“Ilah is friendly and knowledgeable.  Her relaxed, mellow attitude towards measurements and instruction made me feel comfortable about trying the recipes on my own.  My first batch that I created in my kitchen turned out beautifully and it was great fun to do.”-Annie Kenny

“I liked that I could ask questions that were not necessarily addressed in the books. I also liked the peaceful, creative setting.”-Rebecca Anaya

Private Classes

Students can meet with me privately at Black Squirrel, in their home or a location of your choice. A one-hour class is $45 or $60 for two students.

Group Classes in Berkeley, Danville and Albany

Beginning Watercolor Tuesdays 10:30am-12:30pm, September 4, 18 and 25th (3 sessions) Danville Community Center Veterans Memorial Building 115 E. Prospect Avenue Danville, CA  94526 (925) 314-3430 Enrollment is $80/res, $95/non-res.

Learn how to paint a beautiful still life watercolor painting. No drawing skills are required. Materials will need to be purchased by participant prior to class. Students should bring watercolor paper, paint, brushes and a container for water. A detailed materials list will be given prior to class. No class 9/11.

Beginning Watercolor Fridays 6:30-8:30 pm, September 7-October 12 (6 sessions) Albany Community Center 1249 Marin Ave Albany, CA 94706 (510) 524-9283. Enrollment is $129/res, $139/non-res.

Discover how easy and beautiful watercolor can be. We will make delicate gradations, hard edges and surprising patterns with paint. Then we mix colors and create the illusion of shadow and light to create wonderful still life paintings. Drawing skills are not required for this class, and gentle instruction is provided as needed. A materials list is provided upon registration.

Fair Isle  for Intermediate Students  Sunday 12-2pm September 9 (1 session) at the Black Squirrel at 651 Addison St. just west of the train tracks, near Aquatic Park (805) 441-3886. Enrollment is $35
You too can decorate hats and fingerless gloves with adorable repeating patterns in contrasting colors! We will learn how to juggle two colors at once with smooth, even results. Students should know how to knit in the round with either cable or double pointed needles and 1×1 ribbing. Students should bring a very light and dark colored worsted or dk yarn, corresponding 16″ or double pointed needles, and a stitch marker. save 10% if they purchase materials at Black Squirrel.

Cultured Sauerkraut Wednesday 6:30-8pm,  September 12 (1 session) Albany Community Center 1249 Marin Ave Albany, CA 94706 (510) 524-9283. Enrollment is $39/res, $49/non-res. $7 material fee paid to the instructor.

Cultured sauerkraut is deliciously rich in probiotics or “good bacteria” but a 16 oz. jar can cost as much as $10. In this class, you can learn how to make a gallon for as little as $2 with a variety of vegetable and spice variations. Tips for making low-sodium kraut are included in this class.

Beginning Knitting Thursdays 10:30am-12:30pm September 13-27 (3 sessions) at the Danville Community Center Veterans Memorial Building 115 E. Prospect Avenue Danville, CA  94526 (925) 314-3430. Enrollment is $80/res, $95/non-res.

Cast on, knit purl and bind off to make adorable scarves, hates and blankets. We will demystify gauge, tools and patterns so your projects will fit well and look beautiful. Students should bring at least one ball of worsted weight yarn and a pair of size 8 or 9 knitting needles.

Tortillas and Tamales Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm, September 19 (1 session) at Albany Community Center  1249 Marin Ave Albany, CA 94706 (510) 524-9283. Enrollment is $39/res, $49/non-res.  $9 materials fee paid to the instructor.

Tamales are traditional holiday dish in Latin America. We will use masa to make tamales filled with a choice of beans, cheese or pork. Then we will make tortillas and guacamole as we wait for the tamales to steam. Both tamales and tortillas are easy to make and delicious.

Watercolor Help  Tuesdays 10:30am-12:30pm October 2, 16 & 23,  (3 sessions) Danville Community Center Veterans Memorial Building 115 E. Prospect Avenue Danville, CA  94526 (925) 314-3430 Enrollment is $75/res, $90/non-res.

Apply techniques from beginning watercolor to any subject you wish to paint with assistance from an instructor. Pre-requisite: Beginning Watercolor or an equivalent class.

Herbs and Spices  Wednesday 6:30-8:30 pm October 3 (1 session) at Albany Community Center 1249 Marin Ave Albany, CA 94706 (510) 524-9283. Enrollment is $44/res, $54/non-res. $7 materials fee paid to the instructor.

No more boring home cooked meals! We will taste and smell a selection of herbs and spices and learn how to pair them to a variety of foods. This class is a life saver if you are avoiding salt, processed foods, or just want to be a better cook.

Knitting Help Thursdays 10:30am-12:30pm October 4-18 (3 sessions) at the Danville Community Center Veterans Memorial Building 115 E. Prospect Avenue Danville, CA  94526 (925) 314-3430 Enrollment is $80/res, $95/non-res.

Do you want to learn a new technique? Need help with a tricky project? This class offers individual support for new and advanced knitters. Basic knitting or equivalent is required for this class. Students should bring yarn and tools to work on their project.

Delicious Vegetables Wednesday 6:30-8pm October 10 (1 session) Albany Community Center 1249 Marin Ave Albany, CA 94706 (510) 524-9283. Enrollment is $39/residents, $49/non-res.$7 material fee paid to the instructor.

Don’t drown your broccoli in ranch dressing! Learn how herbs and spices can turn greens into delicious sautés and salads. We will also use leafy herbs to make your green smoothies extra yummy, not bitter.

Meat Preparation Wednesday October 17 6:30-8pm (1 session) Albany Community Center 1249 Marin Ave. Albany CA 94706 (510)524-9283. Enrollment is $39/residents, $49/non-res. $11 materials fee paid to the instructor.  

Learn these three major cooking techniques to prepare everything from pork loin to fish. This class includes tips to prevent dry, tough or underdone meat, as well as a list of recommended techniques and herbs suited for particular varieties of meat.

Watercolor Landscape Fridays 6:30-8:30pm October 19-November 30 (6 sessions) Albany Community Center 1249 Marin Ave Albany, CA 94706 (510) 524-9283. Enrollment is $129 /res, $139/non-res.

Learn how to apply layered washes, basic drawing and perspective to create simple and beautiful landscape paintings. Students should have taken beginning watercolor  or an equivalent class. Drawing skills are not required and gentle instruction is provided as needed. A materials list is provided upon registration.