Calendar of Events
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Blacksmithing: Coat Rack
Blacksmithing: Coat Rack
This final intro to blacksmithing class uses all of the forging techniques taught in the previous classes to create a small coat or pot rack, with hand forged hooks riveted to the base. This is also an introduction to joinery, as students will learn how to rivet pieces together. Other techniques including pass-throughs and mortise and tenon will be demonstrated and discussed.
Carving Lettering
Carving Lettering
In this class you will explore the history of carved letters, including raised and incised examples. Design, proper layout, and spacing will be taught. The correct approach to handling carving tools and interesting techniques will be demonstrated. Sharpening and tool maintenance will be shown. Students of all levels will be able to learn how to carve on flat or shaped surfaces. This class is a must for any student of carving.
3 events,
Forging a Rose
Forging a Rose
In this class students will forge a rose that will not wither using precut steel blanks. The project will include forging details and torch work with scrolling tongs to create a custom rose.
Carving Lettering
Carving Lettering
In this class you will explore the history of carved letters, including raised and incised examples. Design, proper layout, and spacing will be taught. The correct approach to handling carving tools and interesting techniques will be demonstrated. Sharpening and tool maintenance will be shown. Students of all levels will be able to learn how to carve on flat or shaped surfaces. This class is a must for any student of carving.
Beginning Bluegrass Banjo
Beginning Bluegrass Banjo
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. Bring a playable 5-string banjo, two metal finger picks and a thumb pick. Although there will be several handouts, an audio recorder is a good idea.
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AFS Sewing Circle
AFS Sewing Circle
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!
1 event,
Block Plane
Block Plane
Open a new chapter in your wood working journey by making your own hand tool. Shape the wood body, harden and temper steel for the blade and make your first shavings all in one day!
5 events,
Make Your Own Adirondack Chair
Make Your Own Adirondack Chair
In 1903, the first Adirondack chair was built in the town of Westport, N.Y. and has since taken the world by storm. Its contoured seat and back, along with its wide arms make it the perfect chair for lounging in after a hard day's work. You will start with surfaced pine, cut the pieces, shape them on a router table, sand them and then assemble your own Adirondack chair.
Create Your Own Roasting Fork
Create Your Own Roasting Fork
Always a popular class, Create Your Own Roasting Fork is geared towards the novice blacksmith. Blacksmith Steve Gurzler will teach basic blacksmithing skills while the students work to create a roasting fork for marshmallows or maybe even bratwurst. Bring something to roast at the end of the day with your finished product!
Fly Fishing – Casting Basics
Fly Fishing – Casting Basics
The goal of this class is to help you get started in fly fishing or better your casting. We will go over different types of fly rods and when to use them. The proper way of lining a fly rod will be taught. You will be doing the over hand cast, roll cast and side arm cast, for a few examples. You will need to bring a hat and a pair of glasses or sunglasses. If you have a fly rod please bring it, otherwise one will be provided. To end, students will get a chance to try different fly rods.
Walking Stick with Inlaid Compass
Walking Stick with Inlaid Compass
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 Chip Carving
Introduction to Chip Carving
This course will introduce students to the traditional craft of chip carving - a type of woodcarving in which a small knife is used to incise decorative floral and geometric designs into basswood or butternut. The design is created by the removal of small pieces (chips) of the wood. Chip carving is an ancient, traditional craft. Chip carved plates, jewelry and keepsake boxes, trays, breadboards, furniture and other items can make wonderful gifts and also decorate the home with traditional motifs. Some previous carving experience is helpful, but not necessary. Students will learn to carve a variety of practice designs already drawn on a board and may complete a round ornament as well.
4 events,
Make Your Own Adirondack Chair
Make Your Own Adirondack Chair
In 1903, the first Adirondack chair was built in the town of Westport, N.Y. and has since taken the world by storm. Its contoured seat and back, along with its wide arms make it the perfect chair for lounging in after a hard day's work. You will start with surfaced pine, cut the pieces, shape them on a router table, sand them and then assemble your own Adirondack chair.
