Courses

A blanket coat made from a Hudson Bay-style blanket is an inspiring and distinctive example of style and craft. In this skill-building workshop, students will gain the patterning, fitting, and sewing skills they need to create their own unique blanket coat. Made from new or recycled wool blankets, these coats…

Pockets full of pebbles from the shores of Lake Superior? Ready to turn them into jewelry? Pebble drilling has long been a popular course at North House, but not all pebbles are meant to be drilled. In this four day class, students will learn several different ways to capture and…

A pair of sandals that fits just right is a highly prized possession—and all the better if they are attractive and one-of-a-kind. Create a pair of custom hand-stitched leather sandals to enjoy for years to come. Students will spend some time sketching ideas and discussing execution, working from a few…

Up north, there's a saying that there's no bad weather, just the wrong clothes. In this course, you'll outfit your hands to protect them from the elements by designing a comfortable and warm pair of deerskin mittens to wear during the winter months. The mittens are ideal for daily wear,…

Remember the last time your feet were too cold to enjoy wonderful wintry weather? Do away with rigid, non-breathing footwear and discover the traditional footwear of the north: mukluks. The flexibility of the natural materials used in construction allows the foot to generate heat, and a breathable layering system allows…

North House is pleased to announce an opportunity to experience the rich ecological beauty and cultural history of the Gunflint Trail AND immerse in the traditional northern craft of mukluk making. This session of Expedition Footwear: Making Mukluks will be taught by long-time North House instructor Jo Wood at Gunflint…

Walk along the shores of Lake Superior and it’s hard not to pick up pebbles that catch the eye. Turn your favorites into a wearable piece of art in this intermediate level jewelry course. Students will learn cold connection construction, starting with some simple projects and then designing their own…

It is said that Freya, the Nordic goddess of love, wagered all to acquire the beautiful "Brisingamen" necklace fashioned by dwarves. The medieval texts do not describe what the necklace looked like, but we can imagine that Scandinavian filigree work was a signature element. Using twisted fine silver wire we…

Have you ever collected perfectly smooth, round pebbles from the shores of Lake Superior or other places in the world and then wondered what to do with them? This course offers the perfect solution. Students will spend an hour or so the first day gathering pebbles and then will use…

Forget about stepping out of bed onto cold floors on wintery mornings; these hand-crafted cozy slippers will keep your feet toasty all year long. Sew your own custom pair of leather slippers, lined with soft fur and finished with non-slip soles to make them perfect house shoes. Leatherworking and shoemaking…

Rings on fingers have been around since the beginning of civilization. Egyptian and Greek legend place the wedding ring on the third finger of the left hand, because of a belief that the vein of that finger traveled directly from the heart. The Romans extended this description and called this…

Stylish, cool and durable, these are a far cry from a farmer's straw hat! Craft your own personalized straw hat using millinery parasisal or Panama straw blanks. Over a two day period, you will block and finish at least one straw hat. Starting with a “blank,” finely woven straw that…

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 co-sponsored by the Grand Portage National Monument. The course begins with an overview of the…

If you’ve ever picked up a rough stone and wondered what’s inside, it’s time to try your hand at the magic of stone cutting! Veteran goldsmith and stone cutter extraordinaire, Michael Seiler, will lead students through the process of cutting, finishing, and polishing a variety of agates—perfect for your next…

For centuries, the circum-polar people have embroidered pewter thread onto wool and leather to embellish clothing, bags, jewelry and other small objects. Learn this technique and develop your own designs with instructor Norma Refsal, who has traveled extensively in Scandinavia and draws inspiration from the Sámi people and their designs.…