Calendar of Events
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Thursday
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Saturday
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2 events,
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In this workshop we will complete a small Tiffany style suncatcher. Students will be able to choose a pre-drawn pattern from a variety of designs and be guided as they learn to cut the glass (chosen from a variety of types and colors), smooth the glass pieces with a grinder, apply copper foil tape, solder the pieces together into the final piece using lead-free solder, apply patina (optional), and add jump rings or a stained glass stand.
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Participants will dye a range of natural colors using plants found locally in the Adirondack region. We'll talk about fiber selection and preparation, dyeing techniques, and how to sustainably gather plant materials for natural dyeing. This is a great foundation for future natural dye classes. Beginners will get a strong foundation in the fundamentals of natural dyeing, while participants with some experience with dye will gain a deeper experience with local materials. Participants have the option to select quilting cotton, DK weight wool yarn, or cotton mending thread. No experience necessary. |
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2 events,
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Join us for in introduction to the art of traditional rug hooking with this 9” x 9” quail. In this beginner-friendly, one-day class, you’ll learn the basics of this timeless textile craft. All materials-including backing, wool strips, hook and frame-will be provided, and no prior experience is necessary. Colors may vary. Class registration closes one month before the class in order to leave time to prepare materials.
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In this class you will learn several tapestry weaving techniques using a variety of yarns and fibers to create a unique wall hanging. The instructor will discuss a variety of loom options, from something as simple as cardboard to a loom designed specifically for tapestry weaving. The instructor will bring along a variety of yarns and materials, but you are encouraged to bring along your favorite yarns that may be in your stash. Small yardage amounts go a long way in this style of tapestry weaving. If you are a hand spinner, bring along your smooth or textured yarns. You will find a place for them in this style of tapestry weaving. |
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2 events,
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In this class we will make our own unique collection of small brushes and brooms from Tampico. Tampico is a stiff plant fiber from the Agave or Yucca plant. The fiber is biodegradable and is resistant to wear and tear. The Tampico will be natural and dyed.
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Using broomcorn and a variety of twines, we will tie a fancy turkey wing broom in the Appalachian style. The turkey wing makes an efficient whisk or fireplace tool in addition to having an attractive design. The broomcorn will be natural or dyed. |
1 event,
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One of the most iconic items of Shaker woodworking, nesting oval boxes share elegance, simplicity and functionality equally. Using carefully prepared thin strips of wood each participant will carve the "swallowtails" or "fingers" on one end before soaking them in a hot water bath to soften for bending. Copper tacks are installed to hold the oval hoop together before top and bottom boards are fit and held by wooden pegs. Each student will construct 3 nesting oval boxes from cherry wood in this two-day workshop. This class is open to all experience levels, no woodworking experience required! |
1 event,
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One of the most iconic items of Shaker woodworking, nesting oval boxes share elegance, simplicity and functionality equally. Using carefully prepared thin strips of wood each participant will carve the "swallowtails" or "fingers" on one end before soaking them in a hot water bath to soften for bending. Copper tacks are installed to hold the oval hoop together before top and bottom boards are fit and held by wooden pegs. Each student will construct 3 nesting oval boxes from cherry wood in this two-day workshop. This class is open to all experience levels, no woodworking experience required! |
1 event,
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This basic class will give you the foundation needed to start out on your journey of blacksmithing. You'll learn fire management, hammering methods, drawing out, upsetting, cutting, splitting, twisting, and convenience bending along with a demo of forge welding. Make punches and chisels and learn to harden and temper them. Heating material and heat management will be taught and much more. |
4 events,
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This course will introduce students to the traditional craft of chip carving - a type of woodcarving in which a small knife is used to incise decorative floral and geometric designs into basswood or butternut. The design is created by the removal of small pieces (chips) of the wood. Chip carving is an ancient, traditional craft. Chip carved plates, jewelry and keepsake boxes, trays, breadboards, furniture and other items can make wonderful gifts and also decorate the home with traditional motifs. Some previous carving experience is helpful, but not necessary. Students will learn to carve a variety of practice designs already drawn on a board and may complete a round ornament as well.
