Courses

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…

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,…

The graceful curve of the deer antler provides a creative springboard for the emerging folk-art form of antler basketry. In this course students learn to weave a stunning rib-style basket from dyed and natural rattan reed, incorporating a deer antler as the handle or focal point of the design. The…

Investigate infinite approaches and forms that a box can take on using both hand tools and machines. We will focus on exploring ideas and techniques that fall outside the typical six-sided container. Emphasis will be on shaping and sculpting pieces to create pleasing curves, unusual shapes and just about anything…

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…

This tutorial is intended for students with some experience with bowl turning on an electric lathe, and who want to learn more advanced woodturning methods. We will explore turning asymmetrical forms from bark edged bowls to unusual end-grain pieces and burls. The tutorial will include selection of wood, cutting of…

Fall means apples in abundance! In anticipation of the Bayfield Apple Festival in early October, join Chef Graden for an exploration of the versatile applications of a sometimes ubiquitous and under-utilized fruit. This class will cover preparing (and eating!) all of these recipes, and more:  apple and cran-apple ciders, apple…

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…

Minnesota's history is interwoven with the history of hat-making. Europe's hunger for beaver felt top hats drove the voyageurs into the heart of fur country. Most of the fur traded at Grand Portage eventually became felt hats. There is no softer, warmer or more pliant fiber as fur-felt. We will…

The between-twill twine pouch blends weaving techniques and materials to create a patchwork of nature that you can carry. There will be two project size options; a small pouch (approx. 6” x 1” x 4”) or a medium pouch (approx. 7” x 2” x 6”). The first day will mostly…

Using spring and winter birch bark harvested in Angora, MN, students will weave one basket necklace on a mold. The course will cover a simple start and stop basket weave for the body with a choice of rim treatment, waxed linen colors and bead embellishments. The necklace hanger can be…

This birch bark basket is a relatively simple square or horizontal weave basket. The weaving is done in the traditional Scandinavian and Russian style. The material used to make the basket is split inner bark of the birch tree. The birch bark is harvested from timber sale areas in Itasca…

Stacked handle flatware is classic aesthetic of the Nordic kitchen. From cheese planes to spatulas, serving spoons to filet knives, the handles of these items are a reflection of three basic Scandinavian natural materials – birch wood, stacked birch bark and reindeer antler. Starting with these essential materials, learn to…