Courses

Swedish Folk Painting, often referred to as “dalmalning” actually consists of several different painting styles based on region, subject, and artist. In this course we will discuss several of these different styles. Then we’ll practice the basic painting techniques of two of these styles and create our own individualized projects.…

Become a better wet felter in this class by sculpting two very different items with the same resist.  A french beret and a vessel have a similar beginning, wool carefully laid out over a round, flat resist and wet felted. How you finish it by felting and fulling will determine…

Tired of unimaginative, small outbuilding kits available from your local lumberyard? Explore all the basic elements of timber frame construction and take home a hand-crafted building. More than 100 timber frame buildings have been built and raised throughout the country by North House students since 1997.  During the first days…

This course offers students the opportunity to immerse fully in the craft of Norwegian timber framing by building a custom-designed structure in the Grindbygg style. Whether creating a woodshed, carport, getaway cabin, woodshop or retirement home, the unique beauty and durability of a Grindbygg structure offers a unique opportunity to…

This course offers students the opportunity to immerse fully in the craft of timber framing by building a larger and/or a custom-designed timber frame structure. Whether creating a getaway cabin, woodshop or retirement home or structure for your community or organization, the beauty and durability of a timber frame structure…

This course is an introduction to working with and heat-treating the common high-carbon steels used for edge tools. We will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different steel types and put this knowledge into practice by creating several tools. We will analyze a number of different tools and compare their…

Come and make wood shavings fly as you learn how to create wooden bowls on the electric lathe. Students will explore the form and function of this age-old craft while learning about lathe use and terminology. Paper birch from the North Shore will be used for the bowl blanks and…

Textiles are integral in our lives, yet so often overlooked! Creating one’s own cloth empowers expression through color, texture, and design. In this course, we will explore these elements through weaving on a four-harness floor loom. Students will learn the principles of handweaving, including designing a project, preparing a warp,…

Carving wooden spoons is a tradition in Scandinavia, where carvers crafted spoons for home use, for seasonal income, and to give as gifts. The techniques, designs, and embellishments commonly used today are deeply embedded in centuries of cultural history, but spoon carving is also a vibrant and growing craft tradition…

Wool is an incredibly versatile, durable and beautiful fiber that is surprisingly easy to make into fabric. Start at the very beginning of the process in this team-taught class, as we shear sheep from Prairie Meadow Farm and go through processing wool, step by step together; skirting, washing, carding, making…

This is a four-day camp for tinkerers, explorers, curious kids- MAKERS! Spend each day learning new skills as you try out folk school crafts like woodworking, building, carving, baking, and more. You’ll get to taste what makes learning at North House special as you explore the handcrafts of daily life.…

This week of Craft Camp will focus on Gitchee Gami, the “Big Lake”, and the ways in which people over time have used small boats for work and play in the Grand Marais harbor. We will learn and practice various wood and fiber skills (such as knife carving, the use…

Learn the basics of sailing onboard the traditionally-rigged schooner Hjørdis. This four-day camp will cover a variety of hands-on, practical sailing skills as well as boat terminology, knotwork, and line-handling. Hoist sails, steer the ship, and picnic “on the hook”; participants will surely walk away on a brand new pair…