Gather with other makers for a friendly and productive evening! Makers Night is a monthly opportunity every third Thursday for anyone interested in craft to work in community in our Berglund Studio Classroom or in the summer, on our beautiful front lawn! Bring a project to work on and any tools you need, and be ready to share conversation, tips and questions.

Free; no advanced registration required.

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Learn about the rich, storied history of Swedish flax growing and linen processing from ancient times to today.

Discover the steps involved in growing, harvesting, and processing flax fiber for making linen. Students will have hands-on experience processing flax stalks into spinnable fibers using traditional hand tools.

Suitable for ages 18+. $75 ($65 ASI member) + $30 materials fee payable to instructor.

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Starting with Slöjd is a monthly program for early elementary children. Participants explore new tools, materials, and skills that prepare them for a lifelong love of handcraft. These drop-off programs are suitable for students in grades K–2. $20 ($15 ASI member).

Create a magical wand to incorporate into imaginative play! Elementary school art teacher Anna Ruhland will lead kids in shaping and decorating magical wands using the traditional needle-felting technique.

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Where do Birch and Pine trees, as well as blueberries and sweetgrass, grow? Sápmi and Minnesota! Many plants in the boreal region grow in both the northernmost part of the Scandinavian Peninsula of Europe and around the Great Lakes region.

This Boreal Plant Walk sets out at a Twin Cities location and takes a stroll through the woods, stopping to learn about plants that grow in both regions and their North Sámi and English names. $25 ($20 ASI member).

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Dive into the art of fabric stenciling!

Taking inspiration from textile artist Kirsten Aune’s colorful, bold patterns and modern Scandinavian designs, students will create their own stencils and use them to decorate fabric for a cute and versatile bento bag. After learning the basics of fabric stenciling, you will be ready to decorate fabric for many projects.

Suitable for ages 18+. $90 ($80 ASI member) + $35 materials fee payable to instructor.

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Design your own seasonal floral centerpiece in this beginner-friendly class!

Join Elle, farmer-florist at Mellifera Flowers, to learn the basics of floral design. Using a stunning array of locally grown flowers, students will create their own centerpiece in class and head home with the ability to transform flowers from the garden, market, or store into organic and unique arrangements.

Suitable for ages 18+. $65 ($55 ASI member) + $45 materials fee payable to instructor.

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Carvers of all experience levels can join this three-day flat plane figure carving class.

Using only a knife, students will carve a Nordic-inspired character in a simplified, traditional style. Expect plenty of discussion about the history of figure carving and notable carvers while finishing one or two carvings. Moderate hand strength and dexterity are required.

Suitable for ages 16+. $350 ($315 ASI member) + $10 materials fee per blank payable to instructor.

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Try out the art of lucet braiding, using a simple wooden hand tool to create colorful and durable cords.

These are perfect for using as lanyards, shoelaces, replacing a cord on a bag or hoodie, and anything else you can think up.

Suitable for ages 16+. $65 ($55 ASI member), + $10 materials fee payable to instructor.

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Make a sweet garland of colorful woolly flowers!

Felter Jen will lead kids and their special adults in shaping and decorating wool flowers using the magical needle felting technique before stringing them onto a garland.

This project is especially suited for younger participants—suitable for ages 5-10 alongside an adult. $55 adult/child pair ($45 ASI member adult/child pair); $20 additional youth ($15 ASI member additional youth) + $25 materials fee payable to instructor.

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Carve your own wooden travel cup in the Nordic green woodworking tradition.

Students will work with fresh birch logs to axe out, hollow, and shape their own durable and versatile kuksa. Good hand strength and previous green woodcarving experience are required. Students provide their own carving axe and knife.

Suitable for ages 18+ or 16+ registered alongside an accompanying adult. $250 ($225 ASI member) + $50 materials fee payable to instructor.

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Join Maria of Four Season Foraging to learn about basic best practices for foraging in the city and explore the urban environment in search of wild foods— emphasizing seasonal flowers and fruit. Be prepared to be out, rain or shine, and walk up to 10–12 city blocks.

Suitable for ages 18+ or 11–17 registered alongside an adult for a reduced price. $45 ($40 ASI member).

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Paint your own bowl with any pattern you like, perfect for everything from porridge to ice cream!

Use the template designs provided or bring your own inspiration. Students will paint two bisqueware bowls prepared in advance by potter Sue, who will then take them back to her studio for the final firing. The finished bowls will be returned to ASI for pick-up.

Suitable for ages 14+. $65 ($55 ASI member) + $30 materials fee payable to instructor.

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Build new weaving skills while tackling Scandinavian-style pick-up patterns!

The perfect class for students ready to explore more advanced band weaving, students will learn the entire process of weaving a decorative patterned band on a backstrap-style rigid heddle loom.

No prior weaving experience required, but especially recommended for students with past weaving experience.

Suitable for ages 14+. $225 ($200 ASI member) + $35 materials fee payable to instructor. 10 am-5 pm both days.

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Dive into the beautiful but utilitarian world of band weaving!

Working on a backstrap style rigid heddle loom, students will learn all the steps of designing, starting, weaving, and finishing a plain weave band and head home with two bands.

Especially recommended for new band weavers. Suitable for ages 14+. $115 ($100 ASI member) + $30 materials fee payable to instructor.

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Grab a friend and enjoy a beverage from FIKA Café while making a sweet wooly scene.

Using a felt base, colorful wool, and felting needles, students will use needle felting techniques to “paint with wool” to create a colorful scene.

No previous experience is necessary to head home with a beautiful decoration that captures the best parts of summer! $75 ($65 ASI member) + $25 materials fee payable to instructor.

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