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The following courses are currently scheduled.
Courses are listed
alphabetically by title.
Birch Bark
Boxes
Fred
Livesay
Session Options:
. . .
7/12/2008 - 7/13/2008
Create your own small, personal treasure chest from silky-smooth
leathery birch bark. The Scandinavian-style birch bark storage box is
unlike other nesting boxes - it requires no nails, just an interlocking
tab of wrapped bark and a handcrafted wooden peg. You’ll learn skills
including carving, filing, sharpening and patience to craft these
decorative and highly functional oval boxes.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . Materials Fee: $20
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Birch Bark
Tutorial
Charlie Mayo/John Zasada
Session Options:
. . .
7/26/2008 - 7/27/2008
No patterns to choose from here; we simply offer the personal
experience of two seasoned weavers willing to pass along their
knowledge. Beginning weavers experiment with a variety of basic basket
types and weaving styles including finger baskets (rings), wall baskets
and breadbaskets. Experienced basket makers focus their efforts on
advanced projects such as shoes or hats. Topics include selection and
collection of bark and various traditional weaving techniques of
northern Scandinavia and Russia.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $175
. . . Materials Fee: Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: All levels
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Birch Bark
Weaving - An Introduction
Fred
Livesay
Session Options:
. . .
6/14/2008 - 6/15/2008
- FULL, call for waiting list
It’s an art that has been practiced for centuries in Scandinavia and
Russia and you can learn Northern Scandinavia’s enduring weaving
techniques during this class. Beginning with the selection and
collection of bark during a field trip to the woods, you will also learn
how to weave three types of baskets including finger baskets (rings),
round baskets, and knife or scissors sheaths. Course is limited to six
students.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . Materials Fee: $25
. . . Intergenerational Age: 12+
. . . Intergenerational Tuition: $105 per person
. . . Level: Beginner
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Black Ash
Basketry - Introduction
Dennis
Chilcote
Session Options:
. . .
4/19/2008 - 4/20/2008
Black ash splint is extremely flexible yet sturdy, making it a most
elegant and functional basketry material. In this course you learn the
craft of preparing splint from the black ash tree, then use it to make a
small black ash basket. Class discussion and hands-on experience
includes learning to recognize black ash trees of basket splint quality
and the technique involved in producing the final weaving material.
Students pound a log with a mallet to produce splint and should be
physically fit for the task.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $130
. . . Materials Fee: $25
. . . Intergenerational Age: n/a
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Black Ash
Basketry - Iroquois Baskets
Mike
Benedict
Session Options:
. . . to
be schedule
Discover the joy of creating beautiful baskets while learning how
the black ash tree influenced American history. Mike Benedict, an
Iroquois basket maker, teaches hand weaving techniques for creating
baskets based on traditional Iroquois design - including a corn washing
basket and a berry basket. You’ll also learn to prepare splints and
carve handles and rims that add function and strength to your basket.
Ultimately, the ecology of the black ash tree and the problems it is
facing as a member of the ash species is at the heart of this craft.
Learn what it means to have a connection with this tree, discover the
joy of creating beautiful baskets, and appreciate the valuable resource
that the black ash tree has willingly given to us and how important it
is to respect this gift.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $195
. . . Materials Fee: $45
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Bread
Baskets of Birch Bark
Phyllis Knutson
Session Options:
. . .
8/1/2008 - 8/3/2008
. . .
11/7/2008 - 11/9/2008
Whether for proofing or baking, storage or decoration, there is
nothing like a bread basket woven of natural fiber. Scandinavians in
particular have long recognized the beauty and usefulness of the white
birch tree, with its tough yet flexible bark, weaving baskets from its
bark for a variety of utilitarian purposes. In this course you will
learn how use the double-diagnal weave to create a bread basket that
may be simply used for storing a sack of flour, proofing your bread as
it rises or, for some spectacularly shaped loaves of bread, learn to
bake your bread directly in the basket itself. We'll experiment with
North House's wood-fired oven. As time allows, students will explore
additional birch bark weaving projects ranging from knife sheaths to
birch bark beads.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: Aug - $225; Nov - $195
. . . Materials Fee: $45
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Cattail
Basketry - Twining and Fishtail Plaiting Techniques
Tina
Fung Holder
Session Options:
. . .
5/24/2008 - 5/25/2008
Cattails grow abundantly in this region and have been used locally
in a variety of ways - as decoys, in mats, as baskets. The leaves of
the cattail are used to make this baske, t using both the strip-plaiting
and twining basketry techniques. Though strip-plaiting is traditionally
done with palm leaves in tropical cultures, you will learn how to
substitute this northern native. Students will finish the basket using
basic twining methods for the bottom. The lid will be finished using the
'fishtail' plaiting basketry technique. The finished basket is 6in
diameter and can be lined with fabric.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . Materials Fee: $10
. . . Intergenerational Age: 13+
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Coiled
Basketry - Sweet grass, Sedges, Cattails
Paula
Sundet
Session Options:
. . .
9/5/2008 - 9/7/2008
This three-day class provides the opportunity to learn the skill of
coiling a basket using a variety of materials, including pine needles,
sweet grass, sedges, and cattails. Students will have a chance to
experiment with different stitching methods, embellishments, and making
a basket lid. There will also be a demonstration on how to use natural
and synthetic dyes.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225
. . . Materials Fee: $10
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Coiling
Pine Needle Baskets
Fern
Belling
Session Options:
. . .