Introduction to Chip Carving
Introduction to Chip Carving
This course will introduce students to the traditional craft of chip carving - a type of woodcarving in which a small knife is used to incise decorative floral and geometric designs into basswood or butternut. The design is created by the removal of small pieces (chips) of the wood. Chip carving is an ancient, traditional craft. Chip carved plates, jewelry and keepsake boxes, trays, breadboards, furniture and other items can make wonderful gifts and also decorate the home with traditional motifs. Some previous carving experience is helpful, but not necessary. Students will learn to carve a variety of practice designs already drawn on a board and may complete a round ornament as well.
Copper Ornaments
Copper Ornaments
This copper ornament class will allow you to make your choice of 2 of the 3 items advertised. The process will have you cutting out the pieces, forming and texturing on an anvil. You will also be using a small torch as part of the texturing process, and soldering. The maple leaf ornament will have a "glass drop" soldered into the center. The mushroom can be used to hold your jewelry, earrings, and rings. The cap can be lifted off to slide rings on the stem. The stem is epoxied to a piece of bluestone serving as the base. The fern is a wall ornament that can be hung or laid in a windowsill. The fern is 10 inches tall, the maple leaf is 5 inches by 5 inches and the mushroom is 5 inches tall.
Viking Knife
Viking Knife
The student will hand forge a small Viking Knife, also called a blacksmith knife. The knife is a one piece, all metal design with an integral handel. The clade will be heat treated, ground and sharpened in class. This one-day class will cover the basic theory and practice of knife making and is a good introduction for the beginner.
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Open Forge Night
Open Forge Night
Interested in blacksmithing but unsure how to start? Open Forge Night is the place for you! Every third Wednesday of the month during our blacksmithing season, come see demonstrations by expert blacksmith Steve Gurzler. Observing the demonstration is free and open to the public. If you want to try your hand at blacksmithing there is a $20 fee to cover the cost of materials. Safety precautions must be followed - including hard shoes with no open toes, long pants, goggles (supplied) and gloves (supplied).
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1 event,
Complete Basic Blacksmithing
Complete Basic Blacksmithing
This basic class will give you the foundation needed to start out on your journey of blacksmithing. You'll learn fire management, hammering methods, drawing out, upsetting, cutting, splitting, twisting, and convenience bending along with a demo of forge welding. Make punches and chisels and learn to harden and temper them. Heating material and heat management will be taught and much more.
2 events,
Complete Basic Blacksmithing
Complete Basic Blacksmithing
This basic class will give you the foundation needed to start out on your journey of blacksmithing. You'll learn fire management, hammering methods, drawing out, upsetting, cutting, splitting, twisting, and convenience bending along with a demo of forge welding. Make punches and chisels and learn to harden and temper them. Heating material and heat management will be taught and much more.
Birch Bark Picture Frames and Mirrors
Birch Bark Picture Frames and Mirrors
Birch bark picture frames and mirrors have adorned Adirondack camps and cabins for centuries and were a favorite winter project for the guides to make. This is a great class for beginners with limited experience with woodworking and tools. You will select a frame and learn how to cut and fasten the Birch bark, twigs and other natural objects to create your own 'masterpiece'. Come see why this is one of our most popular classes. You'll be proud to hang this in your home!
2 events,
Complete Basic Blacksmithing
Complete Basic Blacksmithing
This basic class will give you the foundation needed to start out on your journey of blacksmithing. You'll learn fire management, hammering methods, drawing out, upsetting, cutting, splitting, twisting, and convenience bending along with a demo of forge welding. Make punches and chisels and learn to harden and temper them. Heating material and heat management will be taught and much more.
Birch Bark Picture Frames and Mirrors
Birch Bark Picture Frames and Mirrors
Birch bark picture frames and mirrors have adorned Adirondack camps and cabins for centuries and were a favorite winter project for the guides to make. This is a great class for beginners with limited experience with woodworking and tools. You will select a frame and learn how to cut and fasten the Birch bark, twigs and other natural objects to create your own 'masterpiece'. Come see why this is one of our most popular classes. You'll be proud to hang this in your home!
