Calendar of Events
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4 events,
Adirondack Berry Picking and Gathering Basket
Adirondack Berry Picking and Gathering Basket
This basket is a variation on an Adirondack Pack Basket, one of the oldest surviving traditions inside the Adirondack Park. You will use a continuous weave technique and hand shaping to create this wonderfully useful basket. Bridle leather will be used to weave the strapping and create a strap that will leave your hands free for blueberry picking or any other type of gathering. It also makes a great container to keep your yarn when knitting socks. The approximate finished size is 10" - 12" tall (width may vary). This is a challenging class with lots of hand shaping.
Carved Knife Holder
Carved Knife Holder
Keep your kitchen knives nearby with this beautifully carved 13" x 5" knife holder. Students will learn to design, layout and carve their own designs.
Puukko Knife
Puukko Knife
Hand forge a traditional Finnish belt knife. The Puukko is a small all purpose knife used for hunting, cooking and whittling. Students will forge and heat treat the blade, perform a flat grind on the blade and attach a handle made from 2 different woods. Finally a leather sheath will be fashioned.
Weaving Birch Bark Ornaments
Weaving Birch Bark Ornaments
Using two sizes of prepared birch bark, students will weave a three-dimensional star and a reindeer ornament. Several types of birch bark beads will be taught to add on to the larger ornaments to create unique designs.
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1 event,
Complete Basic Blacksmithing
Complete Basic Blacksmithing
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,
Whimsical Wool Characters
Whimsical Wool Characters
This felting class will give you the opportunity to create an original character, such as a gnome or Santa. You are not limited to these images as you will be able to choose from a variety of wool fibers and colors. The techniques and process taught in this class will be the same for each character. All tools and wool are provided.
Complete Basic Blacksmithing
Complete Basic Blacksmithing
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.
Birch Bark Picture Frames and Mirrors
Birch Bark Picture Frames and Mirrors
Birch bark picture frames and mirrors have adorned Adirondack camps and cabins for centuries and were a favorite winter project for the guides to make. This is a great class for beginners with limited experience with woodworking and tools. You will select a frame and learn how to cut and fasten the Birch bark, twigs and other natural objects to create your own 'masterpiece'. Come see why this is one of our most popular classes. You'll be proud to hang this in your home!
Saori Scarf Weaving
Saori Scarf Weaving
Saori Weaving is a freestyle form of weaving. A weaving technique known as clasp weft will be used. The selection of yarns and color is the main attraction with this scarf, which will be completed with twisted fringe. The looms will be warped and ready to go. Hand spun art yarn created by the instructor is included in the material cost, as well as a selection of commercially spun yarn to balance the structure. If you knit or crochet there’s a chance you have a stash of yarn that isn’t enough for a project than you just can’t part with. Bring it along to use or add to the collection of choices. This is a perfect stash busting project! The summer session will use yarns suitable for warmer weather.
4 events,
Complete Basic Blacksmithing
Complete Basic Blacksmithing
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.
Birch Bark Picture Frames and Mirrors
Birch Bark Picture Frames and Mirrors
Birch bark picture frames and mirrors have adorned Adirondack camps and cabins for centuries and were a favorite winter project for the guides to make. This is a great class for beginners with limited experience with woodworking and tools. You will select a frame and learn how to cut and fasten the Birch bark, twigs and other natural objects to create your own 'masterpiece'. Come see why this is one of our most popular classes. You'll be proud to hang this in your home!
Nuno Felt Scarf
Nuno Felt Scarf
Join Marjolaine in this 1-day class to create a nuno felt scarf you can wear different ways and close with a button. During this workshop you will explore the technique of nuno felt, a wet felting process combining silk fabric and wool roving. The felting is accomplished by applying water, soap, and friction. In this class you will: create a lightweight scarf made with silk fabric and merino wool roving, discover various wool layouts, create a stained-glass effect, and paint with silk hankies and silk roving on wool. This workshop is suited for beginner to intermediate learners and requires standing for most of the day.
