Category: Hands-On

Make the best of your small garden space by creating these unique planters.
There’s one to suit every interest. Learn about plant needs and considerations when starting your garden.

We will cover the best planting choices and varieties for containers and small gardens. Fun recipes and tips will be provided to make the most of your harvest throughout the summer. Refreshments and all materials included with registration!

Our Small Space Gardening Series is hosted in partnership with Fiddlehead Studio!
Fiddlehead Studio is a collaborative team of Lilah Anderson and Whitney Bouma. They are dedicated to offering quality workshops about plants, growing and creating with botanicals.
Lilah has always loved being in the garden and her love of plants has carried her to many things including a degree in biology, working on the horticulture team at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum and most life changing, moving from Rhode Island to Iowa to take a position as Education Coordinator at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. While she has since moved on to a career in her other love of art, plants have remained central to Lilah’s world and she loves to share her passion for the all things botanical with others.
Botanist. Gardener. Lover of all things Green. Whitney has spent the better part of her life immersed in the study and appreciation of the botanical world. As a former director of education for the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, she is no stranger to creating fun, engaging workshops to help broaden people’s knowledge and enjoyment of plants.

Register early to reserve your seat for this popular event!
May 20th is National Rescue Dog Day! Join us and create a one-of-a-kind painting of your cute and cuddly friend! Come out and drink a glass of wine while having some artistic FUN that both family and friends will enjoy! Please plan to arrive about 15 minutes early to put on an apron, grab a drink, and get seated.
After registering, please send a photo of your pet to desmoines@paintingwithatwist.com for each seat you have reserved. One pet per canvas, per reservation. Our artists will sketch your pet onto your canvas for you, and then assist you as you personalize your painting. WE MUST RECEIVE YOUR PET’S PHOTO AT LEAST THREE DAYS BEFORE THIS EVENT.
No experience necessary! Registration price includes the use of all art supplies & aprons, artist-led instruction, and a 16×20″ canvas or 14x14x4″ canvas tote bag (to take home).
Promo codes: Promo codes invalid Friday through Saturday, as well as at off-site events and special events.
Event Minimums: Events with insufficient enrollment may be canceled. We will reach out prior to the event if there is a chance of cancellation.
We look forward to seeing you soon!

If you’re a plant lover you know that plants have a special way of comforting us through the ups and downs of life, but did you know that plants are connected to the divine wisdom of the Cosmos. In the Plants and Planets workshop series you will learn how plants can support you through all of the seasons of your life through the lens of astrology. Register for all three workshops or attend just one.
Workshop One: Plant Communication – Saturday, May 21
Workshop Two: Plant & Planet Elixir Potion Creation – Saturday, June 11
Workshop Three: Seasonal Plant & Planet Support – Thursday, June 30
Refreshments 5:45, Speaker 6pm
Workshop One: Plant Communication
This is an introduction to astro-herbal magic! Go beyond whispering words of encouragement to your beloved plants and learn how to receive insights directly from them. In this Plants and Planets workshop you will learn the ins and outs of plant communication and how plants can connect you to the wisdom of the Cosmos. Build a heartfelt connection to a new cutting and learn how to plant it at an astrologically auspicious time.
About the Instructor:
Ash Gravity (they/them) is an astrologer, flower alchemist, and ancestral guide who supports sensitive souls in deepening their connection to the wisdom of the Earth and the Cosmos. Their astrological practice blends traditional Hellenistic and Astroherbal methods with past-life healing and animism. Their beloved plant guide is Meadowsweet, a sacred herb of their ancestors descending from the British Isles.

Show your colors and Greek Letter pride!
ΑΒΓΔΕΖΗΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ
Join us for an amazing DIY experience at Bottle & Bottega Des Moines! Personalize your very own wood sign with your BGLO’s letters and colors. We will pre-sketch the Greek lettering and founding year. You can creatively customize the rest making the result DIY-liscious! These signs are beautiful wall décor and a perfect addition to your Greek paraphernalia collection.
Registration price includes use of all necessary paint supplies and aprons, instruction, and a take-home surface!
Please plan to arrive about 15 minutes early to put on an apron, grab a drink, and get seated. If you desire more time to un”wine”, we invite you to arrive up to 30 minutes prior to the start of the event to sip and mingle.
Promo codes: Promo codes invalid Friday through Saturday, as well as at off-site events and special events.
Event Minimums: Events with insufficient enrollment may be canceled. We will reach out prior to the event if there is a chance of cancellation.
We look forward to seeing you soon!

The Jungle and the Desert is a class for our young plant enthusiasts!
During this interactive and creative learning session we’ll explore what kinds of environments our houseplants come from and how that informs what we do to take care of them.
Each participant will mix their own soil, and repot a 4” tropical or desert houseplant to take home!
Registration is for a single child. Please plan to attend and participate with your child(ren) as a guest! Together you’ll mix your own soil and repot a 4” Tropical or Desert plant to take home and care for.
Snacks (popcorn bar) and drinks will be provided!

If you’re a plant lover you know that plants have a special way of comforting us through the ups and downs of life, but did you know that plants are connected to the divine wisdom of the Cosmos. In the Plants and Planets workshop series you will learn how plants can support you through all of the seasons of your life through the lens of astrology. Register for all three workshops or attend just one.
Workshop One: Plant Communication – Saturday, May 21
Workshop Two: Plant & Planet Elixir Potion Creation – Saturday, June 11
Workshop Three: Seasonal Plant & Planet Support – Thursday, June 30
Refreshments 5:45, Speaker 6pm
Workshop Two: Plant & Planet Elixir Potion Creation
Capture the magical essence of an herb using the divine timing of the planets. In this workshop you will learn how to make your own plant essence through astrological timing and deep, respectful relationship to herbs. Everything you learn in this workshop you will be able to take home to continue creating your own essences from your favorite plants, flowers, and trees. At the end of this workshop you will take home your own herbal essence with instructions for how to use it and a new herb friends. Attending the Plants & Planets: Plant Communication workshop is recommended but not required.

If you’re a plant lover you know that plants have a special way of comforting us through the ups and downs of life, but did you know that plants are connected to the divine wisdom of the Cosmos. In the Plants and Planets workshop series you will learn how plants can support you through all of the seasons of your life through the lens of astrology. Register for all three workshops or attend just one.
Workshop One: Plant Communication – Saturday, May 21
Workshop Two: Plant & Planet Elixir Potion Creation – Saturday, June 11
Workshop Three: Seasonal Plant & Planet Support – Thursday, June 30
Refreshments 5:45, Speaker 6pm
Workshop Two: Plant & Planet Elixir Potion Creation – Saturday, June 4
Just as we witness the natural world go through seasons, we all go through our own cycles of growth, decay and rebirth. In this workshop you will learn how to work with plants to support you through the astrological seasons of your life. Expert astrological guidance will be provided for you to identify the cosmic season you are currently in. You will be guided to set intentions in alignment with your current season and receive support from a new plant friend as your journey unfolds. Attending Plants & Planets: Plant Communication workshop is recommended but not required