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Personal Enrichment

Learn Something Just for You

Explore your creative side, pick up a new hobby, or dive into a hands-on craft with CE’s Personal Enrichment courses. From painting and sewing to DIY projects and more—our non-credit classes are a fun and stress-free way to learn something new, meet others, and enjoy the process. No pressure. Just personal growth and creative fun.

 

Upcoming Courses

Sewing Fundamentals for Beginners

This beginner sewing class is tailored for individuals with little to no sewing experience who are eager to learn fundamental techniques. Over the span of six weeks, students will build confidence in safely operating a sewing machine, using essential sewing tools, reading commercial sewing patterns, and completing a sewing project. This course is ideal for anyone interested in fashion design, garment construction, or home decor.

When:

  • Class #3: Thursdays - September 10, September 17, September 24, October 1, October 8 and October 15

Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Southfield - A201
Cost: $250

Register for Sewing Fundamentals for Beginners

Birdwatching 101

Fascinated by our fair feathered friends we encounter on a daily basis? Come learn the basic fundamentals of birdwatching or improve your skills and enjoyment of birding. This course will cover the basics of birds, their lives, and how you can get more from birdwatching.

When: Two-week class meeting at the following dates/times

  • Tuesday, August 18: 6-8 p.m.
  • Tuesday, August 25: 6-8 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 29: 9-11 a.m.

Where: Auburn Hills, C125
Cost: $50

Register For Birdwatching 101
Image of makeup accessories

Mastering Your Makeup

Back by popular demand, whether you’re looking for a polished look for the office, a bit of "soft glam" for a night out, or you just want to feel more confident in your daily routine, this workshop is for you! Join us for a supportive, hands-on series designed for all genders and experience levels. In just four, two-hour sessions, you’ll move from skincare basics to a full-face application that highlights your unique features. 

Register for Mastering Your Makeup

Crochet for Beginners

Discover the relaxing and rewarding art of crochet! This beginner-friendly 8 week course is perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to turn yarn into beautiful handmade items. You'll learn basic stitches, how to read patterns and create simple functional projects. No experience needed- just bring your enthusiasm and creativity! Starter crochet kit provided.

Register for Crochet for Beginners
Woman watching a football game.

Football Fundamentals for Women

Back by popular demand, a one-day, power-packed workshop where women learn the basics of football, from rules to positions, penalties, and game flow, so they can confidently join football conversations, enjoy watching games with their partners, and even rock their team jersey with pride and knowledge. Participants are encouraged to show their team spirit by wearing their favorite jersey. Lunch will be provided.

Register for Football Fundamentals for Women

The Mahjong Mingle at OCC

Explore the fundamentals of American Mahjong in a welcoming, community- centered learning environment. This beginner-friendly course introduces essential rules, tile recognition, and basic strategies through guided instruction and hands-on play. Designed for adult learners of all backgrounds, the class emphasizes both skill development and social connection. By the end of the course, participants will feel confident joining a game and continuing their Mahjong journey beyond the classroom.

Register For The Mahjong Mingle at OCC

Cultivate Your Joy: The Best Garden is Next Year's Garden

Ready to get more out of your garden? It’s never too early to think about next year’s garden. Whether you’re refining an existing space or installing a brand-new garden, we’ll guide you through the planning and installation process. You’ll also learn to identify Michigan’s common invasive species and better suited alternatives to help your landscape thrive.

Register For Cultivate Your Joy

Memory Makers: Transforming Objects into Art

Discover the creative potential hidden within the objects that surround you every day. Whether it's a treasured keepsake, a family heirloom, a souvenir from a special trip, or an item that holds personal memories, this course invites you to explore how everyday objects can become powerful sources of artistic inspiration. This 8-week course is inspired by artists such as Tyree Guyton and Donald Calloway, who transformed ordinary and recycled materials into compelling works of art. Participants will learn how to see familiar items in new and imaginative ways. All skill levels are welcome!

Register For Transforming Objects Into Art
Ladies in sewing group

Sewing Fundamentals: Costume Construction

Take your sewing skills to the next level by creating your own costume project from start to finish. Designed for intermediate sewists, this hands-on workshop covers fabric selection, pattern modification, fitting, and professional finishing details. Bring your own pattern and materials to bring your theatrical, historical, or cosplay designs to life under expert guidance. Important note: Costume patterns should be simple enough to complete in four weeks.

Register For Costume Construction

Your Garden's Badge of Honor

Transform your yard into a sanctuary! Learn how to design a monarch waystation that supports butterflies from larvae to adulthood. We’ll dive into the best local and national certification programs available and show you how to cultivate a rich wildlife habitat just steps from your home.

