Description: Choosing from a number of available patterns (or draw your own!), and a variety of fabrics, you’ll make a patch that can be sewn onto your favorite jacket, shirt, or bag. 

We’ll use basic embroidery stitches, such as running stitch, back stitch, and chain stitch, to embroider your pattern on a small piece of fabric. You can then layer that over different textured or colored fabric as you desire. If you bring your garment of choice to the workshop, we’ll attach the patch with a running stitch.

Feel free to bring your favorite beverage to enjoy while crafting. We have glasses available, no need to bring disposables. 

When: Sunday, 6/28 12pm-3pm

Skills taught: We’ll go over how to prepare fabric with a simple design, layering fabrics, and attaching a patch to clothing.

Skills needed: You don’t have to be an expert with a thread and needle, but some previous experience with embroidery will be helpful. You should know how to start your thread and be familiar with running stitch and/or back stitch.

Supplies: All supplies will be provided by CraftNation and will include patterns, water soluble stabilizer, embroidery floss, fabric, and embroidery hoops.

What you’ll leave with: You’ll go home with a completed patch ready to be sewn onto your favorite article of clothing!

All workshops at CraftNation are offered at a sliding scale. For guidance on which price you should pay, please see our Sliding Scale page.

Description: Metal embossing is a craft dating as far back as the 1700s, and is found in cultures around the globe. In this hands-on workshop, attendees will learn how to work with lightweight metal foil to emboss designs of their choice. You’ll be guided step-by-step, exploring basic embossing techniques and experimenting with texture and patterns. 

Feel free to bring your favorite beverage to enjoy while crafting. We have glasses available, no need to bring disposables. 

When: Friday, 6/26 6pm-8pm

Skills needed: No previous experience needed! Just a desire to create in community and learn something new.

Supplies used: We’ll supply all materials and tools. You’ll be working with craft foil in various colors, embossing tools, matchbooks for covering, and design templates if desired.

What you’ll leave with: Students are encouraged to make as many pieces as time allows! These could include tin covered matchbooks, small decorative wall hanging, ornaments, bookmarks, or even picture frames. 

Meet your teacher: Our tin embossing workshop is taught by Tracey Colla. Tracey has been making things, breaking things, and figuring it out as she goes for as long as she can remember. Bay Area born and raised, she moved to Philadelphia a decade ago and can't imagine living anywhere else. When she's not doing marketing things, you can find her thrifting, making stuff w/ clay, practicing yoga or engrossed in a craft project.  She doesn't claim to be an expert. She claims to be an enthusiast, which she has found is often more useful. She's thrilled to be here and genuinely cannot wait to make a mess with you. Find her on Instagram at @traceyco_made

All workshops at CraftNation are offered at a sliding scale. For guidance on which price you should pay, please see our Sliding Scale page.

Description: Keep a slice of summer all year round by making a felt garland featuring classic popsicle treats! Choose between a fruity color palette or red, white, and blue rocket pops. You’ll learn to hand sew felt pieces, add beads to decorate, stuff your felt shapes, and hang them together for a custom decoration.

Feel free to bring your favorite beverage to enjoy while crafting. We have glasses available, no need to bring disposables.

When: Saturday, 6/27

Skills needed: None! This workshop is suitable for all skill levels.

Supplies used: All supplies will be provided by CraftNation and will include felt, embroidery floss, and beads.

What you’ll leave with: Everyone will leave with a finished garland, or enough materials to finish at home!

This workshop will be taught by Aubrey Nagle. Aubrey is a writer, artist, crafter, learning designer, and newsletter enthusiast living in Philadelphia. When she’s not planning fun learning experiences, she’s painting, quilting, sewing, beading, or otherwise making things. She also writes a weekly newsletter of arts & crafts events in Philly called Art Class Philly. Aubrey can be found on Instagram or her website.

All workshops at CraftNation are offered at a sliding scale. For guidance on which price you should pay, please see our Sliding Scale page.

