Upcoming Holiday Classes at the Public Market

We've been doing a series of classes on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. at the Pittsburgh Public Market. Our most popular class so far has been terrarium class (next one coming up on December 11). Today we did a Thanksgiving table arrangement and several attendees took home beautiful arrangements for their Thanksgiving festivities, learned about flower arranging, and did it all for a lot less than buying a finished arrangement from a florist.

For the rest of the year, we're doing a variety of holiday-themed sessions. There's a run-down below. If you're interested, sign up for our email list. Once a week, we email with details of the class (plus some handy seasonal tips, for things like pumpkin-carving, bulb-planting, and choosing a Christmas tree).

November 27: Doorknob wreaths with Construction Junction.

Don't settle for the same old cheap glass Christmas bulbs on your holiday door wreath. We'll use some pieces of Pittsburgh history -- doorknobs from Construction Junction and the greenSinner vaults -- to decorate a live or artificial wreath (your choice), then dress them up with bows, ribbons, and bling.

Cost: Free, you pay for the materials. Basic materials will start at about $40, ranging up to $100 or more if you choose really fancy doorknobs. (Aunt Edna would choose fancy doorknobs.) 1 hour.

December 4: Finishing touches for the holidays.

It's an extravaganza of gift-wrapping, bow-making, and all those other tiny little touches that make the holiday special. Friends, family, and crotchety Aunt Edna will marvel and envy the craftiness and style you bring to gift-giving and holiday festivities. Through demonstrations and hands-on help, we'll walk you through making everything pretty. Bring up to 3 items with you to wrap on the spot, and take home ideas for all the rest, plus embellishments for the table, mantle, stockings, and more.

Cost: $20. 1.5 hours

December 11: Make your own terrarium.

Want to bring a little piece of nature indoors? Keeping plants in a glass terrarium is a great way to connect with nature, and they make great gifts, too. (Aunt Edna wants two, since you never call.) We'll talk about considerations for choosing plants, accessorizing your terrarium, and successfully caring for it. Then we'll turn you loose on a container of your choice to plant your very own terrarium.

Cost: $7 includes dirt, moss, rocks, and accessories. You purchase plants (from $3-$6) and bring your own container -- mason jars, aquariums, fishbowls, and apothecary jars are all good choices. 1.5 hours.

December 18: Christmas table arrangement.

Santa's coming, and so is picky Aunt Edna. Make sure you have flowers to impress her for your holiday table. We'll create an arrangement of evergreens and long-lasting flowers to stay through all your holiday parties (or take it somewhere as a hostess gift). You can optionally bring your own container to build an arrangement in – anything from a basket to a soup tureen. And if you have Christmas mementos, special ornaments, or anything else you want to work in, bring them along.

Cost: $35. 1.5 hours.