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The goal of this class is to help you get started in fly fishing or better your casting. We will go over different types of fly rods and when to use them. The proper way of lining a fly rod will be taught. You will be doing the over hand cast, roll cast and side arm cast, for a few examples. You will need to bring a hat and a pair of glasses or sunglasses. If you have a fly rod please bring it, otherwise one will be provided. To end, students will get a chance to try different fly rods.
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This basic class will give you the foundation needed to start out on your journey of blacksmithing. You'll learn fire management, hammering methods, drawing out, upsetting, cutting, splitting, twisting, and convenience bending along with a demo of forge welding. Make punches and chisels and learn to harden and temper them. Heating material and heat management will be taught and much more.
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Students will learn how to carve a shrinkpot, a type of wooden container traditionally made using hand tools and green woodworking techniques that utilizes the natural shrinking process as the wood dries. Freshly cut green wood is hollowed out and a dry wooden base is inserted into a groove carved within the hollowed section. As green wood dries it shrinks, creating a tight seal around the base. |
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2 events,
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This course will introduce students to the traditional craft of chip carving - a type of woodcarving in which a small knife is used to incise decorative floral and geometric designs into basswood or butternut. The design is created by the removal of small pieces (chips) of the wood. Chip carving is an ancient, traditional craft. Chip carved plates, jewelry and keepsake boxes, trays, breadboards, furniture and other items can make wonderful gifts and also decorate the home with traditional motifs. Some previous carving experience is helpful, but not necessary. Students will learn to carve a variety of practice designs already drawn on a board and may complete a round ornament as well.
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This basic class will give you the foundation needed to start out on your journey of blacksmithing. You'll learn fire management, hammering methods, drawing out, upsetting, cutting, splitting, twisting, and convenience bending along with a demo of forge welding. Make punches and chisels and learn to harden and temper them. Heating material and heat management will be taught and much more. |
2 events,
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This basic class will give you the foundation needed to start out on your journey of blacksmithing. You'll learn fire management, hammering methods, drawing out, upsetting, cutting, splitting, twisting, and convenience bending along with a demo of forge welding. Make punches and chisels and learn to harden and temper them. Heating material and heat management will be taught and much more.
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Welcome the flowers of spring while you learn the basics of Punch Needle hooking. You will use wool yarn to create this project. The pattern and wool are included in the materials cost. Students will have the option to purchase the punch needle after class if they wish. |
1 event,
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AFS UFO Studio, formerly known as Sewing Circle, is an out of this world opportunity for fiber artists to come and complete the UnFinished Objects floating around their home. UFO Studio is free to attend, and though it is non-instructional, peer-to-peer help is always available. All forms of projects are welcome ? bring your unfinished weaving, sewing, embroidery, rug hooking, knitting, crocheting, felting, or any other project that involves fiber handwork. AFS has a couple of sewing machines, small looms, and hand tools available but please feel free to bring your own! |
1 event,
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Interested in blacksmithing but unsure how to start? Open Forge Night is the place for you! Every third Wednesday of the month during our blacksmithing season, come see demonstrations by expert blacksmith Steve Gurzler. Observing the demonstration is free and open to the public. If you want to try your hand at blacksmithing there is a $20 fee to cover the cost of materials. Safety precautions must be followed - including hard shoes with no open toes, long pants, goggles (supplied) and gloves (supplied). |
1 event,
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This workshop will introduce (or reintroduce) students to the ancient art of embroidery. Participants will learn the basic embroidery stitches to create a reference template and then apply those skills to design their own work of art. |
2 events,
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Come and create a beautiful hall runner floorcloth (5" long) to enhance your home. You will learn to cut stencils or refresh your cutting skills if you have done it before. There are many techniques to learn that can be used along with stenciling to enhance your final creation. In the end you will have a unique and functional piece of art that is one-of-a-kind! Please wear old clothes. Janet will provide glue guns, but if you have your own you are welcome to bring it and she will provide the glue sticks.
