Learn a new skill and relax with a fun class!
At Scrappy Elephant, you’ll find a range of art classes for all ages. From weekly toddler art time to adult only classes, there’s something for everyone. There’s never been a better time to learn a new skill at an affordable cost!
Is there a class you’ve been eyeing? Sign up as soon as you know you want to attend so our teachers can be prepared and we can avoid canceling classes due to low registration numbers.
Interested in teaching a class at Scrappy Elephant? Email us at info@scrappyelephant.com to learn more!
Gift Cards
Want to give the gift of a new skill? Purchase a gift card in store or call us at a (434) 207-2106 to purchase over the phone for the creatives in your life to put toward a Scrappy Elephant class!
Scholarships
Available for ALL classes. Please fill out the form below with all the required information and our team will be in touch.
Scroll past the calendar for a list of all upcoming classes.
Rebinding Vintage Books into Sketchbooks
In this class we will learn how to disassemble vintage hardbound books and add new pages to turn them into sketchbooks or notebooks. We will learn some basic bookbinding techniques and everyone will leave the class with their own handmade notebook or sketchbook. Experience with paper manipulation such as origami, hand sewing, or any type of bookbinding is beneficial, but not necessary. All materials will be provided.
ages 14 and up
$30
Sign up here!
Sketchbook Magic
Join Heather to discover the joy of building a consistent, deeply personal creative practice from the ground up!
Whether you’ve never picked up a sketchbook before, paint purely for your own pleasure, or want to sharpen your artistic skills, this class is for you. A sketchbook is so much more than a book of sketches—it’s a private sanctuary to feed your creative soul, play with new materials without pressure, and gently draw out your own unique style. Over time, it becomes a beautiful living record where you can chart your growth and celebrate your progress as an artist.
In this six-session series, she’ll share low-pressure methods to help you approach the blank page without fear, using your sketchbook as a tangible tool for mindfulness and everyday discovery. To set you up for success, she’ll be providing clear, short tutorials on how to mix and paint with watercolors alongside other incredibly useful sketching tools like ink.
Both absolute beginners and experienced makers are welcome! Come prepared to create, learn, and discover how a sketchbook can transform the way that you see the world around you.
How to Join: Each session is intentionally designed to build seamlessly upon the last, guiding you toward a sustained studio practice. However, every class is also fully self-contained as a standalone workshop. Feel free to immerse yourself in the full six-week journey or drop in for individual sessions as your schedule permits.
Session Syllabus:
Session 1 (November 9): Sketchbook Creation
We begin at the very beginning: the vessel itself. In this first session, you will learn how to design and bind your own custom, lay-flat sketchbook using watercolor paper and foundational bookbinding techniques. Creating a custom book from scratch is a deeply rewarding, grounding skill that allows you to endlessly tailor your creative space to your own tactile preferences for the remaining sessions and your future practice.
Session 2 (November 13): Bypassing the Blank Page
We’ve all been there: you finally carve out a quiet moment, your supplies are laid out, and suddenly your inspiration vanishes—leaving you staring at a daunting, empty white page. In this session, we will quiet the inner critic and learn how to bypass the pressure of perfection. You’ll be guided through gentle, practical sketchbook exercises designed to kickstart your creative flow, whether you’re returning from a long artistic break or just feeling stuck after a busy week. Using simple prompt-based mark-making, intuitive watercolor washes, and quick-start drawing games, you’ll transform blank-page fear into pure, low-stakes creative joy.
Session 3 (November 16): Tiny Worlds & Pockets of Time
You don’t need hours of uninterrupted free time or large, imposing page spreads to make meaningful art. In this session, we’ll explore the liberating power of working small. Dividing your sketchbook page into tiny, playful grids and thumbnail boxes eliminates the overwhelm of blank paper. Using a simple grid-based approach, you’ll learn how to turn open pages into inviting spaces for mindful, five-minute creative pauses. We’ll experiment with warm-up sketches, intuitive color studies, repetitive pattern ideas, and tiny watercolor landscapes—perfect for building a sustainable, daily sketching habit.
Session 4 (November 20): Fearless Color: Mixing with Joy and Intention
If you’ve ever stared at your palette and felt unsure of which colors to combine or how to start, you’re definitely not alone! This session takes the mystery out of color theory by emphasizing practical, joyful experimentation. Through hands-on sketchbook exercises, you’ll learn the fundamentals of building color harmony and mixing hues with confidence. We’ll play with watercolor washes to create personal palette guides, explore how to fix various issues that arise with color, and discover how to capture the vibrancy of the world around us. You’ll leave with pages of rich color explorations and the freedom to fill your sketchbook without overthinking.
Session 5 (November 30): Intuitive Collage: Letting Go of the Plan
Sketchbooks are meant for raw ideas, messy notes, and pure play—not pristine collections of finished masterpieces. In this session, we’ll fully let loose by using collage and mixed media to help us break free from perfectionism and train ourselves to think differently. We’ll practice various challenges designed to train ourselves to think differently—such as adding elements one piece at a time under a gentle time limit to prevent overthinking. You’ll learn how to begin a page intuitively, gathering a diverse collection of paper scraps and letting colors and textures guide your hand rather than a rigid plan.
