Traditional Crafts

Sunflowers are happy flowers, bright and colorful! Using stained glass and beads, we will be making a beautiful sunflower mosaic to take hope and display in your home. Students may draw their own design or use a provided template. Students will learn to score, cut and nip glass into shapes needed to make their mosaic and learn different techniques to shape glass. Students will then learn how to use adhesive and how to grout their mosaic.

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 with the traditional 7-step weaving method, which results in an intricate octagonal pattern. Bring your chair needing a new seat (see requirements below). Tools and materials will be provided. Please note: This is an introductory class. Chairs MUST have 75 or fewer holes drilled into the chair seat and be square or rectangular in shape. A curve in the front of the chair is acceptable. Your chair should be in sound condition, with the old seat removed and any repairs and refinishing completed prior to class. If your chair does not meet these parameters, a limited number of additional chairs will be available for a nominal fee, and advice will be given to you on how to best weave the chair you have brought to the class.

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 with the traditional 7-step weaving method, which results in an intricate octagonal pattern. Bring your chair needing a new seat (see requirements below). Tools and materials will be provided. Please note: This is an introductory class. Chairs MUST have 75 or fewer holes drilled into the chair seat and be square or rectangular in shape. A curve in the front of the chair is acceptable. Your chair should be in sound condition, with the old seat removed and any repairs and refinishing completed prior to class. If your chair does not meet these parameters, a limited number of additional chairs will be available for a nominal fee, and advice will be given to you on how to best weave the chair you have brought to the class.

Spend a few days learning how to cane your own chair with the traditional 7-step weaving method, which results in an intricate octagonal pattern. Bring your chair needing a new seat (see requirements below). Tools and materials will be provided. Please note: This is an introductory class. Chairs MUST have 75 or fewer holes drilled into the chair seat and be square or rectangular in shape. A curve in the front of the chair is acceptable. Your chair should be in sound condition, with the old seat removed and any repairs and refinishing completed prior to class. If your chair does not meet these parameters, a limited number of additional chairs will be available for a nominal fee, and advice will be given to you on how to best weave the chair you have brought to the class.

Come and create a beautiful 2' x 3' floorcloth to enhance your home. You will learn to cut stencils or refresh your cutting skills if you have done it before. There are many techniques to learn that can be used along with stenciling to enhance your final creation. In the end you will have a unique and functional piece of art that is one-of-a-kind! Please wear old clothes. Janet will provide glue guns, but if you have your own you are welcome to bring it and she will provide the glue sticks.

Come and create a beautiful 2' x 3' floorcloth to enhance your home. You will learn to cut stencils or refresh your cutting skills if you have done it before. There are many techniques to learn that can be used along with stenciling to enhance your final creation. In the end you will have a unique and functional piece of art that is one-of-a-kind! Please wear old clothes. Janet will provide glue guns, but if you have your own you are welcome to bring it and she will provide the glue sticks.

Chasing the sharpest edge possible has consumed Howard's time and efforts for the past 22 years. He started making knives in 1973 and has worked diligently to get blades of all types as sharp as possible with a repeatable process that can be replicated by other people. Over the years Howard has studied whetstones in museums around the world and amassed a huge study collection of rocks which have been used for various purposes by craftsmen around the world throughout time. All of Howard's sharpening work is done under magnification and he has invented tools and processes for sharpening quickly and to a keen edge. At the end of this presentation, students will have an understanding and hands on knowledge of: edge geometry, types of steel, heat treating, natural and manmade sharpening stones and options, and a better way to understand the intersection of blade steel, heat treatment,blade geometry, stone type and technology, and how it all works together.

In this class students will create a beautiful mosaic ornament to hang in a window, outside, or use as a holiday ornament. Students will be using reflective glass and mirror to make ornaments that are fun and sparkly! Additionally, we will learn how to design the ornament and how to use mosaic tools and adhesives.

Chairs with four intact rails can accept several different types of woven seats, including splint seats. In this class you'll learn to weave a herringbone pattern 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. Should your chair not be in sound condition, a limited number will be available for a nominal fee. Materials and tools provided.