Traditional Crafts

Let the everyday slip away on this imaginative walk along the River Trail of the Adirondack Folk School. Drawing from Celtic lore, we'll weave a tale about Fairies, while connecting the dots between the Faerie folk of Ireland and the Adirondacks. We'll start with creating a house out of natural objects, both provided and found, for the Fairies of the Forest and end with sitting around the fire listening to the stories of the Fairy Tree Trail of Ardgillan Castle in Ireland, the Cottingley Fairies of England, and an Adirondack Poem or two on the Faerie realm. Enchanted tea and Fairy Bread will be served.

In this family-friendly class, children ages 6 and up, with the help of a parent, will weave a rainbow of colored flat reed splint onto a hardwood stool. Stool and weaving materials will be provided.

If you've ever admired the beautiful stone walls you've seen in the countryside and wondered how they were made, this class is for you! In this two-day class you will learn the basic techniques for creating dry-laid stone walls from an accomplished stone mason. Both retaining and freestanding walls will be covered, along with preparing the base and sub-base, stone selection and other topics. This hands-on workshop is a must for anyone who wants to build or repair stone walls for their own home.

If you've ever admired the beautiful stone walls you've seen in the countryside and wondered how they were made, this class is for you! In this two-day class you will learn the basic techniques for creating dry-laid stone walls from an accomplished stone mason. Both retaining and freestanding walls will be covered, along with preparing the base and sub-base, stone selection and other topics. This hands-on workshop is a must for anyone who wants to build or repair stone walls for their own home.

Barn quilts are all the rage these days! Come and create your own wooden "quilt" to adorn your house, barn or cottage. In this one and a half day class you will choose a pattern and paint a stunning "quilt" to hang outdoors. No quilting experience necessary.

Barn quilts are all the rage these days! Come and create your own wooden "quilt" to adorn your house, barn or cottage. In this one and a half day class you will choose a pattern and paint a stunning "quilt" to hang outdoors. No quilting experience necessary.

In this class students will create one fall inspired wreath using many natural materials: feathers, corn husks, pinecones, and other dried materials. Students will also make a bow for the wreath.

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.

In this class students will create one fall inspired wreath using many natural materials: feathers, corn husks, pinecones, and other dried materials. Students will also make a bow for the wreath.

Chairs with four intact rails can accept several different types of woven seats, including splint seats woven in various patterns. In this class you'll learn to weave a herringbone pattern splint seat onto a chair using flat reed. Please bring a chair that is in sound condition with the old seat removed. Any refinishing you wish to do should be completed prior to the class