Session 6 (December 4): The Reflective Sketchbook: Problem-Solving & Layouts
Taking on new concepts in your art can feel challenging, but your sketchbook can be the ultimate tool for navigating those hurdles. This final, inquiry-based session will give you strategies for transforming your pages into dynamic problem-solving hubs. We’ll explore how to design diverse page layouts that combine quick thumbnails with written notes to break down complex ideas and improve your technical skills. You’ll learn how to apply this reflective method to daily warmups, composition planning, and value studies. By mastering this mindful practice, you’ll leave this sketchbook series equipped to explore independently, solve creative problems with confidence, and make more authentic artwork over time.
Sign up here!
Sketchbook Magic
Join Heather to discover the joy of building a consistent, deeply personal creative practice from the ground up!
Whether you’ve never picked up a sketchbook before, paint purely for your own pleasure, or want to sharpen your artistic skills, this class is for you. A sketchbook is so much more than a book of sketches—it’s a private sanctuary to feed your creative soul, play with new materials without pressure, and gently draw out your own unique style. Over time, it becomes a beautiful living record where you can chart your growth and celebrate your progress as an artist.
In this six-session series, she’ll share low-pressure methods to help you approach the blank page without fear, using your sketchbook as a tangible tool for mindfulness and everyday discovery. To set you up for success, she’ll be providing clear, short tutorials on how to mix and paint with watercolors alongside other incredibly useful sketching tools like ink.
Both absolute beginners and experienced makers are welcome! Come prepared to create, learn, and discover how a sketchbook can transform the way that you see the world around you.
How to Join: Each session is intentionally designed to build seamlessly upon the last, guiding you toward a sustained studio practice. However, every class is also fully self-contained as a standalone workshop. Feel free to immerse yourself in the full six-week journey or drop in for individual sessions as your schedule permits.
Session Syllabus:
Session 1 (November 9): Sketchbook Creation
We begin at the very beginning: the vessel itself. In this first session, you will learn how to design and bind your own custom, lay-flat sketchbook using watercolor paper and foundational bookbinding techniques. Creating a custom book from scratch is a deeply rewarding, grounding skill that allows you to endlessly tailor your creative space to your own tactile preferences for the remaining sessions and your future practice.
Session 2 (November 13): Bypassing the Blank Page
We’ve all been there: you finally carve out a quiet moment, your supplies are laid out, and suddenly your inspiration vanishes—leaving you staring at a daunting, empty white page. In this session, we will quiet the inner critic and learn how to bypass the pressure of perfection. You’ll be guided through gentle, practical sketchbook exercises designed to kickstart your creative flow, whether you’re returning from a long artistic break or just feeling stuck after a busy week. Using simple prompt-based mark-making, intuitive watercolor washes, and quick-start drawing games, you’ll transform blank-page fear into pure, low-stakes creative joy.
Session 3 (November 16): Tiny Worlds & Pockets of Time
You don’t need hours of uninterrupted free time or large, imposing page spreads to make meaningful art. In this session, we’ll explore the liberating power of working small. Dividing your sketchbook page into tiny, playful grids and thumbnail boxes eliminates the overwhelm of blank paper. Using a simple grid-based approach, you’ll learn how to turn open pages into inviting spaces for mindful, five-minute creative pauses. We’ll experiment with warm-up sketches, intuitive color studies, repetitive pattern ideas, and tiny watercolor landscapes—perfect for building a sustainable, daily sketching habit.
Session 4 (November 20): Fearless Color: Mixing with Joy and Intention
If you’ve ever stared at your palette and felt unsure of which colors to combine or how to start, you’re definitely not alone! This session takes the mystery out of color theory by emphasizing practical, joyful experimentation. Through hands-on sketchbook exercises, you’ll learn the fundamentals of building color harmony and mixing hues with confidence. We’ll play with watercolor washes to create personal palette guides, explore how to fix various issues that arise with color, and discover how to capture the vibrancy of the world around us. You’ll leave with pages of rich color explorations and the freedom to fill your sketchbook without overthinking.
Session 5 (November 30): Intuitive Collage: Letting Go of the Plan
Sketchbooks are meant for raw ideas, messy notes, and pure play—not pristine collections of finished masterpieces. In this session, we’ll fully let loose by using collage and mixed media to help us break free from perfectionism and train ourselves to think differently. We’ll practice various challenges designed to train ourselves to think differently—such as adding elements one piece at a time under a gentle time limit to prevent overthinking. You’ll learn how to begin a page intuitively, gathering a diverse collection of paper scraps and letting colors and textures guide your hand rather than a rigid plan.
Session 6 (December 4): The Reflective Sketchbook: Problem-Solving & Layouts
Taking on new concepts in your art can feel challenging, but your sketchbook can be the ultimate tool for navigating those hurdles. This final, inquiry-based session will give you strategies for transforming your pages into dynamic problem-solving hubs. We’ll explore how to design diverse page layouts that combine quick thumbnails with written notes to break down complex ideas and improve your technical skills. You’ll learn how to apply this reflective method to daily warmups, composition planning, and value studies. By mastering this mindful practice, you’ll leave this sketchbook series equipped to explore independently, solve creative problems with confidence, and make more authentic artwork over time.
Sign up here!
Sketchbook Magic
Join Heather to discover the joy of building a consistent, deeply personal creative practice from the ground up!
Whether you’ve never picked up a sketchbook before, paint purely for your own pleasure, or want to sharpen your artistic skills, this class is for you. A sketchbook is so much more than a book of sketches—it’s a private sanctuary to feed your creative soul, play with new materials without pressure, and gently draw out your own unique style. Over time, it becomes a beautiful living record where you can chart your growth and celebrate your progress as an artist.
