Traditional Crafts

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.

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.

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

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.

Enhance your garden or outdoor space with a splash of mosaic color! Create inspiring birds, flowers and butterflies on a "garden stone", (various shapes to choose from). Bring your idea or sketch along to this workshop, and capture your image in tile, stone and glass... to create a colorful artwork that will enhance your garden or yard for years to come. Beginner to experienced artists welcome! Students will utilize brightly colored porcelain tiles, as well as glass tiles, stained glass, seashells and pebbles. (Bring a couple of permanent items to add to your project, if you'd like!) Kate has all the '"tesserae", tools and expertise you'll need to shape your pieces and set them in mortar, which will comprise our first day of work. Day two will be a shorter day, grouting and admiring your finished piece, which will be ready to take home! Artist Kate Hartley, who created the North Creek Mosaic Project Mural with over 2000 volunteers, will guide you in bringing your own vision into mosaic form. She's been teaching visual arts to people of all ages for four decades, and delights in encouraging individual expression in artists of all experience levels.

Enhance your garden or outdoor space with a splash of mosaic color! Create inspiring birds, flowers and butterflies on a "garden stone", (various shapes to choose from). Bring your idea or sketch along to this workshop, and capture your image in tile, stone and glass... to create a colorful artwork that will enhance your garden or yard for years to come. Beginner to experienced artists welcome! Students will utilize brightly colored porcelain tiles, as well as glass tiles, stained glass, seashells and pebbles. (Bring a couple of permanent items to add to your project, if you'd like!) Kate has all the '"tesserae", tools and expertise you'll need to shape your pieces and set them in mortar, which will comprise our first day of work. Day two will be a shorter day, grouting and admiring your finished piece, which will be ready to take home! Artist Kate Hartley, who created the North Creek Mosaic Project Mural with over 2000 volunteers, will guide you in bringing your own vision into mosaic form. She's been teaching visual arts to people of all ages for four decades, and delights in encouraging individual expression in artists of all experience levels.

Barn quilts have become so popular over the past several years that there are barn quilt trails all over the country. We've even seen billboards on the NY thruway advertising a trail! These art projects are a great way to commemorate a special time in your life or an upcoming holiday. You might have such fun that you'll want to make several like past students. During the class you'll learn some of the history and then learn how to plot out your design after you have chosen one from the many designs on offer. There are so many patterns and the best part is you don't need any quilting experience. Bring a friend and have some fun. Wear old clothes and bring a smock or apron, students may wish to bring a hair dryer if they have one.

Barn quilts have become so popular over the past several years that there are barn quilt trails all over the country. We've even seen billboards on the NY thruway advertising a trail! These art projects are a great way to commemorate a special time in your life or an upcoming holiday. You might have such fun that you'll want to make several like past students. During the class you'll learn some of the history and then learn how to plot out your design after you have chosen one from the many designs on offer. There are so many patterns and the best part is you don't need any quilting experience. Bring a friend and have some fun. Wear old clothes and bring a smock or apron, students may wish to bring a hair dryer if they have one.