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Traditional Iroquois Wampum Beading

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

Brian McCormack is well known as a traditional skills artist in the field of both his Native Mohawk Indigenous culture and European settlers of the 1700’s. Brian will take students through the culture and traditions of wampum and each student will learn not only how it used to be made but will also create their own bracelet on a wooden bracelet frame and made in the traditional style with traditional materials of tubular glass and sinew.

Goat Milk Soap

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

Goat milk soap is excellent for people with dry, irritated or sensitive skin. It is loaded with nutrients, proteins, fat, calcium and vitamins. It is an excellent natural moisturizer that helps hydrate, nourish and revitalize skin. We will discuss natural dyes and additives which you may wish to incorporate in your soap. You will be making a pound of soap to take home.

Walking Stick with Inlaid Compass

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

Take your next hike or walk around the corner with a unique hand-crafted walking stick. Frank will guide you through the process of taking a piece of ironwood and transforming it into a walking stick that will last a lifetime. The inlaid compass will help ensure you don't lose your way on the trail! Makes a wonderful gift for the hikers in your life!

Introduction to Clay/Ceramics – Hand Building

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

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.

AFS Sewing Circle

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

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!

Copper Pine Branch Wall Hanging

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

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".

How to Tell a Story Part 1

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

Everyone has a story to tell – what matters is how you tell it. In this four-part class, students will focus on the basics of the personal narrative – a story told in first person that relates the story teller’s own experience. Students will develop a five-minute (750-word) story from start to finish through in-class exercises and take-home assignments. They will learn how to mine their memories for story ideas, structure their thoughts for maximum effectiveness, and find the details that will bring their stories to life. At the conclusion of the course, students will be offered the opportunity to share their work in front of a live audience on a date to be determined by the class as a whole.

Quilt Block Party

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

In this series of classes, a new quilt block will be introduced each month along with the techniques used to cut, piece, and construct the quilt block. Color is an important component to block and quilt design. Examples will be presented for each block to help you create a quilt that is pleasing to your personal color and style. Each offering can stand on its own, so take one, a few or all five! Students should have some basic knowledge of sewing prior to taking this class.
May 14: Log Cabin Quilt Block – A nice beginner block to practice the mastery of the ¼” seam and the skill of squaring off the block as it builds in size. The technique to sandwich the quilt layers will be taught as well as completing the quilt with a bias binding. Students will use their blocks to create placemats.
June 11: Four Patch Star Quilt Block – This is a well-known traditional block with many variations. We will look at the variations and dream of future quilting possibilities. Students will learn several methods to cut and sew half square and quarter triangles; the building block for an endless variety of quilt blocks. Sewing techniques will be shared and practiced to create the points of the star. You will also learn how to complete a pillow with or without a zipper.
July 9: Traditional Basket Block – This is another traditional block that will use the skills taught in the Four Patch Star Block Party. Variations in color will often make this block a popular choice for seasonal quilts and table runners. Several examples will be shared. New sewing and quilting techniques in this class will include placing blocks on point, sashing, and adding a sleeve to make this a wall hanging.
August 13: Blazing Star- The Blazing Star Quilt Block is spectacular and will use the skills acquired in previous block parties. You will be surprised to learn that the challenge to this clock comes in organizing your pieces before you sew each block, the sewing should no longer be your challenge.
September 10: Maple Leaf Block – A traditional block that is very popular in quilts and seasonal table runners and wall hangings. Just in time for Autumn in the Adirondacks, create your own display of fall leaves in a quilted project for your home.

Paddle Making

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

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.

Handforged Cooking Utensils

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

In this two-day workshop, learn to forge functional and decorative cooking utensils great for the barbecue or the kitchen! We will explore both two piece construction and one piece forgings. Each student will create multiple utensils while learning simple hand forging techniques, material isolation, sheet metal forming, and simple food safe finishes.

Stars and Stripes Basket

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

Weaving with natural and hand-dyed spokes and weavers allows for solid stripes to develop up the side of the basket. The basket is woven on an oak handle with two layers of spokes twined into a base. Additional dyed weavers woven as an overlay complete the top rows. Hand cut birch bark stars complete the design. Dimensions: 10" diameter x 12" high at handle x 7" high at sides.

Handforged Cooking Utensils

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

In this two-day workshop, learn to forge functional and decorative cooking utensils great for the barbecue or the kitchen! We will explore both two piece construction and one piece forgings. Each student will create multiple utensils while learning simple hand forging techniques, material isolation, sheet metal forming, and simple food safe finishes.

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.