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.

Get an early start on holiday gift giving. Make pinecone flowers, use natural mosses and twigs to decorate a small keepsake box and one small frame. Add your own photo for a special gift or family keepsake.

Weave a splint seat onto a hardwood stool using natural or smoked flat reed. A variety of designs will be available to choose from. This class is an introduction to splint weaving, with several pattern options, using both natural and smoked reeds.

This course explores the three-act story structure in greater detail and focuses on how to turn a short personal narrative or another story idea into a full-length screenplay/play, novel, or memoir. In this four week class, students with learn the techniques necessary to create multi- dimensional characters, develop a compelling plot, and identify the themes that will tie the elements of their story together. Students will leave with the tools they need to begin a first draft or revise an existing one. Course Prerequisite: How to Tell a Story Pt. 1 or instructor permission.

This course explores the three-act story structure in greater detail and focuses on how to turn a short personal narrative or another story idea into a full-length screenplay/play, novel, or memoir. In this four week class, students with learn the techniques necessary to create multi- dimensional characters, develop a compelling plot, and identify the themes that will tie the elements of their story together. Students will leave with the tools they need to begin a first draft or revise an existing one. Course Prerequisite: How to Tell a Story Pt. 1 or instructor permission.

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.

Spend a few days learning how to cane your own chair during which you'll learn how to weave the traditional 7-step caning pattern. Bring along a chair in good condition in need of a new caned seat. Ideally, the chair seat will be square or rectangular in shape and have fewer than 85 holes drilled into the seat frame. Any repairs and refinishing should be completed before the class begins. Please bring a chair in sound condition, with the old cane removed, if possible.

Spend a few days learning how to cane your own chair during which you'll learn how to weave the traditional 7-step caning pattern. Bring along a chair in good condition in need of a new caned seat. Ideally, the chair seat will be square or rectangular in shape and have fewer than 85 holes drilled into the seat frame. Any repairs and refinishing should be completed before the class begins. Please bring a chair in sound condition, with the old cane removed, if possible.

Spend a few days learning how to cane your own chair during which you'll learn how to weave the traditional 7-step caning pattern. Bring along a chair in good condition in need of a new caned seat. Ideally, the chair seat will be square or rectangular in shape and have fewer than 85 holes drilled into the seat frame. Any repairs and refinishing should be completed before the class begins. Please bring a chair in sound condition, with the old cane removed, if possible.

Create your own floorcloth in either a traditional pattern, arts and crafts style or a game board pattern using environmentally safe water-based paints and finishes. You will learn to cut a stencil, choose a pattern and the odors of your choice. Several different techniques will be taught as well. The use of painted floor coverings or "Oyl cloths" dates to 14th century Europe. People coming to this country wanted to reproduce furnishings from back home. Since resources were limited, worn sails from ships were painted and used to cover their floors. Floorcloths proved to be one of the most durable floorcoverings providing extra insulation on the floors of drafty homes. Create your own artful and durable floorcloth that will last for generations.

Create your own floorcloth in either a traditional pattern, arts and crafts style or a game board pattern using environmentally safe water-based paints and finishes. You will learn to cut a stencil, choose a pattern and the odors of your choice. Several different techniques will be taught as well. The use of painted floor coverings or "Oyl cloths" dates to 14th century Europe. People coming to this country wanted to reproduce furnishings from back home. Since resources were limited, worn sails from ships were painted and used to cover their floors. Floorcloths proved to be one of the most durable floorcoverings providing extra insulation on the floors of drafty homes. Create your own artful and durable floorcloth that will last for generations.