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Follow the story of wheat from field to feast! In this immersive, seasonal program, you'll experience traditional farming and food-making skills step by step - right down to a fresh, handmade pizza created from your own flour. In April Instructor Martin Macica will introduce you to Annie, his gentle plow donkey, who will help us prepare a plot of land on the AFS campus for planting wheat seeds the old fashioned way. In May, Instructor Patricia Goldberg will teach you how to plant a pizza garden in raised beds, choosing herbs and vegetables that will later top your pizza. Return to the field in August with Martin to harvest your wheat and learn how to bundle and store it for drying. Finally, in September start your day with Martin, who will teach you how to thresh your wheat and grind it into flour. Then meet Instructor David Riihimaki, our pizza maker extraordinaire, who will guide you through mixing, kneading, and shaping your pizza dough from your freshly milled flour. Add your garden toppings, some local cheese and watch it bake in our wood-fired oven. Then enjoy your farm-to-table pizza feast together! |
4 events,
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Chasing the sharpest edge possible has consumed Howard's time and efforts for the past 22 years. He started making knives in 1973 and has worked diligently to get blades of all types as sharp as possible with a repeatable process that can be replicated by other people. Over the years Howard has studied whetstones in museums around the world and amassed a huge study collection of rocks which have been used for various purposes by craftsmen around the world throughout time. All of Howard's sharpening work is done under magnification and he has invented tools and processes for sharpening quickly and to a keen edge. At the end of this presentation, students will have an understanding and hands on knowledge of: edge geometry, types of steel, heat treating, natural and manmade sharpening stones and options, and a better way to understand the intersection of blade steel, heat treatment,blade geometry, stone type and technology, and how it all works together.
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First, we will learn how to prepare walnut ink from the husks of local black walnuts. The black walnut tree (Juglans nigra) is one of North America's most valuable and beautiful native trees. We will then learn how to temper and cut a turkey's wing feather into a fine writing tool that we can use with the velvety smooth walnut ink to create calligraphy (beautiful writing!). For the calligraphy classes we will use a chisel-shaped felt pen and learn two letter styles - Gothic, or blackletter, and the Foundational Hand, also using our black walnut ink. Other materials and uses will be demonstrated as well.
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Come and create a beautiful hall runner floorcloth (5" long) to enhance your home. You will learn to cut stencils or refresh your cutting skills if you have done it before. There are many techniques to learn that can be used along with stenciling to enhance your final creation. In the end you will have a unique and functional piece of art that is one-of-a-kind! Please wear old clothes. Janet will provide glue guns, but if you have your own you are welcome to bring it and she will provide the glue sticks.
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Guillotine tools are handy for a variety of tasks. They enable the Smith to accurately butcher, fuller, forge and tenon stock. This helps with tasks like joinery, as well as isolating material when forging work like a knife tang, rivet or tenon. In this class the student will learn to use a MIG welder to make and use a useful guillotine tool that can be used in an anvil hardy hole or vise, as the student selects. A basic set of 3 dies including butchers (isolating material), tenon dies, and flat dies are included. Skills covered include learning to cut, grind, and case-harden dies, and to do simple MIG welds to fabricate an accurate tool. This tool uses readily available mild steel for the dies, so specialty dies can be easily and cheaply made when needed. |
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3 events,
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This class expands on what is learned in our basic Sharpening and Honing Blades course and through individual efforts at the bench. It is more project oriented, while expanding on types of steels, testing, technique, edge geometry, stones and other sharpening tools. At the end of this workshop, you will have a deeper understanding and hands on knowledge of types of steel, edge geometry, heat treating, natural and manmade sharpening stones and options, and a greater depth of understanding of the intersection of blade steel, heat treatment, blade geometry, stone type and technology, and how it all works together. It is recommended that students have taken Sharpening and Honing Blades prior to this course.
