Getting Crafty on Hatteras Island

By JENNIFER MEEKINS

By JENNIFER MEEKINS

Hatteras Island is well known for its exuberant art culture. Of course, with the mesmerizing sunrises, sunsets, and endless natural inspirations, who would think otherwise?

Whether you are an artist, hobbyist, or someone yearning to dabble into the artistic waters, there are options for you on Hatteras Island. There are so many art workshops, classes or just walk-in opportunities that are available throughout the different villages.

The Blue Pelican located in Hatteras village offers a couple of different workshops. On Tuesdays from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. you can take a metal stamping class with Jenn Johnson. The cost for this class is $25 which includes all needed materials. On Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. they offer a fiber arts workshop. The cost is $20, not including the cost of supplies. The gallery also offers the opportunity to hold private parties during open hours or after. The private party project allows you to get a group of friends together to paint and decorate ceramic mermaids. The cost of the private party is $25 per person. All the classes take a maximum of six people. Please call to reserve your spot, and when stopping in, be sure to ask about the Art Tour Card.

Saltair Images Art Studio located in Frisco village offers many painting classes each week with Trish Dempsey. Enjoy learning how to paint with step-by-step instruction while you sample some gourmet chocolates from The Blue Lagoon! There is also an option for a child’s class. Children’s classes are recommended for children ages 5 and older. Adult classes are recommended for ages 9 and up. Class size is limited to 12. The cost for the class is $25. You need to reserve your spot, and you can do so by calling, checking out Facebook, or stopping into The Blue Lagoon where you can pick up a new list of different paint options each week. There are also opportunities to hold private parties if interested.

At Beads of Paradise in Frisco village, you can stop by during hours of operation and make your own jewelry. There is no appointment needed and the price varies depending on your choice of beads for your jewelry piece. You can even bring in your own beach glass or shells that you collected on the beach and they will drill holes in them for you. Sheila Jackson also offers a unique option at her shop – If you want to bring home a keepsake from your vacation or you are looking for a special one-of-a-kind gift, you can bring a shell or other item choice to the shop and the local artist will hand paint it for you. Prices vary. Hair wraps and henna tattoos by the artist herself are also available.

Studio 12 located right on the main highway in Avon village offers a wide variety of artistic options. They have scheduled classes that you can reserve a spot for and some walk-in activities if you wake up to a rainy day and just need something to do. On Tuesdays at 4 p.m. you can Paint a Beach Scene on Pottery with Carolyn Schena. The cost of the class is $15 plus the cost of your pottery of choice. On Wednesdays, you can make Glass Fushion Sun Catchers at 10 a.m. On Thursdays, Tissue Paper Seascapes is taught by Deobrah Tucker at 4 p.m., and you can make some Sea Glass Pendants with Laura Howard at 10 a.m. on Friday. Wednesday through Friday classes cost $39 and include all materials. Classes are recommended for ages 7 and up. Private parties are available. You can also walk in anytime to do pottery painting and mosaics which make great gifts or keepsakes, while you enjoy some coffee or smoothies. Prices vary based on your selection of materials.

Kinnakeet Clay a quaint little gallery located off what Antionette Mattingly calls “the beaten path in old Avon village” – also known as Kinnakeet – allows you to get real crafty and make your own pottery from wet clay. On Tuesdays at 10 a.m. they offer a Make a Mug or Bowl workshop. On Wednesdays, they offer their newest workshop at 10 a.m., Make a Wall Fish. Then on Thursdays, Make a Fairy House at 10 a.m. All skill levels are welcome and the classes are recommended for ages 4 and up. Ages 4-6 should have an adult helper. Classes are $40 per a person, plus shipping. Reservations are needed with room for up to 8 people. Private classes are available along with other time slots. It is important to know that since this is wet clay, there is a process it must go through. Once you have created your art and painted it, they must dry it, put it through bisque firing, glaze it with your choice of glaze, and then glaze fire it. This is a 3-week process and is the reason why the artwork will be shipped to you. If you live locally, you are welcome to pick it up at the shop when the process is completed. How do you choose between these workshops? “Keep in mind that the Fairy House and the Wall Fish allow for more creativity, while the Mugs and Bowls account for a grasp of functionality,” says Trisha Cutler. When visiting Kinnakeet Clay, make sure you ask about the Art Tour Card.

There are two options for jewelry making in Avon village. You can visit Uglie Mugs or The Glass Bead and Java Junction. Both shops allow you to come in any time during the hours of operation and make your own jewelry while you enjoy coffee, smoothies, and a wide variety of baked goods. They will assist you if needed. Prices vary based on choices of material and level of difficulty. Hair wraps are also available.

The Cosmic Octopus offers Tie-Dye Classes every Tuesday and Thursday at noon. This is a hands-on class that takes place on the deck. All the supplies and step-by-step instruction are included. The class includes a T-shirt, but you are welcome to bring something of your own, or you can upgrade to another selection from the shop for an additional cost. Advance registration is $17.50 and drop-in is $20. Classes are good for up to 7 people. Private classes are available.

Sandcastles Gallery in Avon and Hidden Treasure Gallery in Salvo are sister stores. Each gallery allows you to walk-in anytime during of the hours of operation and make your own sun catcher or ornament. The Sea Glass Driftwood Sun Catcher costs $30 and the Keepsake Ornament costs $12. For this cost, you receive all the materials necessary to make your creation. You are welcome to add on to your creation with more items for an additional fee.

There are so many options available to us!

So, the next time there is a rainy day, or even a day when the kids are mentioning how bored they are, get the family out and bring them to one of these wonderful places and get the creative juices flowing. Have some fun and make some memories.