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North House was founded in 1997 by a small handful of inspired locals passionate about traditional craft and cooperative learning. Folk schools emphasize learning for the sake of learning. There are no exams, no credits, and no term papers. As much as our courses teach a particular skill (timberframing, basketmaking), they also encourage lifelong learning.

The buttons above link to courses by course category and calendar view.

Upcoming Courses with Openings



August

Young Woodworkers Camp August 11 Botanical Blacksmithing August 11 Felted Fun! August 11 Folk Tales at the Folk School: Exploring Puppetry August 11 Folk Tales at the Folk School: Exploring Puppetry August 11 Young Woodworkers Camp August 11 Exploring Woven Structures August 13 Bezel Set Stones for North Shore Jewelry August 13 Untamed Mushrooms: A Walk in the Woods & Cooking Exploration August 14 Craft Exploration Camp for Families August 18 Craft Exploration Camp for Adults August 18 Untamed Mushrooms: A Walk in the Woods & Cooking Exploration August 21 Natural Dyes in the Steam Box August 22 Young Makers Camp August 25 Damascus Rings: Jewelry from the Blacksmith Shop August 25 Rya Rugs on a Floor Loom August 28 Wool: The Full Experience August 29 Basic Timber Framing August 29 Blacksmith’s Folding Knife August 30 Chocolate Making: From Cocoa Bean to Bar August 30 Understanding, Forecasting, and Photographing the Aurora Borealis August 30
September

Anishinaabe-Style Bead Embroidery & Moccasin Sewing September 04 Sail Training Trip: Isle Royale Circumnavigation September 04 Service Learning: Build the Micro-Bench Accessibility Aid September 05 Blacksmithing: Women & Non-Binary Session September 05 Mushroom & Fungi Intro September 05 Timber Frame: Build Your Own Smaller Frames September 05 Designing Scandinavian Style Mittens September 05 Foraging to Fiber: Naturally Dyed Tote Bag and Scarf September 06 Mushroom & Fungi Intro September 06 Sweetgrass Basketry September 06 Plums September 06 Mushroom & Fungi Intro September 07 Fine Furniture: Windsor Comb Back Armchair or Rocking Chair September 09 Kipe: Traditional Split Willow Backpack of Western Norway September 10 Scandinavian Squareweaving on a Tabletop Warp-Weighted Loom September 11 Tramp Art: Obscure Folk Art of the Working Class September 11 Mushroom & Fungi Intro September 12 Lost Wax Casting: Sterling Silver Rings September 12 Layer Up! The Art and Science of Lamination September 12 Mushroom & Fungi Intro September 13 Fine Furniture: Natural-Edged Windsor Bench September 13 Mushroom & Fungi: A Closer Look September 14 Introduction to Nålbinding September 15 Norwegian Split Willow Basketry Exploration September 15 Layer Up! The Art and Science of Lamination September 15 Wet Felted Chair Cushions and Potholders September 16 Leather Belt Sewing September 16 Forge a Railroad Spike Knife September 16 From Branch to Wall: Carving Hooks September 17 Event: Unplugged September 18 – 20
Dried Flower Wreaths September 18 Traditional Japanese Indigo Dyeing: Aizome Introduction September 19 Norwegian Split Willow Basketry: An Intro September 20 Blacksmithing: The Basics & Beyond September 22 Traditional Japanese Indigo Dyeing: Aizome Intensive September 22 Daffodils, Sweet Grass, and Iris: Baskets from the Garden September 22 Build Thoreau's Cabin: Basic Building Skills Workshop September 24 Introduction to Spinning on the Wheel September 26 Nordic Designs in Boundweave September 26 Herbalism Apprentice: Beginner's Botanical Medicine September 26 Elemental Salt: A Culinary Exploration September 27 Old-School Inks September 27 Blacksmithing: Crafting The Tools of the Trade September 27 Log to Timber Frame - Building by Hand: Hewing Session September 27 Elemental Salt: A Culinary Exploration September 29
October