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Historically, wherever there was wool and fabric, there has been embroidery, and the Adirondacks are no exception! In this class, students will learn the fundamentals of crewelwork embroidery. Students will use a variety of stitches (chain stitch, lazy daisy, French knots, and long and short stitch) to create this decorative 4” x 4” crewelwork embroidery design step by step.
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No weaving experience is necessary! You will be making a Rag Rug using recycled fabric. Many colors and designs of fabrics will be available for you to choose from. The looms are dressed and ready to go: all you need to do is bring your creative spirit and you will leave with a finished one-of-a-kind rug that you have designed and woven yourself. Your rug will be 24? wide and can be up to 45? long. |
1 event,
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Start with WOF (width of fabric) strips, create a simple block and cut and twist into a whole new block. Several options will be shared in this class. The fun will be watching as we each create different blocks by twists and turns and color design. |
1 event,
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Learn to weave on a floor loom. With instruction and hands on experience, you will perform each step of the process - winding a warp, dressing a loom, and weaving a cotton towel to take home and use for years to come. |
1 event,
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Learn to weave on a floor loom. With instruction and hands on experience, you will perform each step of the process - winding a warp, dressing a loom, and weaving a cotton towel to take home and use for years to come. |
2 events,
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Learn to weave on a floor loom. With instruction and hands on experience, you will perform each step of the process - winding a warp, dressing a loom, and weaving a cotton towel to take home and use for years to come.
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In this class we will be cutting and applying stained glass mosaic pieces to a clear glass jar to create a solar jar light or candle jar. Inspiration patterns and/or photos will be provided or students may bring their own. These should be relatively simple images, and must be exactly 3? high by 10.5? wide. |
3 events,
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Learn to weave on a floor loom. With instruction and hands on experience, you will perform each step of the process - winding a warp, dressing a loom, and weaving a cotton towel to take home and use for years to come.
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In this three-day class students will create a hand forged high carbon steel kitchen knife with a wood handle. Forging, grinding, and sharpening skills will be covered.
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Come create a beautiful 12"-18" hardwood cutting board during two, half-day sessions. The class will discuss the types of wood being used, such as sapele, purple heart, African cherry and hard maple. The wood will be cut to size on a table saw. Then, using a joiner, students will make sure all pieces are the same size before gluing the various pieces together and allowing them to dry overnight. On the second day, the class will use planers to ensure that all boards are level and the same thickness. Students will then use a router to create a well and handles. Finally, the boards will be sanded. |
4 events,
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In this three-day class students will create a hand forged high carbon steel kitchen knife with a wood handle. Forging, grinding, and sharpening skills will be covered.
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Come create a beautiful 12"-18" hardwood cutting board during two, half-day sessions. The class will discuss the types of wood being used, such as sapele, purple heart, African cherry and hard maple. The wood will be cut to size on a table saw. Then, using a joiner, students will make sure all pieces are the same size before gluing the various pieces together and allowing them to dry overnight. On the second day, the class will use planers to ensure that all boards are level and the same thickness. Students will then use a router to create a well and handles. Finally, the boards will be sanded.
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Do you ever find yourself on a brisk fall hike or hunt where you could suddenly be wet from rain or fall into a creek? How about caught on a rainy day while camping? Starting a good fire isn't a skill we practice daily like people did traditionally, but it can be a lifesaving skill. Come learn the basics to make your fire starting practice perfect. In this workshop we will review different fire setups and safety measures focusing on igniting your own fire with a ferrocerium rod during our hands on portion. Participants will take home their own kits to practice with.
