The Craft Center's November Lineup: Raku, Glass, and Holiday Cards

Brookfield Craft Center's November workshops give makers four dated chances to get into a studio before the holidays, all on Whisconier Road.

The month opens in the Clay Studio with a raku firing workshop on Tuesday, November 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 290 Whisconier Rd. Raku is the fast, dramatic end of ceramics: pieces are pulled glowing from the kiln and cooled in combustible material, which gives each piece a finish that cannot be repeated exactly.

Saturday, November 14, is a two-workshop day. In the morning, the Glass Studio at 273 Whisconier Rd hosts a lampwork glassblowing workshop on hollow-form ornaments, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. In the afternoon, the River Room at 286 Whisconier Rd hosts a block-print workshop for holiday cards, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. — a practical one for anyone who still sends cards and wants this year's to look like no one else's.

The following Monday, November 16, the Glass Studio returns with a glass icicles workshop, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 273 Whisconier Rd. Icicles are the kind of small, durable ornament that survives years of holiday boxes, and a morning in the glass studio is a good way to start a set.

Before November arrives, the Craft Center still has its Halloween programming: a forged skull at the Forge on Friday, October 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and an introduction to glass beads on Sunday, November 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration details and any materials fees are listed with each workshop on the Craft Center's site.