Improve your mood with a hands-on, creative class!
Upcoming Classes
Leave your worries behind as you settle in with a creative activity and a hot cup of tea for the afternoon.
Classes are taught by me at my beautiful studio in the historic Minneapolis Arts District.
Get into Flow with Soft Pastels
Have you ever said, “I can’t draw” – or perhaps you’ve mused, “I wish I was artistic” … believing that you just don’t have the skill?
Well, this class is for you!
Everyone benefits from being in a creative state of flow. During this class, you’ll learn techniques to release yourself from perfectionism so you can let go and just create. Learn about -and play with- soft pastels in this easy-going class.
Beginner/all levels, Ages 14+. All materials are provided.
This coming Sunday! Register soon!
Needle-Felt a Cactus
Needle-felting is just so relaxing and fun, I urge you to try it! In this class, I’ll teach you the basics of needle-felting and you’ll make an adorable cactus in a little pot.
Beginner/all Levels, Ages 10+ (children must be accompanied by registered adult). All materials are provided.
Sunday, Nov. 2, 3-5pm
Needle-Felt a Turkey
Just in time for Thanksgiving! In this class, I’ll lead you through the steps to needle-felt a cute little turkey with a sweet heart-shaped tail.
Beginner/all Levels, Ages 10+ (children must be accompanied by registered adult). All materials are provided.
Sunday, Nov. 16, 3-5pm
Thoughts and Musings
Did you know that human hands are connected to an unusually large portion of our brains compared to our other body parts?
When we do activities that use both of our hands, we light up a circuit in our brains called the “effort-driven rewards circuit”. When this circuit is in full gear, we enjoy a surge of dopamine and the gratifying feeling of tranquility and synergy that happens when motivation, reward, and movement are activated simultaneously.
In her book Lifting Depression: A Neuroscientist’s Hands-on Approach to Activating Your Brain’s Healing Power, Dr. Kelly Lambert writes, “the majority of us spend most of our days focused nearly exclusively on higher-level functioning. We are no longer engaging all the essential elements of the effort-driven rewards circuit in our day-to-day lives, especially the brain areas controlling our hands.” In other words, we spend more time watching screens than plowing fields and making our own clothes.
Dr. Lambert believes that “periodically doing crafts or other forms of work with your hands may help recharge your emotionally drained brain batteries,” reduce stress, and buffer against depression.
The state of the world is pretty rough and I think we could all use an activity that recharges our “emotionally drained brain batteries”! When I’m engaged in needle-felting or drawing, I definitely feel calmer and more in control.
Find out first-hand how using your hands can improve your mood when you take one of my hands-on classes! ;)
xo Mary
Find these upcoming classes -and more- on my website!
