The following courses are currently scheduled. Courses are listed
alphabetically by title. For a complete list of all courses offered at the
North House go to our chronological list.

 
Felting For Your Feet  
Patty Doherty
Session Options:
. . . 11/22/2008 - 11/23/2008
Keep your feet warm this winter!  Playfully warm!  Discover the blend of heat, moisture and agitation as applied to wool to create your own pair of colorful stockings or booties for your feet.  Even though the traditions of felting predates spinning and weaving and has had many uses over the years from yurts in Mongolia to armor in medieval times to hats, mittens, and booties in Scandinavian countries, felting is a wonderful expression of contemporary styles and expression that's both playful and fun.  These might be the warmest pair of slippers you've ever owned.  Made Mukluks? After this class, you'll now be able to make your own liners.  Using washed and carded wool, students prepare batts and then use a washboard, hot soapy water and a lot of elbow grease to make a pair of felted booties.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $130      
. . . Materials Fee: $40
. . . Intergenerational Age: n/a
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Making Moosehide & Canvas Mukluks  
Jo Wood
Session Options:
. . . 11/21/2008 - 11/23/2008
. . . 2/27/2009 - 3/1/2009
Remember the last time your feet were too cold to enjoy wonderful wintry weather? Do away with rigid unbreathable footwear and discover the traditional footwear of the north: mukluks. The flexibility of the natural materials used in construction allows the foot to generate heat and a breathable layering system allows moisture to escape. In this course you’ll be guided through the process of pattern making and handcraft your own pair of moosehide mukluks with knee high or shorter uppers. Booties or liners must be purchased or made before the workshop. Some sewing experience is helpful but not necessary.

You'll learn to make a mukluk pattern on your own foot, then use it to cut out the leather and canvas pieces (an application that may apply to other footwear projects including slippers and liners).  The leather will then be hand-stitched and use of a sewing machine will help with the canvas seams and buttonholes.  Sewing fear?  Not to worry.  Folks who have never sewed on a button have danced out of this class in their own new mukluks!

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2.5
. . . Hours: Day 1: 1pm-5pm; Day 2/3: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $165      
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($60-$70)
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner

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Moccasin Footwear
Jim Dahn
Session Options:
. . . 8/30/2008 - 8/31/2008
For a soft, kind-to-the-feet, long-lasting experience, explore the traditional moccasin.  You will spend the weekend handsewing your own  footwear choosen from a variety of traditional moccasin patterns - from the one-piece moccasin known as the Western style to the Midwest style moccasin that's made from three different pieces, a wide range of traditional Native footwear will be offered as options to meet your style and design needs.  A variety of hides will also be available to you - from moose hide to deer hide to buffalo hide.  Embellishments such as beadwork and leatherwork will also be discussed.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150      
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($30-$40)
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Nålbinding Hats
Larry Schmitt
Session Options:
. . . 10/22/2008 - 10/24/2008
Learn the ancient craft of nålbinding by creating a syltemjölkskopp (milk strainer cap) from Southern Sweden. These beret-like caps were found in Denmark and Southern Sweden in the 18th and 19th centuries and the original caps were based on the shape and contour of the nålbound milk strainers of the day. The caps were originally worked in nålbinding and later in knitting. This course covers the basics of Scandinavian-style nålbinding and explores the connections between nålbinding and knitting. You will learn how to make your needle and  how to construct the syltemjölkskopp and other traditional styles. Time will be devoted to the history and folklore of nålbinding as well as nålbinding's influence on the development of Scandinavian knitting. Several hat patterns in nålbinding will be shared, along with, in some cases, correlating patterns for knitted versions.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225      
. . . Materials Fee: $12
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Nålbinding Mittens
Larry Schmitt
Session Options:
. . . 10/25/2008 - 10/27/2008
Nålbinding, similar to but far older than knitting or crochet, is a way to make a looped-structure fabric with a single needle. Nålbound mittens are valued for warmth and practicality and in this workshop you'll learn nålbinding, as well as the basics of shaping a Scandinavian-style "work" mitten.  A variety of finishing techniques will be demonstrated and time will be devoted to the folklore surrounding nålbinding.  Lesson, materials, needle, and an appropriate amount of yarn for the first samples are provided.  You will also have the opportunity to make your own needles.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225      
. . . Materials Fee: $12
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner

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North Shore Pebble Jewelry
Molly Sharp
Session Options:
. . . 9/19/2008 - 9/21/2008 - FULL, call for waiting list
Have you ever collected perfectly smooth, round pebbles from the shores of Lake Superior or other places in the world and then wondered what to do with them?  This course offers the perfect solution.  Students will spend an hour or so the first day gathering pebbles and then will use diamond encrusted drill bits to drill holes in them.  The pebbles can then be made into pendants, necklaces, bracelets and rings.  Sterling silver wire, chain, tubing and sheet will be used to fabricate unique pieces of jewelry based on each student’s own design theme.  Discover the song of the jeweler’s saw, the hum of the drill, the intrigue of cold connections and the thrill of a finished piece using these age old techniques and go home with three or four handmade works of art to wear…truly treasures from the North Shore.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225      
. . . Materials Fee: $60
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Intermediate

