The Arts and Crafts Center offers after-work fun Published April 6, 2010 By Peggy Farnsworth and Terri McClure 17th Force Support Squadron GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Tired of staring at your computer monitor or sitting around your room or house? Are you ready for some hands-on creative adventures? If so, visit the Arts and Crafts Center for new opportunities in craft classes, pottery and mold cast ceramics, wood working and an auto hobby self-help experience with a full regime of auto services available. The center is located in Building 109 across from Mathis Fitness Center. The ceramics program is run on an 'open workshop' basis during their normal business hours, Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m-5 p.m. and Sunday, 12 -6 p.m. Come in any time and get help with any project. There are hundreds of molds available that range from chess and dish sets, dragons, to a variety of gifts items. Shop brushes and tools are available to use for free with paints, glazes and firing offered at reasonable prices. Additionally, the pottery program is another option, with classes in pottery wheel use or hand building techniques offered most Sundays at 2 p.m. The shop is also open for patrons to use as an artistic workspace for other mediums and storage space for ongoing craft endeavors is also available. The center offers silk-screening, engraving, printing, embroidering and framing at low prices. Custom apparel decorating with embroidery, silk screen or transfer printing is available with staff on hand to help with the design. The engraving shop offers a full line of plaques, pen sets, acrylic awards and figurines that can be custom engraved at reasonable prices with a quick turn-around time and quality results. The laser engraver can engrave photos into wood, cut shapes from acrylic and engrave on glasses. A variety of styles and sizes of mugs and steins can be custom imprinted with your squadron logo, nickname or a photo. The frame shop offers a wide selection of molding and mats to professionally frame your treasured artwork or hard-earned diploma. A retail sales area carries ceramic, stained glass and art supplies and rounds out the options on hand at the center. There are always pre-printed mugs, embroidered hats and shirts, key chains and other items available for your last minute gift needs. The center's staff are artists with unique skills and abilities, and have over 60 years of combined experience. For more information call (325)-654-3237. The wood shop offers the opportunity to create your own furniture, plaques, toys and other wood projects. The manager, Jason White, is known for his skill and ability to teach patrons to build any wood projects from start to finish. With 15 years of experience, Mr. White is on hand to teach beginners, assist with ideas for more advanced projects and handle safety. The fully equipped shop is open Wednesday and Thursday, 12 - 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m-5 p.m. and Sunday, 12- 6 p.m. If you need ideas come look through our library of project videos and books. Shadow and flag boxes, and coin racks are on hand for sale and custom woodworking is offered as time allows. For more information call (325)-654-5643. The new auto hobby shop offers a wide realm of state of the art automotive equipment for use with three mechanics to meet your self-help needs or mechanic provided repair services. The staff, with over 50 years of combined experience, are customer friendly and ready to help you with all your automotive needs. Their services are available on Wednesday and Thursday, 12 - 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Sunday, 12 - 6 p.m. They have facilities for valve grinding, tune-ups, oil changing, gas arc welding, wheel balancing and tire changing. An automotive library, limited resale and special order parts are also available. Toolboxes are available at each stall and a computer diagnostic system can provide computer printouts for repair information on vehicles. For more information or to schedule appointments call (325)-654-3233. If you are unsure of what you want to work on, the center offers an "art-stravanganza" the first Monday of each month from 5:30-8:30 p.m. We offer four or more workshops, such as cake decorating, stained glass, pottery, woodworking or automotive maintenance. You can watch for free or participate in one of the craft classes for a small fee, which includes all supplies. Bring the whole family or several friends, one for each craft area of interest and expand your creative horizons.