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Behind every timber frame stands a set of drawings - plans that turn an idea into a buildable structure. This 2.5-day weekend course gives you the skills to draft your own timber frame plans by hand, using traditional methods that connect design directly to building. You'll start with the basics of drafting: tools, techniques, and conventions for creating clear, accurate plans. Then, you'll take your drawings off the page and practice the basic mortise and tenon joinery. This is an immersive class that blends drawing and some joinery practice. Expect guided lessons, demonstrations, and plenty of time both at the drafting board and using hand tools to cut the joinery. No prior experience is necessary for this course. |
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4 events,
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This basket was designed exclusively for the Beekman Mercantile in Sharon Springs, NY. It features a large 12" x 7" solid bottom Shaker Cathead that, when inverted, forms the cover for this pie carrier. The base is a 13" breadboard that will be provided. The instructor designed the component parts of the carrier to be used on a daily basis. The basket is for bread and fruit and the bread board is for cutting and/or serving. You need only store the handle (provided) and strap until ready to use as a pie or cake carrier. Students will weave the solid bottom base using a Shaker technique. The basket will then be pinned to a mold (provided) for weaving using a chase weave technique. Students will also learn to rivet leather to assemble the straps. The handle assembly will be provided. The finished size of the basket is 13" x 8" (without handle).
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In this three-day class students will create a hand forged high carbon steel kitchen knife with a wood handle. Forging, grinding, and sharpening skills will be covered.
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Come create a simple turned bowl that still looks and feels rustic due to its live edge. This course is targeted to those who have an interest in learning how to turn. The emphasis will be on learning how to use a lathe and tools safely and correctly. In this class, you will learn the basics of creating spindle-based objects and then work at turning your bowl. Leave the class with a lovely treasure that captures the "wild" feel of the Adirondacks!
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Behind every timber frame stands a set of drawings - plans that turn an idea into a buildable structure. This 2.5-day weekend course gives you the skills to draft your own timber frame plans by hand, using traditional methods that connect design directly to building. You'll start with the basics of drafting: tools, techniques, and conventions for creating clear, accurate plans. Then, you'll take your drawings off the page and practice the basic mortise and tenon joinery. This is an immersive class that blends drawing and some joinery practice. Expect guided lessons, demonstrations, and plenty of time both at the drafting board and using hand tools to cut the joinery. No prior experience is necessary for this course. |
2 events,
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This basket was designed exclusively for the Beekman Mercantile in Sharon Springs, NY. It features a large 12" x 7" solid bottom Shaker Cathead that, when inverted, forms the cover for this pie carrier. The base is a 13" breadboard that will be provided. The instructor designed the component parts of the carrier to be used on a daily basis. The basket is for bread and fruit and the bread board is for cutting and/or serving. You need only store the handle (provided) and strap until ready to use as a pie or cake carrier. Students will weave the solid bottom base using a Shaker technique. The basket will then be pinned to a mold (provided) for weaving using a chase weave technique. Students will also learn to rivet leather to assemble the straps. The handle assembly will be provided. The finished size of the basket is 13" x 8" (without handle).
