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The
following courses are currently scheduled.
Courses are
listed alphabetically by title.
Welcome Frithof Runhall
- 2009 Featured International Artisan
North House is honored
to welcome Frithoff in September 2009 as part of its
Unplugged/Northern
Harvest event. Frithoff will teach two
woodcarving courses (see descriptions below).
Fritiof received his formal training in
woodworking at Sweden’s acclaimed craft school,
Säterglantan, 1996-98. " The style of woodcutting I’m
teaching can be described as, simple hand-cutting-tools
crafted in green wood with technical and stylistic origins
in Swedish history, from Vikings to farmers of 18th
century; all with a focus on contemporary uses for today."
Gardensljod
– Handcrafting Wooden Gardening Tools
Frithof Runhall
Session Options:
. . .
9/23/2009 - 9/25/2009
Explore the whimsical enjoyment of pre-industrial
Swedish farmlife in this woodworking course offered by
North House’s featured international folk artisan, Fritiof
Runhall. Before the production of hand and garden tools
were replaced by industrial methods, wooden farming
implements were made with simple hand tools from local
natural materials. As time allows, students in this course
will learn to carve a wooden rake from freshly harvested
birch wood and wooden tines, a traditional apple picker to
help with the harvest, and a wooden weathervane carved
with Swedish folk art motifs.
A trained woodworking instructor from the acclaimed
Swedish craft school, Sätergläntan, a college of handcraft
located in the Dalarna region of Sweden, Fritiof Runhall
is this year’s international folk artisan attending North
House’s fall special event, Unplugged – the Northern
Harvest. Fritiof brings with him the Swedish slojd
approach to handcraft, best summed up in his own words.
“Thrilled with the intimate work of using basic hand
tools” Fritiof learned to appreciate the value of working
with natural materials (mostly freshly harvested wood),
“full of odors, strength and thoughtfulness. I love making
functional things where the wood provides inherent useful
and aesthetically charged characteristics and qualities.”
Craft and art educators are encouraged to attend and enjoy
Fritiof’s use of handcraft as an educational tool.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $295
. . . Materials Fee: $20
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Swedish Farmlife
– Carving Wooden Spoons and Drinking
Vessels
Frithof Runhall
Session Options:
. . .
9/26/2009 - 9/27/2009
In this woodcarving course, Fritiof Runhall, an
accomplished instructor from the Swedish handcraft school
Sätergläntan, instructs students on the enjoyment that
comes from working with simple hand tools and using
natural materials to create useful objects as was done in
18th century farms across Sweden. Students will learn to
carve wooden serving spoons and drinking vessels, using
the same techniques and styles used on many farmsteads
across the northern part of the country. Instruction
includes the thorough use of hand tools (axe, carving
knife and gouge) to carve from freshly harvested birch
wood following the natural bends and shapes that the tree
provides. As interest and skill level permit, students
will learn to carve traditional drinking vessels with bird
motifs and Swedish folk art influences. Previous
woodworking experience helpful, but not required.
A trained woodworking instructor from the acclaimed
Swedish craft school, Sätergläntan, a college of handcraft
located in the Dalarna region of Sweden, Fritiof Runhall
is this year’s international folk artisan attending North
House’s fall special event, Unplugged – the Northern
Harvest. Fritiof brings with him the Swedish slojd
approach to handcraft, best summed up in his own words.
“Thrilled with the intimate work of using basic hand
tools” Fritiof learned to appreciate the value of working
with natural materials (mostly freshly harvested wood),
“full of odors, strength and thoughtfulness. I love making
functional things where the wood provides inherent useful
and aesthetically charged characteristics and qualities.”
Craft and art educators are encouraged to attend and enjoy
Fritiof’s use of handcraft as an educational tool.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $190
. . . Materials Fee: $10
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Carving the Swedish Shrinkbox (Krympburkar)
Tom
Dengler
Session Options:
. . .
10/9/2009 - 10/11/2009
Explore a generations-deep Swedish carving project,
krymburkar, also known as the birch shrink box. Starting
out with an elemental green birch log, participants hollow
out the center with boring drills, gouges and carving
knives. A dry piece of birch is carved out and placed at
the bottom, allowing the hollowed out section to shrink to
the base of the container and create a watertight seal...krympburkar!
The instructor will also give an overview of painting and
decorating techniques, drawing inspiration from
traditional and contemporary Swedish folk art patterns as
well as an evening slide show of traditional and
contemporary shrink boxes from across Northern and Eastern
Europe.
Whether you’re a beginning woodcarver or seasoned with
experiences, the ‘krympburkar’ project offers endless
numbers of design options – from size to function, large
containers to store things to small containers with more
decorative work. We’ll discuss options for your design at
the start of course, marking steps and timeline to match
up with your carving interests and abilities.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225
. . . Materials Fee: $15
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Celtic
Carving
- Relief Celtic Knot & Leprechaun Figure Forms
Keith
Anderson
Session Options:
. . .