In this six-session series, she’ll share low-pressure methods to help you approach the blank page without fear, using your sketchbook as a tangible tool for mindfulness and everyday discovery. To set you up for success, she’ll be providing clear, short tutorials on how to mix and paint with watercolors alongside other incredibly useful sketching tools like ink.
Both absolute beginners and experienced makers are welcome! Come prepared to create, learn, and discover how a sketchbook can transform the way that you see the world around you.
How to Join: Each session is intentionally designed to build seamlessly upon the last, guiding you toward a sustained studio practice. However, every class is also fully self-contained as a standalone workshop. Feel free to immerse yourself in the full six-week journey or drop in for individual sessions as your schedule permits.
Session Syllabus:
Session 1 (November 9): Sketchbook Creation
We begin at the very beginning: the vessel itself. In this first session, you will learn how to design and bind your own custom, lay-flat sketchbook using watercolor paper and foundational bookbinding techniques. Creating a custom book from scratch is a deeply rewarding, grounding skill that allows you to endlessly tailor your creative space to your own tactile preferences for the remaining sessions and your future practice.
Session 2 (November 13): Bypassing the Blank Page
We’ve all been there: you finally carve out a quiet moment, your supplies are laid out, and suddenly your inspiration vanishes—leaving you staring at a daunting, empty white page. In this session, we will quiet the inner critic and learn how to bypass the pressure of perfection. You’ll be guided through gentle, practical sketchbook exercises designed to kickstart your creative flow, whether you’re returning from a long artistic break or just feeling stuck after a busy week. Using simple prompt-based mark-making, intuitive watercolor washes, and quick-start drawing games, you’ll transform blank-page fear into pure, low-stakes creative joy.
Session 3 (November 16): Tiny Worlds & Pockets of Time
You don’t need hours of uninterrupted free time or large, imposing page spreads to make meaningful art. In this session, we’ll explore the liberating power of working small. Dividing your sketchbook page into tiny, playful grids and thumbnail boxes eliminates the overwhelm of blank paper. Using a simple grid-based approach, you’ll learn how to turn open pages into inviting spaces for mindful, five-minute creative pauses. We’ll experiment with warm-up sketches, intuitive color studies, repetitive pattern ideas, and tiny watercolor landscapes—perfect for building a sustainable, daily sketching habit.
Session 4 (November 20): Fearless Color: Mixing with Joy and Intention
If you’ve ever stared at your palette and felt unsure of which colors to combine or how to start, you’re definitely not alone! This session takes the mystery out of color theory by emphasizing practical, joyful experimentation. Through hands-on sketchbook exercises, you’ll learn the fundamentals of building color harmony and mixing hues with confidence. We’ll play with watercolor washes to create personal palette guides, explore how to fix various issues that arise with color, and discover how to capture the vibrancy of the world around us. You’ll leave with pages of rich color explorations and the freedom to fill your sketchbook without overthinking.
Session 5 (November 30): Intuitive Collage: Letting Go of the Plan
Sketchbooks are meant for raw ideas, messy notes, and pure play—not pristine collections of finished masterpieces. In this session, we’ll fully let loose by using collage and mixed media to help us break free from perfectionism and train ourselves to think differently. We’ll practice various challenges designed to train ourselves to think differently—such as adding elements one piece at a time under a gentle time limit to prevent overthinking. You’ll learn how to begin a page intuitively, gathering a diverse collection of paper scraps and letting colors and textures guide your hand rather than a rigid plan.
Session 6 (December 4): The Reflective Sketchbook: Problem-Solving & Layouts
Taking on new concepts in your art can feel challenging, but your sketchbook can be the ultimate tool for navigating those hurdles. This final, inquiry-based session will give you strategies for transforming your pages into dynamic problem-solving hubs. We’ll explore how to design diverse page layouts that combine quick thumbnails with written notes to break down complex ideas and improve your technical skills. You’ll learn how to apply this reflective method to daily warmups, composition planning, and value studies. By mastering this mindful practice, you’ll leave this sketchbook series equipped to explore independently, solve creative problems with confidence, and make more authentic artwork over time.
Sign up here!
Sketchbook Magic
Join Heather to discover the joy of building a consistent, deeply personal creative practice from the ground up!
Whether you’ve never picked up a sketchbook before, paint purely for your own pleasure, or want to sharpen your artistic skills, this class is for you. A sketchbook is so much more than a book of sketches—it’s a private sanctuary to feed your creative soul, play with new materials without pressure, and gently draw out your own unique style. Over time, it becomes a beautiful living record where you can chart your growth and celebrate your progress as an artist.
In this six-session series, she’ll share low-pressure methods to help you approach the blank page without fear, using your sketchbook as a tangible tool for mindfulness and everyday discovery. To set you up for success, she’ll be providing clear, short tutorials on how to mix and paint with watercolors alongside other incredibly useful sketching tools like ink.
Both absolute beginners and experienced makers are welcome! Come prepared to create, learn, and discover how a sketchbook can transform the way that you see the world around you.
How to Join: Each session is intentionally designed to build seamlessly upon the last, guiding you toward a sustained studio practice. However, every class is also fully self-contained as a standalone workshop. Feel free to immerse yourself in the full six-week journey or drop in for individual sessions as your schedule permits.
Session Syllabus:
Session 1 (November 9): Sketchbook Creation
We begin at the very beginning: the vessel itself. In this first session, you will learn how to design and bind your own custom, lay-flat sketchbook using watercolor paper and foundational bookbinding techniques. Creating a custom book from scratch is a deeply rewarding, grounding skill that allows you to endlessly tailor your creative space to your own tactile preferences for the remaining sessions and your future practice.