Register for Your Garden's Badge of Honor
Ladies in sewing group

Sewing Fundamentals II: Intermediate

Build on your foundational sewing skills and take your craftsmanship to the next level! In this intermediate course, students will explore fabric composition, drape, and structure while following commercial patterns to construct a complete garment. Learn to create and attach patch pockets, make buttonholes, sew on buttons, and finish seams with a professional touch. This hands-on class is ideal for those ready to refine their techniques and gain confidence in garment construction.

Register For Sewing Fundamentals II

The Signature Beauty Experience

This advanced makeup application course is a two-day intensive program designed for women who are looking to take their look to the next level. This comprehensive beauty experience will focus on eyelashes, contour highlighting and bronzing and creating two signature full face applications to get you ready for the holidays or an evening of elegance. This course is highly recommended for students who have a basic understanding of makeup application or those who have completed the Mastering Your Makeup series. 

Register For The Signature Beauty Experience

Creating a Butterfly Oasis

Bring 'winged jewels' to your landscape by creating a butterfly habitat in your own yard. You'll discover which butterfly and moth species are native to our area, what to plant to encourage reproduction, and the secrets of the metamorphosis process.We will even explore the rewarding experience of raising a butterfly from egg to adult. Butterfly mesh habitats will be provided.

Register For Creating a Butterfly Oasis

Past Courses

Lady sewing a project for her dog

Sewing Fundamentals – Special Project: You & Your Dog

By the end of the class, you’ll walk away with two custom-fit jackets that celebrate style, creativity, and your special bond with your dog. This class is perfect for confident beginners and intermediate sewists looking for a ready for a fun, stylish challenge! All course materials will be provided.

Conservationist - photo of hands holding plant

The Cultivated Conservationist

This gardening series is designed for both those who are new to the native plant scene as well as those who have begun exploring it. Lets discuss natives, nativars, exotics, invasives along with the why and how of native plants. Understanding the when and how of seed dispersal makes collection more accessible. There will be a hands-on seed harvesting, cleaning and storing as well as a make and take Winter Sowing workshop.

Gardening Thru The Seasons

Gardening Through The Seasons

This gardening class is designed for beginning gardeners as well as experienced green thumbs. Let’s be real - gardening can feel overwhelming. When and how do we do specific gardening tasks? What about pollinators, seeds, weeds, Winter Sowing, volunteer plants, pruning, invasive plants? Let’s walk thru the garden during all seasons: explore, learn, discover! This course is ideal for anyone interested in managing their garden with ease.

Marvelous Manners Camp! (Ages 8-12)

Join us for an engaging and interactive experience at Marvelous Manners Camp led by certified etiquette trainer Courtney Opalko. This special class is designed to equip your child with essential social skills and modern manners that are crucial for building confident leaders. Through fun games, role-playing exercises and group activities, children will be introduced to concepts including growth mindset, confidence, respectful communication, being their best self and table manners. 

Mindful Art

Mindful Artmaking: An Abstract Collage Workshop

Join Sheri L. Robinson for this one-day abstract collage workshop intensive as participants dive into some seriously fun abstract collage! Sheri's Abstract Collage classes and workshops have brought a lot of joy to students of all ages and all skill levels. Making art can help us feel good and feeling good is so very important to our overall wellbeing. Absolute beginners as well as seasoned pros are ALL WELCOME! So buckle up, grab a friend, and get ready to have some creative fun. 

Detroit Writing Room

The Power of Memoir: How to Write Your Life Story

Detroit Writing Room coach Elizabeth Ann Atkins, CEO of Two Sisters Writing & Publishing, will draw upon her experience of writing dozens of books, including many memoirs for highly accomplished individuals, such as former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer. You'll learn the nuts and bolts of memoir writing, as well as techniques for capturing your readers attention by focusing your content and expressing it with pizzazz.

 

Social Media and Content Creation

Social Media & Content Creation: Telling Your Story Online

Join storyteller and social media creator Raquel Escamilla to learn how to craft authentic content that connects and builds community.  This hands-on course is perfect for small business owners, hobbyists, or anyone curious about the digital landscape. You'll explore how to share your story with confidence, focus on connection over perfection, and start creating right away - no fancy equipment needed, just your phone and perspective.

Contact Information

We're here to help.

If you need help, our Program Coordinators are ready to assist you with your questions.

Office of Community Education
27055 Orchard Lake Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Email: commed@oaklandcc.edu
Phone: (248) 522-3548 or (248) 522-3464