Explore Our Classes
September 2019
Modern Tapestry Weaving for Beginners
Many cultures have used woven tapestry to record their histories, from China to Europe to American indigenous cultures. Begin to create your own history, or create something more abstract, the choice is yours! In this beginning class, you’ll learn the essential skills needed to create a weaving on a wooden frame loom. Students will learn all aspects of beginning weaving, including how to warp a loom, what to consider when choosing the correct yarns for a project and 3 weaving…
Find out more »October 2019
Saami Inspired Scandinavian Bracelet
The dramatic landscape of northern Scandinavia is that of the midnight sun, northern lights, and the Sámi, a nomadic tribal group that follows the migration of the reindeer. Traditional Sámi jewelry incorporates elements of their northern landscape – softened reindeer leather, braided pewter wire, and sculpted antler. Discover this unique tradition with veteran instructor Liz Bucheit and create a beautiful bracelet in one day. Students will explore the traditional jewelry techniques of triple braiding, coiled pewter wire, and sewing the finished…
Find out more »Viking “Knit” Chain Bracelet
We are so happy Liz Bucheit is back for another Viking knit class! Come explore the ancient tradition of chain making. You’ll use “Viking Knitting,” a centuries-old looping technique, to create a beautiful silver bracelet with a variety of unusual clasps. Historically, this unique method of weaving resembles “nalbinding” knitting and was used to fabricate everything from sweaters to netting for catching fish! You’ll have the opportunity to complete a bracelet in a single day – no previous experience required…
Find out more »Intergenerational: Build a Wooden Paddle
Create a special memory with a young person (age 12+) or build one on your own — in this class you will build a bent shaft canoe paddle. Imagine: finish the paddle and then head out on the St. Croix River, or local lake, to paddle using your own hand-made paddle….what could be better? We can’t think of anything. You will learn about wood selection and grains, use of hand tools and skill saw, paddle design and considerations, and paddle…
Find out more »Build a Wooden Paddle
Build your own bent shaft canoe paddle. Students will learn about wood selection and grains, use of hand tools and skill saw, paddle design and considerations, and paddle sizing. Each student will leave with a completed bent shaft paddle ready for varnishing. This class will take place over 3 days for a total of 9 hours: Friday 10/11 5-8 pm Saturday 10/12 2-5 pm Sunday 10/13 2-5 pm Space is extremely limited, so register early! Only 4 participants…
Find out more »Soap Making
Learn to make all natural soap with John Hanson, owner/maker of the Longfellow Soap Company. Due to the use of lye (used as it has been for over 5,000 years in soap making), the soap portion of the class will primarily be a demonstration. Students will leave the class fully prepared to make their own soap and will receive a manual that includes equipment lists, sources for ingredients and where to buy locally, and John’s ‘secret recipe.’ Each student will…
Find out more »Hand-Sewing Leather: Everyday Goods
This entry-level class is designed to introduce the classic techniques of hand-sewing with leather. Students can choose from a mix of projects that demonstrate the basics of working with leather including cutting, punching, hand sewing, riveting, snap setting, finishing and care. Students will be guided through the process from hide to finished product – leaving the class with their very own, handmade, leather product. Students who have previous experience hand-sewing may opt for a larger project such as a tote…
Find out more »Beaded Snowflake Mitten Ornament
It's not too early to start creating for the next snowy season! Using small size 11 seed beads, needle, and thread you will construct a 1¼-inch delicate yet easy to make beaded snowflake by hand. Then attach the snowflake to a 3½-inch by 3-inch felted wool mitten ornament. Snowflakes can be made in several sizes, and designed in many ways as in nature every snowflake is unique! Finish off the mitten by binding the wool layers together with an easy…
Find out more »UPCYCLE: Make a Boro Inspired Patch
Boro –a Japanese word meaning “broken: an aesthetic that is based on fabric or garments that have been heavily used, tattered, and repaired using darning techniques such as sashiko stitching. Boro cloth lends itself to several trending movements such as sustainability (upcycle, recycle, circular design); visible mending (sashiko stitching, slow stitching) and mindfulness as people have become interested in more sustainable fashion and clothing. Join this fun class to learn basic fabric collage (tearing and arranging and tacking) and running…
Find out more »Modern Tapestry Weaving for Beginners
Many cultures have used woven tapestry to record their histories, from China to Europe to American indigenous cultures. Begin to create your own history, or create something more abstract, the choice is yours! In this beginning class, you’ll learn the essential skills needed to create a weaving on a wooden frame loom. Students will learn all aspects of beginning weaving, including how to warp a loom, what to consider when choosing the correct yarns for a project and 3 weaving…