Session 2 (November 13): Bypassing the Blank Page
We’ve all been there: you finally carve out a quiet moment, your supplies are laid out, and suddenly your inspiration vanishes—leaving you staring at a daunting, empty white page. In this session, we will quiet the inner critic and learn how to bypass the pressure of perfection. You’ll be guided through gentle, practical sketchbook exercises designed to kickstart your creative flow, whether you’re returning from a long artistic break or just feeling stuck after a busy week. Using simple prompt-based mark-making, intuitive watercolor washes, and quick-start drawing games, you’ll transform blank-page fear into pure, low-stakes creative joy.
Session 3 (November 16): Tiny Worlds & Pockets of Time
You don’t need hours of uninterrupted free time or large, imposing page spreads to make meaningful art. In this session, we’ll explore the liberating power of working small. Dividing your sketchbook page into tiny, playful grids and thumbnail boxes eliminates the overwhelm of blank paper. Using a simple grid-based approach, you’ll learn how to turn open pages into inviting spaces for mindful, five-minute creative pauses. We’ll experiment with warm-up sketches, intuitive color studies, repetitive pattern ideas, and tiny watercolor landscapes—perfect for building a sustainable, daily sketching habit.
Session 4 (November 20): Fearless Color: Mixing with Joy and Intention
If you’ve ever stared at your palette and felt unsure of which colors to combine or how to start, you’re definitely not alone! This session takes the mystery out of color theory by emphasizing practical, joyful experimentation. Through hands-on sketchbook exercises, you’ll learn the fundamentals of building color harmony and mixing hues with confidence. We’ll play with watercolor washes to create personal palette guides, explore how to fix various issues that arise with color, and discover how to capture the vibrancy of the world around us. You’ll leave with pages of rich color explorations and the freedom to fill your sketchbook without overthinking.
Session 5 (November 30): Intuitive Collage: Letting Go of the Plan
Sketchbooks are meant for raw ideas, messy notes, and pure play—not pristine collections of finished masterpieces. In this session, we’ll fully let loose by using collage and mixed media to help us break free from perfectionism and train ourselves to think differently. We’ll practice various challenges designed to train ourselves to think differently—such as adding elements one piece at a time under a gentle time limit to prevent overthinking. You’ll learn how to begin a page intuitively, gathering a diverse collection of paper scraps and letting colors and textures guide your hand rather than a rigid plan.
Session 6 (December 4): The Reflective Sketchbook: Problem-Solving & Layouts
Taking on new concepts in your art can feel challenging, but your sketchbook can be the ultimate tool for navigating those hurdles. This final, inquiry-based session will give you strategies for transforming your pages into dynamic problem-solving hubs. We’ll explore how to design diverse page layouts that combine quick thumbnails with written notes to break down complex ideas and improve your technical skills. You’ll learn how to apply this reflective method to daily warmups, composition planning, and value studies. By mastering this mindful practice, you’ll leave this sketchbook series equipped to explore independently, solve creative problems with confidence, and make more authentic artwork over time.
Sign up here!
Gratitude Board Workshop
A unique variation of a vision board, focussing on the all important good things in your life; be they big or small they deserve to be truly acknowledged during this workshop. Together, we will mindfully consider what is bringing us joy, what may have been a challenge we've overcome, perhaps even some goals we have achieved.
This is all about having a positive outlook on what you're grateful for, and mindfully displaying your assets in collage form.
All materials will be provided by the Scrappy Elephant but if you have some keepsakes, ticket stubs, photos etc. that you'd like to bring along that is encouraged too!
ages 12 and up
$15
Sign up here!
Eraser Carving
In this class, you will use carving tools on a teeny canvas! Take an eraser (or two) and add your own design, words or images to be carved into a personalized stamp. You'll have the chance to make some mini prints, perfect for scrapbooking, journalling, personalized tags for selling wares, to name a few good uses.
No prior experience is required, but experience with linocut will help you out! There will be a few examples and references available, but feel free to bring your own sketches/print outs to make into adorable little stamps!
ages 15 and up
$20
Sign up here!
Printmaking Workshop
Learn the art of Lino Cutting. You are not expected to have any prior abilities but you won't be held back if you've block printed before. All the materials will be provided, including an array of lovely aprons!
Bring a reference image for what you'd like to print (digital is fine, printed is great), or let inspiration strike during the class. You'll have the chance to make at least one linoleum stamp, and MANY, MANY prints to use for cards or decoration!
for ages 15 and up
$35
Sign up here!
Beginner Book Binding
In this class, we will take a few pieces of scraps and transform them into your very own, personalized journal. We will go over basic binding stitches and tools to get you started on your book journey.
Ages 12 and up
$45
Sign up here!
Sketchbook Magic
Join Heather to discover the joy of building a consistent, deeply personal creative practice from the ground up!
Whether you’ve never picked up a sketchbook before, paint purely for your own pleasure, or want to sharpen your artistic skills, this class is for you. A sketchbook is so much more than a book of sketches—it’s a private sanctuary to feed your creative soul, play with new materials without pressure, and gently draw out your own unique style. Over time, it becomes a beautiful living record where you can chart your growth and celebrate your progress as an artist.
In this six-session series, she’ll share low-pressure methods to help you approach the blank page without fear, using your sketchbook as a tangible tool for mindfulness and everyday discovery. To set you up for success, she’ll be providing clear, short tutorials on how to mix and paint with watercolors alongside other incredibly useful sketching tools like ink.
