Scandinavians and Russians commonly kept small, flat birch bark boxes in their pockets in the 18th and 19th century for the then-popular taking of snuff. Larger finger and lap jointed boxes often held coffee, tea, or salt. Today they continue to be made and hold keepsakes, buttons, spare change, jewelry, dried fruits, oatmeal, or a child’s found treasures. You will discover how to make these useful and decorative boxes following time-tested traditional techniques and with a few new and surprising methods too. This four-day intensive class for beginners or returning students will cover the ecology and harvest of the birch, bark preparation, methods of proper layout and decoration, and instruction on making various types of bases and lids. Come and be amazed by what you can do.

Required Tools

Instructor will supply a number of specialty tools for the class, however, you should bring the following: 

• Sloyd knife (Mora 120 or 106)
• Scissors
• 16” -24” ruler
• A few clothes pins/ clips
• Small 8 ounce or less hammer
• Pliers with a side nipper
• Square or triangular bladed awl
• Pencils
• 4-in-1 rasp

Optional Tools

• Large clothes pins (4 to 6)
• Carving hook or gouge (strongly recommended, but not required)
• Sharpening stones
• Small ball peen hammer (no more than 12 ounces)
• Smallest can or jar of contact cement you can get