3/12/2010 - 3/14/2010
The British and Irish Isles have a rich folk art
tradition of Celtic design in fabrics, painting, graphics
and carvings. The centerpiece of the Celtic carving
tradition is the "woven" Celtic knot, which finds
expression in a wide variety of subjects, including
mythical dragons, plants and abstract designs. More
contemporary carvers express the joy and humor of another
Celtic tradition, by carving leprechaun figures in the
caricature tradition. This course welcomes entry level
carvers, introducing techniques and methods of relief and
figurine carving, including tool selection and sharpening.
For continuing carvers, the course content and subject
matter offers a fresh look into the carving techniques and
folk art of the Celtic tradition. Just in time for St.
Patty's day
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $195
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($10-$25)
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Scandinavian Bowl Carving
Jon
Strom
Session Options:
. . . 9/4/2009 - 9/6/2009
. . . 11/13/2009 - 11/15/2009
From log to bowl! The graceful lines and smooth
surfaces of a hand-crafted Scandinavian bowl are
unmistakable. In this course we'll discuss the selection
of wood stock, design, hand hewing and finishing of
traditional Scandinavian bowls. You will put those skills
into practice as you make your own bowl which reflects a
graceful Scandinavian style through the linear form and
grain of a half log. During the shaping of your piece, you
will learn to use appropriate tools and holding devices
including the traditional bowl adze, axe and push knife -
and how to keep your carving tools sharp! Techniques for
drying and finishing will also be covered. As time allows,
students may experiment with a second bowl style if
desired.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225
. . . Materials Fee: $15
. . . Intergenerational Age: 16+
. . . Level: Beginner
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Scandinavian Style Flat-Plane Figure Carving
Harley
Refsal
Session Options:
. . .
1/29/2010 - 1/31/2010
This course provides beginning carvers with the
opportunity to carve several figures in the Scandinavian
flat-plane style. Beginning with tool sharpening, the
course provides hands-on carving experience as you
complete a figure in step-by-step fashion. You will then
paint the figures and apply a final oil finish. After
this initial figure, you will carve additional pieces
independently while the instructor offers assistance on an
individual basis. Sharpening equipment and finishing
supplies are also covered. Band-sawn wooden cutouts may
be purchased directly from the instructor and he will also
have a supply of basic carving tools for purchase for
students who do not have their own.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $255
. . . Materials Fee: Varies (see description)
. . . Intergenerational Age: 12+
. . . Level: Beginner to Intermediate
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Scandinavian Style
Flat-Plane Carving - Continuation
Harley
Refsal
Session Options:
. . .
to be scheduled
Students with prior carving experience, including
seasoned carvers as well as new-to-carving folks who will
have just completed the three-day Scandinavian Style
Figure Carving course, can continue on in this three-day
"let's keep on carving" course. You should be able to
complete a figure or two (or three) during this class. If
you've carved in the past and would like to get back in
the groove under the tutelage of master carver Harley
Refsal, or if you are continuing on from Scandinavian
Style Figure Carving, this is the class for you!
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $255
. . . Materials Fee: Varies (see description)
. . . Intergenerational Age: 12+
. . . Level: All levels
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
 
Scandinavian Style Spoon Carving
Fred
Livesay
Session Options:
. . . 8/29/2009 - 8/30/2009
From log to spoon! Discover the craft of green
woodworking. Starting from a green log collected in the
field by participants and instructor, students will use
traditional hand tools to carve out a butter knife and
then a spoon. Learn to split and rough out a spoon blank
in green wood with an axe and carve and detail the spoon
with a knife and scorp using Swedish knife techniques.
Your spoon will be ready for use the next day at
breakfast. Selecting, gathering, designing, sharpening,
finishing and the history of Scandinavian green
woodworking will be covered.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $170
. . . Materials Fee: $25
. . . Intergenerational Age: 12+
. . . Level: Beginner to Intermediate
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Viking
Dragon Relief Carving
Keith
Anderson
Session Options:
. . .
7/24/2009 - 7/26/2009
The "Dragon" or "Stave Church Style" of carving is
perhaps Norway's greatest contribution to the carving
world. Found primarily on the magnificent wooden churches
built between 1050 and 1350, Dragon Style carving
encompasses a number of stylistic variations. In this
course you will complete a Dragon Style relief carving in
Urnes Style, which is a reproduction of an actual panel
found in the Urnes church. First, you are introduced to
basic relief carving tools and techniques. Then with a
provided practice blank you gain the basic skills needed
for the class project. You will then choose a project from
among several Urnes Style patterns. Sessions on tool
selection and sharpening and finishing techniques are
included. Tools are available for loan and/or purchase.
