• 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Hanging Hardwood Splint Snowflake

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

    Students will weave these striking snowflakes from hardwood maple and cherry wood splint. Several patterns may be woven, depending on the chosen splint. Students will weave one large 10" diameter snowflake, and two smaller 7" snowflakes, which make a beautiful grouping hung together on a tree or in a window. Additional kits will be available for sale.

  • Woven Hanging Hearts

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

    Spend the morning crafting these lovely hanging hearts, sure to brighten your holiday decor or perfect for gift giving. The hearts are woven from hardwood maple splint and are hung from hand-dyed silk ribbons in various colors. Students will weave two large and two smaller hearts. Additional kits will be available for sale.

  • Hardwood Spoon Carving

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

    In this class students will design, shape and carve a serving spoon. Skills explored include: making a template and transferring it to a blank, carving and shaping the bowl and back of the spoon, use of hand tools such as gouges, scrapers, coping saws, and spokeshaves, and sanding and finishing techniques. Students will leave class with a beautiful, handcrafted hardwood spoon to use in their own kitchens or to give as a gift!

  • UFO Studio

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

    AFS UFO Studio, formerly known as Sewing Circle, is an out of this world opportunity for fiber artists to come and complete the UnFinished Objects floating around their home. UFO Studio is free to attend, and though it is non-instructional, peer-to-peer help is always available. All forms of projects are welcome ? bring your unfinished weaving, sewing, embroidery, rug hooking, knitting, crocheting, felting, or any other project that involves fiber handwork. AFS has a couple of sewing machines, small looms, and hand tools available but please feel free to bring your own!