Rugs from Rags
Rugs from Rags
No weaving experience is necessary! The looms are dressed and ready to go, all you need to do is bring your creative spirit and to leave with a finished one-of-a-kind rug. Students will have a choice of making a traditional Rag Rug using recycled fabric strips or making a Sock Rug using remnants from a sock factory. Colors and choices of fabric and remnants vary from class to class depending on availability. The rugs are 24" wide, and up to 45" long.
1 event,
Complete Basic Blacksmithing
Complete Basic Blacksmithing
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.
0 events,
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1 event,
AFS Sewing Circle
AFS Sewing Circle
Calling all fiber artists! Do you have a project you're in the middle of? Want some company while you work? Sounds like AFS Sewing Circle is the place for you! Quilters, knitters, and fiber artists alike are welcome to join us every month for an afternoon of quilting and camaraderie. Bring your works in progress, and enjoy sharing your experience and the company of your fellow quilters. Pre-registration is not required. All are welcome!
1 event,
Tuffet Footstool
Tuffet Footstool
Make an 18-inch custom tuffet-style footstool. Great for quilters, as it will free you from all those strips of fabric that get stashed about the sewing room. Students can use as many different fabrics as they like. The pattern can be made with 2-64 different strips. The first day is for piecing tuffet top. Students will learn to mark the pattern onto the fabric and begin the sewing. There will be some homework to complete sewing the tuffet top during the weeklong break between classes. The second day students will complete the tuffet top assembly and upholster the tuffet. A list of necessary materials students must bring will be sent out prior to the class.
1 event,
Moxon Vice
Moxon Vice
First described and illustrated by Joseph Moxon in his 17th century book The Art of Joinery, Moxon Vices are double-screw vices that have been used in woodworking and furniture shops for hundreds of years. A Moxon Vice clamps to any bench, and raises your piece to a convenient height, while holding it solid while you work. This vice is especially useful for those who cut dovetails and other joints by hand. Make your own Moxon Vice with Larry and take your woodworking shop to the next level!
3 events,
Fall Lakes and Waterways at Dawn Photo Tour
Fall Lakes and Waterways at Dawn Photo Tour
Here's your chance to grab gorgeous sunrise shots. In this one-day nature photography tour you will travel to several destinations that are all within a reasonable distance of each other. You'll spend 90% of the day shooting pictures at beautiful nearby Adirondack lakes and waterways. This nature photography tour is designed for those who are already comfortable with camera basics such as the relationship between aperture, shutter and ISO settings. Start this eight-hour day with a very brief discussion, then take the rest of the day to play with photo techniques in the field at nearby photo locations. A great class for those who wish to receive mentoring while in the field.
Moxon Vice
Moxon Vice
First described and illustrated by Joseph Moxon in his 17th century book The Art of Joinery, Moxon Vices are double-screw vices that have been used in woodworking and furniture shops for hundreds of years. A Moxon Vice clamps to any bench, and raises your piece to a convenient height, while holding it solid while you work. This vice is especially useful for those who cut dovetails and other joints by hand. Make your own Moxon Vice with Larry and take your woodworking shop to the next level!
Herbal Medicine Tinctures
Herbal Medicine Tinctures
As you know, the common cold, cough/congestion and flu-like symptoms can really take their toll on us. We can help get relief from these common illnesses by using medicinal plants. Plant medicine has been passed down for generations to help give us relief and only in the last couple of decades it stopped being passed down and then simply forgotten. In this class you will learn what plants to grow so you too can make very effective plant medicine which helps give you relief from common illnesses. You will learn and make medicinal teas, herbal tinctures and a discussion on building your immunity with medicinal plants.
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2 events,
Introduction to Paper Piecing
Introduction to Paper Piecing
This class is for anyone interested in learning the basics of paper piecing for quilting. Projects will include making a pineapple block, and whimsical pictorial blocks. These sample blocks can be made into small quilts, potholders or pillows. Students should have basic sewing knowledge and be comfortable using a rotary cutter.
Open Forge Night
Open Forge Night
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,
Rope Bowls
Rope Bowls
These versatile, flexible and washable baskets are fun and easy to make. They are great for gift baskets, or they can be a standalone gift. Students will make a basic, 7" round x 3" tall bowl and learn the options to enhance future rope bowl projects.