Find out more »Intro to Traditional Natural Dyes
Up until the first synthetic dye was invented in the mid-1800s, all dyes were made from plants, animals, and minerals. This class will be an introduction to some of the traditional skills involved in using plants to dye cloth and wool yarn. Students will learn how to prepare different textiles for dying and learn about plants traditionally used for natural dyes. Instructor Diana Gamm will help you to be brave and experiment with local plant materials, including weeds and garden…
Find out more »November 2019
Soap Making
Learn to make all natural soap with John Hanson, owner/maker of the Longfellow Soap Company. Due to the use of lye (used as it has been for over 5,000 years in soap making), the soap portion of the class will primarily be a demonstration. Students will leave the class fully prepared to make their own soap and will receive a manual that includes equipment lists, sources for ingredients and where to buy locally, and John’s ‘secret recipe.’ Each student will…
Find out more »Cut Paper Art: Introduction to Papercutting
A simple piece of paper + 1 sharp knife = Art! In this class, you will learn the basic techniques for turning a piece of paper into a cut-paper design using only an x-acto knife and a cutting mat. Students will learn the basics of papercutting, an age-old art form found in many cultures around the world. In this class we will cover the concepts of positive and negative space and how to arrange the elements of a design so…
Find out more »Beginning Quilting: Triangles & Stars – 2 half-day classes
Have you always wanted to try quilting and found the thought of it intimidating? Are you an experienced quilter and want to polish your skills? With the guidance of expert quilter Wynn Martin, you will enjoy reviewing the basics and create an oversized block quilt suitable for a baby quilt or wall hanging. We will use the “Carpenter’s Star” block to create basic quilt components, evaluate color choices and also use tools, such as rulers, templates, and rotary cutters. Each…
Find out more »Pysanky-Ukrainian Egg Decoration
Just in time for the Christmas season, learn the art of making pysanky – Ukrainian decorated eggs. Using beeswax and dyes applied in layers, students will create amazing, beautiful eggs, perfect for Christmas gifts or a Christmas ornament to hang on the tree. Just think how happy your friends and family will be to receive a handmade gift! The term ‘pysanky’ is of Eastern European-Slavic heritage, from the words ‘pysaty’ – to write and ‘kraska’ - color. Pysanky suggests ‘things…
Find out more »Intergenerational: Needle Felted Acorns
A perfect introduction to needle felting for beginners, this class is designed to introduce students to needle felting with a simple, seasonal project achievable in two hours’ time. Felting is older than spinning or weaving and found in many world cultures. Felting wool means to agitate the fibers so that they bond together into a non-woven fabric or a three-dimensional form. Felting is often accomplished using water, soap and a hand rubbing process (wet felting). Needle felting (dry felting) involves the…
Find out more »December 2019
Hand-dipped Beeswax Candles
Love the smell of honey and the calming flicker of firelight? Then come to this class and make your own pair of hand-dipped beeswax candles. Exquisite, beautiful, relaxing, and not to mention romantic, beeswax candles are the sought-after candle, but oh, so expensive to buy! Here you will work the craft and hand dip your own to take home. You will also learn the history of candle making, material comparisons, resources, and discover interesting health benefits to this simple light…
Find out more »January 2020
Intergenerational: Needle Felted Eastern Bluebird
Needle felt a beautiful Eastern Bluebird! Students will learn techniques for needle felting a three-dimensional, lifelike bird from corriedale wool roving, and to felt fine detail using merino prefelt and merino roving. Participants will learn needle felting basics and techniques to needle felt details and realism in wool. Unique finishing details will render a hanging bird ornament. Participants will complete one bird in class and leave with enough supplies to make a second one on their own. Felting wool means…
Find out more »March 2020
Intergenerational: Needle Felted Chickadee
In this fast-paced class, students will learn techniques for needle felting a beautiful, three-dimensional, lifelike bird from Corriedale wool roving and felting fine detail using merino prefelt and merino roving. Participants will learn needle felting basics and techniques to needle felt details and realism in wool. Unique finishing details will render a hanging bird ornament. Participants will complete one bird in class and leave with enough supplies to make a second one on their own. Felting is older than spinning…
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