Traditional Crafts

Beginning Calligraphy

Carol Maher

Calligraphy is Greek for “beautiful writing.”  Our ancestors took pride in a beautifully finished letter, legal document, recipe card or ledger.  In this class you will create a practice journal and watch your own progress toward the final project—a framable quote of your own choosing rendered in calligraphy on parchment. The lyric from a traditional holiday song or a line from a favorite poem could make a memorable gift for someone on your list or a treasure to enjoy in your own home.

• March 17 & 18, 2012 – Saturday & Sunday - CRN – 20156
• August 25 & 26, Saturday & Sunday - CRN – 70039
• Length of Class – Two 1/2 days
• Hours – 1:00 p.m.–4:00 pm, both days
• Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Tuition – $75
• Materials – $15
• Level – No experience required - Class is open to Adults & Young Adults

Backyard Maple Sugaring 

Mark Mayhew

Since the time of native people living in the Adirondacks, we have all enjoyed maple syrup.  While you may have visited a local sugar house (the building where maple syrup is made) you’ve probably left wondered, “Is this something that I could do in my own backyard?”  This workshop is just what you want.  Here you will learn what it takes to make your own maple syrup.  What kinds of trees you can use, how to safely tap a tree without harming it, what are the costs involved, when is the best time to tap the trees, and so much more.  Mark will answer these questions and help you gain the basics for your own backyard sugaring adventure.  Learn safe tapping, how to collect sap, how much you need, and how to turn the sap into syrup.  At the conclusion of the workshop we will hopefully be able to visit a medium size local sugaring operation to learn more.  So, whether you want to make one bottle for your pancakes, or you are thinking of maybe starting a new hobby, you are sure to learn what it takes for ‘sweet success’.

• March 25, 2012 – Sunday – CRN – 20183
• Length of Class – 1/2 day
• Hours – 9:00 a.m. – noon
• Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Tuition – $40

Tinsmithing for Beginners

Walt Fleming

Learn basic 19th Century American tinsmithing from a master tinsmith.  This class will introduce you and teach you about all the tools, forming stakes, swedges and hand operated machines used in a well equipped 19th Century tin shop.  Each student will be shown how to do basic layout work, cutting, forming, assembly and soldering and will make both a finger candle stick and wall sconce.

• March 28, 2012, Wednesday - CRN – 20157
• March 31, 2012, Saturday - CRN – 20158
• July 21, 2012,  Saturday - CRN – 70040
• Length of Class – 1 day
• Hours – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Tuition – $90
• Materials – $10
• Location – Off-site at instructor’s shop – 3 Pheasant Run, Ballston Lake, NY  12019 – please arrive 15 minutes prior to class

Gourd Art

Carol Maher

Home life among the native peoples and settlers of the Adirondacks included the use of gourd vessels.  In this fun class you will select a gourd, cut it, learn how to prepare and clean the gourd and, using a variety of optional finishes and adornments, create something both beautiful and useful such as a drum, bowl dipper, dream catcher, lantern, basket, cornucopia, or other objet d’art. You will enjoy seeing the unique items made by each of your fellow students—never two of a kind!  No experience required.

• April 14 & 15, 2012 – Saturday & Sunday  - CRN – 20159
• July 17 & 18, 2012 – Tuesday & Wednesday – CRN – 70089
• Length of Class – 2 half days
• Hours – Saturday & Sunday 1:00–4:00 pm
• Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Tuition – $75
• Materials – $25

Soap Making

Chrissey Eberhardt

Just talk to one of the many folks who have taken Chrissey’s soap making class and you will find out why this is one of the most popular classes we have! It’s a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon creating soap just like the kind Grandma used, but better!  You will learn how to make soap that not only smells good, and is all – natural, and feels great on your skin!  This fun class will teach you how to create soap using the cold-process with natural ingredients.  You will learn all about the basic process, oils, herbs and fragrance.  Then you will create soap starting with a recipe, learn how to handle lye safely, and finally go home with your very own created soap.  So say good-bye to store bought soap and start using soap you made yourself!

Intermediate Penmanship  

Carol Maher

For those with some experience in thick and thin pen lettering this class will provide an introduction to two more old-style hands.  The first, called “Old English,” is often seen on diplomas and certificates.  The second is called “Roundhand” and is a script often seen on wedding invitations.  We’ll use different pen points in wooden holders, with bottled ink.  You’ll go home with workbook, penholder, points, ink, and one or two finished projects.

• May 26 & 27, 2012 – Saturday & Sunday - CRN – 70045
• September 22 & 23, 2012 – Saturday & Sunday - CRN – 10011
• Length of Class – Two 1/2 days
• Hours – 1:00 p.m.–4:00 pm, both days
• Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Tuition – $75
• Materials – $15
• Experience – Some experience in calligraphy 

Clothespin People

Carol Maher

In early times folks in the Adirondacks were resourceful.  They made do and made things by hand.  One of those items they made was “clothespin dolls & people”.  Come take this class and make two of these 5-inch tall treasures in a day!  All the materials will be  provided to create Mr. and Mrs. Santa, Bride and Groom, Skiers, Nutcracker and Sugarplum Fairy, Cowboy and Cowgirl, or nearly any characters you can imagine.  Hang them on tree, give as gifts, or display with pride.  With a little imagination, inspiration from Carol and the warmth that you will add, these “little people” will become treasured by your family and friends for years to come.