Grand Marais & Beyond Nature Photography Workshop: Fall Session October 01 Viking-Era Smelting: Iron-Age Technology in the Modern Era October 02 Beginning Floor Loom Weaving October 02 Fall Fly Fishing Tactics for Brook Trout and Splake October 02 Loop-in-Loop Chain Bracelet October 03 Log to Timber Frame - Building by Hand: Joinery October 03 The Geometry, Magic, and Beauty of Himmeli October 04 Cider: Crafting Fine Hard Cider at Home October 04 Shadow Weave: Complex Patterns from Simple Structures October 09 Pole Lathe Turning October 10 Rosemaling Plants from the Boreal Forest October 10 Lost Wax Casting: Sterling Silver Rings October 10 Pebble Prongs, Captures and More October 11 Mabon Medicines: Being Deeply Rooted October 11 Seasonal Pies: Baking for the Colder Months October 11 Event: Family Weekend October 16 – 19
Families at the Forge October 16 Introduction to Lantern Puppets October 16 Kids Only: Make a Catapult October 16 Kids Only: Slöjd in the Wood Shop October 17 Artisan Copper Pendants for Families October 17 Families at the Forge October 17 Felted Dioramas for Families: Make a Scene! October 17 Kids Only: Pocket-Sized Sewing Kits October 17 Kids Only: Making Pouches out of Leather October 17 Copper Holiday Ornament Workshop for Families October 17 Mobile Magic for Families October 17 Kids Only: Nine Man’s Morris: Stitch, Carve, Stamp October 18 Quickbreads and Sweet Loaves for Kids October 18 Families at the Forge October 18 Magical Metal Bubble Wands for Families October 18 Frame Loom Weaving for Families October 18 Linocut Printmaking for Families October 18 Fall Tarts for Kids October 18 Pebble Jewelry Fabrication from Soup to Nuts October 19 Frightful Forging October 23 Foundations in Woodturning: Developing Finesse and Skill October 23 Wild Yeast: The Art and Science of Sourdough Bread October 23 Woven: Traditional Swedish Table-Made Hair Bracelet October 23 Rosemaling: Complete Your Own Project in Any Style October 24 Hand-Crafted Brooms: An Introduction October 24 Handcraft A Wool Braided Rug October 24 Primitive Rug Hooking: Open Session October 24 Lidded Containers on the Lathe October 27 Artisan Breads Immersion October 28 Birch Bark Boxes: Scandinavian Bark Basketry October 30 Lathe Turning: The Wooden Bowl October 31 Making Hide & Canvas Boots October 31 Rigid Heddle Scarves October 31 Learn to Knit a Norwegian Sweater October 31 Artisan Breads Immersion October 31
November

Nordic Herbals November 01 A Season to Turn, Turn, Turn November 04 Better Butter Baking November 04 Chainsaws: Safety, Maintenance, and Tree Felling November 05 Handwoven Pillow November 06 Fingerweaving November 07 Felt for the Home: Table Runners and Rugs November 07 Primstav: Tattoo Your Stories in Wood November 07 End Grain Turning: Cups & Bowls on the Lathe November 07 Better Butter Baking November 07 Sharpening for the Woodworker November 08 Automata: Mechanical Marvels in Wood November 12 Old World Ale Bowls: Pole and Power Lathe Turning November 13 Handwoven Wool Tote Bag November 13 Advanced Needle Felting and Bead Embroidery November 14 Hand-Sewn Leather Toolbag November 14 Make Your Own Fika Box November 15 Introduction to Rosemaling Gudbrandsdal Style November 15 Wood Carving Tutorial November 18 Event: Winterers' Gathering and Arctic Film Fest November 20 – 23
Felting for the Sauna November 20 Old World Games: Wood - Leather - Stone November 21 Craft a Custom Crooked Knife November 21 Hand Drawn Maps: Exploring Your Relationship with the Land November 21 Writing for the Earth November 22 Everyday Slöjd- A Firewood Carrier Made From Firewood November 22 Sewing with Fur and Leather: Beaver Fur Mittens November 22
December

All Things Cardamom December 01 Laminated Canoe Paddles December 04 Beaded Leather Bag December 05 Weaving Landscapes: The Art of Tapestry December 05 Twill and Twine Bark Basketry December 05 Exploring the Knitting Traditions of Newfoundland December 05 Hand-Stitched Leather Travel Accessories & Gifts December 06 Buche de Noel: Bake Your Own December 06 Holiday Cookies of Central Europe December 07 Build Your Own Yurt December 09 Large Birch Bark Tote December 11 Kick Sled Building: Push and Glide December 12 Rosemaling an Acrylic Dala Horse December 13 Nuno Felted Capelet Pullover December 13 The Elements of Pizza December 13 Build Your Own Yurt December 15
January

