This basic class will give you the foundation needed to start out on your journey of blacksmithing. You'll learn fire management, hammering methods, drawing out, upsetting, cutting, splitting, twisting, and convenience bending along with a demo of forge welding. Make punches and chisels and learn to harden and temper them. Heating material and heat management will be taught and much more.
This basic class will give you the foundation needed to start out on your journey of blacksmithing. You'll learn fire management, hammering methods, drawing out, upsetting, cutting, splitting, twisting, and convenience bending along with a demo of forge welding. Make punches and chisels and learn to harden and temper them. Heating material and heat management will be taught and much more.
Students will forge their own chef knife in the style of either a Gyuto, Santoku, or Petty style, up to 9" long. Starting with W-2 steel, smiths will forge to shape, heat treat and harden high carbon steel, and use a belt grinder. On the final day, students will learn the details of traditional Japanese handles, known as Wa style handles, and will be able to choose from a variety of handle materials to finish their knife. The result will be a fantastic kitchen tool that will last for generations.
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.
Students will forge their own chef knife in the style of either a Gyuto, Santoku, or Petty style, up to 9" long. Starting with W-2 steel, smiths will forge to shape, heat treat and harden high carbon steel, and use a belt grinder. On the final day, students will learn the details of traditional Japanese handles, known as Wa style handles, and will be able to choose from a variety of handle materials to finish their knife. The result will be a fantastic kitchen tool that will last for generations.
The Adirondack Style is unique. It combines traditional furniture making with the materials found in this region: birch bark, twigs, logs and more. Found in the earliest Great Camps of our region, the skilled craftsmen who made this unique furniture were inspired by the world around them. In this class you will be guided from start to finish: from the selection of the materials and their preparation, to the joinery required, as well as the aesthetics that will help you make a fine end table suitable for your Great Camp or home.
Photograph the late afternoon, sunset and evening light along with the magical wonder and beauty of night skies in the southern Adirondacks with Carl Heilman as your guide and instructor. After meeting briefly at the Folk School for an introduction to night photography and some time for Q & A, the group will travel to nearby photo destinations along the roadways, lakes and waterways. After the sun sets at 7:55, we'll photograph in the twilight as the stars come out. There will be potential Milky Way photo ops before the moon rises at 9:20 PM, which will offer yet another dimension to photographing the nighttime Adirondack landscape.
Students will forge their own chef knife in the style of either a Gyuto, Santoku, or Petty style, up to 9" long. Starting with W-2 steel, smiths will forge to shape, heat treat and harden high carbon steel, and use a belt grinder. On the final day, students will learn the details of traditional Japanese handles, known as Wa style handles, and will be able to choose from a variety of handle materials to finish their knife. The result will be a fantastic kitchen tool that will last for generations.
The Adirondack Style is unique. It combines traditional furniture making with the materials found in this region: birch bark, twigs, logs and more. Found in the earliest Great Camps of our region, the skilled craftsmen who made this unique furniture were inspired by the world around them. In this class you will be guided from start to finish: from the selection of the materials and their preparation, to the joinery required, as well as the aesthetics that will help you make a fine end table suitable for your Great Camp or home.
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!
Keum-boo is the ancient Korean technique of applying 24K or 23.5K gold foil on silver. In this class you will create silver metal clay pieces suitable for this process and then after firing them, apply gold foil using this technique. I find the results amazingly beautiful, especially with a Liver of Sulfur patina applied to heighten the contrast. While this class is ideal for those with metal clay experience, it is open to anyone with an interest in learning this technique. Materials fee includes metal clay and 1/4 sheet of gold foil
Calling all fiber artists! Do you have a project you're in the middle of? Want some company while you work? Sounds like AFS Sewing Circle is the place for you! Quilters, knitters, and fiber artists alike are welcome to join us every month for an afternoon of quilting and camaraderie. Bring your works in progress, and enjoy sharing your experience and the company of your fellow quilters. Pre-registration is not required. All are welcome!
Explore the many ways that you can use silver in a metal clay formulation to create jewelry designs of your own. The newest way of working with silver is metal clay which can be shaped like clay to produce uniquely textured surfaces, resulting in durable beautiful silver jewelry. Students will learn metal clay working techniques and make pendants, earrings, charms and rings. Fresh leaves will also be used to create a silver piece of nature. The class will also cover techniques for setting and firing stones directly in metal clay. Each student will leave with at least four finished pieces of jewelry. No previous experience necessary.
The use of plants for wellness, nutrition and balance has been practiced for thousands of years in the Adirondacks and cultures around the globe. Discover what they knew and passed down for generations. In this course you'll get hands-on experience in traditional practices for transforming raw plant material into beneficial preparations with a focus on enhancing the wellbeing of our body system organs. This class is for all levels and open to ages 13 and up.
Barbara designed this basket inspired by the Fibonacci sequence of numbers. The basket is woven on a Shaker Cathead base with a two-by-two twill in natural reed. Students will weave the sides in a contrasting color reed to emphasize the 13 spirals which the pattern will create. Hand-shaping techniques will be stressed, allowing students to produce a beautifully proportioned piece. Barbara will lead a discussion on "The Nature of Numbers," a talk on where the Fibonacci sequence exists in nature.
