• Introduction to Woodturning

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

    To every season turn, turn, turn! This course is for people who have an interest in learning how to turn. The emphasis will be on learning how to use the lathe and tools safely and correctly. In this class you will learn the basics of creating spindle-based objects. Then you will use your new-found skills to create a candlestick and a wooden pen. Friends and family will be truly impressed! You'll need to take this class before moving on to the more advanced turning classes.

  • Calligraphy with Turkey Quills

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

    First, we will learn how to prepare walnut ink from the husks of local black walnuts. The black walnut tree (Juglans nigra) is one of North America's most valuable and beautiful native trees. We will then learn how to temper and cut a turkey's wing feather into a fine writing tool that we can use with the velvety smooth walnut ink to create calligraphy (beautiful writing!). For the calligraphy classes we will use a chisel-shaped felt pen and learn two letter styles - Gothic, or blackletter, and the Foundational Hand, also using our black walnut ink. Other materials and uses will be demonstrated as well.

  • Copper Embossing with Birch Frame

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

    In this couples class, one person will create a copper embossed plaque on 5 mill copper with Metal Arts instructor Mark Swanberry. Various templates for your design will be available or you may use your own, if applicable. Downstairs in the Woodshop, the other person will be making an Adirondack style frame with Rustic Furniture instructor Jim Schreiner, which will be built on a 12 inch by 12 inch pine backing. At the end of the classes the copper plaque will be fastened to the pine framework

  • Upcycling with Lino Prints

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

    Learn the art of linoleum block printing while creating unique designs. We'll print on upcycled materials including old t-shirts, sheet, pillows, pillowcases and towels. Bring your old fabric items and give them new life! No experience necessary, students should bring materials to upcycle.

  • Block Printing with Natural Dyes

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

    Learn how to print and paint with locally-foraged natural dyes to create beautiful, useable items! Participants will learn how to prepare thickened dye pastes, print or paint them on cotton and set them for long-lasting, washable results, with a discussion of growing or foraging their own dye plants in the local region and preparing cloth for dyeing. Participants can select a cotton tea towel or cotton scarf. Historic-style wooden blocks will be provided, or students can bring their own stencils or designs to paint.

  • Beginning Bluegrass Banjo

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

    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.

  • T-Shirt Memory Quilt

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

    In this class students will learn how to cut and stabilize t-shirts to be used in a "memory" t-shirt quilt. Some editing of materials may be necessary. Guidance for fabric choices of sashing and background colors will be given. On day 2 students will lay out and size their blocks and begin sewing. Options for quilting will be discussed. On day 3 students will finish their quilts by applying the borders, binding and label. Homework will be assigned between each class date. Students will need to bring their own t-shirt collection, a rotary cutter and cutting mat for day 1. Materials for days 2 & 3 will be discussed during class. Some knowledge of sewing/quilting is helpful.

  • Introduction to Scroll Saws

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

    The purpose of this course is to introduce the student who is interested in pursuing the hobby of working with the scroll saw to produce scroll work art for themselves. Their family, and their friends. The student will be introduced to the mechanics and the safe operation of the scroll saw. Students will be introduced to the many different saw blade types and cutting characteristics of each blade type to help in their selection of a blade for a particular piece of work. Additionally, students will receive instruction in three different methods of transferring a pattern to a piece of wood. Following this instruction, students will practice preparing the saw for safe operation followed by practicing the different movements required to successfully follow pattern lines while cutting a piece of wood. At the completion of the class, students will have completed a simple cat puzzle and a snowflake trivet using both exterior and interior cuts to remove material from the puzzle and the snowflake.

  • Framed Stained Glass Mosaics

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

    In this class students will create a stained glass mosaic in a 5" by 7" or similar frame. Students will have a choice of inspiration photographs to work with, or may bring their own if desired. The class will include instruction on how to grout the piece as homework, which is recommended but not required. This class is suitable for students of any level.

  • Blacksmithing 101: Forging Basics & Making Hooks

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

    This 4-hour class is ideal for the beginner blacksmith with little to no experience. We'll learn to use a coal forge and explore basic techniques first, then move on to forging hooks with a decorative twist. ABANA

  • Double-Bottomed Bushel Basket

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

    This basket is ideal for a beginner or someone who would like to learn additional techniques. Students will weave a sturdy, functional basket beginning with a kicked-up twined base. In weaving up the sides, multiple weaving techniques will be introduced. Students are encouraged to work with the instructor to design their own basket, applying embellishment and color consideration. Hand-dyed materials will be available to weave into the baskets. The basket is finished with a pair of leather handle. Students will leave with an understanding of multiple weaving techniques, and a unique piece of work. Dimensions: approx. 10? diameter, 8? high.

  • Leather & Cowhide Valet Tray

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

    This is an introductory class where students will learn leathercraft basics, as well as how to use various tools and techniques including, but not limited to, cutting, edge beveling and burnishing, grooving, setting hardware, and letter stamping. There will be two leather types to select from, in addition to finish/color, cowhide pattern, faux sinew color, and hardware finish. Students will complete the class with their very own one-of-a-kind, heirloom quality tray to hold all of their essentials on a desk, dresser, nightstand, or elsewhere. Overall finished tray size is 7" x 7".