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Sharpening and Honing Blades

Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States

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.

Rings with Sterling Silver Metal Clay

Sterling alloys in clay form are stronger than pure silver and easy to work with making it ideal for ring making.  It is possible to either purchase a .950 sterling clay or make a .960 clay (a 50/50 combination of pure silver clay and .925 sterling clay).  The emphasis in this class will be on making rings, but you are also welcome to use some of your clay to make other items as well.  While this class is ideal for those with metal clay experience, it is open to anyone with an interest in learning metal clay techniques for making rings with metal clay.

Learn to Make Fresh Cheeses

Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States

Internationally known cheesemakers Sheila Flanagan and Sal Speights return for this second course in the Art of Cheesemaking. In this course students will learn to make fresh cheeses including chevre, fromage frais, and fromage blanc. This class will also include discussion of flavoring and packaging variations. Please note: Students will check in at the Folk School, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY. They will then travel to Nettle Meadow's Plant/Tasting Room 1256 Lake Ave., Lake Luzerne, NY for the duration of the class.

Forging Damascus

Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States

This class will cover the basic process of forging pattern-welded Damascus steel. Students will weld up several small billets and explore the basics of pattern development. Students will also explore several common methods of forge welding as well as covering the science of forge welding. Students can expect to learn the process of choosing steels that will give good pattern and function well together in the final billet. The class will cover how to lay out and prepare the steel for forge welding both in the starting stack and in subsequent re-stacks. Special attention will be given to hand work and the making of patterns well suited to limited machinery. The main areas of pattern development will be explored as well as touching on some more advanced patterning techniques. Once the billets are forged and patterned, the class will grind and polish a window or sample tile to etch and reveal the pattern. The class will cover several techniques to etch the sample for higher contrast. The techniques taught in class should offer students the building blocks to begin an exploration of Damascus patterns on their own. Experience of basic blacksmithing techniques suggested.

Scroll Saw Christmas Ornaments

Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States

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.

Introduction to Weaving on a Floor Loom

Learn to weave on a floor loom.  With instruction and hands on experience, you will perform each step of the process - winding a warp, dressing a loom, and weaving a cotton towel to take home and use for years to come.

Harvest Wreath

Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States

In this class students will create one fall inspired wreath using many natural materials: feathers, corn husks, pinecones, and other dried materials. Students will also make a bow for the wreath.

Introduction to Weaving on a Floor Loom

Learn to weave on a floor loom.  With instruction and hands on experience, you will perform each step of the process - winding a warp, dressing a loom, and weaving a cotton towel to take home and use for years to come.

Basic Shaker Oval Boxes

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" of "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. This class is open to all experience levels, no woodworking experience required!

How to Tell a Story Part 2

Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States

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.

Basic Shaker Oval Boxes

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" of "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. This class is open to all experience levels, no woodworking experience required!

Advanced Shaker Oval Boxes

In this advanced class, experienced students will have the opportunity to work on either Shaker Serving Trays or Shaker Carriers. Construction steps and hardware application will be demonstrated, and all participants will put their hands-to-work on their own projects. Students will become familiar with construction techniques as they complete their projects. These projects have a firm place in Shaker history as they were a very popular offering to "The World's People" by Shaker craftsmen. With Shaker inspired elegance these are sure to become instant heirlooms!

Join the Waiting List We are sorry, but this course is currently full. If space(s) become available, we will notify users in the order in which they requested to be added to the waiting list.