2 events,
Silver Metal Clay Exploration
Silver Metal Clay Exploration
Explore the many ways that you can use silver in a metal clay formulation to create jewelry designs of your own. The newest way of working with silver is metal clay which can be shaped like clay to produce uniquely textured surfaces, resulting in durable beautiful silver jewelry. Students will learn metal clay working techniques and make pendants, earrings, charms and rings. Fresh leaves will also be used to create a silver piece of nature. The class will also cover techniques for setting and firing stones directly in metal clay. Each student will leave with at least four finished pieces of jewelry. No previous experience necessary.
Tuffet Footstool
Tuffet Footstool
Make an 18-inch custom tuffet-style footstool. Great for quilters, as it will free you from all those strips of fabric that get stashed about the sewing room. Students can use as many different fabrics as they like. The pattern can be made with 2-64 different strips. The first day is for piecing tuffet top. Students will learn to mark the pattern onto the fabric and begin the sewing. There will be some homework to complete sewing the tuffet top during the weeklong break between classes. The second day students will complete the tuffet top assembly and upholster the tuffet. A list of necessary materials students must bring will be sent out prior to the class.
5 events,
Sharpening and Honing Blades
Sharpening and Honing Blades
Sharpening and honing of blades is a mystery to most people these days although our ancestors knew the skill intimately. Technology of honing has definitely improved over the past 100 years and there are many technologies to choose from. Howard will demystify the sharpening process and you will leave the workshop with the skills to sharpen your own blades. Students should bring one or two blades to hone for the class.
Forging Damascus
Forging Damascus
This class will cover the basic process of forging pattern-welded Damascus steel. Students will weld up several small billets and explore the basics of pattern development. Students will also explore several common methods of forge welding as well as covering the science of forge welding. Students can expect to learn the process of choosing steels that will give good pattern and function well together in the final billet. The class will cover how to lay out and prepare the steel for forge welding both in the starting stack and in subsequent re-stacks. Special attention will be given to hand work and the making of patterns well suited to limited machinery. The main areas of pattern development will be explored as well as touching on some more advanced patterning techniques. Once the billets are forged and patterned, the class will grind and polish a window or sample tile to etch and reveal the pattern. The class will cover several techniques to etch the sample for higher contrast. The techniques taught in class should offer students the building blocks to begin an exploration of Damascus patterns on their own. Experience of basic blacksmithing techniques suggested.
Rings with Sterling Silver Metal Clay
Rings with Sterling Silver Metal Clay
Sterling alloys in clay form are stronger than pure silver and easy to work with making it ideal for ring making. It is possible to either purchase a .950 sterling clay or make a .960 clay (a 50/50 combination of pure silver clay and .925 sterling clay). The emphasis in this class will be on making rings, but you are also welcome to use some of your clay to make other items as well. While this class is ideal for those with metal clay experience, it is open to anyone with an interest in learning metal clay techniques for making rings with metal clay.
Framed Stained Glass Mosaics
Framed Stained Glass Mosaics
In this class students will create a stained glass mosaic in an 8" x 10" frame. Students will have a choice of photographs to work with, or may bring their own if desired. Students will be instructed on how to grout their piece, which is recommended but not required. This class is suitable for students of any level.
Learn to Make Fresh Cheeses
Learn to Make Fresh Cheeses
Internationally known cheesemakers Sheila Flanagan and Sal Speights return for this second course in the Art of Cheesemaking. In this course students will learn to make fresh cheeses including chevre, fromage frais, and fromage blanc. This class will also include discussion of flavoring and packaging variations. Please note: Students will check in at the Folk School, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY. They will then travel to Nettle Meadow's Plant/Tasting Room 1256 Lake Ave., Lake Luzerne, NY for the duration of the class.
