Woodworking

Anyone can learn to make a rustic birdhouse in just a few hours. A birdhouse is a simple structure with seven basic parts: two sides, a front and back, a bottom, and two pieces for the top. Power tools are not necessary to cut the wood; it can be done with a handsaw. Using rough-cut lumber, you will construct a rustic birdhouse that can be functional and/or decorative. Choose from several birdhouse designs. There will be a short discussion about nesting birds, feeding birds and suitable houses for area birds. Participants are encouraged to bring objects (such as old drawer pulls, doorknobs, hardware, etc.) from home. Adults and teens welcome; children ages 10-14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Learn how to make your very own personal hiking stick. Begin by selecting the perfect stick collected by the instructor. Then you will learn how to shave and carve your hiking stick. Once you are happy with your creation, the sticks will be completed by drilling a hole in them and adding a lanyard. Once finished, put your stick to good use on the trail running right by our school!

Kumiko is the delicate, geometric latticework that is traditionally found in shoji screens. It originated in Japan during the Asuka era (600 - 700 AD). The patterns are made by carefully cutting bevels and fitting small strips of wood together without the need for glue. There are hundreds of designs that range from simple and rectangular to very complex and intricate. In this class you will learn how to make the asanoha pattern. Translated to "hemp leaf," asanoha is the most popular pattern in Japan and is connected to the idea of growth. You will start with basswood strips and go through the process of cutting accurate half lap joints to make a grid. Then, use Kumiko jigs to cut bevels and assemble the asanoha pattern.

Come build a Paraguan harp. This harp is characterized by a large soundbox with a rounded base, very light weight, closely-spaced light tension strings (usually nylon), a relatively flat harmonic curve, and with the strings running up through the center of the neck, which are tuned with gear-style tuners (like a guitar). Almost all harps of this style are played with the fingernails, in very rhythmically intricate music. This is the national instrument of Paraguay, and is commonly found throughout South America, Central America and in parts of Mexico. Students will be using tools from the past and today, to fashion an instrument that will last a lifetime. After this class you may even want to learn to play your beautiful new harp!

Come build a Paraguan harp. This harp is characterized by a large soundbox with a rounded base, very light weight, closely-spaced light tension strings (usually nylon), a relatively flat harmonic curve, and with the strings running up through the center of the neck, which are tuned with gear-style tuners (like a guitar). Almost all harps of this style are played with the fingernails, in very rhythmically intricate music. This is the national instrument of Paraguay, and is commonly found throughout South America, Central America and in parts of Mexico. Students will be using tools from the past and today, to fashion an instrument that will last a lifetime. After this class you may even want to learn to play your beautiful new harp!

Open a new chapter in your wood working journey by making your own hand tool. Shape the wood body, harden and temper steel for the blade and make your first shavings all in one day!

This two-day workshop yields time enough to explore three styles of Shaker carriers; Fixed Handled, Swinging Handled and Divided carriers. Construction steps and hardware application will be demonstrated, and all participants will put their hands-to-work on their own carriers. These projects have a firm place in Shaker history as they were a very popular offering to "The World's People" by Shaker craftsmen.

This two-day workshop yields time enough to explore three styles of Shaker carriers; Fixed Handled, Swinging Handled and Divided carriers. Construction steps and hardware application will be demonstrated, and all participants will put their hands-to-work on their own carriers. These projects have a firm place in Shaker history as they were a very popular offering to "The World's People" by Shaker craftsmen.

One of the most iconic items of Shaker woodworking, nesting oval boxes share elegance, simplicity and functionality equally. Using carefully prepared thin strips of wood each participant will carve the "swallowtails" or "fingers" on one end before soaking them in a hot water bath to soften for bending. Copper tacks are installed to hold the oval hoop together before top and bottom boards are fit and held by wooden pegs. Each student will construct five nesting oval boxes from cherry wood in this two-day workshop.

One of the most iconic items of Shaker woodworking, nesting oval boxes share elegance, simplicity and functionality equally. Using carefully prepared thin strips of wood each participant will carve the "swallowtails" or "fingers" on one end before soaking them in a hot water bath to soften for bending. Copper tacks are installed to hold the oval hoop together before top and bottom boards are fit and held by wooden pegs. Each student will construct five nesting oval boxes from cherry wood in this two-day workshop.

There's nothing like the beauty of the winter season in the Adirondacks! Make a holiday ornament for yourself or your loved ones. Over the course of this day students will progress from making a simple wooden Christmas ornament to one requiring the skills you will have achieved during the day. The course will include instruction on the safe use of the power scroll saw, pattern transfer, the cutting of multiple ornaments using the stacking process and the process of making interior cuts in a piece of wood using a scroll saw. Appropriate for beginning woodworkers and those with some experience.

Come join us in the making of your very own handmade Backpacker guitar. Drawing from over 35 years of instrument making, Martin Macica will share his knowledge of the principles and practice of guitar making, leading participants through the process of making their own versatile backpacker guitar.  Participants will leave the class with a working knowledge of guitar making and a handcrafted instrument ready for years of making music while traveling and adventuring.