• Drawing Timber Frame Plans

    Behind every timber frame stands a set of drawings - plans that turn an idea into a buildable structure. This 2.5-day weekend course gives you the skills to draft your own timber frame plans by hand, using traditional methods that connect design directly to building. You'll start with the basics of drafting: tools, techniques, and conventions for creating clear, accurate plans. Then, you'll take your drawings off the page and practice the basic mortise and tenon joinery. This is an immersive class that blends drawing and some joinery practice. Expect guided lessons, demonstrations, and plenty of time both at the drafting board and using hand tools to cut the joinery. No prior experience is necessary for this course.

  • Hiker (Small) Adirondack Pack Basket by Linda Scherz

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

    The Adirondack Pack Basket is one of the most recognized objects associated with the Adirondacks. Linda will teach you her version patterned from the traditional Adirondack Pack Baskets. This is a good size day pack for adults and children. This class will be fun for all weavers. This is a great intro size pack to making pack baskets. Linda will demonstrate, teach you many weaving techniques and guide you while you weave your pack basket. Students start with pre-cut spokes and do most of the weaving the first day. There will be great emphasis on shaping while weaving to create the belly on the front and the flat back. The second day students will be busy with the many finishing steps to complete the pack. Lastly, add an adjustable webbing or leather harness made by Linda and secured with skids made by students. Dimensions: 6? x 9? x 14? high. Students will be using a drawknife and other sharp tools. Leather harness is dark brown. Webbing harness color choices will be the colors available at time of class. Instructor will bring all materials to make the basket. Students should wear comfortable clothing. Baskets will not be stained during class.

  • Hiker (Small) Adirondack Pack Basket by Linda Scherz

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

    The Adirondack Pack Basket is one of the most recognized objects associated with the Adirondacks. Linda will teach you her version patterned from the traditional Adirondack Pack Baskets. This is a good size day pack for adults and children. This class will be fun for all weavers. This is a great intro size pack to making pack baskets. Linda will demonstrate, teach you many weaving techniques and guide you while you weave your pack basket. Students start with pre-cut spokes and do most of the weaving the first day. There will be great emphasis on shaping while weaving to create the belly on the front and the flat back. The second day students will be busy with the many finishing steps to complete the pack. Lastly, add an adjustable webbing or leather harness made by Linda and secured with skids made by students. Dimensions: 6? x 9? x 14? high. Students will be using a drawknife and other sharp tools. Leather harness is dark brown. Webbing harness color choices will be the colors available at time of class. Instructor will bring all materials to make the basket. Students should wear comfortable clothing. Baskets will not be stained during class.

  • What to Plant & Why

    Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States
  • Traditional Herbal Practice: Wildcrafting-Plants of Spring

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

    As the wheel of the year turns, the delicate greens emerge. The plants of spring allow us to "lighten-up" from the comfort foods of winter. Let's connect with nature and what she's offering us at this time of the year, while engaging in the traditional practice of wildcrafting greens for the purpose of nourishing our bodies in and out. In this course we will discuss the Celtic festival of Beltain as well as the essence & traits of spring. Reflecting how these show up in our personal lives. We'll harvest and then take our bounty into the classroom for making preparations in harmony with what our bodies are yearning for. In this make and take experience, you can expect to go home with two herbal preparations based on what is alive, at peak, and available for harvest. While it's impossible to predict "who" will be available for us to work with, what I can share is that in past spring classes we've made: Wild Plant Pesto, Violet flower butter, Plant infused Oil for topical use, Salad Dressings. Please inform us ahead of time if you have any allergies.

  • Knife Making

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

    This highly customized course allows you to bring your own knife design and Joe Szilaski, a Master Smith in three countries including the U.S., Hungary, and Austria, will teach you how to forge the blade using a low temperature technique. Students will then shape, grind, and polish the blade before adding a wooden handle in just two days! Please note: This course is for intermediate level smiths.

  • Mini Barn Quilt

    Join Janet for a day long class to create a mini barn quilt for that special mom, grandma or mother -in- law for Mother's Day. Or perhaps to spruce up your entrance way for summer. Come and unlock your creative spirit in this daylong class. Wear old clothes and bring a smock or apron, students may wish to bring a hair dryer if they have one.

  • Perfect Pictures Every Time

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

    Understanding photography basics is the key to taking control of your camera and knowing you got the shot when you were taking it. If you would like to take your skill level from shooting in Auto to having full control over your camera, this intensive class is for you! A step-by-step PowerPoint presentation helps teach the basic principles of photography including: camera options and set-up, peripheral equipment, image exposure and histograms, and will touch on shooting for HDR and working with motion, depth of field, and composition. The class is paced to allow time for questions and interaction, with about half of the day in the classroom experimenting with the cameras, and the other half spent in the field, practicing camera techniques and shooting options. A comprehensive handout will include all the major points covered in the presentation. While the class instruction is mostly landscape based, these techniques and principles can be applied to all photographic situations.

  • It’s a Wrap!

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

    Create your own one-of-a-kind wet felted wrap bracelet. This is a marvelous medium to then embroider, bead, or stitch on to further embellish your creation.

  • Knife Making

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

    This highly customized course allows you to bring your own knife design and Joe Szilaski, a Master Smith in three countries including the U.S., Hungary, and Austria, will teach you how to forge the blade using a low temperature technique. Students will then shape, grind, and polish the blade before adding a wooden handle in just two days! Please note: This course is for intermediate level smiths.

  • Paddle Making

    Come and create your own willow leaf shaped, traditional cherry wood canoe paddle or make a native double kayak/sit in the bottom canoe paddle. After some history and an explanation of the shapes, you will pick your blank and get started using only hand tools to create your paddle! The process will be demonstrated from beginning to end to ensure that you come away with a perfect paddle. Two different sizes will be available for canoe paddles - standard (29" shaft) and long (32" shaft). Kayak paddles are one size fits all (54" shaft). This one-day class will give you a sense of accomplishment as you complete a paddle that will accompany you on the water. Students will need to specify their paddle choice at the time of registration. All materials are provided, material fees are included in the tuition of this class. Due to time constraints, students are encouraged to bring their own lunch.

  • Garden Harvest Basket

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

    This useful basket is beginner friendly. Students will weave a rectangular base, and learn shaping techniques that result in upright sides at the handle and very low sides on the ends. The basket is woven in continuous weave, which incorporates an oak handle as the sides grow. Students will have the option of adding runners to the bottom, if desired. Dimensions: 16? L x 9? W x 9?H at handle.