Creative Harmony Arts & Books
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PictureMennonite Meeting House invites explorers.


Explore and nurture your curiosity. Read essays and browse inspirational content. Creative Harmony is morphing into a website only. Offering inventory at low, low pricing and initiating new blog about Harmony Happenings.

Visit Harmony to enjoy the quaint and historic village. It offers a window to the past, architecture of the Harmonists, shopping for books, antiques, art and gifts,   eateries, art classes including journaling tours, and events hosted by the entire town and local committees. 


PictureDoor of Harmonist Cemetery
Cemetery Tour​
​Contact us via email for details of upcoming dates.
​

Tour Fee: $18

Join the living! We’ll walk the two historic graveyards where Harmonists and Mennonites “reside.” 
Learn some amazing and curious facts about the German settlers of the local area.
Yes, you can turn the stone cemetery door with a push!  Don't forget cemeteries were once used as parks. The emotions evoked by visiting run the gamut from pride to sorrow.  We'll definitely take time to stop and smell the mums.
This class features a creative writing  project to draft our own obituary after returning from the graveyard tours. Dress for the seasonal weather.   Approximate duration 2 hours. (Offered on ongoing seasonal basis.)

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Come join the holiday kickoff with a wagon ride!

German Christmas Market -- Weihnachtsmarkt --
Will return November 2018      

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HARMONY HERITAGE MUSIC FESTIVAL 
 The traditional music of the Appalachian and Allegheny regions.
July Dates TBD

The picture shows room where Harmonists were taught music.
That music to celebrate Historic Harmony's Heritage will be heard at the Harmonist Barn at 303 Mercer Road and the Mennonite Meetinghouse by the cemetery on Wise Road on various hours on dates in July. Visitwww.harmonymuseum.org for details and www.eventbrite for tickets. The festival is dedicated to the historic vision of John Ruch and his widow Shelby.​


​Previous classes and events follow. No Longer offered.
​

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Writing Your Personal Story

Class Fee:  $40.00
​​Sometime referred to as a "memoir" or autobiography it's the story you know best. Every picture tells a story and so does each life. Your life story deserves to be told, but how to do it? Join Janice Lane Palko, author, writer, editor, and instructor as she helps you to craft your words into story. Maybe tell about an important journey you took that you want to share with others, possibly family.
​The class will address where to begin your story and how best to structure it, what should or should not be included in it, and what your goals are in creating your story. The course will also touch on the mechanics and methods for preserving your memories.
​Text will be: The Gleamings Guidebook to Writing Your Life Story 


PictureGreeting autumn in the Park

Sunday in The Park - Wood Street Park in Harmony
A Journey to the Visual Art of Journaling
DATE: TO BE DETERMINED
​
Fee:  $20.00 (Includes journal, pencil and glue!)
Join us and make time for yourself with nature.
We'll hunt and gather objects and visual souvenirs to make a composition of pages in a journal. You will even sketch a snapshot of nature to add color back at the studio. Everyone teen - adult is welcome. This is not a gender specific project. 
Experience Sandy’s approach to journals / collage /assemblage:
​Hunt & Gather Expressionism     - Weather permitting.
​

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​WRITING CLASS  --- THE ART OF CREATIVE NONFICTION
3 Mondays - 

Need 3 signed up to hold class.

6:30-8:00p.m.  COST:  $55.00
Were you mesmerized by "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote or "The Right Stuff" by Thomas Wolfe? This course is an introduction to writing the literature of reality. Take the facts and create an article, essay, or memoir. Workshop includes a complimentary edition of Creative NonFiction Magazine (published in Pittsburgh). Use of textbook, You Can't Make This Stuff Up, by Lee Gutkind provided on loan to students for duration of classes.  Copies may be available to purchase for $17.00.
Supplies to bring: Pen or pencil and a composition notebook or notepad
​​

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​Creative's Way Workshop
On request with 3 participants. Ongoing Basis  -- 6 Mondays or Wednesdays
Cost $120 for 6 weeks +cost of text & supplies
Invite another participant who is new to the shop and get $20 off your workshop fee.
Possibility of day sessions if enough requests.
See drop down menu above for "Creative's Way Workshop" to get additional information & print flyer to share.
​
​​Based on The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron you will be searching for your best creative self through exercises, excavation and practice.  This 6-week workshop is available on an ongoing basis for three or more attendees.  Purchase a used edition or newer 25th Anniversary edition of text prior to class.
Limited supply available at shop.


