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Build a Wee Lassie Canoe

The original Wee Lassie was a lapstrake-built open cedar canoe made in 1863 by J. Henry Rushton of Canton, NY. Rushton was one of the most famous canoe builders of his era. George Washington Sears, who wrote of his adventures under his pen name of Nessmuk as he recorded his paddling adventures throughout the Adirondacks, popularized these small, finely crafted canoes. Come spend 11 wonderful days with master instructor Larry Benjamin building your own Wee Lassie. You will be guided through every step of the building process. Leave with a beautiful, lightweight canoe that handles well in the water. Open to all level of student.

Camp Knife

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

A heavy chopping knife is an invaluable tool for clearing brush and splitting kindling. This is a comprehensive introduction to bladesmithing. Each student will forge a blade using a gas forge and hand hammer, grind, heat treat and finish the blade with a wood handle. Emphasis will be placed on ergonomic design, edge geometry and heat treating to maximize performance of a working knife.

Walk on the Wild Side – Introduction to Foraging

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

The plants are whispering…beckoning us to gather “in the wild.” This class is for those who would like to answer that call. To work with the plants at their peak in the location in which they thrive! Using techniques from various earth-based traditions, discover the many benefits of wild foraging including: approaching the plants with an open and receptive heart, working intuitively, setting intentions for the exchange, asking permission as a way of giving respect, giving thanks, wild plant identification, and making herbal preparations on the spot!

Square Foot Gardening

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

Learn all about Square Foot gardening from a local gardening guru. Square Foot gardening is the practice of planning small but intensively planted gardens. It combines concepts from other organic gardening methods, including composting, closely planted raised beds and attention to a small, clearly defined area. It is a high-yield, space-saving and time-saving gardening technique. Come learn from a pro, watch nature do her work, and then come back during the summer to tend your garden and harvest your efforts. Though the class is geared to vegetable gardening, the techniques discussed are applicable to other types of gardening as well. A terrific class for beginning gardeners or experts alike - and a great way to get out in the sun and enjoy our Adirondacks!

Camp Knife

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

A heavy chopping knife is an invaluable tool for clearing brush and splitting kindling. This is a comprehensive introduction to bladesmithing. Each student will forge a blade using a gas forge and hand hammer, grind, heat treat and finish the blade with a wood handle. Emphasis will be placed on ergonomic design, edge geometry and heat treating to maximize performance of a working knife.

Bat Houses

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

A bat can eat up to 12,000 biting Adirondack insects a night! Build a comfy little condo for our furry friends and keep the bugs in your area under control.

Stained Glass for Beginners

In this workshop we will complete a small Tiffany style suncatcher, ornament, or flower. Students will be able to choose a pre-drawn pattern from a variety of designs and be guided as they learn to cut the glass (chosen from a variety of types and colors), smooth the glass pieces with a grinder, apply copper foil tape, solder the pieces together into the final piece using lead-free solder, and add jump rings or a copper wire stem. The patterns available will offer a variety of levels of difficulty so students may choose what best suits them.

Camp Knife

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

A heavy chopping knife is an invaluable tool for clearing brush and splitting kindling. This is a comprehensive introduction to bladesmithing. Each student will forge a blade using a gas forge and hand hammer, grind, heat treat and finish the blade with a wood handle. Emphasis will be placed on ergonomic design, edge geometry and heat treating to maximize performance of a working knife.

Herb Drying Tray

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

Whether drying herbs and flowers for tea, medicine, or natural dyes, this basket design is useful for both harvesting and drying. The bottom is "openwork," allowing airflow from underneath. Students will weave the corners in such a way as to raise the base as well. The sides are "continuous weave" in a two-by-two twill, creating a beautiful stepping-up pattern.

Copper Bowl

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

In this class students will create a beautiful copper bowl from a 12" x 12" sheet of 16-gauge copper. Students will pound and hand tool the sheet into an 9" diameter, approx. 2" deep bowl. Students will also make a decorative vine with leaves from copper that will be attached to the rim of the bowl. Some soldering will be involved in this

Stenciled Floorcloth

Create your own floorcloth in either a traditional pattern, arts and crafts style or a game board pattern using environmentally safe water-based paints and finishes. You will learn to cut a stencil, choose a pattern and the odors of your choice.  Several different techniques will be taught as well. The use of painted floor coverings or "Oyl cloths" dates to 14th century Europe. People coming to this country wanted to reproduce furnishings from back home. Since resources were limited, worn sails from ships were painted and used to cover their floors. Floorcloths proved to be one of the most durable floorcoverings providing extra insulation on the floors of drafty homes. Create your own artful and durable floorcloth that will last for generations.

Introduction to Clay/Ceramics – Hand Building

Clay arts has historical common traditions across all cultures. It is easy to shape, sculpt and transform into ceramics. Imagine making bowls, cups, wind chimes and more.... through the use of clay medium. This two-day workshop allows for experimentation in creating various forms (2-3 pieces per student). On day one students will learn basic hand-building pottery techniques; explore pinch, coil and slab. After a drying period of three weeks, on the second day students will learn how to decorate and glaze their piece.

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.