Come and learn to make Chevre, Aged Chevre, Valencay, and Crottin the traditional way. We will learn to make our own cultures rather than using laboratory produced cultures and will even discuss how to make homemade rennet. We will also make yogurt and cultured butter. All products will be made using organic, grass-fed, raw milk. It is recommended that you purchase (and review) the book, "The Art of Natural Cheesemaking", by David Asher. This class is a combination of demonstration,…

Join us as we explore fundamental skills and tools of wilderness survival. In this course you will be introduced to the skills necessary in keeping yourself and loved ones safe in the forest and off trail. We will cover fire making including friction fire, emergency shelter construction, water allocation and purification, as well as seasonal wild edibles. This is a great course for hikers, backpackers, and outdoors people alike. All skill levels are welcome. NOTE: Participants are required to bring…

Photography composition is an art, not a science! While there are different "rules" for creating a nicely balanced photograph, these are best considered guidelines, not rules. Spend a day at the Folk School, with Carl Heilman as your guide and instructor, exploring ways to refine and improve your photo composition techniques. The day will include class time and shooting time, which will include critique time on images each person brings to the class, plus additional critique time on images taken…

Choose to make a travisher or compass plane. Both are wonderful assistants for excavating, carving and shaping Windsor chair parts. The Travisher is a curved bladed spokeshave. It allows the user to hog material or to take a more nuanced shaving especially on concave surfaces. This travisher will have an adjustable blade position to adjust the mouth for deeper cuts and to remove it for sharpening. The Compass Plane is very similar to the Scrub Plane sporting a narrow blade…

Experience the seasons from mother nature's perspective, as we follow her journey through spring, summer, fall and winter. This course is a blend of observations, teachings and hands on experiences which can guide us to live sustainably while incorporating a practice of attuning to the season. We'll begin on our River Trail to collect natural material which will then be used to create a Medicine Wheel, based on Native principals. Walking the wheel we'll stop at each segment for an…

Choose from a menu of 3 great furniture projects: Build a beautiful classic heirloom quality Windsor Comb Back Side Chair where your comfort is top priority; it is versatile, strong and perfect for any modern or colonial decor. Eating all your meals at the kitchen island? The Tall Kitchen Stool is the perfect Windsor project for your daily use. This is a very comfortable stool that will be tailored to the maker's height. Or make the Back-Door Boot Bench, the…

Mokume Gane is Japanese for wood grain metal. This class will de-mystify the techniques to create these pattern-welded materials. Mokume are dissimilar nonferrous metals forge welded together and then manipulated to make interesting patterns. In this class students will be forging silver and copper. This material is then used to make jewelry and other embellishments that are added to different metal projects. The technique does not require great strength. It is easily done by most anyone. Techniques explored will be…

Learn how to use your old ceramic crock pot to make your own homemade liquid soap & shower gel. This gel lathers nicely on a wash cloth, just a little bit and you're good to go. This gel also works well for any skin type and is good for those with sensitive skin! Chrissy will guide you with step by step instructions, including customizing your gel with use of aromathereputic essential oils for a fantastic finish!

Choose from a menu of 3 great projects: The Windsor Comb Back Arm Chair is an heirloom where comfort is top priority. Ready to serve you in any room, its graceful lines will fit with any modern or traditional decor. The Windsor Comb Back Rocking Chair copies the comfort and lines of the Arm Chair but adds the delightful convenience of rockers for your sitting enjoyment. The Windsor Comb Back Settee is 42 inches long with 38 tall spindles, serpentine…

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…

T One of the most important skills a blacksmith has is the ability to make his own tools. The most important tool to a blacksmith besides his hammer and anvil is his tongs. Learn a unique way of making box tongs that is stronger than the traditional method and how to make bolt tongs with a " V " jaw that will hold both round and square of different sizes.  NOTE: Hard shoes and long pants are required for student's…

This class is an introduction to the cold process method of soap making. Students will get a lesson in lye safety and will participate in the making of the soap. Students will leave with a loaf of soap that will yield about eight bars. Finally, while this is an introductory class, there will be discussion about ways to acquire further knowledge/skills. NOTE: Please wear a long-sleeve shirt and bring a washed out and clean 1/2-gallon paper milk carton.