Both absolute beginners and experienced makers are welcome! Come prepared to create, learn, and discover how a sketchbook can transform the way that you see the world around you.
How to Join: Each session is intentionally designed to build seamlessly upon the last, guiding you toward a sustained studio practice. However, every class is also fully self-contained as a standalone workshop. Feel free to immerse yourself in the full six-week journey or drop in for individual sessions as your schedule permits.
Session Syllabus:
Session 1 (November 9): Sketchbook Creation
We begin at the very beginning: the vessel itself. In this first session, you will learn how to design and bind your own custom, lay-flat sketchbook using watercolor paper and foundational bookbinding techniques. Creating a custom book from scratch is a deeply rewarding, grounding skill that allows you to endlessly tailor your creative space to your own tactile preferences for the remaining sessions and your future practice.
Session 2 (November 13): Bypassing the Blank Page
We’ve all been there: you finally carve out a quiet moment, your supplies are laid out, and suddenly your inspiration vanishes—leaving you staring at a daunting, empty white page. In this session, we will quiet the inner critic and learn how to bypass the pressure of perfection. You’ll be guided through gentle, practical sketchbook exercises designed to kickstart your creative flow, whether you’re returning from a long artistic break or just feeling stuck after a busy week. Using simple prompt-based mark-making, intuitive watercolor washes, and quick-start drawing games, you’ll transform blank-page fear into pure, low-stakes creative joy.
Session 3 (November 16): Tiny Worlds & Pockets of Time
You don’t need hours of uninterrupted free time or large, imposing page spreads to make meaningful art. In this session, we’ll explore the liberating power of working small. Dividing your sketchbook page into tiny, playful grids and thumbnail boxes eliminates the overwhelm of blank paper. Using a simple grid-based approach, you’ll learn how to turn open pages into inviting spaces for mindful, five-minute creative pauses. We’ll experiment with warm-up sketches, intuitive color studies, repetitive pattern ideas, and tiny watercolor landscapes—perfect for building a sustainable, daily sketching habit.
Session 4 (November 20): Fearless Color: Mixing with Joy and Intention
If you’ve ever stared at your palette and felt unsure of which colors to combine or how to start, you’re definitely not alone! This session takes the mystery out of color theory by emphasizing practical, joyful experimentation. Through hands-on sketchbook exercises, you’ll learn the fundamentals of building color harmony and mixing hues with confidence. We’ll play with watercolor washes to create personal palette guides, explore how to fix various issues that arise with color, and discover how to capture the vibrancy of the world around us. You’ll leave with pages of rich color explorations and the freedom to fill your sketchbook without overthinking.
Session 5 (November 30): Intuitive Collage: Letting Go of the Plan
Sketchbooks are meant for raw ideas, messy notes, and pure play—not pristine collections of finished masterpieces. In this session, we’ll fully let loose by using collage and mixed media to help us break free from perfectionism and train ourselves to think differently. We’ll practice various challenges designed to train ourselves to think differently—such as adding elements one piece at a time under a gentle time limit to prevent overthinking. You’ll learn how to begin a page intuitively, gathering a diverse collection of paper scraps and letting colors and textures guide your hand rather than a rigid plan.
Session 6 (December 4): The Reflective Sketchbook: Problem-Solving & Layouts
Taking on new concepts in your art can feel challenging, but your sketchbook can be the ultimate tool for navigating those hurdles. This final, inquiry-based session will give you strategies for transforming your pages into dynamic problem-solving hubs. We’ll explore how to design diverse page layouts that combine quick thumbnails with written notes to break down complex ideas and improve your technical skills. You’ll learn how to apply this reflective method to daily warmups, composition planning, and value studies. By mastering this mindful practice, you’ll leave this sketchbook series equipped to explore independently, solve creative problems with confidence, and make more authentic artwork over time.
Sign up here!
Sketchbook Magic
Join Heather to discover the joy of building a consistent, deeply personal creative practice from the ground up!
Whether you’ve never picked up a sketchbook before, paint purely for your own pleasure, or want to sharpen your artistic skills, this class is for you. A sketchbook is so much more than a book of sketches—it’s a private sanctuary to feed your creative soul, play with new materials without pressure, and gently draw out your own unique style. Over time, it becomes a beautiful living record where you can chart your growth and celebrate your progress as an artist.
In this six-session series, she’ll share low-pressure methods to help you approach the blank page without fear, using your sketchbook as a tangible tool for mindfulness and everyday discovery. To set you up for success, she’ll be providing clear, short tutorials on how to mix and paint with watercolors alongside other incredibly useful sketching tools like ink.
Both absolute beginners and experienced makers are welcome! Come prepared to create, learn, and discover how a sketchbook can transform the way that you see the world around you.
How to Join: Each session is intentionally designed to build seamlessly upon the last, guiding you toward a sustained studio practice. However, every class is also fully self-contained as a standalone workshop. Feel free to immerse yourself in the full six-week journey or drop in for individual sessions as your schedule permits.
Session Syllabus:
Session 1 (November 9): Sketchbook Creation
We begin at the very beginning: the vessel itself. In this first session, you will learn how to design and bind your own custom, lay-flat sketchbook using watercolor paper and foundational bookbinding techniques. Creating a custom book from scratch is a deeply rewarding, grounding skill that allows you to endlessly tailor your creative space to your own tactile preferences for the remaining sessions and your future practice.
