American Craft Library
The American Craft Library is a destination on-site and online to explore, discover, and learn. Join ACC staff for collaborative hands-on happenings inspired by the American Craft Library and its extraordinary collection of resources.

The Balvenie Handcrafted Scotch Whisky Experience
The Balvenie returns as the Let’s Make cornerstone, showcasing their award-winning, handcrafted single malt Scotch whisky. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill Scotch tasting; The Balvenie is the only company of its kind still making their Scotch by hand, using centuries-old techniques. This dedication to the handmade rvalues shared by the many artists at our shows. When you visit the show, be sure to sign up for one of The Balvenie’s tasting experiences with brand ambassador David Laird. You’ll taste their full range of Scotches and learn how they are made.The American Craft Council is proud to partner with The Balvenie, an organization equally committed to championing craft.

Tasting Schedule

Friday

• 1 – 1:45 p.m.
• 2:15 – 3 p.m.
• 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
• 4:45 – 5:30 p.m.

Saturday

• 11:45 – 12:30 p.m.
• 1 – 1:45 p.m.
• 2:15 – 3 p.m.
• 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
• 4:45 – 5:30 p.m.

Sunday

• Noon – 12:45 p.m.
• 1:15 – 2 p.m.
• 2:30 – 3:15 p.m.
• 3:45 – 4:30 p.m.

Bay Area Discovery Museum (Saturday and Sunday only)
Join the Bay Area Discovery Museum for a STEM-based program focused on interior design. Cultivate your creative toolbox as you design and build tiny furniture using recycled materials. Consider scale, form, and function as you adorn the interior of our miniature homes.

Birch Display
Meet the creators and designers of ACC’s Let’s Make display system. Birch Display works with organizations to make their events as engaging as possible. They use natural materials and easily assembled, flexible structures to transform event spaces. 

Bread SRSLY
Bread SRSLY makes gluten-free and vegan sourdough bread for the sensitive foodie. They will bring their entire range of breads and toast samples for guests to enjoy with their favorite toppings.

Calstar Cellars
ACC leatherworker Richard E. Davis (booth 110) has been practicing the creative art of winemaking for 16 years as the founder of Calstar Cellars. Learn about the company’s processes and taste Calstar Cellar’s line of California wines.

Cheese School of San Francisco (Saturday only)
Join the Cheese School of San Francisco for a mozzarella-stretching demonstration. The Cheese School was founded in 2006, and is the only independent cheese school of its kind in the nation. They offer classes and tastings for newbies and pros alike, as well as catering and private events. Their philosophy is “Eating is learning.”

Eileen P. Goldenberg (4 – 5 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. – noon Saturday)
Eileen is an award-winning encaustic artist with more than 17 years of experience. She has been teaching encaustic painting technique for 10 years and recently won an award from Brian Gross of Brian Gross Fine Art gallery. Join her as she demonstrates how to paint with encaustic, including layers, translucency, and texture. Guests can experiment with encaustic on small boards to take home. Many thanks to R&F Handmade Paints for sponsoring this demonstration.

Friends of Shen Yun
Friends of Shen Yun is a society of artists and fans of the New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts. Their renowned annual theatrical production features 300 sets of handcrafted American-made costumes that have dazzled and inspired fashion designers around the world. To celebrate this ancient art, volunteers will demonstrate the process and technique of sewing, tailoring, and embroidering. Visitors will be able to try sewing and learn about the principles applied in the designs, fabric dyeing, and selection of Han couture. 

Mendocino Art Center
Mendocino Art Center has been a resource for students and professional artists since 1959. It offers exhibition space as well as classes in a wide variety of mediums. Everything from painting to sculpture, ceramics to fiber, drawing to jewelry is represented in the historic village of Mendocino. MAC faculty and staff will demonstrate throwing on a potter’s wheel, repoussé metal forming, and weaving and shibori techniques.

Melanie Abrantes Designs
Melanie Abrantes Designs is a Bay Area-based producer of handcrafted, heirloom wood objects. Melanie creates products of the highest quality that are both beautiful and functional. Join Melanie as she demonstrates Japanese wood carving. Be prepared to engage with the material and traditional tools as she demonstrates how to design, carve, sand, and finish wood pieces. For adults and children ages 10-plus.

Purely Syrup
Purely Syrup makes organic simple syrups in small batches, supplying bars, restaurants, and specialty markets with their sweet beverage ingredients. Meet the makers and try a few of their fabulous syrups.

Sweetdragon Baking Co.
Hway-ling Hsu began Sweetdragon Baking Co. in San Jose to make pies, but quickly detoured into brittle and has been making it ever since.  She first learned how to make peanut brittle and adapted the technique for other ingredients. Today she makes more than 20 kinds of brittle, including black sesame and chocolate stout. Each batch is stirred by a real human wielding a spoon.

Verde Vivo
Meet San Leonardo loose leaf tea company, Verde Vivo. All of their blends feature responsibly sourced tea leaves and local blending ingredients to provide memorable flavors.

The Xocolate Bar
The Xocolate Bar uses organic, fair trade chocolate to make bonbons, bark, bars, caramels, marshmallows, figurines, and more. Join them for a demonstration of the creation of custom chocolate figures. The process begins by sculpting the original figure out of clay, then a mold is made, and the chocolate is decorated and finished.