This is the second in a series of Reed and Leather baskets designed by Beverly. Students will weave a variation on a Shaker Solid Bottom base to make this large Tote basket. Students will learn to rivet leather to create the straps, use leather to weave the diamond pattern and leather for the rim to keep the basket flexible. A concho will be added for a closure. This basket is made to fit perfectly over the shoulder. Approximate finished size:…

Learn the ancient craft of creating a sapling bow and arrow with sinew, feathers and flaked stone points. Saplings, dogwood arrow shafts, imitation sinew and feathers will be provided. Children can come enjoy a few hours on a summer day learning about our Native American ancestors. This is also a perfect class for your family to experience together, or for a scout troop. NOTE: Students will need to bring a strong whittling knife.

This class is designed for both the beginning and experienced scroll saw user with patterns of increasing difficulty to be used during the day. The first pattern to be completed by the student will have all exterior cuts of varying tightness of curvature. The second pattern will have both interior and exterior cuts requiring the student to become accustomed to frequently resetting the scroll saw blade. The final pattern will require the student to make numerous intricate interior cuts to…

Using plants and other natural materials to dye is a way to connect with nature and also use what resources we have. Making artistic and beautiful creations with what is available to us is both rewarding and empowering. Participants will leave this class having learned about preparing fibers for dyeing for best results, the tools needed to start plant dyeing and an overview of plants and other materials to use for dyeing. They will also leave with fiber dyed in…

Come create a simple turned bowl that still looks and feels rustic due to its live edge. This course is targeted to those who have an interest in learning how to turn. The emphasis will be on learning how to use a lathe and tools safely and correctly. In this class, you will learn the basics of creating spindle-based objects and then work at turning your bowl. Leave the class with a lovely treasure that captures the "wild" feel of…

Co Interested in woodworking? Unsure of how to begin? Find tools intimidating? Well then, spend the day with Jim and Frank and let them guide you through the world of using power and hand tools - safely. This dynamic woodworking duo will cover all the basics: Jim will give the drill on hand tools and Frank will take charge on the power tools. Each will give group instruction and one-on-one coaching on use of tools and the building blocks of…

The impulse to decorate our homes with colorful images is strong. The settlers brought with them only the barest necessities. Since fine art was not available, they often made their own! Those primitive paintings, carvings and decorated household items are now highly prized mementos of earlier times. As a tribute to the untrained painters of long-ago students will create this painting of "Skeezix," using acrylic paints on canvas board.

Come and create a traditionally-shaped cherry paddle (a classic canoe paddle, a native double kayak/sit in the bottom canoe paddle, OR a stand-up paddle-SUP) using only hand tools. After some history and an explanation of the shapes, you will pick your blank and get started! The process will be demonstrated from beginning to end to ensure that you come away with a perfect paddle. Two different adult sizes will be available for all paddles. For further details on the paddles…

This outdoor drawing class will be all about SEEING! Students will have the opportunity to learn various drawing and sketching techniques while closely examining the natural beauty of Lake Luzerne.

This class is taught by renowned instructor and the very first winner of History Channel's Forged in Fire, Matthew Parkinson. The chef's knife is the most used knife in almost any home. These iconic knives help to create meals for family and loved ones. Well-made kitchen knives can last a lifetime and this class will give you the opportunity to create one of your very own. In this two-day class students will make their own chef’s knife from high carbon…

Come learn how to create a beautiful 3D Carousel book. Carousel books are also known as star books because when they are opened all the way, they resemble stars. Each page is its own 3D scene. In this class, students will learn how to construct the basic pages of a Carousel book and experiment with creating different scenes.

If your bedroom is your oasis and you love the Adirondack rustic style, then this class is for you. Come craft your own rustic headboard in this two-day class that students of all levels can join. Design a headboard that fits your room and personal taste. With guidance, you will make a headboard that you can take home at the end of the weekend. Your family and friends will be amazed at your handiwork.

Have you always wanted to knit but thought it was too difficult? Don't feel intimidated! Julie and Patricia will help you through the process. You will learn the two basic stitches as you make a lovely creation (pictured here) that can be used as a dishcloth, face cloth, wall hanging or even a pillow! All materials supplied.