Timbered Workbench: Early American Style January 05 Wooden Spoon Carving Traditions January 08 Timbered Workbench: Early American Style January 09 Woven Birch Bark Basketry January 10 Woodcarving for Families: Carrot Edition January 10 Hand Pies January 10 Woodcarving for Families: Creatures Edition January 11 Wet Felting Immersion January 15 Craft of Birch Ski Making: Making Your Own Set January 15 North House Fair Isle Project January 16 Child's Windsor Side Chair January 16 Masonry Heater Building January 16 Laminates - Basic January 17 Hand-Sewn Leather Tote Bag January 17 Artisan Breads Immersion January 20 Perching Stools January 20 Handcrafting Doors: From Stiles to Rails January 23 Artisan Breads Immersion January 23 Needle Felting & Bead Embroidery: Bead, Felt, & Frame January 23 Sewing a Simple Garment: Introduction to Sewing January 23 Cosmic Sound: Overtone Flute January 24 Winter Natural Dye Exploration January 24 Perching Stools January 24 Deerskin Mittens with Anishinaabe-Style Beadwork January 29 Practical and Painterly: Flat Felting for the Home January 29 Sakiori: Japanese Rag Weaving January 29 Classic French Everyday Cakes: Petit Fours January 30 Bowl Carving with Axe, Adze, and Gouge January 30 Introduction to Rosemaling Gudbrandsdal Style January 31 Sharpening for the Woodworker January 31
February

Beginning Floor Loom Weaving February 05 Cabinetry Basics: Building the Wall Cabinet February 06 Willow Basketry February 06 Woven: Table-Made Hairwork Sampler February 06 Soupcraft February 07 Weaving Gamps: Twill, Sett, and Color February 09 Sprang Explorations February 10 Plaited Ribbons and Woven Tapes February 10 Fiber Week DK Sock February 10 Scandinavian Roots: Weaving on the Rigid Heddle Loom February 10 A Stitch in Time - Embroidered Sampler February 11 Natural Dyes – Adding Iron: How Sad can be Happy! February 11 Learn to Knit: Artist's Point Cowl February 14 Rölakan Rug Weaving February 14 Handspinning for Beginners: From Spindle to Wheel February 14 Intermediate Penny Rugs February 14 Norwegian Needlecraft: Taking the 'Hard' out of Hardanger February 14 Luminaries and Bowls: 3D Sculptural and Nuno Felting February 14 Carve and Weave: Exploring Tension-Based Weaving Traditions February 14 Black Ash Pack Baskets February 19 Fancy Butter! Butter Molds and Butter Sampling February 20 Masonry Heater Building February 20 Bird Carving February 20 All Ground Up: Sausage Making February 21 Black Ash Pack Baskets February 22 Wild Yeast: The Art and Science of Sourdough Bread February 24 Weaving and Designing Turned Twill Block Weaves February 26 Hardcover Codex Bookbinding February 27 Woodturning Skill Builder February 27 Hand-Sewn Leather Shoulder Bag February 27 Flatbreads from Around the World February 28
March

Danish Cord Stools March 03 Carving Köksredskap: Breadboards, Butter Knives, & Spoons March 03 Wooden Latch Shrink Pots March 03 Carved and Kolrosed (Tattoos for Wood) Cutting Board March 03 End Grain Turning: Cups & Bowls on the Lathe March 03 Give Some Heart: Carving Wooden Hearts March 05 Meat Preservation: The Basics and Beyond March 06 Milk Paint: Exploring Color, Texture, and Pattern March 07 Figure Carving: Scandinavian Style March 07 Contemporary Cooperage: A Modern Take on Tradition March 07 Bench Brushes and Beyond: Introduction to Handmade Brushes March 07 Knife Skills are Life Skills March 07 Lathe Turning: The Wooden Bowl March 07 Yurt Building: Design and Construction March 12 Wild Yeast: The Art and Science of Sourdough Bread March 12 Rigid Heddle Weaving: Towels March 13 Adirondack Chair Building March 13 Making Hide & Canvas Boots March 13 Introduction to Rosemaling March 14 Sharpening Tutorial March 20 Knitting for the Great Lakes March 20 Coopering: Make a Wooden Bucket March 20 Chainsaws: Safety, Maintenance, and Tree Felling March 20 Felt for the Home: Table Runners and Rugs March 20 Bezel Set Stones for North Shore Jewelry March 20 Laminates - Advanced March 21 Sharpening Tutorial March 23 Anishinaabe-Style Bead Embroidery & Moccasin Sewing March 26 Birch Bark Boxes: Scandinavian Bark Basketry March 26 Herbalism Apprentice: Beginner's Botanical Medicine March 27 Wool Pullover Shirt: Sew Your Own Using a Wool Blanket March 27 Carrying Yokes: Handtools, Wood and Fiber March 27 Pysanky: Ukrainian Egg Painting March 28 Indigo 1,2,3 March 28
April