Description: Join us for a hands-on chain mail workshop where you will learn how to weave a chain mail bracelet or necklace from loose jump rings, using pliers. Attendees will learn how to handle a pair of jewelry pliers, open and close jump rings, and construct rings into a classic chain mail weave. 

Feel free to bring your favorite beverage to enjoy while crafting. We have glasses available, no need to bring disposables. 

When: Thursday, 7/2 6pm-9pm

Skills needed: None! This is a great workshop for beginners.

Supplies used: All materials are provided by CraftNation and will include jump rings and a pair of bent nose pliers. Pliers will be available to purchase after the workshop if you wish to continue your chain mail journey!

What students leave with: You will go home with a finished chain mail bracelet or key chain of your own making!

Your teacher is Nox Wulong. Nox (they/them) is a Philly based nonbinary artist, metalworker, sculptor, and jeweler. They create jewelry, accessories, armor, sculpture, tools, and weapons from their fiery passion for metals and minerals, for fire and wire. You can find Nox on Instagram or their website.

All workshops at CraftNation are offered at a sliding scale. For guidance on which price you should pay, please see our Sliding Scale page.

Description: In this four week class, you will be guided through introductory drawing techniques and introduced to different drawing materials and papers. The class will take place over four sessions: 7/14, 7/21, 7/28, 8/4

First class: Lines and Shapes. You’ll be shown how the world is made of simple shapes like circles and squares and will start your drawing journal with a simple object like an apple.

Second class: Proportion and Perspective. You’ll consider how objects relate to one another, and you will learn how to visually measure from a distance.

Third class: Value and Light. You’ll learn how to make an object look three dimensional using varying degrees of lightness and darkness.

Fourth Class: In this final class, you will combine everything you’ve been taught to create your final art piece.

When: Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30, 7/14, 7/21, 7/28 & 8/14

Skills taught: Proper use of drawing materials, shading, perspective, & composition.

Skills needed: Patience with yourself, an open mind, and a willingness to learn.

Supplies: All supplies will be provided by CraftNation

What you’ll leave with: Each class student will leave with new knowledge and a sketch. By the end of the course, you will have a finished still life drawing.

Meet your teacher: Amy Kelly is a Philadelphia based mixed media artist. Amy has a BFA in Drawing and has been teaching since 2013. Crocheting, bookbinding, and watercolor are her specialties. She currently makes commission paintings for clients, teachers art workshops, and makes mixed media artworks based on religious and cultural symbolism.

All workshops at CraftNation are offered at a sliding scale. For guidance on which price you should pay, please see our Sliding Scale page.

Description: In this introductory workshop, you’ll be shown different types of watercolor mediums, and the proper paper and brushes. You’ll test different techniques and make a small watercolor painting of your own.

When: Thursday, 7/16

Skills taught: You’ll learn different ways to control watercolor, like wet on wet and dry on dry. You’ll learn how to fix mistakes and be shown a few ‘cheats.’

Skills needed: An interest to learn and patience with yourself.

Supplies: All supplies will be provided by CraftNation. Watercolor paints and brushes will be available for sale should you want to continue the practice at home.

What you’ll leave with: A finished watercolor painting, handouts to guide you at home, and test strips.

Meet your teacher: Amy Kelly is a Philadelphia based mixed media artist. Amy has a BFA in Drawing and has been teaching since 2013. Crocheting, bookbinding, and watercolor are her specialties. She currently makes commission paintings for clients, teachers art workshops, and makes mixed media artworks based on religious and cultural symbolism.

All workshops at CraftNation are offered at a sliding scale. For guidance on which price you should pay, please see our Sliding Scale page.

Description: Join us for an afternoon of block printing! Refresh an old shirt or make a patch for your favorite jacket. You’ll learn the basics of block printing, including how to use carving tools to carve your unique design into a block for hand-printing.

We will have fabric available for patch making, but feel free to bring your own (100$ cotton) article of clothing.

