Traditional Crafts

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.

In the early 1800's the Shakers began weaving chair seats using colorful cotton tape onto their iconic chairs. You'll continue this tradition by weaving g a chair wit 4 seat rails using colorful cotton tape in traditional Shaker colors. Register early and choose between a solid color or two contrasting colors. Please bring a chair that has 4 seat rails with the old seat removed and any repairs and refinishing complete prior to class. If you don't have your own chair, a limited number will be available for a nominal fee. *Register by March 15 for your choice of color and width of tape. Upon registration you will be contacted by the instructor to discuss your choice. Registrations received after March 15 will be up to the instructor's choice. Deadline is based on supplier's shipping dates at the time of this catalog's publication and are subject to change. Please check with AFS for updated deadlines.

In this exciting AFS class students will learn the basics of carving stone. You'll learn about the three basic types of chisel: point, tooth and flat. If time allows, finishing techniques will also be taught, and used to create a 3D shape in marble. All under the expert guidance of Charles Austin, stone mason and carver. Students should come with a simple idea of what they would like to create.

In this exciting AFS class students will learn the basics of carving stone. You'll learn about the three basic types of chisel: point, tooth and flat. If time allows, finishing techniques will also be taught, and used to create a 3D shape in marble. All under the expert guidance of Charles Austin, stone mason and carver. Students should come with a simple idea of what they would like to create.

Explore the magic of turning pulp into paper! This hands-on workshop introduces the elements of papermaking by hand, including fiber preparation, pulp handling, sheet forming, pressing and drying. Hand papermaking techniques can be easily learned by the beginner but can also be pursued to advanced levels, with many creative possibilities for the artist and designer. Participants in this workshop will make multiple sheets of paper using a variety of natural fiber, and low-tech equipment. Fiber plus water equals papermaking fun!

Explore the magic of turning pulp into paper! This hands-on workshop introduces the elements of papermaking by hand, including fiber preparation, pulp handling, sheet forming, pressing and drying. Hand papermaking techniques can be easily learned by the beginner but can also be pursued to advanced levels, with many creative possibilities for the artist and designer. Participants in this workshop will make multiple sheets of paper using a variety of natural fiber, and low-tech equipment. Fiber plus water equals papermaking fun!

Students will learn glass cutting and mosaic techniques while creating a beautiful land and waterscape mosaic. We will be using stained glass and slate to make a mosaic with water, island and trees.

Students will learn glass cutting and mosaic techniques while creating a beautiful land and waterscape mosaic. We will be using stained glass and slate to make a mosaic with water, island and trees.

Students will learn glass cutting and mosaic techniques while creating a beautiful land and waterscape mosaic. We will be using stained glass and slate to make a mosaic with water, island and trees.

Learn the art of linoleum block printing while creating unique designs. We'll print on upcycled materials including old t-shirts, sheet, pillows, pillowcases and towels. Bring your old fabric items and give them new life! No experience necessary, students should bring materials to upcycle.

In this introductory class, students will weave a herringbone design splint seat onto a hardwood stool using their choice of natural and dyed flat reeds. All materials and tools will be provided.

What inspires you? Nearly anything can be depicted in mosaics - flowers, birds, numbers, a special word, or a favorite scene. Create small masterpieces while extending (or beginning) your knowledge of this medium, which has been used to make long-lasting artworks for thousands of years! In this class, you can make an imaginative house number on a waterproof backing board or a multi-colored mosaic image on luaun plywood (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 home for years to come. Beginner to experienced artists welcome! Students will utilize brightly colored 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 secure them to a background with mortar or glue, 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.