Following an introduction to Norwegian Dragon or Stave
Church Style relief carving, students complete relief
panels with patterns of their choice. The patterns are
based on actual carvings found in 800-year-old Norwegian
stave churches. Tool sharpening and finishing techniques
are covered. Tools for loan or purchase are available from
the instructor.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($15-$25)
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Acanthus Relief Carving
Keith
Anderson
Session Options:
. . .
to be scheduled
The Mediterranean acanthus plant first caught the eye
of ancient Greek stone carvers and in the Baroque period
it was further developed as part of carved ornamentation.
The style reached northern Europe in the 17th century and
reached a high point in Scandinavia in the 18th and 19th
centuries. Today, it is a primary form of adornment in
Scandinavian woodcarving. In this course, you will be
introduced to basic relief carving tools and techniques.
Practicing on a provided "blank," you'll learn the
standard forms of the acanthus figure, then choose
individual projects, including such household items as
plate shelves, candleholders or bread servers. Sessions
on tool selection and sharpening, and on finishing
techniques, are included. Tools are available for loan
and/or purchase.
Following an introduction to Scandinavian relief carving
based on the acanthus plant, students complete selected
projects in the form of household objects, such as bread
boards, plate shelves, candle holders, etc. Tool
sharpening and finishing techniques are covered. Tools for
loan or purchase are available from the instructor.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($10 to $25)
. . . Intergenerational Age: 12+
. . . Level: Beginner to Intermediate
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Nordic
Drinking Vessels In Wood
Phillip Odden/Else Bigton
Session Options:
. . .
3/6/2009 - 3/8/2009
Nordic cultures have created ornate wooden drinking
vessels for centuries. Phillip and Else have been studying
these designs for over 20 years. Under their tutelage, you
will explore the process of designing, forming, and
decorating a variety of drinking vessels. Drinking cups
and ale bowls, large and small, will be the focus of the
class, as many have interesting heads in the form of
chickens, dragons, ducks, or horses. You first sculpt the
piece and then decorate it with acrylic paint, kolerosing
and traditional carving patterns. We will use a variety
of woodworking tools and the working time will be accented
with mini lectures on aspects of technique, creativity,
ornamentation styles, form and function, wood selection,
tool sharpening, and finishes.
There will be a focus on the creative process in making a
drinking vessel of wood. The instructors will set the
different forms in the context in which they were used.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $255
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($6-$25 per blank)
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TAKE A
LOOK BACK !!
Welcome Per Helldorff
- 2008 International Artisan
during 2008
Unplugged/Northern Harvest Weekend
The work of Swedish woodcrafts person
Per Helldorff is a mix of mechanics, master woodcarving,
and visual poetry. Per has been a master carver for many
years, merging the traditions of functional wooden gears
and cogs with expressions of Swedish folk art objects
within the Swedish slöjd tradition. In addition to this
workshop, Per will provide an evening presentation on
Swedish material culture as it relates to his work
interspersed with classic Swedish troubadour music, sung
and accompanied on guitar by Per himself. For
a detailed look at Per’s work, visit
www.bilderikvadrat.se
# # # #
Whimsical Wooden Mechanics: Carving Swedish Folk Art
Per Helldorff
Session Options:
. . . 9/24/2008 - 9/25/2008
Hailing from the acclaimed Swedish craft school,
Sätergläntan, a college of handicrafts located in the
Dalarna region of Sweden, Per Heldorf is this year’s
international folk artisan attending Unplugged – the
Northern Harvest. This special workshop, designed for the
experienced woodcarver and traditional craft educator,
provides the student with a hands-on look at the creative
and practical engineering ideas behind his handmade wooden
cabinets, with their movable parts and whimsical themes.
Using simple carving tools, each student will carve a
simple mechanical object, incorporating handcrafted
handles, wheels and wooden gears and mechanically
engineered wooden parts into a traditional Swedish folk
art object.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $190
. . . Materials Fee: $15
. . . Level: All levels
# # # #
Carving The Swedish Bread Bowl: Wooden Bowls
Within the Swedish Slöjd Tradition
Per Helldorff
Session Options:
. . . 9/26/2008 - 9/28/2008
At crossroads of function and beauty, risk and
technique, lies the Swedish slöjd tradition of hand carved
wooden bowls. This course, led by visiting international
folk artisan, Per Helldorff, investigates the Swedish
techniques and traditions of hand carving wooden bowls
from green, or freshly cut, wood. Each student will use
the simple hand tools of the Swedish bowl carver, such as
the axe, gouge and knife, to shape, gouge and finish a
wooden bowl starting from a birch log. No prior
woodcarving experience is required, but repetitive
chopping techniques are physically demanding.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $285
. . . Materials Fee: $15
. . . Level: All levels
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