Courses

The hex weave basket is commonly called a "cheese basket" because it can be used for processing cheese. However, this holey design is perfect for holding produce or other displayed storage needs. This project will be made from Black Ash splints, which the students will help cut and prepare. The…

This course will focus on crafting a birch bark sheath for a favorite short-bladed knife. A good example would be a carving knife, which students should bring to class or purchase in the North House School store. We will begin by crafting an inner sheath of wood for the knife…

Learn how to knit and embroider a mitten in the Swedish Lovikka style. Lovikka is a town located near the Arctic Circle with a renowned tradition of Sami-inspired embroidered embellishments, including a braided tassel. This mitten is knit in the round on double-pointed needles using a single ply yarn. The…

The knutkorg, or knot basket, is a classic style of Scandinavian basket. Constructed from willow and split cedar, the basket is an interlocking framework of bent and notched pieces. The pieces fit together like an ingenious puzzle, making the knutkorg a craft marvel. Over three days, students will learn to…

The shrink box is a wooden container that relies on a simple trick: Freshly cut (green) wood and dry wood behave differently. The body of the vessel is made from green wood that changes in size as it dries (putting the “shrink” in shrink box). The bottom of the vessel…

The kuksa is an old-style wooden cup made to travel far and wide and be at the ready, whether the beverage of choice is water from a Boundary Waters lake, coffee of any quality, or even a splash of something stronger (so we’ve been told). Over three days, students will…

Kumihimo is an ancient Japanese technique used to make beautiful cords. Historically, the most complex forms were used as a functional embellishment on samurai armour. Today, it's more common to use kumihimo cords to embellish your arm as beaded bracelet. Students will learn how to braid on a kumihimo disk,…

Elegant knit lace can enhance many projects, whether it is sewn on the edge of a garment, brightening the corner of a simple knit accessory, or taking center stage as a shawl. Expand your knitting repertoire by exploring new techniques that will allow you to add flourish to basic projects…

The wooden bowl is a reflection of both utility and beauty--an inspiring craft form to experience. Explore the grains of northern birch as you learn safe lathe operation and turning techniques to turn a wooden bowl on the electric lathe. From tree to bowl, working with fresh cut wood, learn…

Eco-prints are one-of-a-kind prints made by steaming leaves against paper. No inks, dyes or paints are used to create them—the colors come just from the plants themselves. The colors are sepia-toned, the patterns are beautiful, and the process is non-toxic. Leaves are collected, pressed, arranged on paper, stacked and tightly…

Where did you get that bag? You can make it! Leather handbags are both durable and fashionable and need not have a fancy name brand to reflect your personal taste and preferences. Design and sew your very own handbags in this hands-on course with Molly Grant, who has been designing…

Learn the foundational skills of hand sewn saddle stitched leatherwork as you make a small pocket wallet and a beautiful case for a journal. We will discuss construction, surface decoration, basic wet molding, and leather care, and you will leave with a case that will develop a deep, rich color…

Tote your tools in style in a sturdy, hand-sewn leather tool tote. This open-top hold-all is perfect for anything from carving tools to knitting supplies. In this course, students will learn foundational skills that can be applied to future projects. We will use the traditional two-needle saddle stitch and hand…

It’s especially gratifying to have handmade everyday objects you touch on a daily basis. You’ll be proud to pull out your handmade wallet, capable of containing cards and cash. Using the saddle stitch and vegetable-tanned leather, you’ll create a simple piece that will be useful for years. Ages 14+, no…

Spend two days learning new avenues into color possibilities from ancient traditions. This class will cover some of the long history of natural dyes, the color possibilities they offer,  mordanting techniques, the dyeing process, and some color theory.  We will use readily available dyes in extract form, like indigo, cochineal, …