You may have visited the Appalachian Center for Crafts and watched as artisans blow glass, create pottery, or pound steel into a work of art, but have you wondered what it would be like to actually do it yourself? This Saturday’s event can help you answer that lingering question as the Craft Center holds its 14th Annual Celebration of Crafts.
The Celebration of Crafts originally started as a way to save the center from closure but has grown into a  much anticipated yearly event..
Scheduled for this Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., it is the perfect time to grab the family and head to the Craft Center to participate in one of the several offered mini-workshop, shop at the gallery or just spend time looking around.
The event is free, however, participating in the workshops consists of a small fee to cover materials. Unlike previous years, there will be no pre-registration, and since some of the mini-workshops have few openings, it’s probably of good idea to arrive prior to registration at 9:30 a.m. Below is a list of workshops available.
Blacksmithing - make your own forged steel hook. Participants must be at least 14 years of age and the cost is $25. Class time is 10 a.m. until noon and is limited to six participants only.
Metals - Create your own Egyptian spiral copper pendent. Class time is an hour for each session beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m.  with a break from 1 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Each class is limited to 20 participants and the fee is $5.
Fibers - felting a bracelet.  Class time is an hour for each session beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m. with a break from 1 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Each class will explore resist techniques in wet felting and its limitless possibilities in making a bracelet. Classes are limited to 20 students and the cost is $5.
Fibers - Screen printing T-shirts.
Class times are all day, with those who register being given a number and will be called in numerical order. There will be two stations with one person being served at a time. Experience the power and versatility of screen printing on cotton. The cost for this workshop is $15.
Fibers - Marbling a scarf.
Learn marbling techniques to permanently transfer beautiful organic shapes to a silk scarf. Class times are all day, with those who register being given a number and will be called in numerical order. There will be two stations with one person being served at a time. Each scarf takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.  The cost for this workshop is $20.
Wood - Making wooden candlesticks.
You will gain comfort and control with basic lathe operation while spindle turning to make a candlestick holder. Classes are limited to eight participants, 14 years or older, with class times being from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4p.m. The cost for this workshop is $25.
You will also be able to enjoy the experience of several narrated studio demonstrations, including BFA student artists and Artist-in-Residence teach you about blacksmithing, metal jewelry making, wheel throwing and handbuilding in clay, fabric weaving and dyeing, glass blowing, metalsmithing, woodburing and furniture making.
For just $1 per child, your children can enjoy all of the following activities:
Photography - they will experience the feel of the darkroom as they create and develop their own abstract photogram; Origami Books - they will learn origami folds to create a book that can move into space; Creative necklaces - children will find joy in creating their own necklace made from yarn and found objects.
The Build-a-Bowl project supports Habitat for Humanity’s fundraising efforts. Visitors are invited to handbuild a ceramic bowl to donate to Habitat.
There will also be musical performances for your enjoyment by Dan Coe & The Irish Appalachian Band from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and the original Cluster Pluckers from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Along with the above festivities, the Gallery will be offering a special 10 percent discount to visitors on the day only.
And, last but not least, stop in at Redbud Cafe for a delicious meal by Chef Chad Combs.
So, plan to bring the entire family to the 14th Annual Celebration of Crafts on March 31 at the Appalachian Center for Crafts and enjoy a fun-filled educational day.
All proceeds from this event directly support the Appalachian Center for Craft's educational art outreach programs, serving students in Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland region.
This event is sponsored by the friends of the Appalachian Center for Craft of Tennessee (FACCT). This is a Center Stage event.