Session 2 (November 13): Bypassing the Blank Page
We’ve all been there: you finally carve out a quiet moment, your supplies are laid out, and suddenly your inspiration vanishes—leaving you staring at a daunting, empty white page. In this session, we will quiet the inner critic and learn how to bypass the pressure of perfection. You’ll be guided through gentle, practical sketchbook exercises designed to kickstart your creative flow, whether you’re returning from a long artistic break or just feeling stuck after a busy week. Using simple prompt-based mark-making, intuitive watercolor washes, and quick-start drawing games, you’ll transform blank-page fear into pure, low-stakes creative joy.
Session 3 (November 16): Tiny Worlds & Pockets of Time
You don’t need hours of uninterrupted free time or large, imposing page spreads to make meaningful art. In this session, we’ll explore the liberating power of working small. Dividing your sketchbook page into tiny, playful grids and thumbnail boxes eliminates the overwhelm of blank paper. Using a simple grid-based approach, you’ll learn how to turn open pages into inviting spaces for mindful, five-minute creative pauses. We’ll experiment with warm-up sketches, intuitive color studies, repetitive pattern ideas, and tiny watercolor landscapes—perfect for building a sustainable, daily sketching habit.
Session 4 (November 20): Fearless Color: Mixing with Joy and Intention
If you’ve ever stared at your palette and felt unsure of which colors to combine or how to start, you’re definitely not alone! This session takes the mystery out of color theory by emphasizing practical, joyful experimentation. Through hands-on sketchbook exercises, you’ll learn the fundamentals of building color harmony and mixing hues with confidence. We’ll play with watercolor washes to create personal palette guides, explore how to fix various issues that arise with color, and discover how to capture the vibrancy of the world around us. You’ll leave with pages of rich color explorations and the freedom to fill your sketchbook without overthinking.
Session 5 (November 30): Intuitive Collage: Letting Go of the Plan
Sketchbooks are meant for raw ideas, messy notes, and pure play—not pristine collections of finished masterpieces. In this session, we’ll fully let loose by using collage and mixed media to help us break free from perfectionism and train ourselves to think differently. We’ll practice various challenges designed to train ourselves to think differently—such as adding elements one piece at a time under a gentle time limit to prevent overthinking. You’ll learn how to begin a page intuitively, gathering a diverse collection of paper scraps and letting colors and textures guide your hand rather than a rigid plan.
Session 6 (December 4): The Reflective Sketchbook: Problem-Solving & Layouts
Taking on new concepts in your art can feel challenging, but your sketchbook can be the ultimate tool for navigating those hurdles. This final, inquiry-based session will give you strategies for transforming your pages into dynamic problem-solving hubs. We’ll explore how to design diverse page layouts that combine quick thumbnails with written notes to break down complex ideas and improve your technical skills. You’ll learn how to apply this reflective method to daily warmups, composition planning, and value studies. By mastering this mindful practice, you’ll leave this sketchbook series equipped to explore independently, solve creative problems with confidence, and make more authentic artwork over time.
Sign up here!
Access to Block Printing
Have a bunch of carved lino-stamps you're dying to make into prints?* Want to get an early start on holiday cards? Just want to play around with printmaking inks without as much of the clean up? We have the session for you!
In the Scrappy Elephant Classroom, we will have a dozen stations for making prints! With a wide variety of paper and ink colors, you won't run out of printmaking combinations! The inks are water-soluble block printing inks that create a pigmented image that you'll surely love.
Aprons will be available, but dressing in your finest attire is not recommended ;)
ages 14 and up
$15
Sign up here!
*please note- you need to bring your own pre-cut lino-stamps. This is not a stamp carving class, only a printing workshop
Spooky Printmaking
Let's carve some spooky prints together! Get in the seasonal spirit while learning a new craft! Whether you're a complete beginner, a skilled printmaker or somewhere in the middle, this class will be tailored to your level. All the materials will be provided.
Bring a reference image for what you'd like to print (digital is fine). You'll have the chance to make at least one linoleum stamp, and MANY, MANY prints to use for cards or decoration!
ages 15 and up
$35
Sign up here!
Beginner Book Binding
In this class, we will take a few pieces of scraps and transform them into your very own, personalized journal. We will go over basic binding stitches and tools to get you started on your book journey.
Ages 12 and up
$45
Sign up here!
Upcycled Journal Making and Beginning Book Binding
In the top five list of items any crafter might have lingering in their craft cave is unused paper and scraps of material. With that and a little bit of mat board, glue, string, and the desire to journal or keep records of all your crafts and feelings, you can make a journal of your very own.
In this class, local craft-o-logist, Rebecca, will show you how to put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. You will also be introduced to the art of bookbinding and go home with a journal your own and the knowledge and resources to continue your new craft.
Ages 12 and up
$45
Sign up here!
Cricut 101
In this class you will learn the ins and outs of basic Cricut work. We will primarily focus on working with cardstock, however discussion will also cover vinyl, both regular and iron-on. You will also learn about Cricut Design Space, working with images and text; as well as cutting and writing with your machine.
It is recommended to bring your cricut machine and a compatible laptop for the class for hands-on work.
Compatible Cricut machines include all Explore and Maker machines. Please note that while we can discuss working with the Joy and Joy Xtra, functions and features are limited for those two machines as compared to the Explore and Maker machines.
ages 15 and up
$35
Sign up here!
Make a Mini-Zine with Jess!