1 event,
Complete Basic Blacksmithing
Complete Basic Blacksmithing
This basic class will give you the foundation needed to start out on your journey of blacksmithing. You'll learn fire management, hammering methods, drawing out, upsetting, cutting, splitting, twisting, and convenience bending along with a demo of forge welding. Make punches and chisels and learn to harden and temper them. Heating material and heat management will be taught and much more.
1 event,
Introduction to Basic Sewing Strategies
Introduction to Basic Sewing Strategies
This is a class to take if you are new to sewing or if you just need to refresh your skills. Topics included will be basic sewing and pattern skills needed for garment sewing and quilting. You will need to be familiar with theses skills to enjoy future quilting and sewing classes. Notions that are necessary, as well as nice to have will be shared a discussed. Students will need to bring their own sewing machine. Students may also wish to bring their other sewing tools and notions that they would like to learn more about.
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2 events,
Beginning Spinning
Beginning Spinning
Spinning, the ancient art of twisting fibers to make yarn or thread, still thrives today, and this workshop will show you how to bring its magic into your own creative practice. In this workshop, you will learn how to spin wool using spindles and a spinning wheel and hear stories and folklore about spinning while you practice. You will learn the basics of spinning, how to work with the properties of wool, and how to ply and finish the yarn you have spun. No experience is necessary.
Huck Lace Scarf
Huck Lace Scarf
This weave structure creates a light and airy scarf that is perfect for early spring through fall. It is always a wonderful accessory to add color to your wardrobe any time of year. A hem stitch will be hand sewn on the loom at the start and finish of the scarf, allowing the soft yarns to flow as a soft fringe.
4 events,
Claw Hammer
Claw Hammer
This two-day class will take participants through the entire process of making their own claw hammer. Punching, forging the hammer to shape, heat treating, and mounting it on a handle. Participants with work together in striking teams of two.
Table Runner or Placemats
Table Runner or Placemats
In this one-day class you will learn to create a tablerunner or placemats to use in your home or for a gift using stencils and a variety of other techniques. You will learn to cut a stencil and either use it in your painting or choose from a variety of stencils provided by the instructor. All materials will be provided. However, if you have a glue gun and would like to use it you may but the instructor will provide glue.
Sharpening Carving Tools
Sharpening Carving Tools
Students are encouraged to bring whatever sharpening items they use for their tools and the correct method will be demonstrated. Most importantly, what to look for and how a tool performs will be discussed and displayed. All students will be given the opportunity to sharpen their own tools.
Perfect Pictures Every Time
Perfect Pictures Every Time
Understanding photography basics is the key to taking control of your camera and knowing you got the shot when you were taking it. If you would like to take your skill level from shooting in Auto to having full control over your camera, this intensive class is for you! A step-by-step PowerPoint presentation helps teach the basic principles of photography including: camera options and set-up, peripheral equipment, image exposure and histograms, and will touch on shooting for HDR and working with motion, depth of field, and composition. The class is paced to allow time for questions and interaction, with about half of the day in the classroom experimenting with the cameras, and the other half spent in the field, practicing camera techniques and shooting options. A comprehensive handout will include all the major points covered in the presentation. While the class instruction is mostly landscape based, these techniques and principles can be applied to all photographic situations.
3 events,
Introduction to Woodturning
Introduction to Woodturning
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.
Claw Hammer
Claw Hammer
This two-day class will take participants through the entire process of making their own claw hammer. Punching, forging the hammer to shape, heat treating, and mounting it on a handle. Participants with work together in striking teams of two.
Spring Lakes and Waterways Photo Tour
Spring Lakes and Waterways Photo Tour
A gorgeous sunset awaits you in this one-day nature photography tour, designed for those who are already comfortable with camera basics such as the relationship between aperture, shutter and ISO settings. Start this eight-hour day with a very brief introduction and discussion, then take the rest of the day to play with photo techniques in the field at beautiful nearby Adirondack lakes and waterways. A great class for those who wish to receive mentoring while in the field.