We will start out our day at 400 deg F and finish the day at 2000 deg F, touching all the common solders, silver and spelters along the way. Students will get hands-on experience doing simple joints with each process using electric heat and different gas torches. This is an introduction to how to join metals for anyone interested in working steel, brass, copper or stainless steel. We will talk about safety, setting up equipment and where to buy supplies…

Capture the beauty of the Adirondack region in an art quilt of your own making. Come join quilt artist Elaine Katz as she leads you through the steps of creating your own unique art quilt. Students will learn how to take an idea from its inception through the design process of placement, color, value, texture and embellishment to create a finished piece. We will also explore various techniques one can use to give the piece dimension and interest. This class…

Learn how to get that family heirloom or that flea market find back in working order! Bring the worst piece of rusty metal you have to stump the teacher or come for the fun and work on restoring something from the darkest corner of the school's basement. We will work on rust removal, sharpening and fixing blades, broken cast iron, seized pivots and bolts, handle replacement or whatever else you need to make good on "I'm gonna use that someday's."…

Fabric remnants will be used to make a 24"x30" rug. Students will have a choice of making a "Sock Rug", using loopers from a sock factory, or making a "Rag Rug" using strips of fabric remnants or clothing. No weaving experience is necessary. The looms are dressed and ready to go, all you need to bring is your creative spirit and leave with a finished one-of-a-kind rag rug. Extra materials may be purchased for a small fee of $3.00 per…

The Adirondack Pack Basket is one of the most recognized objects associated with the Adirondacks. These versatile baskets were used to carry just about everything the guides, hunters and trappers took with them into the woods. Create your own pack basket patterned from the traditional Adirondack Pack Baskets. The Mountaineer pack is a large pack, a great size for an adult man or woman. The first day students will weave a plain weave base with the pre-cut spokes and then…

For millennia blacksmiths have forged iron into many useful items. Integral to their shape is the transition from one cross section to another; often in a way that is both graceful and structural. This class will explore traditional 18th century forging with an emphasis on the transitions necessary in order to have structurally sound work. In addition, we will explore the various ways a shape can be forged out and the "set-up" necessary to forge shapes. Students can choose from…

Herbal infused vinegars are easy to make and wonderful to take! Using just a few simple ingredients from the great outdoors, we will create vinegar infusions that can be used in a variety of ways for internal and/or external applications. As we chop, we'll discuss the many benefits of apple cider vinegar and the added value in combining its restorative properties with wild plants, cultivated herbs and veggies! During our time together, you will have the opportunity to make an…

This large basket uses wide stakes and weavers for strength and durability, yet the base lifts slightly in the classic "Cathead" shape. The basket is woven with reed, and students may incorporate strips of various hardwood veneers of their choosing. Generously sized and perfect for storing throws, pillows, towels etc., the basket is finished with a hand-carved oak handle.

This basket is a variation on an Adirondack Pack Basket, one of the oldest surviving traditions inside the Adirondack Park. You will use a continuous weave technique and hand shaping to create this wonderfully useful basket. Shaker tape will be used to create a sturdy strap that will leave your hands free for blueberry picking or any other type of gathering. It also makes a great container to keep your yarn when knitting socks. This basket will be woven using reed and Shaker tape.…

Learn how to custom make a leather sheath for a knife of your choosing. You bring your knife and Dave will walk you through the steps of measuring and cutting the leather as well as stitching the sheath together. It can be a belt sheath or a hanging sheath. Students can also imprint a design into it choosing from the several that Dave will provide.

This class is an introduction to the cold process method of soap making. Students will get a lesson in lye safety and will participate in the making of the soap. Students will leave with a loaf of soap that will yield about eight bars. Finally, while this is an introductory class, there will be discussion about ways to acquire further knowledge/skills. NOTE: Please wear a long-sleeve shirt and bring a washed out and clean 1/2-gallon paper milk carton.

The Adirondack Folk School cordially invites you to our second year of “HOT FIDDLES, HOT FORGES, HOT FUDGE!!” Join us and pull up a chair and listen to the sweet sounds of the Fiddle Club of Maple Ave., the Saratoga High School and Mac Petrequin’s Bluegrass Band. Watch our world class blacksmiths at their annual Rendezvous, working in our forge! Make-your-own ice-cream sundae social in the school all afternoon! $2.00 each!