A zine is a self-published, handmade, or small press booklet that is distributed for the purpose of sharing ideas, experiences, and perspectives, often of historically marginalized or underrepresented subcultures. Zines come in many different shapes and sizes and can be about ANYTHING, but it’s especially satisfying to make an 8-page mini-zine from ONE piece of printer paper.
Join local artist and zine-maker Jess Walters for an interactive workshop “How to Make A Mini-Zine.” We will explore a variety of examples of zines, learn some of Jess’ favorite collage techniques, and pick up some copying tips and tricks before transforming an ordinary piece of paper into a creative work of art.
Jess will demonstrate how to fold a single sheet of paper into an 8-page mini-zine and materials and prompts will be provided* for folks to fill out their zine with writing, stickers, drawings, and/or collage. Take your zine home, make copies to share with friends, or bring some to swap with other zine-makers!
Jess Walters (they/them) is a local artist, advocate, and independent scholar. Their work focuses on the intersections of art and health and they strategize to improve accessibility accommodations in creative and cultural arts spaces to cultivate inclusive opportunities for community engagement. Walters is an Arts Research Fellow at the UVA Center for Health Humanities and Ethics, a Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) and a founding member of Charlottesville ZineFest. Their artwork has been featured at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Second Street Gallery, and New City Arts’ Welcome Gallery.
*All instructions and materials required zine-making will be provided, including items from Jess’ personal collage library. However, if participants would like to bring photographs, books, magazines, or other paper materials specific to their interests or passions to collage with, they are invited and encouraged to do so.
ages 16 and up
pay what you can, suggested price $10
Sign up here!
Make a Mood Board
In this class you will be guided through the process of making a moodboard and a vision board. Moodboards are to help, well… create a mood, be that your mood for the year, for a project, for home decor inspiration etc. A vision board however, can help you stay focussed on goals, prioritise what's important to you and manifest the 2026 you dream about! Join Charlotte for a collage based moodboard masterclass with mostly scrappy materials! Charlotte will source a lot of images and bits n bobs from scrappy but you are welcome to bring your own photos, magazines, momentos, book clippings, whatever you'd like to add really!
We will get inspired and design, let's start 2026 off on the right foot together!
ages 10 and up
pay-what-you-can, suggested donation of $10
Sign up here!
Upcycled Journal Making and Beginning Book Binding
In the top five list of items any crafter might have lingering in their craft cave is unused paper and scraps of material. With that and a little bit of mat board, glue, string, and the desire to journal or keep records of all your crafts and feelings, you can make a journal of your very own.
In this class, local craft-o-logist, Rebecca, will show you how to put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. You will also be introduced to the art of bookbinding and go home with a journal your own and the knowledge and resources to continue your new craft.
Ages 12 and up
$45
Sign up here!
Collage A Card with Jess
Get sentimental on a Saturday morning and make a one-of-a-kind greeting card with local artist, writer, and patient advocate, Jess Walters. Jess is celebrating their 7th year of life post-kidney transplant by sharing one of their favorite ways to express gratitude: personalized greeting cards!
Learn some of Jess’ favorite collage techniques and customize your own greeting card, postcard, or folded mini zine to gift to someone you love or keep for yourself. Find your own special way to say "Happy Holidays!", “Thank you” , “Happy Birthday,” express sympathy to someone going through a tough time, or tell someone you love them with pictures, words, or both. Come sift through collage materials, explore paper-cutting tools, and workshop wording to express your sentiments and create your own unique work of art!
All tools and materials for this workshop will be provided, but attendees are welcome and encouraged to bring paper materials and ephemera that are meaningful to you. Workshop materials include (but are not limited to): blank greeting cards, blank post cards, various styles and colors of paper/scraps, glue, scissors, stickers & sticker alphabet letters, assorted paper cutters and punches, magazines for cutting, pen knives & cutting mats, markers and pens, washi tape, rulers, bone folders, stencils.
ages 16 and up
pay-what-you-can, suggested donation $10
Sign up here!
Upcycled Journal Making and Beginning Book Binding
In the top five list of items any crafter might have lingering in their craft cave is unused paper and scraps of material. With that and a little bit of mat board, glue, string, and the desire to journal or keep records of all your crafts and feelings, you can make a journal of your very own.
In this class, local craft-o-logist, Rebecca, will show you how to put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. You will also be introduced to the art of bookbinding and go home with a journal your own and the knowledge and resources to continue your new craft.
Ages 12 and up
$45
Sign up here!
Upcycled Journal Making and Beginning Book Binding
In the top five list of items any crafter might have lingering in their craft cave is unused paper and scraps of material. With that and a little bit of mat board, glue, string, and the desire to journal or keep records of all your crafts and feelings, you can make a journal of your very own.
In this class, local craft-o-logist, Rebecca, will show you how to put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. You will also be introduced to the art of bookbinding and go home with a journal your own and the knowledge and resources to continue your new craft.
Ages 12 and up
$45
Sign up here!
Upcycled Journal Making and Beginning Book Binding
In the top five list of items any crafter might have lingering in their craft cave is unused paper and scraps of material. With that and a little bit of mat board, glue, string, and the desire to journal or keep records of all your crafts and feelings, you can make a journal of your very own.
In this class, local craft-o-logist, Rebecca, will show you how to put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. You will also be introduced to the art of bookbinding and go home with a journal your own and the knowledge and resources to continue your new craft.
Ages 12 and up
$45
Sign up here!