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1 event,
A Taste of the Forge
A Taste of the Forge
Would you like to try blacksmithing, and get a taste of the craft? Join instructor Steve Gurzler for 3 weekday evenings to learn how to operate a coal forge to bring metal to incandescent heat and shape it with hammer in hand. This class will use the Artist Blacksmiths Association of North America (ABANA) curriculum to teach the basics of blacksmithing. Students can expect to create 2 or more projects during the 3 evenings. Class size is limited to ensure all can advance at their own pace.
4 events,
Medicinal Mushrooms: Use, Preparation & Cultivation
Medicinal Mushrooms: Use, Preparation & Cultivation
In this course, local and common non-local medicinal mushrooms will be discussed and identified. Students will learn the medicinal properties of each mushroom, how to make a double extraction tincture and how to grow oyster mushrooms at home. Students will leave with a tincture (in process that they will complete at home) and an oyster mushroom kit that will produce mushrooms after about 3 weeks.
From Fleece to Yarn
From Fleece to Yarn
Wool is a versatile ecological material for knitting, felting, and weaving, but processing it can be a bit tricky for a beginner. In this workshop, you will learn how to work with wool starting with raw fleece straight off the sheep and ending with handspun yarn ready to be incorporated into your craft projects. We will play with wool from a variety of sheep breeds, including some rare heritage breeds, and we’ll learn how to use their different qualities to create the perfect materials for your projects. You will learn how to use different wool processing tools like hand cards, wool combs, and a drum carder. If you like starting with natural materials and seeing them through to the finished product, this is a great workshop for you!
Tomahawk Forging
Tomahawk Forging
Learn to forge a tomahawk with instructor Joe Szilaski. Students will be able to customize their design and will leave the class with a unique piece.
Create Your Own Hardwood Cutting Board
Create Your Own Hardwood Cutting Board
Come create a beautiful 12"-18" hardwood cutting board during two, half-day sessions. The class will discuss the types of wood being used, such as sapele, purple heart, African cherry and hard maple. The wood will be cut to size on a table saw. Then, using a joiner, students will make sure all pieces are the same size before gluing the various pieces together and allowing them to dry overnight. On the second day, the class will use planers to ensure that all boards are level and the same thickness. Students will then use a router to create a well and handles. Finally, the boards will be sanded.
4 events,
Create Your Own Hardwood Cutting Board
Create Your Own Hardwood Cutting Board
Come create a beautiful 12"-18" hardwood cutting board during two, half-day sessions. The class will discuss the types of wood being used, such as sapele, purple heart, African cherry and hard maple. The wood will be cut to size on a table saw. Then, using a joiner, students will make sure all pieces are the same size before gluing the various pieces together and allowing them to dry overnight. On the second day, the class will use planers to ensure that all boards are level and the same thickness. Students will then use a router to create a well and handles. Finally, the boards will be sanded.
Medicinal Mushrooms: Use, Preparation & Cultivation
Medicinal Mushrooms: Use, Preparation & Cultivation
In this course, local and common non-local medicinal mushrooms will be discussed and identified. Students will learn the medicinal properties of each mushroom, how to make a double extraction tincture and how to grow oyster mushrooms at home. Students will leave with a tincture (in process that they will complete at home) and an oyster mushroom kit that will produce mushrooms after about 3 weeks.
From Fleece to Yarn
From Fleece to Yarn
Wool is a versatile ecological material for knitting, felting, and weaving, but processing it can be a bit tricky for a beginner. In this workshop, you will learn how to work with wool starting with raw fleece straight off the sheep and ending with handspun yarn ready to be incorporated into your craft projects. We will play with wool from a variety of sheep breeds, including some rare heritage breeds, and we’ll learn how to use their different qualities to create the perfect materials for your projects. You will learn how to use different wool processing tools like hand cards, wool combs, and a drum carder. If you like starting with natural materials and seeing them through to the finished product, this is a great workshop for you!
Tomahawk Forging
Tomahawk Forging
Learn to forge a tomahawk with instructor Joe Szilaski. Students will be able to customize their design and will leave the class with a unique piece.
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