2 events,
Forging Damascus
Forging Damascus
This class will cover the basic process of forging pattern-welded Damascus steel. Students will weld up several small billets and explore the basics of pattern development. Students will also explore several common methods of forge welding as well as covering the science of forge welding. Students can expect to learn the process of choosing steels that will give good pattern and function well together in the final billet. The class will cover how to lay out and prepare the steel for forge welding both in the starting stack and in subsequent re-stacks. Special attention will be given to hand work and the making of patterns well suited to limited machinery. The main areas of pattern development will be explored as well as touching on some more advanced patterning techniques. Once the billets are forged and patterned, the class will grind and polish a window or sample tile to etch and reveal the pattern. The class will cover several techniques to etch the sample for higher contrast. The techniques taught in class should offer students the building blocks to begin an exploration of Damascus patterns on their own. Experience of basic blacksmithing techniques suggested.
Introduction to Weaving on a Floor Loom
Introduction to Weaving on a Floor Loom
Learn to weave on a floor loom. Â 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,
Introduction to Weaving on a Floor Loom
Introduction to Weaving on a Floor Loom
Learn to weave on a floor loom. Â 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,
Basic Shaker Oval Boxes
Basic Shaker Oval Boxes
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" of "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 five 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,
Basic Shaker Oval Boxes
Basic Shaker Oval Boxes
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" of "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 five 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,
Advanced Shaker Oval Boxes
Advanced Shaker Oval Boxes
In this advanced class, experienced students will have the opportunity to work on either Shaker Serving Trays or Shaker Carriers. Construction steps and hardware application will be demonstrated, and all participants will put their hands-to-work on their own projects. Students will become familiar with construction techniques as they complete their projects. These projects have a firm place in Shaker history as they were a very popular offering to "The World's People" by Shaker craftsmen. With Shaker inspired elegance these are sure to become instant heirlooms!
2 events,
Advanced Shaker Oval Boxes
Advanced Shaker Oval Boxes
In this advanced class, experienced students will have the opportunity to work on either Shaker Serving Trays or Shaker Carriers. Construction steps and hardware application will be demonstrated, and all participants will put their hands-to-work on their own projects. Students will become familiar with construction techniques as they complete their projects. These projects have a firm place in Shaker history as they were a very popular offering to "The World's People" by Shaker craftsmen. With Shaker inspired elegance these are sure to become instant heirlooms!
Wooden Cross-Country Skis
Wooden Cross-Country Skis
Learn to build old-time traditional cross-country skis and preserve a piece of North Country history. You will cut, plane and bend using a variety of woodworking techniques to complete a set of wood skis. Imagine the fulfillment of skiing the beautiful Adirondack trails and woods on hand-made skis. Uncle Sven would be proud.
3 events,
Wooden Cross-Country Skis
Wooden Cross-Country Skis
Learn to build old-time traditional cross-country skis and preserve a piece of North Country history. You will cut, plane and bend using a variety of woodworking techniques to complete a set of wood skis. Imagine the fulfillment of skiing the beautiful Adirondack trails and woods on hand-made skis. Uncle Sven would be proud.
Blacksmithing 117: Forge Welding Basics, Fire Poker & Chain Links
Blacksmithing 117: Forge Welding Basics, Fire Poker & Chain Links
This course is designed for students who have completed a basic class or who have equivalent experience. We will cover the basics of forge-welding, learn to forge weld a loop on a bar, then will move on to forging a short length of chain. ABANA
Folk Song Writing
Folk Song Writing
Whether you can play an instrument or not, you can still write songs! Beginner or expert, in this special workshop you will learn folk song writing skills or advance your current abilities with award-winning performing songwriters Cosby Gibson and Tom Staudle. Participants of all levels will study the facets of composing and developing folk songs. Also includes live music demonstrations by the instructors, discussion, and individual guidance. Students may bring (but are not required to) instrument, recording device such as phone or handheld.
1 event,
Wooden Cross-Country Skis
Wooden Cross-Country Skis
Learn to build old-time traditional cross-country skis and preserve a piece of North Country history. You will cut, plane and bend using a variety of woodworking techniques to complete a set of wood skis. Imagine the fulfillment of skiing the beautiful Adirondack trails and woods on hand-made skis. Uncle Sven would be proud.