’s Forge located behind the Tavern
  

Learn the ancient craft of turning pine needles into beautiful and functional coiled baskets. You’ll be taught how to gather, prepare and start a small basket or woven mat, using pine needles gathered locally on the Northern Neck. No experience is necessary. Whether for yourself or as a gift, these handmade beauties will hold pride of place in any room.

• Instructor: Vicki Cornish; Class will be held in the “Tavern Meeting Building”.
• Maximum of 8 students.
• $40, the majority of which the instructor is donating back to the Tavern Foundation. All equipment will be provided but a small material fee of $10 will be payable directly to the instructor. Time will be provided for you to stroll over to the Tavern Café for lunch.