Feel free to bring your favorite beverage to enjoy while crafting. We have glasses available, no need to bring disposables.

When: Friday, 7/16 6pm-9pm

Skills taught: You will learn how to design and carve a printing block, how to ink a block and print onto a cotton fabric medium, and how to set the print.

Skills needed: This is a great workshop for beginners! All you need is hand eye coordination and basic drawing abilities.

Supplies used: All supplies will be provided by CraftNation and will include 100% cotton fabric, carving tools and medium, and printmaking ink.

What you’ll leave with: Each student will leave with a print block of their design and a finished print

Meet your teacher: Gabriel is a block print artist. They are inspired by resistance movements, mental health struggles, folklore, and flora and fauna. Check out their work at wildcraftprintshop.

All workshops at CraftNation are offered at a sliding scale. For guidance on which price you should pay, please see our Sliding Scale page.

Description: In this three hour workshop, you will learn how to make two different books. The first is a Lotus Fold Book, a fun & unique book that is great for scrapbooking or sketching. The second is an Accordion book, perfect for photos or keepsakes.

When: Saturday, 74/15 1pm-4pm

Skills taught: Bookbinding is a slow moving and deliberate craft. Each piece is planned out before assembly. We will measure, fold, cut and glue.

Skills needed: No prior experience with bookbinding is required, but you should be able to read a ruler and measure accurately, and be comfortable with a paper guillotine and glue.

Supplies used: All supplies will be provided by CraftNation

What you’ll leave with: Two small books, a Lotus Fold and Accordion.

Meet your teacher: Amy Kelly is a Philadelphia based mixed media artist. Amy has a BFA in Drawing and has been teaching since 2013. Crocheting, bookbinding, and watercolor are her specialties. She currently makes commission paintings for clients, teachers art workshops, and makes mixed media artworks based on religious and cultural symbolism.

All workshops at CraftNation are offered at a sliding scale. For guidance on which price you should pay, please see our Sliding Scale page.

Description: In this three hour workshop, we will explore how to create depth and texture using thread. Using a nature-inspired pattern, we will consider the natural movement of light and shadow to practice blending color, while improving our understanding of how to create movement and direction with our stitches. We will practice with a variety of stitch types to work up to the skills needed to walk away confident in thread painting.

When: Saturday, 7/25 2pm-5pm

Skills taught: Students will learn how to blend colors, exploring traditional stitches used in creative ways to add shading.

Skills needed: You should have a basic understanding of embroidery and experience with backstitch, split stitch, and satin stitch.

Supplies used: All supplies will be provided by CraftNation and will include fabric printed with the pattern, 6 inch embroidery hoop, needles, and embroidery thread.

What you’ll leave with: All students will leave with the start of an embroidery piece and enough materials and the skill to finish at home.

Meet your teacher: Erin has been sewing by hand and machine since they hit puberty. In 2016, Erin began embroidering portraits of nudes as a way to celebrate their friends. That quickly led to the creation of Nudie Stitches, and Erin has spent the last 10 years creating portraits for anyone who will pose. Their embroidered art has been featured in galleries and on album covers. Erin has embroidered clothes, hats, just about anything a need can get through. They also enjoy breaking sewing machine needles by bulldozing through quilting haphazardly.

All workshops at CraftNation are offered at a sliding scale. For guidance on which price you should pay, please see our Sliding Scale page.

Description: Come craft away your anger and anxiety, while also helping a great organization! We’re hosting an open collage night to benefit New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia. Suggested donation of $25, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

You can bring proof of donation to class or donate via your CraftNation cart.

Capacity is capped at 12 and is first come, first served.

Feel free to bring your favorite beverage to enjoy while crafting. We have glasses available, no need to bring disposables. 

When: Thursday, 7/30 6:30pm-8:30pm

Skills needed: No previous experience needed! Just a desire to create in community and stand with our immigrant neighbors.