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​Stenciling for the Curious --
FEES: Vary depending on design $50-$90.00 (includes stencil to keep)
See Decorative Stenciling on drop down menu. Decorative Stenciling




Shoes Illustrated by You! 
 Class Fee: $30.00
Blotted-Line Ink & Watercolor art is in the tradition of Andy Warhol's first commission work. Use dip pen and India ink to apply design. Sandy's original, "Glam Heel" is executed on heavyweight water color paper to frame or mount in a lid of your empty shoe box!  Various colors available.
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Workshop on Essential Oils
Like none you've attended so far!

Introductory Event Fee- $10.00 

Certified Essential Oil Specialist, Kim Regan-Koch will be conducting this information seminar to inform on various methods to utilize the health and lifestyle benefits of essentials oils.
Kim has formulated custom blends of oils in a base of Organic Fractionated Coconut Oil or can prepare ones to meet your specific needs and conditions. Conditions include but not limited to: anti-anxiety, acne erase, belly bloat, common cold, nail fungus, liver flush to name a few.
Kim is also a Certified Personal Trainer and Nutritionist. Her mission is to keep you enjoying your life with good health.
Call Kim at 724-816-9747 to sign up or email us through contact page.​

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​Postponed due to lack of interest

​Sip 'n' Bitch Genius Guild
Inauguration Meeting 
​See Page for Genius Guild--Inauguration
To join there is a $7.00 (one time fee) and nothing to sign except a pledge to not hold me or Creative Harmony Arts & Books liable or responsible for any injuries you might incur to your feelings.


Felt Nest Class
​Last held on March 31st (see below)- Hope to repeat in fall
Cost: $30 materials supplied for one nest
Felt Nest with Felt-maker, Juliane Gorman
Come learn how to create a wet-felted nest using wool fiber, soap and your fingers!
This small nest is perfect for holding treasures or eggs. 
​ Make it a spring gift for someone you love. Ability level: All 
​
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​Decorative EGG Ar
t

with 
mixed media artist, Susan Walker

 Class Fee:  $20.00
Together we will build layers of paper, textures and patterns with acrylic paint techniques to complete a beautiful egg for yourself or giving. All supplies provided to complete one egg, maybe more.
 Ability level: All   


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​ 
​FLOWER POWER WILL RETURN

TBD     FEE
: $20 
 Blotted line drawing & watercolor inks create this vibrant POP-Floral design on 8"x10" paper. Use a dip pen and black India ink to transfer design and use colors of your choice to apply watercolor inks. Can be  framed or display in window. All supplies  included.  ​Sign up with contact form.

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​
"COLLAGE CRAZY" -- 


FEE: $20.00 (includes supplies and your choice of poster board or heavy weight paper)
Let's get crazy and complete one of the best "therapeutic" creative projects there is-- cut 'n' pasting pictures and pieces of treasured photos or text. Often referred to as mood boards or dream boards we'll create a visual poster to remind you where you've been and where you're going.
​Magazines for cutting out images will be provided or bring extra magazines, old calendars with photos or fabric scraps to share and we'll clip out images to compose our "visual" self or dreams for 2018 collage. Bring a few photos if you want them copied to add to collage. Embellish with paint, stamping or stencils.
Create your bucket list in photos or printed itineraries, and maps. Bring what's taped on your fridge (or small magnets) or bulletin board and you can collage it all into one "memory" poster that may be laminated (if only paper is attached) or framed. 
​

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​Trompe L'oeil Bird in Nest Stenciling 
(Free Demonstration )


Class Fee:  $35.00
​Stencil this lovely bird
 with acrylic paints on hardboard. Learn how to use this trendy yet historic craft to personalize your home. The vinyl decals you've seen in recent years don't match up to putting your hands on the brush and using this easily executed decorating technique. ​

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​Let's Get HYGGE (hue- gah)  Will return in the fall and winter months.
Cost: $28.00 (includes copy of The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living and delicious Danish served with tea).
The land of cozy, joyful, candles, fluffy robes, slippers & fireplace calming conversations is common in Scandinavian countries. We'll embrace this Danish way of creating joy and coziness in the dead of winter without $10 bottles of artisan water or $100 yoga pants that fit perfectly. 

Past classes & Books read---
​here's what you missed,  creating and learning


Felted Nest Class - held in March
Students hand crafted their own nest and bowl of Merion Wool.
Felt artist Julianne Gorman led the group with her talented methods.
Hope to have her back in the fall.




Glass Coaster Class -​
May 6th, Saturday
Offered exclusively at Creative Harmony Arts & Books.
Build your design on 4 glass plates to create 4"x4" finished coasters or use your imagination to create a hanging plaque. 
Class Fee: $45 (includes mat'ls) Pieces fired off-premises.
Visit instructor Renee Ayers' website to view her beautiful creations: www.reneeayers.com

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Here's demo you missed on December 3rd! Felting with Merino wool. Just like the Harmonist used in 1804. Create a lovely, touchable elfin container for your secret gems -- or teeth from the fairy! 
Juliane Gorman, Instructor/Consultant - website: www.felt-happiness.com.
​

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​​​Here's what you missed on December 17th - Art Ornament -- ​Sheet music, acrylic paint techniques, and text paper snips are layered as Susan Walker guides you in this  glass based ornament building layers to complete a masterpiece for yourself or giving.  
​Susan Walker, Artist/Instructor/Consultant
Check her out on facebook: Susan Walker Art. 

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Paper Pages Wreath             
​Summer themed centers, still for sale in shop if you missed the class!  
​$45.00 & $55.00 

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​ Zelienople Library Wine Walk
Date: June 9th 2018  - 4:30-8:00pm

EVENT SOLD OUT in 2017!
June 17th was a fun day to walk around Harmony. We hosted Knockin Noggin Cidery & Winery. Music by Jason Ferrainola and free massages by Laura McClain from Aura Massage & Wellness.



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Decorative Stenciling SANDY'S PEPPERS


Class fee:  $22.00
A design Sandy created with her garden peppers as "models." Size
​approx. 14" x 14".
Take this class if you haven't been able to grown your own!
Using acrylic paints you will duplicate this design on heavy weight
paper suitable to frame. Stencil is provided for your use in class. 
May be purchased separately for $25.00.
This design also available in classes on other dates in May and June mentioned above on Decorative Stenciling page.

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Draw Baby Birds: Robin --  Parent & Me

Cost: $40 Child & Parent (addt'l child $15)
Here’s a true FAMILY project. Bring mom or dad or both!  
Draw and paint a baby robin using watercolor pencils.
Easier than traditional watercolors and fun, too! 
​ All students will learn line drawing, shading and watercolor blending. 
Ages 5-11 and Parent (any age)  
Guest Instructor:
M.J. McCurdy, Owner of Bottlebrush Gallery, M.J. teaches individual and group art classes for all ages



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Breakfast Book Club
Titles Read
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November 2016
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December 2016
PictureJanuary 2017













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February
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March
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April
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May
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June 2017
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July 2017
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Sept. 2017
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October 2017
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November 17th Last book for 2017
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Breakfast & Beyond Book Club
February   2018
their eyes were watching god by Zora Neale Hurston

Discussion of: their eyes were watching god by Zora Neale Hurston. (Meeting twice on this 3rd Friday of month to accommodate more readers.) A literary wonder that is as relevant today as in 1937. Perhaps the most highly regarded novel in the entire cannon of African American Literature (quote from book jacket). An exemplary novel of black love.
"There is no book more important to me than this one." -- Alice Walker. Hurston's characters are vivid with lives meshed into one another through her expert descriptions of black folk culture. Oprah produced a television adaptation of the novel and called it her "favorite love story of all time."
​No fee to attend.


  • Home
    • Sandy's Articles & Essays
  • Autobiography
  • Product
  • Activity Journey
  • About & More
    • Retrospective >
      • Past Classes & Events >
        • CEMETERY GALLERY >
          • Genius Guild--Inauguration
        • Creative's Way Workshop
        • Decorative Stenciling
        • Breakfast Book Club of Bibliophiles
    • Contact & Tweet
    • Creative Score
    • Blog