San Diego Craft Collective is proud to offer a variety of opportunities to local artists as part of our mission of supporting the traditional and modern craft communities. We have provided over 100+ local artists opportunities to share their skills with the greater San Diego community since we opened our studio doors in 2019. Each month we create new offerings and classes to share traditional craft with people of all ages, interests and abilities in San Diego. We are grateful for the opportunity to display the work of our artist-instructors with the Serra Mesa–Kearny Mesa Library and the community. Artists displaying work include: Aleya Lanteigne, Woodworker and Craftswoman; Grace Swanson, Gourd Artist & Basket Weaver; Jeanine Ertl, Weavers and Natural Dyer; Jess Pickering, Weaver & Macrame’ Artist; Joel Merritt, Stained Glass Artist; Larry Szafraniec, Woodturner; Lisa Maywood, Glass Artist; Shachi Shah, Ceramicist. Below, you’ll find more information about each featured artist, along with ways to connect with and support their work. You’re invited! We will host an Opening to celebrate this showing on Saturday, February 7 from 3 – 5pm at the Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Library on their back patio. We will offer light refreshments. We suggest that guests carpool, if possible. Hope to see you there! Featured Artists Artist: Aleya Lanteigne Art: Sculpture Medium: Wood About: Aleya Lanteigne (she/they) is a queer artist from Indianapolis, Indiana, living and working in San Diego, California. They hold an MFA in Furniture Design and Woodworking from San Diego State University and BFAs in Furniture Design and Sculpture from the Herron School of Art and Design. Their work has been exhibited nationwide, and they are active in San Diego’s arts community as an educator, exhibiting artist, and maker. Visit her website and portolio for more of her work. Craft Collective Instructor: Aleya teaches a variety of woodworking courses and classes at Craft Collective, as well as teaching woodworking and craft at seasonal kids craft camps. Classes: Woodworking: Intro to the Woodshop, Bandsaw Box, Wooden Brush Making, Scroll Saw Skills & Intarsia, Woodworking for Women | Skills for the Home Woodshop Artist: Grace Swanson Art: “Gourd” & “Pine Needle Basket with Deer Antler” Medium: Gourd & Pine Needle Basket About: Grace Swanson’s appreciation for art made from natural materials was fostered growing up in Nigeria. She earned a Graphic Arts degree from SDSU, worked as a graphic artist and botanical watercolorist, and later turned fully to gourd and pine needle art. Drawn to the grounding, timeless quality of natural media, she now focuses exclusively on gourd work and pine needle coiling, creating baskets and wall pieces with varied embellishments. To view more of her work, visit her business, Gourds by Grace. Craft Collective Instructor: Grace teaches Pine Needle Basket Weaving to students, inviting them to explore natural materials with this ancient craft. Classes: Basket Weaving | Pine Needle Basket Weaving Artist: Jeanine Ertl Art: Natural Dyes & Woven Textiles Medium: Natural Dye & Floor Loom Weaving About: Jeanine Ertl’s lifelong connection to fiber and textiles began in childhood and deepened through her studies at UC Berkeley and Peace Corps service. After returning to California, she discovered her weaving path while living on the Lost Coast and found her enduring creative practice. Through what she calls Intuitive Weaving, Jeanine explores emotion, connection, and intertwinement. Her small business, ANINI Designs, offers natural dyes, dyeables, and handwoven or hand-dyed textiles, supporting a sustainable, mindful approach to making and teaching. Craft Collective Instructor: Jeanine teaches a variety of weaving and natural dye classes at Craft Collective, inviting students to explore craft and their own creative voices. Classes: Lap Loom Weaving: Intuitive Weaving Workshop, Learn to Weave: Silk Textile Techniques Classes: Rigid Heddle Loom Weaving: Learn to Weave on a Rigid Heddle Loom | Clasped Weft & Hemstitching, Learn to Warp & Weave on a Rigid Heddle Loom Classes: Natural Dye: Intro to Natural Dye & Shibori Workshop, Bundle Dye Workshop, Acorn & Oak Gall Natural Dye & Shibori Workshop Artist: Jess Pickering Art: Weaving Medium: Weaving, Macrame’ About: Jess Pickering is a San Diego–based fiber artist whose love of fiber arts began in childhood. After earning a biology degree and working at the Department of Defense, she shifted careers to pursue art full-time. She now works across fiber disciplines including macramé and tapestry weaving, and enjoys sharing creative practice with people of all ages. To view more of her work, visit her Etsy shop, Jess Makes Macrame. Craft Collective Instructor: Jess teaches macrame’ and