Upcycled Journal Making and Beginning Book Binding
In the top five list of items any crafter might have lingering in their craft cave is unused paper and scraps of material. With that and a little bit of mat board, glue, string, and the desire to journal or keep records of all your crafts and feelings, you can make a journal of your very own.
In this class, local craft-o-logist, Rebecca, will show you how to put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. You will also be introduced to the art of bookbinding and go home with a journal your own and the knowledge and resources to continue your new craft.
Ages 12 and up
$45
Sign up here!
Upcycled Journal Making and Beginning Book Binding
In the top five list of items any crafter might have lingering in their craft cave is unused paper and scraps of material. With that and a little bit of mat board, glue, string, and the desire to journal or keep records of all your crafts and feelings, you can make a journal of your very own.
In this class, local craft-o-logist, Rebecca, will show you how to put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. You will also be introduced to the art of bookbinding and go home with a journal or three of your own and the knowledge and resources to continue your new craft.
Ages 12 and up
$45
Sign up here!
Upcycled Journal Making and Beginning Book Binding
In the top five list of items any crafter might have lingering in their craft cave is unused paper and scraps of material. With that and a little bit of mat board, glue, string, and the desire to journal or keep records of all your crafts and feelings, you can make a journal of your very own.
In this class, local craft-o-logist, Rebecca, will show you how to put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. You will also be introduced to the art of bookbinding and go home with a journal or three of your own and the knowledge and resources to continue your new craft.
Ages 12 and up
$45
Sign up here!
Zentangle: Get Ready to Roll
Join Marian Morrill, CZT (Certified Zentangle Teacher), in "tangling" on small squares (2x2 inches) of black paper or "bijou tiles." We'll work on four different patterns ("tangles") using white Gelly Roll pens as well as both graphite and white pencils. White ink on a black tile creates beautiful studies in light. These smaller tiles are a warmup for students to draw their own creation with a larger black tile. All materials are provided.
ages 13 and up
$35
Sign up here!
Upcycled Journal Making and Beginning Book Binding
In the top five list of items any crafter might have lingering in their craft cave is unused paper and scraps of material. With that and a little bit of mat board, glue, string, and the desire to journal or keep records of all your crafts and feelings, you can make a journal of your very own.
In this class, local craft-o-logist, Rebecca, will show you how to put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. You will also be introduced to the art of bookbinding and go home with a journal or three of your own and the knowledge and resources to continue your new craft.
Ages 12 and up
$45
Sign up here!
Upcycled Journal Making and Beginning Book Binding
In the top five list of items any crafter might have lingering in their craft cave is unused paper and scraps of material. With that and a little bit of mat board, glue, string, and the desire to journal or keep records of all your crafts and feelings, you can make a journal of your very own.
In this class, local craft-o-logist, Rebecca, will show you how to put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. You will also be introduced to the art of bookbinding and go home with a journal or three of your own and the knowledge and resources to continue your new craft.
Ages 12 and up
$45
Sign up here!
Upcycled Journal Making and Beginning Book Binding
In the top five list of items any crafter might have lingering in their craft cave is unused paper and scraps of material. With that and a little bit of mat board, glue, string, and the desire to journal or keep records of all your crafts and feelings, you can make a journal of your very own.
In this class, local craft-o-logist, Rebecca, will show you how to put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. You will also be introduced to the art of bookbinding and go home with a journal or three of your own and the knowledge and resources to continue your new craft.
Ages 12 and up
$45
Sign up here!
Upcycled Journal Making and Beginning Book Binding
In the top five list of items any crafter might have lingering in their craft cave is unused paper and scraps of material. With that and a little bit of mat board, glue, string, and the desire to journal or keep records of all your crafts and feelings, you can make a journal of your very own.
In this class, local craft-o-logist, Rebecca, will show you how to put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. You will also be introduced to the art of bookbinding and go home with a journal or three of your own and the knowledge and resources to continue your new craft.
Ages 12 and up
$45
Sign up here!
Printmaking Workshop
Join Sarah in the Scrappy Elephant Classroom for a fun printmaking workshop! You will learn the basics of linocut printing and have the opportunity to make countless prints and cards. Leave with the knowledge of printmaking, your linoleum stamp (or even two), and MANY beautiful handmade prints and cards.
for ages 15 and up
$35
Sign up here!
Playing with Patterns
No teacher, no rules, just a chance to come play with patterns. We are always overflowing with old patterns. What would you do with them? Come use all the materials we have in the studio and as many old patterns as you want and let your creative juices flow! Bring a friend, a snack, a bevy, or nothing at all but yourself and come play!
$10
Ages 16 and up
Sign up here!
Soul Collage
Our time together in this workshop is less of a deep dive into the art of collage and more a surprising and remarkable deep dive into the art of the soul. Working with images only (no text) and with a specific 5x9 inch format, we will create three collages representing our past, our present and our future. As we're creating we are tapping into our intuition and letting go of judgement and expectation. When the collages are complete we will gather to share our work an exercise unique to the SoulCollage® process.
Ages 18 and up
$45
Sign up here!
DIY Watercolor Sketchbooks
Learn the basics of bookbinding by making your own watercolor sketchbook! We’ll cover the anatomy of a book, choosing quality materials, basic stitching, and finishing with case binding. You’ll leave with a beautiful small hardcover sketchbook!
Ages 16 and up
$60
Sign up here!
Beginning Drawing for Adults
Adults will learn the basics of pencil sketching and shading and create a small still life drawing.
Ages 18+
$25 for the class. Sign up here!