Supplies used: We will have magazines, pre-cut images, vintage ephemera, card stock, markers, stickers, and glue. If you have any special images you’d like to use, please feel free to bring them!

About NSM: New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia builds community across faith, ethnicity, and class in our work to end injustices against immigrants regardless of immigration status, express radical welcome for all, and ensure that values of dignity, justice, and hospitality are lived out in practice and upheld in policy.

Description: Learn the basics of crochet and make a cute set of coasters in the process! In this beginner-friendly class, we will learn how to hold our yarn and hook, how to read a pattern, how to chain, and some basic crochet stitches. Using what you learn, we will begin to create your very own set of crochet coasters!

Feel free to bring your favorite beverage to enjoy while crafting. We have glasses available, no need to bring disposables.

When: Friday, 7/31 6:30pm-8:30pm

Skills taught: You’ll learn basic pattern reading, chaining, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, turning your work, and finishing a project. Are these terms new to you? That’s ok! Don’t let them intimidate you, this is truly a beginner’s workshop.

Skills needed: None! Just a desire to learn crochet and patience with yourself.

Supplies used: All supplies will be provided by CraftNation and will include worsted weight yarn, a 5mm crochet hook, and darning needles. Crochet hooks will also be available for purchase.

What you’ll leave with: Students will leave with one finished square coaster and enough yarn to complete three more.

Meet your teacher: Sloane started crocheting in 2023 as a way to work through grief and anxiety, and she’s been hooked ever since! She loves making everything, from garments to bags and blankets, and especially cute amugurumi. Sloane opened a small crochet business in 2025, Sloane Stitches, and she sells her amigurumi plushies on etsy and at markets around Philly!

All workshops at CraftNation are offered at a sliding scale. For guidance on which price you should pay, please see our Sliding Scale page.

Description: Join us for this four hour workshop to learn the basics of first aid. We’ll cover wound care and stopping the bleed, amongst other topics.

When: Saturday, 8/1 12pm-4pm

This is a free workshop, but capacity is limited so we strongly recommend you sign up below.

Description: Join us for this three hour workshop to learn book binding! Students will make their own 20 page, hard bound book. You’ll be guided through cutting, gluing, and sewing your book, choosing the cover and colors. Each book is unique to its maker!

Feel free to bring your favorite beverage to enjoy while crafting. We have glasses available, no need to bring disposables.

When: Saturday, 8/8 1pm-4pm

Skills taught: You’ll learn measuring to specific dimensions and cutting paper and book board to size. You’ll also learn how to assemble pages and sew them together with a cover.

Skills needed: This is a great class for beginners! We do suggest a comfort with sharp objects and glue and the ability to read a ruler.

Supplies used: All supplies will be provided by CraftNation and will include various forms of decorative and utilitarian paper, embroidery floss, and book covers.

What you’ll leave with: Each student will leave with a one of a kind, hand sewn, 20 page book!

Meet your teacher: Amy Kelly is a Philadelphia based mixed media artist. Amy has a BFA in Drawing and has been teaching since 2013. Crocheting, bookbinding, and watercolor are her specialties. She currently makes commission paintings for clients, teachers art workshops, and makes mixed media artworks based on religious and cultural symbolism.

All workshops at CraftNation are offered at a sliding scale. For guidance on which price you should pay, please see our Sliding Scale page.

Description: In this 2 hours workshop, we’ll begin with a short refresher of watercolor basics. You will then be walked through, step by step, how to paint your own watercolor masterpiece!

Feel free to bring your favorite beverage to enjoy while crafting. We have glasses available, no need to bring disposables.

When: Thursday, 8/13 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Skills taught: You’ll learn different ways to control watercolor, such as wet on wet, wet on dry, dry on dry. You’ll learn different tricks to fix mistakes, experiment with masking, and play with some ‘cheats.’ You will also learn the timing of watercolor, as it is a patient process.

