This course is for people who have an interest in learning how to turn. The emphasis will be on learning how to use the lathe and tools safely and correctly. In this class you will learn the basics of creating spindle-based objects. Then you will use your new-found skills to create a candlestick and a wooden pen. You'll need to take this class before moving on to the more advanced turning classes.
The goal of this class is to produce a blade ready for quenching with minimal use of a grinder. The focus will be on the tanto, the dagger carried by samurai. Students will start with a piece of high carbon stock. This class will follow historic processes as closely as possible. Students will forge their bar into a blank of precise dimensions, before hand forging bevels and relevant blade geometry. Then, hand files will be used to finish the blade. Blades that are ready will be quenched at the end of the 2nd day. This class includes an in depth discussion of heat treating, and blades will be clay coated when quenched for a hamon. The third day will start at the forge to make a basic fitting, the habaki, from copper. After that, the class will turn to the wood shop, where students will use hand tools to make a wooden handle and sheath using traditional methods. This class is for intermediate smiths.
Create your own floorcloth in either a traditional pattern or Arts & Crafts style using environmentally-safe water-based paints and finishes. The use of painted canvas floor coverings, also known as oil cloths, dates as far back as the 14th century in Europe. People coming to this country were looking for ways to reproduce some of the furnishings they were used to back home. Since resources were limited, worn sails from ships provided them with a base to paint and cover their floors. Over time floorcloths proved themselves to be one of the most durable forms of floor covering used. Centuries old pieces still remain intact with the pattern clearly visible. Come create your own artful and durable floorcloth that will last for generations.
In this workshop we will complete a small Tiffany style suncatcher, ornament, or flower. 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, and add jump rings or a copper wire stem. The patterns available will offer a variety of levels of difficulty so students may choose what best suits them.
Once you've learned the basics of the weaving process, it's time for your first project! Each student will wind a warp, dress a loom and weave a Tencel scarf. Multiple color choices will be available. The weave structors is based on plain weave, making this s great first project.