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Norwegian Wool Embroidery 
Shirley Hansen
Session Options:
. . . 8/9/2008 - 8/10/2008
Norwegian wool embroidery might simply be described as peasant painting for clothing.  Traditionally, it incorporated bright colors and both fine and coarse stitching. In this class you will bring even everyday pieces of apparel to life.  Coursework focuses on learning stitching techniques, incorporating traditional patterns and experimenting with personal expression.  Wool embroidery is best explored on wool garments - you may bring your own project (mittens, small doll garment, wool jacket) or the instructor will provide options.   Thick and colorful yarns, a wide range of threads and a variety of other materials will be available for you to experiment with during the course.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150      
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($10-$15)
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: All levels

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Patterns, Textures and Shapes
Molly Sharp
Session Options:
. . . 9/26/2008 - 9/28/2008
Creating textures and patterns on metal has been both a goal and a challenge for jewelers and metalsmiths throughout time.  Certainly, there are many ways of achieving this goal - the obvious ways are hammering, using stamps, chasing and repousse.  This course allows students to discover something more magical and fun: metal etching.  Using oil-based paint pens, patterns design by each student will be drawn directly onto brass plates.  These plates are immersed into a non-toxic acid bath of ferric chloride for a couple of hours.  The paint acts as a resist so that the acid will etch into the metal surrounding the paint, leaving exquisite patterns, designs and textures on the brass.  Using a jeweler’s saw, the plates will then be cut and filed into shapes to design cuff or link bracelets, earrings and pendants.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225      
. . . Materials Fee: $25
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Pierced Celtic Knot Pendant
Liz Bucheit/Kary Kilmer
Session Options:
. . . 9/12/2008
Discover the historical fusion of art and trade among Scandinavian and Irish people by handcrafting your own pierced Celtic knot pendant. The ancient silversmith traveled from town to town with tools in hand, and completing this project in one day will help you appreciate that traditional, transient lifestyle. In this course you’ll learn the techniques of sawing, piercing, soldering and polishing to create a necklace. This one-day course provides immediate gratification and a lifelong keepsake. All tools, patterns and materials are provided.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $85      
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($75-85)
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Saami Friendship Bracelet     
Liz Bucheit/Kary Kilmer
Session Options:
. . . 9/13/2008
The serene and dramatic landscape of northern Scandinavia is the land of the midnight sun, the northern lights and the Saami, a nomadic tribal group that follows the migration of the reindeer. Traditional Saami jewelry incorporated elements of their northern landscape – softened reindeer leather and sculpted antler. In this course you’ll explore the traditional jewelry techniques of triple braiding coiled pewter wire and sewing the finished braid to a softened reindeer hide strip. A reindeer antler button finishes off the bracelet.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $85      
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($75-$80)
. . . Intergenerational Age: n/a
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Scandinavian Work Shirts - For Fishing, Farming and Forestry
Carol Colburn
Session Options:
. . . 7/22/2008 - 7/24/2008
It works!  Custom sew a Scandinavian-style work shirt designed for comfort and for outdoor activity.  Traditional clothing in the Scandinavian countries is highly functional, adaptable for Northern climates and customized for many kinds of outdoor work.  Different styles and materials are used for duties ranging from fishing to farming to forestry.  Students will customize a pattern to their preferred style, activities, comfort, and individual measurements.  The shirts make frugal use of sturdy wool, cotton, or linen fabric as the cut of the shirt is based on squares or rectangles.  Cutting and sewing will be guided step by step as you put together and finish your shirt.

For fishing in the far North, the wool over-shirt is made of with a longer, back shirttail for added comfort in an open boat.  For farming and gardening, lighter weight shirts of cotton or linen might feature a band on the hem edge or a back belt to prevent loose fabric from getting caught while using tools.  For winter work in the forest, an extra layer in the yoke section of the shirt provides warmth and protection for the chest.  Scandinavian work shirts are great for men, women and children who enjoy all kinds of outdoor life.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225      
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($25 to $90)
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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The Viking "Knit" Chain Bracelet   
 
Liz Bucheit/Kary Kilmer
Session Options:
. . . 4/6/2008
. . . 9/14/2008
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. You’ll have the opportunity to complete a bracelet in a single day – no previous experience required – and all tools and materials will be provided. Students may choose to make the most of their new learning adventure and register for an additional day in “Viking Knit Jewelry – Continuing Techniques.”


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1
. . . Hours: 9am-4pm
. . . Tuition: $85      
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($70-$85)
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: All levels

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Thor's Velvet Hammer - An Introduction to Anticlastic Raising
Liz Bucheit/Kary Kilmer
Session Options:
. . . 4/5/2008 - 4/6/2008
. . . 9/13/2008 - 9/14/2008
Experience the softer side of Molnar the Hammer by forging a silver cuff-style bracelet in this class. Anticlastic raising is a technique in which the edges of a flat sheet of metal are compressed while the center is stretched so the surface develops two curves. While ancient Scandinavians used deer antlers as forms, we’ll use a hammer and a sinusoidal stake for Anticlastic Raising to form sheet metal. Traditional jewelry techniques explored in this course include cutting, annealing, anticlastic forging and polishing.

Ancient Scandinavian goldsmiths actually used deer antlers as forms for creating beautiful Viking "ribbon" torque necklaces.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $160      
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($85 - $95)
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced