Encaustic painting, bead making classes in Durham

A weekly roundup of home and garden classes, tours and more.

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Hot encaustic is an intoxicating medium that smells like honey and falls somewhere between painting and sculpture. This affordable workshop includes 2 ready-to-hang canvases and unlimited encaustic medium. Through guided demonstrations, you’ll explore layer building techniques using different fusing tools to create unique surfaces. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 16-17. $75 per day plus $40 materials. Durham Arts Council, 120 Morris Street, Durham. 919-560-2787, durhamarts.org.

Lake Crabtree is a birding hotspot and a great place to observe both common and uncommon winter waterfowl. Learn how to identify various species by looking at field markings, behaviors and more. We’ll spend a lot of time observing waterfowl on the lake, so dress warmly! Preregistration is required. www.wakegov.com. 9 a.m. Jan. 16. Free. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville. 919-460-3390, wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree/Pages/default.aspx.

Stay warm by exploring how plants stayed warm on those treacherous ocean voyages during Colonial days. Students will also get to explore the water cycle as they build their own terrarium to take home and enjoy until spring arrives. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 19. $70; $55 members. JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh. 919-515-3132, jcra.ncsu.edu/.

Head out to Lake Crabtree to learn all about our most commonly seen mammal. We’ll spy on the always entertaining grey squirrels that abound at the park. Park staff will answer all your gnawing questions about squirrel habits, habitats, and the perils they face. 9-11 a.m., 4-6 p.m. Jan. 21. Free. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville. 919-460-3390, wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree/Pages/default.aspx.

What goes on inside a plant? At this class you’ll learn how different plants need different environments and create a fun take home project. 9-10 a.m. Jan. 23. $5. Logan Trading Company, 707 Semart Dr, Raleigh. 919-828-5337, logantrd.com.

This workshop will introduce you to the exciting world of lampworking. Students will use effetre (soft glass) rods and learn how to make basic beads and designs. Learn about safety, melting glass, using different tools to shape your beads and simple techniques to decorate them. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Jan. 23. $65; $20 supply fee. Durham Arts Council, 120 Morris Street, Durham. 919-560-2787, durhamarts.org.

Shop the Garden’s biggest selection of orchids of the year with thousands to choose from. Graham Wood, who is traveling all the way from Hawaii, will give a talk about lady slippers. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 30. Free. Atlantic Avenue Orchid & Garden, 5217 Atlantic Ave., Raleigh. 919-878-8877, atlanticavenuegarden.com/.

Each weekend, the Commercial and Education buildings, the Shoppes at Dorton, and the outside grounds are host to hundreds of dealers, craftsmen, and booths. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays. Free. N.C. State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh. 919-733-2626, ncstatefair.org.

This story was originally published January 15, 2016 at 4:33 AM with the headline "Encaustic painting, bead making classes in Durham."