Photograph the late afternoon, sunset and evening light, along with the magical wonder and beauty of night skies in the southern Adirondacks with Carl Heilman as your guide and instructor. After meeting briefly at the Folk School for an introduction to night photography and some time for Q & A, the group will travel to nearby photo destinations along the roadways, lakes, and waterways. After the sun sets at 7:55, we’ll photograph in the twilight as the stars come out.…

Spinning is an ancient craft and a way to reflect on and connect with materials we wear and use on a more basic level. Come learn how to transform raw wool into beautifully spun yarn. You will learn to make your own drop spindle and how to spin on it to make your own mini skein of yarn.

Turning a hollow form is one of the signature skills of a woodturner, usually achieved after a great deal of time and experience. Lucky for our students, the school has made this easy to learn, using the hollow turning equipment we have in-house. Students will create a thin walled bowl or small vase, depending on how they progress, unique to them. Come try it out, have a blast, and be amazed! NOTE: For your safety: no loose-fitting clothes, hair tied…

This basket is based on a forerunner of the Nantucket Lightship basket, c. 1850. Woven on a round oak base, the spokes are inserted into a groove, which holds them firmly in place. This basket employs a continuous chase weave to build the sides, using two weavers at once. The basket is hand-shaped, not woven on a mold, and students will be challenged and excited to watch their creations grow with two weavers. A hand-carved oak handle is incorporated into…

This class is aimed at the beginner or novice smith. Following the ABANA curriculum, we will start at the beginning and progress in difficulty during the week. Aside from the first morning, the class will be project driven, including the rose and the wizard bottle opener, among others. An emphasis will be placed on the forging and heat-treatment of the tools that you will need to carry out the next project. Blisters and a healthy appetite are all but guaranteed.…

Join Ryan & Emily in spring, summer &/or fall and learn how to observe and describe the finer details of fungi in the way a mycologist does. This course will familiarize students with mushroom science and the fun of mushroom hunting culture, with an emphasis on the mushroom species of the Adirondacks that are considered "safe for beginners". We will study techniques for mushroom photography, collections, storage...and yes, delicious wild mushroom COOKING. Using wild mushrooms of the Adirondacks, we will…

Goat milk soap is excellent for people with dry, irritated or sensitive skin. It is loaded with nutrients, proteins, fat, calcium and vitamins. It is an excellent natural moisturizer that helps hydrate, nourish and revitalize skin. We will discuss natural dyes and additives which you may wish to incorporate in your soap. You will be making a pound of soap to take home.

Open Forge Nights Are Back By Popular Demand! Get an introduction to the art of blacksmithing by visiting Adirondack Folk School on any of our OPEN FORGE nights for an amazing demonstration by Expert smith Steve Gurzler. Observing the demonstration is free and open to the public. For those who want to try their hand at blacksmithing and forge an item at open forge, there is a $20 fee to cover the cost of materials, and safety precautions must be…

This basket begins by weaving a solid bottom onto a red-oak handle, creating a very sturdy base for carrying two bottles. While weaving up the sides, a separate weaver is introduced on the inside of the basket, creating two compartments, keeping bottles from bumping. Students have the option of embellishing the top of the basket with a variety of decorative weaving techniques and strips of hand-dyed weavers. The basket is 5" wide, 8" high at the sides, and 14" high…

Take a step back in time and learn how to make Beverly's interpretation of a very early market basket. We are all familiar with deposit bottles, well the Pottle was a deposit basket. When shoppers came to market to purchase a quart of strawberries, they were charged an extra penny for the basket. This conical basket is made to be carried by its handle or even several over the wrist, and it's the perfect stress-free beginner project with sweet results.…

Wondering what to do with that old ceramic crock pot now that you have a new instant pot? The answer is, make glycerin soap! Come spend a day learning how with Chrissey! You must have patience, as it is a long process, but the end result is worth the time! NOTE: Please bring a 4-6 gallon ceramic crock pot and an apron.

Open Forge Nights Are Back By Popular Demand! Get an introduction to the art of blacksmithing by visiting Adirondack Folk School on any of our OPEN FORGE nights for an amazing demonstration by Expert smith Steve Gurzler. Observing the demonstration is free and open to the public. For those who want to try their hand at blacksmithing and forge an item at open forge, there is a $20 fee to cover the cost of materials, and safety precautions must be…