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Behind every timber frame stands a set of drawings - plans that turn an idea into a buildable structure. This 2.5-day weekend course gives you the skills to draft your own timber frame plans by hand, using traditional methods that connect design directly to building. You'll start with the basics of drafting: tools, techniques, and conventions for creating clear, accurate plans. Then, you'll take your drawings off the page and practice the basic mortise and tenon joinery. This is an immersive class that blends drawing and some joinery practice. Expect guided lessons, demonstrations, and plenty of time both at the drafting board and using hand tools to cut the joinery. No prior experience is necessary for this course. |
0 events,
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1 event,
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The Adirondack Pack Basket is one of the most recognized objects associated with the Adirondacks. Linda will teach you her version patterned from the traditional Adirondack Pack Baskets. This is a good size day pack for adults and children. This class will be fun for all weavers. This is a great intro size pack to making pack baskets. Linda will demonstrate, teach you many weaving techniques and guide you while you weave your pack basket. Students start with pre-cut spokes and do most of the weaving the first day. There will be great emphasis on shaping while weaving to create the belly on the front and the flat back. The second day students will be busy with the many finishing steps to complete the pack. Lastly, add an adjustable webbing or leather harness made by Linda and secured with skids made by students. Dimensions: 6? x 9? x 14? high. Students will be using a drawknife and other sharp tools. Leather harness is dark brown. Webbing harness color choices will be the colors available at time of class. Instructor will bring all materials to make the basket. Students should wear comfortable clothing. Baskets will not be stained during class. |
2 events,
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The Adirondack Pack Basket is one of the most recognized objects associated with the Adirondacks. Linda will teach you her version patterned from the traditional Adirondack Pack Baskets. This is a good size day pack for adults and children. This class will be fun for all weavers. This is a great intro size pack to making pack baskets. Linda will demonstrate, teach you many weaving techniques and guide you while you weave your pack basket. Students start with pre-cut spokes and do most of the weaving the first day. There will be great emphasis on shaping while weaving to create the belly on the front and the flat back. The second day students will be busy with the many finishing steps to complete the pack. Lastly, add an adjustable webbing or leather harness made by Linda and secured with skids made by students. Dimensions: 6? x 9? x 14? high. Students will be using a drawknife and other sharp tools. Leather harness is dark brown. Webbing harness color choices will be the colors available at time of class. Instructor will bring all materials to make the basket. Students should wear comfortable clothing. Baskets will not be stained during class. |
1 event,
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As the wheel of the year turns, the delicate greens emerge. The plants of spring allow us to "lighten-up" from the comfort foods of winter. Let's connect with nature and what she's offering us at this time of the year, while engaging in the traditional practice of wildcrafting greens for the purpose of nourishing our bodies in and out. In this course we will discuss the Celtic festival of Beltain as well as the essence & traits of spring. Reflecting how these show up in our personal lives. We'll harvest and then take our bounty into the classroom for making preparations in harmony with what our bodies are yearning for. In this make and take experience, you can expect to go home with two herbal preparations based on what is alive, at peak, and available for harvest. While it's impossible to predict "who" will be available for us to work with, what I can share is that in past spring classes we've made: Wild Plant Pesto, Violet flower butter, Plant infused Oil for topical use, Salad Dressings. Please inform us ahead of time if you have any allergies. |
4 events,
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This highly customized course allows you to bring your own knife design and Joe Szilaski, a Master Smith in three countries including the U.S., Hungary, and Austria, will teach you how to forge the blade using a low temperature technique. Students will then shape, grind, and polish the blade before adding a wooden handle in just two days! Please note: This course is for intermediate level smiths.
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Join Janet for a day long class to create a mini barn quilt for that special mom, grandma or mother -in- law for Mother's Day. Or perhaps to spruce up your entrance way for summer. Come and unlock your creative spirit in this daylong class. Wear old clothes and bring a smock or apron, students may wish to bring a hair dryer if they have one.
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Understanding photography basics is the key to taking control of your camera and knowing you got the shot when you were taking it. If you would like to take your skill level from shooting in Auto to having full control over your camera, this intensive class is for you! A step-by-step PowerPoint presentation helps teach the basic principles of photography including: camera options and set-up, peripheral equipment, image exposure and histograms, and will touch on shooting for HDR and working with motion, depth of field, and composition. The class is paced to allow time for questions and interaction, with about half of the day in the classroom experimenting with the cameras, and the other half spent in the field, practicing camera techniques and shooting options. A comprehensive handout will include all the major points covered in the presentation. While the class instruction is mostly landscape based, these techniques and principles can be applied to all photographic situations.
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Create your own one-of-a-kind wet felted wrap bracelet. This is a marvelous medium to then embroider, bead, or stitch on to further embellish your creation. |
