North House Folk School

Unplugged is September 25-26, 2026, and we’re thrilled to welcome two very special Featured Guest Instructors: Eiko Tanaka and Kirsi Manni!

Eiko is a Japanese lacquer artist and woodturner based in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture. While here, she’ll teach two Japanese Woodturning classes, as well as a half-day introductory class that’s open to folks who are brand-new to woodturning. 

Kirsi Manni, a Swedish weaver who specializes in Leksand band weaving. Leksand band looms are unique to the Leksand region of Sweden, with a foot treadle attached to a rigid heddle. 

Each of them will be teaching coursework around Unplugged and will be joining in the festivities. These courses open for registration at 9am CT on Thursday, May 28. North House members get to register a day early, starting at 9am CT on Wednesday, May 27. 

Read on to learn about these special craftpeople and the courses they’ll be teaching!

Eiko Tanaka

Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture Japan 

Eiko Tanaka is a Japanese lacquer artist and woodturner based in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture. During her childhood, she was attracted by handicraft and was good with her hands such as doing crafts and sewing. Influenced by her parents, she found herself absorbed in the colors of Japanese traditional lacquer which are “red, black and gold” and wanted to learn the techniques of lacquerware. She trained under master craftsman Torao Nakashima, who inspired her to develop her own style. She now exhibits and demonstrates internationally and is much acclaimed for the unique way she conveys the charm of wood and lacquer. This is her first trip to North House.  

Kirsi Manni

Siljansnäs, Sweden 

Kirsi is the owner of Art&Craft Sweden. Since 2016, her business has been located in the former Parish Assembly Hall of Siljansnäs, Dalarna, Sweden. She has created the textile studio of her dreams in a tiny village in the heart of Sweden.

Kirsi's interest in textiles has been passed down through generations in her family of highly skilled craftswomen. Her grandmother grew her own flax and was the queen of recycling. In order to provide for her large family, she had to be creative with resources. Her mother is a seamstress and hand weaver. She let Kirsi cut into her fabric stash and encouraged her passion. 

Kirsi studied for a Bachelor's in Textiles and Mathematics Education at Gothenburg University. For 20+ years, she worked as an educator throughout Sweden and abroad, including in Tanzania and Hong Kong.

Today, she divides her time between her wearable-art weaving, heritage craft, textile conservation, and sharing her passion with the wider community through workshops, lectures, and the internet. She is a firm believer that we are creative creatures at our core, and she wants to invite you to co-create and express your individuality without judgment. 

Click here to explore all upcoming coursework happening during our fall events at North House!