Date/Time: June 8 - 12, 2026; 9:00AM to 12:00PM

Age Range: Rising 6th through 12th grade youth

Just like fine jewelry begins with raw materials, great design can start with what others throw away. In this hands-on class, students will explore how upcycled and everyday materials can become the foundation for beautiful, wearable art.

Join Mixxer instructor and CTE teacher Carrie Beach for a week of creative jewelry-making focused on both sustainability and core jewelry design principles. Students will work with repurposed items like newspapers, water bottles, DVDs, and other reclaimed materials while learning universal techniques used across the jewelry world.

Throughout the week, participants will develop essential skills such as measuring, shaping, cutting, drilling, wire wrapping, fastening, and finishing. They’ll gain experience using a variety of real jewelry-making tools and learn how design concepts like balance, texture, durability, and function apply no matter the material.

To cap off the experience, students will design and create a finished jewelry piece that incorporates copper accents, combining upcycled elements with traditional materials for a polished, professional look.

This class empowers students to see waste as possibility, build practical maker skills, and walk away with one-of-a-kind jewelry that reflects both creativity and craftsmanship.

Dates/Time: June 15 - 26, 2026; 9:00AM to 12:00PM

Age Range: Rising 6th through 12th grade youtth

Embark on a two-week fashion design journey, starting with the basics and culminating in sustainable creations! Week one, "First Steps in Fashion," will cover the essentials of sewing: learn to operate a sewing machine, understand and use patterns (and even create your own!), and explore a variety of stitches. You'll put your skills to the test by making your own garment. Week two, "Upcycled Fashion," dives into the exciting world of sustainable design. Discover how to deconstruct, reconstruct, and alter existing garments to create unique and stylish pieces. Learn textile manipulation and embellishment techniques to transform old clothes into fashionable new designs.

Instructor Bio: Savannah Shanley (she/her) joined the Mixxer staff as Events Manager in May of 2023 after graduating from Salem College. She loves all kinds of creative mediums including painting and printmaking but her biggest passion is the art of quiltmaking and fiber arts. She loves helping others to learn and share their creativity with the world. Stop by to say hello whenever you're at Mixxer!

Date/Time: June 15-19, 2026; 9:00AM to 12:00PM

Age Range: Rising 6th through 12th grade youth

Take your first steps into the exciting world of fashion with "First Steps in Fashion - Intro to Sewing"!

This comprehensive class will equip you with the essential skills to bring your fashion ideas to life. Learn to confidently operate a sewing machine, from threading the needle to mastering various stitches.

Dive into the world of patterns, understanding how to use existing ones and even creating your own unique designs. Explore the diverse applications of different stitches, discovering how they can add both functionality and flair to your creations. Throughout the class, you'll gain hands-on experience and build your skills, culminating in the creation of your very own garment.

Get ready to unleash your creativity and sew your way to stylish success!

Instructor Bio: Savannah Shanley (she/her) joined the Mixxer staff as Events Manager in May of 2023 after graduating from Salem College. She loves all kinds of creative mediums including painting and printmaking but her biggest passion is the art of quiltmaking and fiber arts. She loves helping others to learn and share their creativity with the world. Stop by to say hello whenever you're at Mixxer!

Date/Time: June 22 - 26, 2026; 9AM to 12:00PM

Age Range: Rising 6th through 12th Grade youth

Discover the art of sustainable fashion and learn how to upcycle existing garments into unique and stylish pieces. This course will teach you the techniques of deconstruction, reconstruction, and alteration to create one-of-a-kind clothing items.

You'll learn to:

• Deconstruct garments into usable materials
• Design and pattern-making techniques
• Sewing and stitching techniques
• Textile manipulation and embellishment
• Upcycling techniques like refashioning and repurposing

By the end of the course, you'll have the skills to transform old clothes into new, stylish pieces, reducing waste and expressing your individuality through sustainable fashion.All tools and materials will be provided, and lunch will be included.

Instructor Bio: Savannah Shanley (she/her) joined the Mixxer staff as Events Manager in May of 2023 after graduating from Salem College. She loves all kinds of creative mediums including painting and printmaking but her biggest passion is the art of quiltmaking and fiber arts. She loves helping others to learn and share their creativity with the world. Stop by to say hello whenever you're at Mixxer!

Date/Time: June 8 - June 12, 2026; 9:00AM to 12:00PM

Age Range: This course is for rising 6th -12th grade youth

Step into the world of metalworking with a modern twist. In this hands-on class, students will learn how to create custom jewelry using base metal clay—a unique material that can be shaped like clay and transformed into solid metal through heat.

Working with experienced instruction, participants will explore the full process from start to finish. Students will learn how to form, texture, carve, and refine their designs while the material is in its clay state. They’ll also be introduced to essential tools and techniques used in jewelry making, including shaping, detailing, sanding, and finishing.

As the clay is fired, designs are transformed into durable metal pieces. Students will then complete the finishing process by polishing and assembling their jewelry into wearable art.

Throughout the class, participants will build foundational jewelry-making skills while gaining an understanding of how material properties, design choices, and craftsmanship come together.

By the end of the session, each student will walk away with one or more unique, handcrafted metal jewelry pieces—and the skills to continue exploring the art of jewelry making.

Instructor Bio: Bonnie Toney’s passion has been creating beautiful things since she was first able to hold a pencil and paintbrush. She got interested in gems and jewelry in elementary school, and sold her first pair of earrings at age 11. A lifelong learner with diverse interests, Bonnie has pursued many types of artistic expression, and it’s not unusual to find several different disciplines contributing to a single piece. Bonnie ran a successful facepainting business for 20 years, in addition to teaching, creating her own art, and raising a family.   A move to North Carolina in 2013 gave Bonnie the chance to spread her wings artistically, pursuing both traditional metalsmithing and metal clay with vigor. She is currently an instructor at Sawtooth School for Visual Art in Winston-Salem and has taught students of all ages at various venues in the Piedmont Triad. Her work is available at multiple locations in the area, including the Sawtooth Gallery in Winston-Salem, the Southwinds Gallery in Kernersville, and the GreenHill Center for NC Art Gallery in Greensboro. Bonnie was the Featured Artist in the Summer 2024 issue of Metal Clay Today. She is also an enthusiastic participant and exhibitor in the Arts & Health at Duke program. Follow Bonnie on social media to see more of her work and her techniques.   “I find inspiration in nature, and in artistic traditions like Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts movement. Elegance of line speaks to me, and I find the interplay of light and color fascinating. I find joy in the creative process, and I love to help others find their joy.”