Just another WordPress site

Make a Native American Medicine Pouch

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

A Native American medicine pouch is a container for items believed to protect or give spiritual powers to its owner. The medicine bag is considered a very precious possession which represents a person's spiritual life and its contents are generally considered holy by the tribal community. The bags might be very plain or richly decorated and are meant to give guidance, good luck, good health, protection, abundance and even love to the individuals who carry them. Students will cut leather and shape their pouch as desired, then stitch with imitation sinew. A rawhide cord will be used to hang the pouch and can be attached using one of two different methods. It can then be decorated with beads, antler or feathers. Children who are 12 years of age and older are welcome.

Shaker Cat Head Basket

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

The Shaker Community, founded in New York, is known for its design aesthetic, combining form and function in simply elegant ways. This class introduces students to the Cathead base, a Shaker classic. In this form, a small, square base grows into a round basket, at the diameter and height of the student's choosing. This particular technique of weaving corners produces four "feet" upon which the basket rests. This creates a raised base on the inside of the basket, allowing its contents to first fill the perimeter of the basket, and then the center. Disbursing the weight of the basket contents, first to the perimeter, serves to prevent produce from becoming bruised and protects the center of the basket from wearing out. Students will weave a two-by-two twill pattern for both the base and the sides of the basket.

Birch Bark Picture Frames and Mirrors

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

Birch bark picture frames and mirrors have adorned Adirondack camps and cabins for centuries and were a favorite winter project for the guides to make. This is a great class for beginners with limited experience with woodworking and tools. You will select a frame and learn how to cut and fasten the Birch bark, twigs and other natural objects to create your own 'masterpiece'. Come see why this is one of our most popular classes. You'll be proud to hang this in your home!

The Beekman Pie Carrier Basket

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

This basket was designed exclusively for the Beekman Mercantile in Sharon Springs, NY. It features a large 12" x 7" solid bottom Shaker Cathead that, when inverted, forms the cover for this pie carrier. The base is a 13" breadboard that will be provided. The instructor designed the component parts of the carrier to be used on a daily basis. The basket is for bread and fruit and the bread board is for cutting and/or serving. You need only store the handle (provided) and strap until ready to use as a pie or cake carrier. Students will weave the solid bottom base using a Shaker technique. The basket will then be pinned to a mold (provided) for weaving using a chase weave technique. Students will also learn to rivet leather to assemble the straps. The handle assembly will be provided. The finished size of the basket is 13" x 8" (without handle).

Make a Native American Feather Fan

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

Feather fans are quite significant to Native Americans and have a long history of being used in Pow Wows and in the Native American Church. They are also used in spiritual "smudging" ceremonies with sage or cedar. Our instructor will share Native American legends and stories with you as you make your own feather fan using a piece of corrugated cardboard covered in leather with feathers added and shaped to fit your hand. Children who are 10 years of age and older are welcome.

The Beekman Pie Carrier Basket

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

This basket was designed exclusively for the Beekman Mercantile in Sharon Springs, NY. It features a large 12" x 7" solid bottom Shaker Cathead that, when inverted, forms the cover for this pie carrier. The base is a 13" breadboard that will be provided. The instructor designed the component parts of the carrier to be used on a daily basis. The basket is for bread and fruit and the bread board is for cutting and/or serving. You need only store the handle (provided) and strap until ready to use as a pie or cake carrier. Students will weave the solid bottom base using a Shaker technique. The basket will then be pinned to a mold (provided) for weaving using a chase weave technique. Students will also learn to rivet leather to assemble the straps. The handle assembly will be provided. The finished size of the basket is 13" x 8" (without handle).

Block Plane

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

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!

Adirondack Painting

In this class students will spend the evening creating their own rendition of an Adirondack scene guided by Patrice. This class is geared toward the beginning painter but is open to those of all artistic abilities. Students will use acrylic paints on an 8" x 10" canvas.

Shaker Carriers

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

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.

Shaker Carriers

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

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.

Shaker Oval Nesting Boxes

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

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.

Introduction to Chip Carving

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

This course will introduce students to the traditional craft of chip carving - a type of woodcarving in which a small knife is used to incise decorative floral and geometric designs into basswood or butternut. The design is created by the removal of small pieces (chips) of the wood. Chip carving is an ancient, traditional craft. Chip carved plates, jewelry and keepsake boxes, trays, breadboards, furniture and other items can make wonderful gifts and also decorate the home with traditional motifs. Some previous carving experience is helpful, but not necessary. Students will learn to carve a variety of practice designs already drawn on a board and may complete a round ornament as well.

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.