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.

You will need the following tools for this class:

• carving knife with short blade (2" to 3")
• sharp, stout pair of scissors (7" to 10" overall)
• (Above available for purchase @ North House School Store 888-387-9762)
• coping saw with assorted blades
• awl
• pencils
• 12 inch ruler or longer

• 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.