• June 30, 2012 – Saturday - CRN – 70012
• Length of Class – 1 day
• Hours – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Location – 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Tuition – $75
• Materials – $5

This is a wonderful class to enjoy with someone special – child (12 & older) or a friend!

Introduction to Traditional Broom Making 

Karen Koch

This class will take you through the experience of creating a traditional Appalachian broom using  broomcorn, a stick, cord, various types of wood for handles and no machinery, only your hands and feet . You will leave the class with 3 brooms that are totally functional and promise a clean sweep for many years to come.  This is a wonderful one-day class to spend with a friend and learn something new!

• July 7, 2012, Saturday – CRN – 70047
• Length of Class – 1 day
• Hours – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Tuition – $75
• Materials – $10
  

Advanced Broom Making 

Karen Koch

Warm up and use your previously learned broom making skills by making a small brush.  Then move on to the fancy Turkey Wing.  Top it off with a floor broom for optimal sweeping!  All brooms will feature a plaited handle, Appalachian style.

• July 8, 2012, Sunday – CRN – 70048
• Length of Class – 1 day
• Hours – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Tuition – $75
• Materials $10
  

Adirondack Floral Art – Pressed Flowers

Roberta Games

Preserve the flowers from your garden or from your walk in the forest.  Make a microwave flower press, paint and decorate a frame in the “Adirondack Style”, and mount pressed materials on handmade paper.  Each student will take home a flower press and a decorated framed piece.

• July 10 & 11, 2012 – Tuesday & Wednesday – CRN – 70049
• Length of Class – 2 – 1/2 days
• Hours – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Tuition – $75
• Materials – $40

Traditional Floor Cloth
(2′ x 3′)
Janet Flinchbaugh

The use of painted canvas floor coverings, also known as “oyl cloths”, dates as far back as the 14th century in Europe.  People coming to this country were looking for ways to reproduce some of the furnishings they were used to back home.  With resources limited, worn sails from ships provided them with a base to paint and cover their floors.  Over time floorcloths proved themselves to be one of the most durable forms of floor covering used.  Centuries old pieces still remain intact, with the pattern clearly visible.

Today, floorcloths are made from the same 100% cotton heavyweight canvas (with a sewn hem and mitered corners). Environmentally-safe, water-based paints and finishes are used in place of yellowing varnishes and slow-drying paints of years ago.  Each Canvasworks floorcloth is put through a series of steps to ensure a finished piece, which will lie flat and maintain its shape, colors and finish for years to come.

Enjoy learning all the steps  required to  create a bit of history yourself while expressing your creativity.  You will leave with a useful addition for any cabin or lodge.  With 5 coats of extremely durable (yet still flexible) polyurethane protecting each painted piece you create, it will stand up to the most demanding traffic – from children to dogs, heavy furniture to sloppy eaters.

• July 13, 14 & 15, 2012, Friday, Saturday & Sunday - CRN – 70050
• Length of Class – 2 half days & 1 full day
• Hours – 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Saturday, & 9:00 a.m. – noon – Sunday
• Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Tuition – $150
• Materials – $40

Learn How to Create Dry-Laid Stone Walls

George Mosca

Ever wonder how professionals build those straight wonderful stone walls you see around yards and in gardens?  These stone building skills are not lost! 

In this one-day workshop you will focus on the basic techniques for creating dry-laid garden retaining walls and freestanding walls using “wall stones”.  George is a Master Stone Mason whose work can be seen here at the folk school in both the beautiful stonework of our fire ring and our new wood-fired bake oven.  The workshop is hands-on where you will be working directly with stones native to the Adirondacks.  George will cover how to prepare areas for the walls, selection of stone, and even how to split stones using a chisel and sledge.  

• July 21, 2012 – Saturday - CRN – 70028
• Class Hours:  9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Tuition – $75
• Beginners welcome
  
  

Tin Hands & Kitchenware

Art Thorman

I remember as a child making a plaster handprint for my mother. She has it to this day. In this class adults will make tin cookie cutters using a previously made outline of their children’s hands that they can save for years to come. Other cookie cutters can be made as well as tin spatulas and nutmeg graters that can be used when baking the cookies.  Students will learn basic tinsmithing techniques, how to use specialized tools, and how to solder.

• July 28, 2012 – Saturday - CRN – 70109
• Class Hours:  9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Tuition – $75
• Materials – $10
• Beginners welcome

Painted Table Runner
(12″ x 30″) 

Janet Finchbaugh 

Using the same techniques that were taught in the July Traditional Oil Floor Cloth class (see above) you can learn to make an Oil Painted Table Runner in this one-day class.  Learn how to layout your patterns, create and paint your designs and create a durable table runner sharing the same history as the floor cloths.  This is a wonderful class for beginners and a great deal of fun!

