Category Archives: Classes

Shred Your Fears: Skateboarding Retreat for Women

Shred Your Fears is a half-day skateboarding retreat intended for women who want to overcome their fears so that they feel strong and comfortable in their bodies.

Shred Your Fears will be held from 9a-1p on Sunday, November 4 at Switch & Signal Skatepark located at 7518 Dickson Street in Swissvale.

Organized by Maya Henry, a mind-body coach, the event will feature a full beginner skateboarding lesson, yoga and group coaching sessions, unlimited coffee from Satellite Cafe (Constellation Coffee’s “satellite” location in the skatepark), as well as a full dairy-free, gluten-free brunch, and other goodies.

Intimidated by skateboarding? Maya sure was at first, but she is growing to love the sport as she practices with her son. Read more about how Maya got into skateboarding and check out the FAQ’s on the event page. As of this posting, there are only 5 tickets left.

Free Classes for Women at TechShop on March 8

Have you every wanted to try welding? Maybe you have always wanted to learn to build your own furniture or learn to use a 3D printer. If you are a woman in the Pittsburgh area, this is a great opportunity for you to try these classes for free.

International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women. TechShop is celebrating International Women’s Day by offering FREE classes to all women on Tuesday, March 8th.

TechShop is a maker space located in Bakery Square. What’s a maker space you ask? I happen to work at TechShop and while I might not be qualified to use all of the equipment in the shop, I am more than qualified to tell you about all of the things you can do and make at TechShop.

Think of TechShop kind of like a gym or fitness center, instead of treadmills, free weights and an akward area where people are supposed to do situps, TechShop has all kinds of equipment that members can use for making things. Everything from laser cutting machines, to welding, to a woodshop, as well as a large area that is not-so-awkward where everyone can work on projects.

Once you are TechShop member, and you have passed the SBU class (SBU is TechShop speak for safety and basic use), you can come in to use that piece of equipment whenever you want. The SBU classes cost between $50 and $150, so this is not only a great chance to learn a new skill but also to check an SBU off your TechShop bucket list.

Free Classes for Women on March 8 @ TechShop Pittsburgh

Here is the schedule of classes for Tuesday, March 8. You MUST call the front desk (412) 345-7182 or come into the shop to register. The front desk is open from 8:30am to 10pm. The shop is open to members from 8am to 1am.

10:00 am – Woodworking // Woodshop SBU
10:00 am – Welding // MIG Welder SBU
1:00 pm – Furniture Basics [Pre-requisite Woodshop SBU]
1:00 pm – Sand Blasting & Powder Coating SBU
2:00 pm – Textiles // CNC Embroiderer SBU
4:30 pm – Basic Metal Shop SBU // Make a Metal Bottle Opener
5:00 pm – Welding // TIG Welding SBU
5:00 pm – 3d Printing // Printerbot SBU
5:30 pm – Laser Cutting // Trotec Laser SBU
6:00 pm – Metal // Ironworker SBU
6:00 pm – Circuits & Stuff // Electronic Instruments
7:00 pm – Woodworking // Shopbot SBU
7:00 pm – Blacksmithing Basics // Leaf Wall Hook

Interested in learning more about TechShop?

Everyone is welcome to stop by the shop for a tour. Click here to sign up.
Friday, March 4 – TechShop Happy Hour from 5pm-8pm. Tickets are $10, or you can enter to win 2 ticket here.

Cities Can Help to Shape an Equal Opportunity Maker Movement (nextcity.org)
‘The Looming Entrepreneurial Boom’: Kauffman Weighs In (theatlantic.com)
Entrepreneurs Take On Manufacturing (hbr.org)

Iconography Class with Immanuel Icons Studio Starts February 7

Simeon Larivonovoff at Artisan (Photo Credit – Artisan’s Facebook page)

I have been meaning to write about these iconography classes ever since I met the artist last year at the PULSE Alternative Gift Market. There was also a recent gallery display of incredible iconography during the last First Fridays on Penn avenue. Artisan hosted a show of works by the Russian Icon painter Simeon Larivonovoff. I’ve included a short documentary about Simeon Larivonovoff below. I really enjoyed seeing these icons and reading more about the process. Even if you don’t have an oOrthodox background, it is fascinating to see the time and effort that goes into creating these works of art.

Today seems like a most appropriate day to post about iconography. Merry Christmas to everyone who is celebrating Orthodox Christmas today. I will be spending this weekend making and eating pierogi with my father and his cousins who all grew up celebrating Orthodox Christmas.

Pittsburgh Iconography Classes with Immanuel Icons

The spring session for the Immanuel Icons class starts in February in Highland Park. Details and registration information is available online here.

Saturday Spring Iconography Class: approximately every other Saturday morning for 8 sessions, 9:30-12:30, $200
February 7, 21, March 7, 21, April 25, May 2, 16, and 30

Students will work on a simple bust of a saint or angel. To prepare their own board and drawing for the saint of their choice, they may take the two Fall Workshops listed below (optional). Otherwise, a choice of two saints will be presented on the first day of class and students will use the teacher’s drawing and a purchased board. $75 materials fee, for first-time students.

If you are interested – Immanuel Icons will be offering a summer iconography intensive from August 3-9, 2015.

Classes are taught by Randi Maria Sider-Rose who has been writing icons for over 15 years and has studied iconography around the globe.

You can follow Immanuel Icons on Facebook here.

Read more about local Pittsburgh iconography in this Post-Gazette article – Orthodox icons are seen as ‘theology in color’ (April 4, 2010)

a little icon of Saint Veronica (Photo credit – Immanuel Icons Facebook page)

Documentary: The Russian Icon Painter

Pittsburgh filmmaker Julie Sokolow made this documentary about Simeon Larivonovoff, this film was a finalist for the Life In A Day documentary film project.

Happy Handmade Holidays – 25 Classes to Make Holiday Gifts Before Christmas

Looking to take a break from shopping? Need a special gift for a very special someone? Or maybe you just want to make something. Think craft-mas instead of Christmas.

You still have plenty of time to make or buy some incredible handmade gifts. From glass blowing to laser etching – there is a crafty class on this list for everyone. Looking to learn to make something delicious? There are plenty of classes to help you create some holiday treats. Gaynor’s cooking school even has a class to help you channel your inner Julia Child!

craft classes in Pittsburgh