Courses

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…

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…

Remember the last time your feet were too cold to enjoy wonderful wintry weather? Do away with rigid unbreathable 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…

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…

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 directly traveled from the heart. The Romans extended this description and called this…

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…

Bring a garment that you love - or cannot live without. You will not have to take it apart! You will learn to make a pattern that duplicates the cut, and even adds features such as more pockets or design details. Three techniques for copying patterns from existing garments will…

The sweater your mom made you years ago; the one you found at Goodwill but is way too small; the one you are tired of wearing; the one you accidently washed on a hot wash--any of these felted and cut and sewn together can be made into a beautiful skirt,…

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 Saami people and their designs.…

The serene and dramatic landscape of northern Scandinavia is the land of the midnight sun, the northern lights and the Saami, a nomadic tribal group that follows the migration of the reindeer. Traditional Saami adornment incorporated elements of their northern landscape – softened reindeer leather and sculpted antler. In this…

Reports from new parents suggest that a pair of handmade, deerhide booties make a great baby gift: not only do they stay on those tiny feet, but they are awfully cute as well. Join instructor Jo Wood for a half day workshop to learn to the process for cutting and…

Learn the age-old art of being a cordwainer. Using the original patterns designed in the mid-1930s by Paul and Edward Mathews of The Cordwainer Shop, Molly will teach you to hand-stitch and hand-lace your own pair of Cordwainer Classics of the same design worn by Hollywood legends such as Caesar…

Do you like playing with fire? This course is for jewelers that have some skills but would like to take it to the next level. If you have felt like you are missing some of the vital information and techniques of silversmithing, this is for you. This class will give…