7/5/2008 - 7/6/2008
The coiled pine needle basket echoes the forest of its origin with
many colors, textures and shapes coming together. This course focuses on
creating a basket using red pine needles coiled around a birch bark
base. You learn to collect, prepare, dye and V-stitch the pine needles,
enhancing them with materials of your choosing – cones, stones, beads or
birch bark. Materials include supplies so you can continue your efforts
at home. In the words of a Navajo basket maker, “We are weaving
ourselves into the world.”
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . Materials Fee: $10
. . . Intergenerational Age: 14+
. . . Intergenerational Tuition: $210/adult-child pair
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Making a
Birch Bark Berry Basket
Dennis
Chilcote
Session Options:
. . .
6/27/2008 - 6/29/2008
Fully experience the craft of making a traditional birch bark basket
for the gathering and storage of berries or anything you please. This
course begins with a session in the woods to harvest the birch bark
followed by boiling, peeling, and splitting pine root in preparation for
basketry. You then make your own individual basket from a single piece
of birch bark with stitched sides and a rim wrapped with split pine
root. The instructor provides the peeled and split root, bent willow
rims and required tools.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225
. . . Materials Fee: $35
. . . Intergenerational Age: n/a
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Intermediate
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Pine
Needle Basketry
Paula
Sundet
Session Options:
. . .
1/10/2009 - 1/11/2009
Winter is the time to enjoy the riches of your harvest and make
baskets. Expand your understanding of the ancient skill of basket
weaving during this two-day class while creating a basket from locally
harvested red pine needles using a beautiful cut agate base. With a
variation of the spiral stitch, which creates a spiral pattern on the
basket’s inside and outside, each finished basket reflects your creative
talents. Samples of pine needle from other pine species, and information
on how to gather and store materials will also be discussed. No previous
basket weaving experience is necessary, just your enthusiasm to learn.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-4pm
. . . Tuition: $130
. . . Materials Fee: $10
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: All Levels
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sustainable Harvest of Tree Bark For Basketry
John
Zasada
Session Options:
. . .
6/19/2008 - 6/20/2008
Heard of barking up the wrong tree? Well, the purpose of this class
is debarking the tree right. Discover the wide range of northern
forest tree barks suitable for basketry - from cedar barks to spruce
barks, aspen barks to tamarack barks, maple barks to black ash barks.
The relationship between the anatomy of each bark and how it is
harvested opens the range of potential basketry projects. The course
starts with a few hours indoors, but will primarily be spent in the
woods getting to know tree bark and gain harvesting experience. The
ethics of bark harvest and how to acquire the proper permits for
harvesting from public and private land will also be discussed.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . Materials Fee: Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: All levels
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sweet
Grass Basketry
Paula
Sundet
Session Options:
. . .
8/2/2008 - 8/3/2008
Work with locally harvested sweet grass, cattails, and sedges during
this two-day class by learning the art of coiling a sweet grass basket.
We'll incorporate an elegant Lake Superior agate as a base for the
basket. Hands-on instruction provides students with an introduction to
the traditions and skills of basket weaving and discussion about how to
identify growing sweet grass and gathering materials for future
projects. No previous basket weaving experience is necessary, just your
enthusiasm to learn.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-4pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . Materials Fee: $10
. . . Intergenerational Age: n/a
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: All levels
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Cedar
Tree - A Basketmaker's Companion
John
Zasada
Session Options:
. . .
10/4/2008 - 10/5/2008
In 2007, North House hosted a six-week exhibition, Of Swamp and
Bog. The exhibition featured the varied uses of the cedar tree as viewed
through the lens of traditional northern craft. The historical record
is full of traditional uses of cedar bark for basketry. Curator and
retired silvicultarlist, John Zasada leads this exploratory course in
basketry as each student makes a cedar bark basket starting by
stripping bark from a cedar log. This course will focus on preparing
bark and wood for basketry, from stripping the inner barks for weaving
to hand splitting the wood for splint.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($10-$20)
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Willow
Market Basket
Fred
Livesay
Session Options:
. . .
1/17/2009 - 1/19/2009
“What a fabulous basket! Where did you get that; bet it cost you a
pretty penny,” she exclaimed. Get the same results when you use the
market basket that you made! Participants learn to collect and grade
willows in this class and then weave a round market basket of brown
willows (bark on). The basket is approximately 14 inches in diameter
and 14 inches tall, perfect for those trips to the farmer's market.
Students will leave class with a completed basket and the skills needed
to start up their own cottage industry making willow baskets on their
own.
Students must sign up three weeks in advance of start date to allow for
gathering and preparation of basket materials.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $195
. . . Materials Fee: $40
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Weaving
Holiday Ornaments From Birch Bark
John
Zasada
Session Options:
. . .
12/6/2008 - 12/7/2008
Start your holiday season off at a weekend on the North House Folk
School campus weaving traditional and contemporary ornaments from birch
bark. You will explore the range of birch bark weaving holiday projects
from the traditional Swedish woven heart to the Russian influenced
3-dimensional birch bark star. Working with colorful clasps and
embellishments, learn to weave and string birch bark beads for a
traditional garland.
You'll have a wonderful collection of gifts and ornaments to share with
family and friends at the completion of this course.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $130
. . . Materials Fee: $15
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
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