• August 2, 2012 – Thursday - CRN – 70051
• Length of Class – 1 day
• Hours – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Tuition – $75
• Materials – $25

Adirondack Floral Art – Arrangements

Roberta Games

With the wide variety of native flowers, greens in the Adirondacks it is like candy for our eyes in the Spring and Summer.  In this floral art arranging class you will be able to bring your creativity and a bit of the Adirondacks into your home.  You will create a unique Adirondack look wall piece using twigs, Birch bark, feathers and other natural materials.  This half-day workshop will teach and show you how to make floral arrangements that capture the beauty of the Adirondacks.  Students will learn step by step how to create arrangements in addition to learning about our native plants and flowers.

• August 12, 2012 – Sunday - CRN – 70052
• Length of Class – 1/2 day
• Hours – 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Location – 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Tuition – $40
• Materials – $20
• 
  

Painted Table Runner in the Arts & Crafts Style

(12″ x 30″)

Janet Flinchbaugh

Using the same technique used in painting a floorcloth, we will make a table runner in the style of the Arts & Crafts era similar to what you might expect to see in a Frank Lloyd Wright home.  You will have many styles of stencils to choose from as well as be able to use some free hand work on this runner. If you own a bungalow or Arts and Crafts era home this should fit in with your decor very nicely.  You will also learn to cut a stencil and make a set of coasters to begin with.  A great one-day class which you will surely enjoy.

• August 16, 2012 – Thursday – CRN – 70090
• Length of Class – 1 day
• Hours – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Location – 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Tuition – $75
• Materials – $25

Introduction to Paper Making

Robert Walp

The paper maker’s craft is centuries old, but the finest papers in the world are still made in much the same way.  In this class you will learn to make sheets of gorgeous cotton rag paper to take home at the end of the workshop, which can be used for fine writing paper or to make your journal.  There will be demonstrations and discussion about making paper at home, incorporating native plant materials in handmade paper, and samples of various handmade papers to look at.  The class is designed to give you a basic understanding of the hand papermaking process through discussion and hands on experience.  It is a wonderful way for you to gain the knowledge that will enable you to explore other facets of papermaking as well – native plants, pulp painting, paper sculpture and more.  No experience required, so come and expect to get a little wet but you will leave with a smile and some beautiful hand-made paper!

• August 17, 2012 – CRN – 70125
• Length of Class – 1 day
• Hours – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Tuition – $75
• Materials – $20

Making Hammer & Axe Handles  

Win Bigelow

Traditional hammers and axes were the trade of the local blacksmith and with these simple tools the Adirondacks were built.  But the hammerhead or axe head were not enough. You needed a handle and our early ancestors created them as there were no hardware stores, just a hike into the woods.  

In this class you will create a handle for the hammerhead you created in the blacksmith class (see dates for the hammer class under blacksmithing).  Starting with a log and using a froe, you will create a billet.  Your handle will be made of Ash gathered here locally.  Using the shaving horse, froe, sledge and wedge, you will split the log into a billet.  Then using a drawknife, you will begin to shape the handle, learning how to read the grain of the wood. Finally, you will learn the secrets of properly “hanging the handle”.  A good handle will last and be a joy to hold.   

Your instructor Win Bigelow, is a master craftsman who has spent a lifetime collecting and working with antique wood tools.  His knowledge and skills are simply amazing.

This class is for beginners and experienced woodworkers alike and an excellent way for the blacksmithing students to leave with a tool they made entirely. 

• August 27, 2012 – Monday – CRN – 70067
• Length of Class – 1 day
• Hours – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Location – 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Tuition – $75
• Materials – $20

Folk Art Portraits

Carol Maher

The less formal art training you have the better in this fun folk art class!  Using a simple outline transfer method and easy-to-handle acrylic paints, you will create a portrait in the style of the untrained traveling painters of the 18th and 19th centuries called “limners.”  You’ll work from a photo of yourself taken on the first day of class, or you may bring in a photo of someone else.   You’ll go home with paints, brushes, and an original work of art.

• October 6 & 7, 2012 – Saturday and Sunday – CRN – 10012 
• Length of Class – 1½  days
• Hours – Saturday 9:00 am–4:00 pm; Sunday 9:00 am– noon
• Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Tuition – $115
• Materials – $20

Adirondack Floral Art – Holiday Wreath

Roberta Games

Get ready for the holidays!  In this class we will learn techniques to create holiday wreaths (twig and evergreen), swags, bows, & roping.  Emphasis will be to create an “Adirondack Look” with local materials.  Students will take home 2 pieces as well as learn how to make their own decorative pieces for seasons to come.  Past students have told us that with the techniques learned in this class they have gone on to enjoy decorating their homes with family and friends.

• November 18, 2012 – Sunday – CRN – 10013
• Length of Class – ½ day
• Hours – Sunday 1:00-4:00 pm
• Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Tuition – $40
• Materials – $20