The Connecticut River Artisan Group is hosting a Junk Journal Class at the Great North Woods Center for the Arts (GNWCA) on Saturday November 14th, 2026. The class will be held inside the multi-purpose room of the theater building at 1993 US Route 3, Columbia, NH. The class will be held from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and the cost per person is $30. Participants can pre-register and pay online at: https://www.zeffy.com/…/ticketing/junk-journal-workshop-4 .
This class will most likely fill up fast and is limited to 24 participants.
Anyone who prefers to pay by cash or check to pre-register are asked to stop in at Fiddleheads, 110 Main St., Colebrook, NH on Wednesdays through Saturdays 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Everyone will leave with a personalized journal, materials to make another, and ideas for continuing at home.
Crag member Donna Jordan will be your instructor for this fun and creative class. Beginners are welcome! Junk journals bring together an assortment of papers, images and embellishments to create a place for writing, memories, keepsakes and creative play. Each participant will begin with a journal already assembled from a paper bag cover and a mix of blue, white, grid, ledger and book papers. The finished book will measure approximately 6 inches wide by 6 inches tall.
Donna will instruct how the cover and inside pages are assembled before guiding participants through decorating their own journals. Crafters will learn how to choose a focal point for the cover and combine it with decorative touches such as ribbon, tea bag papers and a “My Journal” label. Participants will also learn to make tags, pockets and a mini notepad from leftover paper strips. A ribbon tie or colorful clip will provide the finishing touch. All materials will be provided, including decorating supplies, a glue stick and Aleene’s Tacky Glue. Distress inks and sponges, fine-point pens, images for stamping, ribbons and lace will be available for decorating journal pages and covers during classroom time. Participants are welcome to bring a favorite ribbon, images or other decorative items to incorporate into their personal journals. Bring a snack or lunch, too!
Donna enjoys a vintage life in Clarksville, in an old cheese factory turned schoolhouse. She loves working with old papers, magazines and book pages that might otherwise find their way into the trash. She also enjoys distressing new papers to give them an aged, well-loved appearance. Her handmade journals bring together her appreciation for the past and the pleasure of turning overlooked materials into personal treasures.
Copy the link below to register and participate in this 3-hour class that will occur on Saturday, July 11, 2026, 10 :00 am-1:00 pm. We will meet in the residents’ building at the Great North Woods Center for the Arts, 1993 US-3, Columbia, NH.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe1Rb-jYrmG4CXxtolAtH0IZJiUTTNqrYz312HWGIn7dVNfbA/viewform?usp=header
The fee for the class is $25. and will include all materials.
The instructor is Lisa Marie McManus, a NH landscape artist. You can view her work at Fiddleheads in downtown Colebrook or online at LisaMarieMcManus.com. For questions, please contact Lisa at LandscapesbyLisa@gmail.com.
More Classes Coming Soon and Specific Details to be Announced:
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September 12th – Paste, Paper & Folded Books – Michele Johnsen
October 24 – Sketchbook Class- “Embrace Your Sketchbook” – instructed by Cathy Springmann
November 14- Junk Journal Class by Donna Jordan
PAST CLASSES:
June 13, 2026
A “Drawing Delicious: Food Art with Acrylic Markers” workshop is being sponsored by CRAG and instructed by arts educator Myriam Levatino.
April 25, 2026 : Markmaking, Mixed Media and Abstract Design
In this workshop, participants will learn to use specific tools and techniques for the creation of colorful, layered, seemingly complex abstract designs. These pieces are beautiful works of art on their own, but are ideal for use in collage, journaling, greeting cards, tags, bookmarks, etc.—anything you might want to embellish with stunning handmade decorative papers. It is an addicting art form that you’ll want to do over and over again!
The workshop is taking place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10 am to 1 pm (within the Maker Space of the residence building) at the Great North Woods Center for the Arts, 1993 Route 3, Columbia, NH. The fee for the class is $25 payable to CRAG on the day of the class via check or cash and includes all materials. To register and for more information email instructor Michele Johnsen at art@michelejohnsen.com. Space is limited, so register early! This workshop is sponsored by the Connecticut River Artisan Group (CRAG).
May 16, 2026 : Needle Felting Beginner Class by Lana Gilcris
Have you been looking for a hobby that is relaxing, fun and portable? This class will introduce you to the basics of dry needle felting. In this beginner friendly class, you will learn about needle felting tools and techniques. We will discuss fiber choices, natural dye choices, where to get future supplies, planning projects, creating armatures and so much more. The class will be held Saturday, May 16th, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Great North Woods Center for the Arts (GNWCA) located at 1993 U.S. Rte. 3 Trooper Scott Phillips Memorial Hwy – Columbia, New Hampshire. The price for the class is $35. and participants will get a “felting kit” which will include materials to make one owl: a wool dryer ball, roving, needles, felting pad and detailed instructions. The class will last approximately 3 hours.
The class has a limit of 10 participants and is expected to fill up quickly. (A waiting list will be offered). Space will be confirmed as reserved once the class fee has been received. Please stop into Fiddleheads, 110 Main St., Colebrook, Wednesdays through Saturdays 10:00 am to 3:00 pm to register. Payments may be made in cash or check made payable to CRAG at time of registration. Lana Gilcris is a K-8 educator, an eclectic North Country artisan, member of CRAG and owner of TheMajicPaintbrush, LLC. She has been a featured artisan at The Balsams Resort and has exhibited in galleries, local hospitals and venues around the region. Her art has been her therapy since she was a young girl growing up in Island Pond, Vermont and has influenced her in many types of mediums. Lana discovered felting in the early 2000’s when visiting an Alpaca farm and was sent home with a bag of unprocessed fiber. Many years later, she is still enjoying working in felt. Questions, concerns or hellos can be emailed to themajicpaintbrush@yahoo.com .
