Allen & Lisa Compton, co-founders of Bound to Journal, focus on what's possible, the steps -- even the smallest ones -- that each of us can make toward the vision we hold for our lives. An extra dose of curiosity, creativity, and humor always helps.

Their "not so ordinary" journals and journaling techniques stir ideas for even reluctant writers. The added benefits of experiencing wellness through journaling and essential oils are bonuses! Their classes are about learning, experimenting, and enjoying the journey.

When they're not making journals, you'll find them in nature or on a road trip enjoying the fresh air, photo-worthy adventures, and modeling their belief in getting outdoors to find out what's inside your heart and head. Lisa and Allen have used journaling in their work and personal lives for over three decades. Allen has been in customer service management for 42 years and brings a unique approach to journaling from a business perspective. Lisa has been teaching visual arts and book structures to all ages for almost 40 years, with an emphasis on literacy for artists and educators at the graduate level. Since 2016, they’ve woven Young Living essential oils and aromatherapy into their journaling courses to support memory, recall, focus, and emotional balance.

Howdy, I'm Joshua and I love plants. I don't believe black thumbs are permanent and I do believe you deserve something beautiful at home. Truth be told, growing houseplants in the northern Midwest can be tricky business. Most of the issues I've helped plant friends with over the years have been due to a simple case of "you don't know 'til you know.' In this course, I aim to arm you with all the knowledge you need to keep your houseplants happy all year round. It doesn't take as much as you might think, but the details are important. Whether it is to add beauty or life to a space, to have an outlet for your curiosity, or to satisfy that very human need to care for something outside yourself, most of us who tend plants indoors are just doing it for the joy of it, in whatever flavor that is. Come learn how to maximize the joy your houseplants bring you and make a plant friend or two!

Joshua Cooper is a local from Humboldt, SD and has recently returned after performing for the last decade! Before earning his BFA in Acting at BYU, he performed literally hundreds of times on multiple stages in dozens of roles. Most noteworthily as Wesley in a stage adaptation of The Princess Bride, Greg in Reasons to be Pretty, d'Artagnan in The Three Musketeers, and the title character in The Picture of Dorian Gray. He also toured elementary schools with a Children's Theater performing Babe. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue film acting. During his 4 years in California, Joshua landed two feature films, several guest star roles in TV shows and booked multiple commercials! You'll find him in his greenhouse or the plant shop nurturing his roots and tending to his passion for plants.

Melanie Erickson

Melanie Erickson has been known as the helpful fixer, teacher, creator - as owner of the Bead Co in downtown Sioux Falls from 2000 to 2019- while collaborating as a Community Education Instructor for most of those years. Melanie is grateful to continue sharing decades of beading experience, jewelry design, and hands on experience teaching beading and jewelry technique classes, custom orders and repairs, and parties locally; as she starts new life chapters within Community Ed helping organize fellow instructors' passions. Nature fires up her soul and jewelry creations and she loves to grab the kayak and head to the lake for peaceful inspiration.