top of page

WORKSHOPS

I love teaching! I've taught 20+ workshops on a variety of mediums.

Champaign Public Library book display

Crafty Adults

At the Champaign Public Library, I coordinated a monthly arts and crafts workshop, Crafty Adults. This creative workshop series was designed for adults of any skill level, featuring local artists and makers. I organized, grew, and regularly taught this series of workshops. They grew so popular that we started offering two classes some months, and offer a waitlist. Some events' registration filled up within 1 minute of opening!

Mission

It was my vision to connect the community with the joy of making through a free workshop. Spending time creating is a muscle that we all need to stretch, and offering a free class in a safe space enabled our participants to do just that. 

Woman at a table making crafts
Group of people at a tale making art

Bad Art Night

One of my favorite events was Bad Art Night! We partnered with two small businesses and competed to see who could make the best bad art!* We dismantled forgotten Barbie dolls and used up old art supplies. Everyone also helped create the Bad Art Trophy that one lucky participant won at the end of the night!

 

*Disclaimer: there is no bad art!

See below for a complete list of workshops and classes.

Crafty Adults at The Champaign Public Library

2018-2023

Workshops in bold were taught by Laura Reiss. All others were planned and arranged by Laura and taught by other makers.

​

Live webinars of some of the virtual events are available here.

2023
 

  • Handmade Scrapbook Journals with Fairy Tree Studios
     

  • Make your Own Ink with the Rare Book and Manuscript Library
     

  • Soap Making with the Wright Soapery
     

  • Watercolor Painting with Joan Jach
     

  • Abstract Art Making

2022
 

  • Virtual: No-sew Scrunchies
    Want to get in on the scrunchie trend, but don't know how to sew? Learn how to make scrunchies without sewing in this workshop.
     

  • Virtual: Rainbow Keychains
    Yarn wrapped rope rainbows are cute, easy to make and fun to customize!
     

  • Virtual: Geometric Jewelry
    Get creative with us and learn how to design abstract geometric jewelry from wooden shapes.
     

  • Handmade Scrapbook Journals
     

  • Flower Arranging for the Home Gardner
     

  • Felt Flower Mobile
    Get in the fall spirit and create your own autumnal felt flower mobile.
     

  • Cookies and Canvases
     

  • Bad Art Night with Art Coop & The Idea Store
    Join us for an out of the ordinary evening of creativity. We'll be competing with each other to see who can make the best bad art! We'll have plenty of supplies, so bring your imagination and show us how great bad art can be!*
    *Disclaimer: there is no bad art!
     

  • Creative Collage
    Looking to take your paper crafting skills to the next level? Learn some collage concepts to create cards, original artwork or decoupage projects!

2021
 

  • Virtual: Collage Concepts
    Looking to take your paper crafting skills to the next level? Learn some collage concepts to create cards, original artwork or decoupage projects!
     

  • Virtual: Knit for Beginners with Klose Knit
     

  • Virtual: Crochet for Beginners with Klose Knit
     

  • Virtual: Hand-sewing Essentials
    Interested in learning how to hand-sew? We'll be going over some basic stitches and learning how to sew on a button.

  • Virtual: DIY Beeswax Food Wrap
    Interested in reusable and sustainable food storage options? Join us in creating beeswax food wrap that can be customized to fit your food storage needs.
     

  • Virtual: Polymer Clay Jewelry
    Inspired to make your own jewelry? Join local artist and entrepreneur Emmaline of Loren Made Studio as she shares her polymer clay techniques and design knowledge.
     

  • Watercolor Wreaths with Joan Jach
     

  • Virtual: Found Image Painting
    Feeling artistic but intimidated because you don’t think you can draw? Join Molly Hatch as shares her process of creating a piece of art based on found imagery.
     

  • Virtual: Making Medieval Manuscripts
     

  • Virtual: Cookies & Canvases
    One of our favorite events is back, this time virtually! Get cozy and join local artists Kinsey Fitzgerald and Laura Reiss to create an enchanting lunar painting.

2020
 

  • Personalized Planner
    It's a New Year, so why not start it off with getting organized. Create and customize your own personal planner for the 2020 calendar year. You will leave this class with the contents to create your very own day-planner and your brain will be buzzing with ideas on how to set yourself up for success!
     

  • Candle Creation
    Learn how to easily make your own homemade scented candles. Take our free candle making class!
     

  • Virtual: Blooming with 3D Flowers
    Dreaming of spring flowers? If you’re eager to capture the beauty and keep it from wilting, paper flowers are your best friend! Create an arrangement made completely of cardstock. You can easily customize the flowers to the colors of your choice!
     

  • Cookies & Canvases
     

  • Jewelry Making
     

  • Stitching with Pride
     

  • Macramé Keychains
     

  • Felt Flower Wreaths
    Green thumb challenged? Enjoy the everlasting beauty of felt flowers on a modern wire wreath! 
     

  • Tin Can Luminaries
    Light up your evenings with Tin Can Luminaries! You bring the recycled cans, we'll provide you with the tools and directions.  Crafters of all skill levels are welcome!

  • Preserved Leaf Mobile
    Get all the autumnal vibes with a Preserved Leaf Mobile! Enjoy collecting your favorite leaves and turning them into sculpture. 
     

  • Cookies & Canvases
     

  • Weaver Fever
    Get cozy this winter with a new hobby and catch the "Weaver Fever". Crafters of all skill levels are welcome!

2018/2019
 

  • Candle-Making
     

  • Silhouette Cards
    Learn how to make beautiful, finely-cut cards by using the library's silhouette machine.
     

  • Terrariums with Joan Jach
     

  • Seed Balls with Delight Flower Farm
     

  • Pom Pom Animals
    Come learn how to make adorable pom pom animals out of yarn. Each participant will take home at least one pom pom animal at the end of the class.
     

  • Mini Terrariums
     

  • Cityscapes & Landmarks Designs Featuring the Silhouette Machine
    Create an inspired design for a picture frame background. Select your favorite landmark or cityscape and learn how to cut it out with our Silhouette machine.
     

  • Flower Arranging with Delight Flower Farm and Joan Jach
     

  • Homebrewing 101 Demonstration​
     

  • Cookies & Canvases
     

  • Make Your Own Kombucha
     

  • Yarn & Yak with the C-U Spinners and Weavers Guild
    Learn, teach and share ideas with others who are interested in knitting, crocheting, macramé and embroidery. Bring a project or sample some products from our supply!
     

  • Backyard Body Care
     

Lollieeeepop Weaving & Watercolor

2015-2017

All of the following were designed and taught by Laura Reiss at local businesses or in her studio.

2015-2017
 

  • Individual watercolor painting lessons
    One-on-one beginner watercolor painting lessons tailored to each student.
     

2017
 

  • The Idea Store
    Beginner weaving classes using a self-designed lesson plan and instructional booklet.
     

  • Klose Knit
    Beginner weaving classes using a self-designed lesson plan and instructional booklet, as well as one-on-one follow-ups for class members.
     

2016
 

  • Eden Supportive Living
    30 person beginner watercolor class.
     

  • Windsor of Savoy
    30 person beginner watercolor class.
     

2015
 

  • Urbana Farmers Market
    Bi-weekly event setting up a booth space to sell handmade goods and work with children teaching watercolor painting techniques.

bottom of page