weaving while also working with children of all ages teaching small groups and at our kids seasonal craft camps. Classes: Macrame Crossbody Bag Workshop, Circular Woven Wall Hanging Kids Camp: Craft Explorer Spring Break Camp | March 30 – April 3 | 7-12yrs Artist: Joel Merritt Art: Stained Glass Medium: Stained Glass About: JoeL is a San Diego native who began working in glass in 1996. What started as kitchen cabinet door upgrades in his condo turned into a hobby building pieces for family and friends. A self-taught enthusiast, he continued to enhance his skills and knowledge over the years. In June of 2021 he juried into the Spanish Village Art Center. In May of 2022 he retired from the automotive parts career he enjoyed for 38 years to devote more time to his art. In October of 2022 he juried into the San Diego County Art Mart Association, SDCAMA. To view more of his work, visit Seminomadic Artisan. Craft Collective Instructor: JoeL has taught stained glass to hundreds of students through his introductory classes at San Diego Craft Collective for over three years. He’s also trained new artist-instructors in this medium. Classes: Glass Arts: Intro to Stained Glass, Stained Glass Flower Workshop Artist: Larry Szafraniec Art: Various Woodturned Pieces Medium: Woodturning About: Larry Szafraniec is a retired corporate V.P. and General Manager. He has taught woodturning at Palomar College. He set up the woodturning program for the Fine Woodworkers Member Shop and wrote the syllabus for the classes taught there. Larry enjoys teaching at San Diego Craft Collective. Larry’s work has been shown this year at the Escondido Center for the Arts, Gallery 21 in Spanish Village, The Wisteria Museum in La Jolla and the Design in Wood competition at the San Diego County Fair. Craft Collective Instructor: Larry teaches monthly woodturning and lathe workshops at San Diego Craft Collective and is passionate about sharing this traditional craft with teens and adults. Classes: Woodturning: Beginner Lathe: Woodturning Workshop, Beginner Lathe: Pen Turning Workshop, Intermediate Lathe: Candlestick Turning Artist: Lisa Maywood Art: “Hidden Figures Bowl” & “Sparkle Bowl” Medium: Fused Glass About: Lisa Maywood discovered stained glass in high school and returned to the craft after earning a BA from USC and working in advertising. She trained in Switzerland at the Ecole de Vitrail et de Création, then founded Verre Designs in San Diego, where she restores historic church windows, creates leaded and fused glass artwork, and teaches stained glass. Her work has been exhibited in Switzerland and France, and she has taught for over 19 years. At her business, Verre Designs, she offers custom-crafted glass art. Craft Collective Instructor: Lisa teaches a 7-Week series with San Diego Craft Collective, guiding students as they develop a larger, personalized project from start to finish using traditional leaded stained glass techniques. Class: Glass Arts: 7-Week Leaded Stained Glass Artist: Shachi Shah Art: Various Ceramics Medium: Ceramics About: Shachi Shah is a ceramic artist from India whose practice explores hand-building, wheel-throwing, and wood-firing, with a focus on earthy textures and organic forms. She studied ceramics in Pondicherry and completed an internship in Bali, experiences shaped by her deep connection to coastal landscapes. With four years of teaching experience, her work balances tradition and contemporary exploration while staying grounded in nature. Visit her portfolio for more of her work. Craft Collective Instructor: Shachi teaches a variety of hands-on ceramic wheel and handbuilding courses and workshops, as well as ceramic opportunities for children at upcoming seasonal craft camps. Classes: Ceramic Wheel: 5-Week Wheel Throwing Course: Saturdays, 4-Week Wheel Throwing Course: Saturdays Classes: Ceramic Handbuilding: Ceramic Handbuilding: Build Your own Sushi Set, Clay Handbuilding: Pinch Pot Planter, Clay Handbuilding: Spoon Rest Kids Camp: Craft Explorer Spring Break Camp | March 30 – April 3 | 7-12yrs ABOUT | San Diego Craft Collective offers skilled craft education to all ages! We believe we’re happier when we create with our own hands. We offer a wide variety of classes, camps & more, taught by skilled artists. Come forge new skills, explore creativity, work with your hands & build confidence with us! MISSION STATEMENT | San Diego Craft Collective plays a vital role as an inclusive resource for the community by teaching craft and woodworking classes as a vehicle for self-expression and personal growth. As an educational 501c3 nonprofit, we offer activities, workshops, artist space, scholarships, and fellowships centered around craft and creativity for individuals of all ages and backgrounds in a family-friendly, eco-conscious environment.