Crafting art at the Workspace

Betsey Jensen, Senior in Animal Science, wraps a reed around spokes to weave a cornucopia basket at the Memorial Union Workspace on Monday.

Jay Bai

Betsey Jensen, Senior in Animal Science, wraps a reed around spokes to weave a cornucopia basket at the Memorial Union Workspace on Monday.

Anthony Capps

Belly dancing. Sock monkeys. Vintage aprons. Stain glass.

It’s some of the classes offered by the Workspace in the Memorial Union.

“Most of our classes are geared or directed toward beginners,” said Letitia Kenemer, director of the Workspace. “Beginner projects include how to sew and an intro to woodshop.”

But register for classes now, Kenemer said.

Too many times, she said, people wait and show up for a class the night of and it has already been canceled by then.

“There are so many people we want in a class to offer it,” Kenemer said. “Not every class can achieve that, so we cancel it. Then, before it is suppose to take place, people show up.”

Classes range from six to 10 people, but larger classes such as belly dancing can have up to 20.

Classes that have traditionally been popular with students have been pottery and belly dancing. The wheel pottery class scheduled to begin Sept. 24 is full. However, there is a second opportunity to take it in late October.

“We have about the same amount of classes as we have previously,” Kenemer said. “I tried to mix classes up a little more this time around.”

New classes include a camera basics class that focuses on digital cameras and photo field trips that will give people practice by photographing parts of campus.

Another class is stenciled street art which Kenemer described as a different — and legal — form of graffiti that is similar to the style of the famous red and blue photo of President Barack Obama.

The Workspace provides materials for just about every class. Those registered usually just have to show, but if they own materials or equipment needed for the class, they are welcome to bring them, Kenemer said.

Continuing after success last year, is Craft Nights at the Workspace each Friday. They are offered from 7-9 p.m. before the ISU AfterDark event. Craft Nights is free for ISU students and is geared toward a specific craft projects — this Friday is henna tattoos.

Other Friday projects include origami (Sept. 11), duct tape wallets and crafts (Sept. 18), Play with Clay! (Oct. 9) and ornaments (Dec. 4).