Courses

It’s said that the number of pleats on a chef’s hat represents the number of ways to cook an egg. While he might not wear a hat, Chef Scott Graden can still teach you the common (and less common) ways to prepare this ubiquitous spheroid. This course will cover hard-boiling,…

Without question, the Adirondack chair is a timeless classic - its high back, large armrests and contoured seat and back are unmistakable.  For many, the Adirondack chair defines the ideal deck or lawn chair for a well-deserved break.  This course is the perfect opportunity for you to learn and expand…

The Sámi are Scandinavia’s only UN-recognized indigenous people, and have a culture rich with fiber traditions. In Advanced Sami Knitted Mitten Techniques, students will be introduced to Sámi mittens and some of the more difficult techniques while creating a several sample swatches: right and left leaning slyngborden, three ways to…

Make your own sausage flavored the way you like it using your favorite meats. As a class, we will make and take home 4-5 kinds of sausage of your choosing from a list of about 10 varieties. These will be fresh, non-smoked, non-cured sausages like bratwurst, breakfast sausage, Moroccan, Polish,…

Discover the designs, color, styles and technique of traditional bead embroidery as you work with Ojibwe cultural specialist and Grand Portage band member Marcie McIntire, sewing and decorating a pair of moccasins in this course. You will design a pair of moccasins to make, choosing from either a baby or…

Discover the designs, color, styles and technique of traditional bead embroidery while crafting moccasins designed for baby feet. Create gift that will be treasured for years to come (and that will stay on those adorable little feet). Students will design and sew a pair of moccasins using quality tanned deerhide.…

The anorak is the traditional outer garment worn throughout the far North and Arctic climates. It is designed to be worn over heavier insulating layers to block the wind and shed snow. This anorak design may be made from a variety of fabrics and features large sleeves with adjustable wrist…

Have you made felt before and found yourself frustrated with the design?  The colors became muted and soft, the easily identifiable bird became a cloud?  This is a class for those who have worked with felt and want to now focus on the details of design.  We will look at…

Lace up your baking shoes and get ready for an artisan breads baking marathon. Combining the skills of our popular Artisan Breads I and II courses, this 2.5 day intensive course allows students to dig deep into hand-crafted, long fermented and hot-hearth baked breads.  We’ll explore pre-ferments and a long…

Cranks wind, gears turn, dragons chomp and birds fly. Welcome to the whimsical world of automata: simple wooden machines that delight and amaze. Join Cecilia Schiller for a four-day exploration of the art of making wooden machines and the mechanisms that make things move. Starting with the design process in…

Have you ever wondered how our ancestors produced sharpened tools of stone like axe heads, knife blades, and arrow points? Learn how flintknapping evolved and how to identify appropriate base materials from which you can produce a variety of sharpened stone tools. This class will introduce the basic techniques of…

Learn the planning, layout and joinery necessary to construct a traditional timber frame (post and beam) structure, such as North House's blacksmith shop, bread oven shelter, fish house classroom and other structures around campus.  The course begins with the basic mortise and tenon joint, and then expands on these techniques…

Discover the magic of “painting with beads” through your choice of seven different signature beaded lapel pin projects. In a reflection of the art and craft of bead embroidery, artist Jo Wood will lead you through your choice of one or two bead-embroidered projects, time permitting. The birch tree pin…

Try your hand at a simple bead weaving project in this introductory course that teaches two distinct skills: bead weaving and leather sewing. This project is based on a traditional amulet-style bag design Marcie learned from her grandmother, intended to be worn as a necklace. Students will complete and embellish…

Brightly colored seed beads have been used to embellish and brighten clothing and homegoods for centuries. Learn to make a beaded doily in this short class and experiment with color and pattern repetition to create a unique piece. Beadwork artist Marcie McIntire will provide instruction and materials for creating these…