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!
Bluegrass banjo is the familiar sound that drove such favorites as the Beverly Hillbillies Theme Song, Rocky Top and Foggy Mountain Breakdown. In this class you will learn enough about the banjo so that you can use a variety of available instructional aids from your home and progress with learning Bluegrass banjo at your own pace. You will be exposed to the basics of playing 5-string Bluegrass banjo, including tunings, left hand chord shapes, right hand rolls, vamping, hammer-ons, pull-offs, chokes, chimes and how to read tablatures. We'll also look at online sites about banjo practice and instruction. Bring a playable 5-string banjo, two metal finger picks and a thumb pick. Although there will be several handouts, an audio recorder is a good idea.
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.
The Merry basket is a fun basket to weave with friends, and great for the upcoming holidays! Students will start with pre-cut and glued spokes into the base. This will allow students to start weaving right away on class day. The design is triple twined with three colors of paracord in a stacking pattern. A regular flat oval rim with paracord rim filler is lashed with flat oval reed to finish your holiday basket. Techniques include triple twining, a stacking pattern, shaping and regular rim. This is a great basket to put a candle in with some pinecones and evergreens for a centerpiece. It is also a nice size to put a liner in and use as a breadbasket. Merry Basket dimensions: 7" x 10" at top x 3" high. The Ziggy basket inspiration came from the racetrack base. Linda wanted a spiral for the flow going around the track with a little zag in it. Students will start with a wood base with the spokes pre-glued prior to class. The design is triple twined with three colors of cotton cord and finished with a regular flat oval rim. The rim is lashed with cotton cord. Students will have a choice of colors. Techniques include triple twining, completing a row and setting up for next, reverse twining and shaping. Ziggy Basket dimensions: 7" x 9.5" x 3.25" high.
This class will take you into the endless possibilities of the twill weave structure. Each student will design an item, wind a warp, dress a loom and weave. Assorted fiber choices will be available. Prior weaving set up and experience is required.
Drawing from over 30 years of fine instrument making, Martin Macica will share his knowledge of the principles of making a ukulele, leading students through the process of making their own ukulele from scratch using hand tools. This intensive course covers every aspect of ukulele making. Participants will leave with a working knowledge of ukulele making, and a handcrafted instrument ready for a lifetime of making music.
Learn the discipline of Metal Working known as Embossing. Students will transfer an image of their choosing from a paper template to a sheet of copper by using various sizes of stylus and other hand tools to create a textured picture. Students will find that copper is a very workable material. Your finished piece will fit in with any Adirondack decor or even in a rustic birch frame! This piece is 12" x 12".
The simple triangular chip can be used to create many interesting, unusual patterns such as this one on an optical illusion plate; creating the illusion of roundness on a flat plane. Each student will receive a 10" plate with the triangular chip pattern already applied. Carving out half of the chips will create the illusion. Once stained or painted, students will have an attractive piece to hang on the wall or display on a table. The plate is sure to surprise and interest all who see it!
This class will take you into the endless possibilities of the twill weave structure. Each student will design an item, wind a warp, dress a loom and weave. Assorted fiber choices will be available. Prior weaving set up and experience is required.