Skills needed: A desire to learn and patience with yourself

Supplies used: All supplies will be provided by CraftNation and will include various watercolor mediums.

What you’ll leave with: Every student will leave with a finished watercolor painting!

Meet your teacher: Amy Kelly is a Philadelphia based mixed media artist. Amy has a BFA in Drawing and has been teaching since 2013. Crocheting, bookbinding, and watercolor are her specialties. She currently makes commission paintings for clients, teachers art workshops, and makes mixed media artworks based on religious and cultural symbolism.

All workshops at CraftNation are offered at a sliding scale. For guidance on which price you should pay, please see our Sliding Scale page.

Description: Level-up your crochet skills by learning how to make a classic: granny squares! In this class, we will revisit essential crochet stitches and learn how to work in the round to create the classic granny square motif. Once you get the basics down, the project possibilities are endless!

When: Saturday, 8/15 1pm-4pm

Skills taught: You will learn working in the round, how to reattach our yarn, seamlessly change colors, and weave in the ends. You’ll also learn joining techniques for coming granny squares.

Skills needed: Some beginner crochet experience (the basic stitches) or completion of Crochet I is recommended.

Supplies used: All supplies are provided by CraftNation and will include worsted weight yarn, 5mm crochet hook, and darning needles. Crochet hooks will also be available for sale.

What you’ll leave with: Every student will leave with at least one finished granny square!

Meet your teacher: Sloane started crocheting in 2023 as a way to work through grief and anxiety, and she’s been hooked ever since! She loves making everything, from garments to bags and blankets, and especially cute amugurumi. Sloane opened a small crochet business in 2025, Sloane Stitches, and she sells her amigurumi plushies on etsy and at markets around Philly!

All workshops at CraftNation are offered at a sliding scale. For guidance on which price you should pay, please see our Sliding Scale page.

Description: In this one-day workshop, you will learn how to make your very own adorable tiny amigurumi tomato! If you have all the basics of crochet down, have completed some projects, and are ready to dive into the world of amigurumi, this class is for you!

When: Saturday, 8/22 1pm-4pm

Skills taught: We will learn how to read an amigurumi pattern, make a magic ring, work in a continuous round, shape the tomato using increases and decreases, stuff the tomato, sew pieces onto the tomato, add safety eyes, and embroider a cute little face.

Skills needed: This class required advanced beginner to intermediate crochet experience or completion of Crochet I and Crochet II. You should know stitches, how to work in the round, change colors, and basic finishing techniques.

What you’ll leave with: The cutest little tomato you’ve ever seen! And the instructions and knowledge to make an army of tomatoes!

Meet your teacher: Sloane started crocheting in 2023 as a way to work through grief and anxiety, and she’s been hooked ever since! She loves making everything, from garments to bags and blankets, and especially cute amugurumi. Sloane opened a small crochet business in 2025, Sloane Stitches, and she sells her amigurumi plushies on etsy and at markets around Philly!

All workshops at CraftNation are offered at a sliding scale. For guidance on which price you should pay, please see our Sliding Scale page.

Description: Come craft away your anger and anxiety, while also helping a great organization! We’re hosting an open collage night to benefit New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia. Suggested donation of $25, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

You can bring proof of donation to class or donate via your CraftNation cart.

Capacity is capped at 12 and is first come, first served.

Feel free to bring your favorite beverage to enjoy while crafting. We have glasses available, no need to bring disposables. 

When: Thursday, 8/27 6:30pm-8:30pm

Skills needed: No previous experience needed! Just a desire to create in community and stand with our immigrant neighbors.

Supplies used: We will have magazines, pre-cut images, vintage ephemera, card stock, markers, stickers, and glue. If you have any special images you’d like to use, please feel free to bring them!

About NSM: New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia builds community across faith, ethnicity, and class in our work to end injustices against immigrants regardless of immigration status, express radical welcome for all, and ensure that values of dignity, justice, and hospitality are lived out in practice and upheld in policy.