Our Service Portfolio

This is a five-session series. Registration includes all five sessions.
Tuesday, October 13 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 20 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 27 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 3 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 10 – 6:30–8:30 PM

Build an instrument from a kit, then learn to tune, strum, and play simple songs—no music-reading experience needed.

A mountain dulcimer is a simple, approachable instrument that rests across your lap and can be strummed or fingerpicked to create a warm, folksy sound. You don’t need to read traditional music to play one, making it a great entry point for anyone who has always wanted to make music but felt intimidated by music theory or more complicated instruments.

Over five Tuesday evenings, you’ll build your own mountain dulcimer from a kit, then learn how to tune it, strum it, follow simple number-based tablature, and begin playing songs. You’ll leave with an instrument you built yourself and the skills to keep playing it at home!

What you’ll do
You’ll build a mountain dulcimer from a kit and learn how to play the instrument you created. Once your dulcimer is assembled, you’ll practice tuning, strumming, and following simple dulcimer tablature so you can begin playing songs during class.

What you’ll learn

• How a mountain dulcimer is constructed

• How to tune your instrument

• How to strum and play basic songs

• How to follow dulcimer tablature and number-based music

• How to get comfortable making music without needing to read traditional notation

Great for: Anyone who has always wanted to play an instrument but has felt intimidated by music theory or reading music. The mountain dulcimer offers an approachable way to start making music, and you’ll leave with an instrument you built yourself to keep playing and sharing.

Instructor: Karen Warwick has been playing the mountain dulcimer for more than 35 years. Largely self-taught, she has spent thousands of hours studying the instrument and has continued her training with national champions and professional players at dulcimer festivals around the country. She loves sharing the mountain dulcimer with others and helping new players discover how approachable and enjoyable it can be.

Schedule
This is a five-session series. Registration includes all five sessions.
Tuesday, October 13 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 20 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 27 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 3 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 10 – 6:30–8:30 PM

Cost: $198

What to bring: Just yourself — everything you need to get started will be provided!

Cancellation policy:
If your plans change, please cancel more than 24 hours before class begins to receive credit toward another class at Depot Hill Creative. Cancellations made 24 hours or less before class are non-refundable and not eligible for class credit.

Tuesday, November 3, 1:00–3:00 PM

Find your favorite balance of citrus, spice, and earthy scents, then turn it into a hand-poured soy candle and a matching perfume oil.

What you’ll do
Explore sweet orange, clove bud, cinnamon leaf, and patchouli as you create a scented pair—one for your home and one to wear. You’ll choose a jar, secure a cotton wick, and measure, melt, and pour pure soy wax into an 8-ounce vessel. While your candle cools, blend a matching rollerball perfume with essential oils and a jojoba oil base. Finish with custom labels and a protective cover for your candle, making the pair your own to keep or give as a gift. There’ll also be light refreshments and time for questions while the wax sets.

What you’ll learn

• How wick selection, pouring temperature, and melted wax affect a candle’s burn

• How to balance citrus, spice, and earthy fragrance notes

• How to dilute essential oils in a carrier oil for perfume

Great for: Beginners and anyone curious about scent, candle making, or creating handmade gifts.

Instructor: Laura Dedrick creates small-batch botanical goods for home and body through BrimkaHaus, including candles, perfumes, soaps, balms, and room sprays.

Schedule
Tuesday, November 3, 1:00–3:00 PM

Cost: $48. All materials, tools, and safety gear are included.

What to bring: Yourself! All materials will be provided.

Cancellation policy:
If your plans change, please cancel more than 24 hours before class begins to receive credit toward another class at Depot Hill Creative. Cancellations made 24 hours or less before class are non-refundable and not eligible for class credit.

Sunday, November 8 – 1:00–3:00 PM

Turn loose, colorful wool into a one-of-a-kind folk-art bird using the simple, surprisingly satisfying technique of needle felting.

With a special felting needle, you’ll shape and sculpt the wool by hand, building your bird piece by piece from a soft bundle of fiber into a finished wool sculpture.

What you’ll do
Choose from a variety of wool colors, then use felting needles to sculpt a rounded bird body and build it piece by piece. You’ll create and attach a tail, wings, beak, eyes, and other details, blending and layering wool as you go to give your bird its own personality.

By the end of class, you’ll have a finished folk-art bird to bring home, along with the skills to keep experimenting with needle felting on your own.

What you’ll learn

• How to choose the right wool and felting tools

• How to safely and confidently use felting needles

• Techniques for sculpting, shaping, and joining felted pieces

• How to blend and layer wool colors for dimension and detail

• How to add small features like eyes and beaks

• Techniques for giving your finished piece a polished look

Great for: All skill levels. No prior needle-felting experience needed.

Instructor: Traci McLachlan is a maker and teaching artist in the Verona, Wisconsin area. As the founder of Make Creativity a Habit, she is passionate about making creativity a regular part of life. Traci has been on a creative journey to explore and learn as much as she can about different art techniques. Over the years Traci has realized the greatest satisfaction in making art comes from focusing on the process rather than product. With a deep belief in the power of creativity for wellness, Traci guides people through art workshops that encourage free expression and playfulness to help everyone make creativity a regular habit in their lives. 

Schedule
Sunday, November 8 – 1:00–3:00 PM

Cost: $36

What to bring: Just yourself! All supplies will be provided.

Cancellation policy:
If your plans change, please cancel more than 24 hours before class begins to receive credit toward another class at Depot Hill Creative. Cancellations made 24 hours or less before class are non-refundable and not eligible for class credit.