In this class you will explore the history of carved letters, including raised and incised examples. Design, proper layout, and spacing will be taught. The correct approach to handling carving tools and interesting techniques will be demonstrated. Sharpening and tool maintenance will be shown. Students of all levels will be able to learn how to carve on flat or shaped surfaces. This class is a must for any student of carving.
Barbara designed this basket inspired by the Fibonacci sequence of numbers. The basket is woven on a Shaker Cathead base with a two-by-two twill in natural reed. Students will weave the sides in a contrasting color reed to emphasize the 13 spirals which the pattern will create. Hand-shaping techniques will be stressed, allowing students to produce a beautifully proportioned piece. Barbara will lead a discussion on "The Nature of Numbers," a talk on where the Fibonacci sequence exists in nature.
No weaving experience is necessary! The looms are dressed and ready to go, all you need to do is bring your creative spirit and to leave with a finished one-of-a-kind rug. Students will have a choice of making a traditional Rag Rug using recycled fabric strips or making a Sock Rug using remnants from a sock factory. Colors and choices of fabric and remnants vary from class to class depending on availability. The rugs are 24" wide, and up to 45" long.
Join us as we weave a lovely, beaded bracelet. No experience is needed. Students will have fun creating their own unique custom wrap bracelet.
Join us as we weave a lovely, beaded bracelet. After taking the basic class in the morning, or for those with some beading experience, students will weave a beaded bracelet with more delicate beads and more complicated patterns.
Interested in blacksmithing but unsure how to start? Open Forge Night is the place for you! Every third Wednesday of the month during our blacksmithing season, come see demonstrations by expert blacksmith Steve Gurzler. Observing the demonstration is free and open to the public. If you want to try your hand at blacksmithing there is a $20 fee to cover the cost of materials. Safety precautions must be followed - including hard shoes with no open toes, long pants, goggles (supplied) and gloves (supplied).
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 8" x 8".
Learn to forge a tomahawk with instructor Joe Szilaski. Students will be able to customize their design and will leave the class with a unique piece.
Create your own pine branch wall hanging with vines, leaves, and pinecones. Different size pipe will be pounded and textured on an anvil to make the branches and vines. The leaves and cones will be made from sheet copper, then textured. This class will also involve some soldering. The finished piece will be approximately 25" by 17".
Learn to forge a tomahawk with instructor Joe Szilaski. Students will be able to customize their design and will leave the class with a unique piece.
Anyone can learn to make a rustic birdhouse in just a few hours. A birdhouse is a simple structure with seven basic parts: two sides, a front and back, a bottom, and two pieces for the top. Power tools are not necessary to cut the wood; it can be done with a handsaw. Using rough-cut lumber, you will construct a rustic birdhouse that can be functional and/or decorative. Choose from several birdhouse designs. There will be a short discussion about nesting birds, feeding birds and suitable houses for area birds. Participants are encouraged to bring objects (such as old drawer pulls, doorknobs, hardware, etc.) from home. Adults and teens welcome; children ages 10-14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Learn to forge a tomahawk with instructor Joe Szilaski. Students will be able to customize their design and will leave the class with a unique piece.
In this class students will create a stained glass mosaic in an 8" x 10" frame. Students will have a choice of photographs to work with, or may bring their own if desired. Students will be instructed on how to grout their piece, which is recommended but not required. This class is suitable for students of any level.
Learn how to make your very own personal hiking stick. Begin by selecting the perfect stick collected by the instructor. Then you will learn how to shave and carve your hiking stick. Once you are happy with your creation, the sticks will be completed by drilling a hole in them and adding a lanyard. Once finished, put your stick to good use on the trail running right by our school!
Create soap just like Grandma, but better! Join Chrissey for an enjoyable Sunday afternoon as you learn how to make soap that not only smells good but is all-natural and feels great on your skin. This fun class will teach you how to create soap using the cold-process and natural/organic ingredients. You will learn all about the basic process, oils, and the difference between fragrances and essential oils. You will create soap from a recipe while learning how to handle lye safely. Finally, you'll take home your hand-made soap. So, say good-bye to store-bought soap and start using soap you made yourself!
Historically, wherever there was wool and fabric, there has been embroidery, and the Adirondacks are no exception. In this class, students will learn the fundamentals of crewelwork embroidery. Students will use a variety of stitches to create a decorative crewelwork embroidery design step by step.
For students who have taken the beginner course and are ready for a more challenging project. You will cut glass, smooth pieces with a grinder, apply copper-foil tape and solder the pieces. Choose from projects including flowers on copper stems, advanced suncatchers or free-standing figures. Closed-toe shoes and long pants required.
Come create a simple turned bowl that still looks and feels rustic due to its live edge. This course is targeted to those who have an interest in learning how to turn. The emphasis will be on learning how to use a lathe and tools safely and correctly. In this class, you will learn the basics of creating spindle-based objects and then work at turning your bowl. Leave the class with a lovely treasure that captures the "wild" feel of the Adirondacks!
Taught by Sheila Flanagan and Sal Speights, both internationally awarded cheesemakers, known for creative semi-aged cheeses, this course will focus on all the simplest aspects of cheesemaking and the vast variety of cheeses that can be made based on different cultures, rennets, additives and mechanical processing methods. Students will learn how to make bloomy rind cheeses, age, and inoculate them and how to add variations to their cheese. 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.