Build a Greenwood Bench or Settee April 01 Torch Fired Enamel Buttons, Pins, and More April 02 Blacksmithing: The Basics & Beyond April 02 Useful and Fun Felt Additions April 03 Build Your Own Custom Fishing Rod April 03 Smørrebrød & Snitters April 04 Playful Freeform Embroidery April 04 Root Stitched Birch Bark Containers with Wood Bottoms April 13 Forging A Mjolnir: The Blacksmith's Rounding Hammer April 15 Creative Color for Handspinners April 17 Creative Mending April 17 Rosemaling Plants from the Boreal Forest April 18 All Ground Up: Sausage Making April 18 Outdoor Timbered Benches April 18 Custom Color: Woven Scarves for Spring or Summer April 23 Blacksmithing: Crafting The Tools of the Trade April 23 Ovencrafting: Building and Baking in the Wood-Fired Oven April 23 Never Summer Sweater April 24 Wood, Linen, Leather, Wool: A Handcraft Sampler April 24 Basic Timber Framing April 24 Soapmaking: The Old Fashioned Way April 25 Soapmaking: The Old Fashioned Way April 26 Fundamentals of North Shore Pebble Jewelry April 30 Warp and Weft: Introduction to Floor Loom Weaving April 30 Damascus Blade with Birch Bark Handle and Leather Sheath April 30 Automata: Mechanical Marvels in Wood April 30
May

Timber Frame: Build Your Own Smaller Frames May 01 Valborg May 02 Birding and Botanizing Through May May 05 Intermediate North Shore Pebble Jewelry May 06 Build Thoreau's Cabin: Basic Building Skills Workshop May 06 Wooden Spoon Carving Traditions May 07 Needle Felting & Bead Embroidery: Bead, Felt, & Frame May 08 Rosemaling: Setesdal Style May 08 The Butcher and the Baker: Meat Pastries and Pies May 09 Birding and Botanizing Through May May 12 Fish Skin Tanning May 12 Winter Moccasins, Anishinaabe-Style May 12 Leather Belts: Forge and Stitch May 12 Brain Tanning Deer Skins May 12 Bark Tan Your Hide May 13 Introduction to Anishinaabe-Style Beadwork May 16 Skin Three Ways: Cotechino, Ciccoli, and Chicharrones May 16 Skinnfell: Norwegian Wood Block Printed Sheepskins May 16 Gifts of the Porcupine: A Quillwork Intensive May 16 pahkêkinohêwin: Moose Hide Tanning May 16 Forging the Blacksmith’s Knife May 16 Traditional Scandinavian Tanning Methods May 16 Natural Finishes for Bark Tan May 17 Practical and Magical Chemistry of Natural Leather Tanning May 18 Birding and Botanizing Through May May 19 Lathe Turning: The Wooden Bowl May 21 Fly Casting and Presenting the Fly May 22 Swedish Bonadslmålning with Egg Tempera May 22 Weft-Faced Weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom May 22 Foraging for Spring Wild Edibles May 22 Convertible Bicycle Backpack: An Intro to Leather and Wood May 22 Blacksmithing: The Basics & Beyond May 23 Hand-Sewn Leather Project Tote May 23 Layer Up! The Art and Science of Lamination May 23 Lathe Turning: The Wooden Bowl May 25 Birding and Botanizing Through May May 26 Blacksmithing: The Next Step May 27 Spring Birding on the North Shore May 29 Phenology and Art in Feltmaking May 29 Color and Texture in Woodturning May 29 Foraging for Spring Wild Edibles May 29 What’s This Rock? The Geologic Story of the North Shore May 29 Northwoods Nature Through the Lens May 29 Beekeeping Basics May 30 Discovering the Language of Birds May 30 Lichens and Mosses of the North Woods May 30 The Magic of Northern Seasonal Ponds May 30 Spring Birding on the North Shore May 31 Lichens and Mosses of the North Woods May 31 Families at the Forge May 31
June

Color and Texture in Woodturning: Women, Non-Binary, Trans Session June 01 Sail Training Trip: Isle Royale Circumnavigation June 04 Spring Birding on the North Shore June 05 Welcome to Blacksmithing! June 05 Table Design Fundamentals: A Hands-On Approach June 05 Wool: The Full Experience June 05 Discovering the Language of Birds June 06 Designing a Landscape Using Edible and Medicinal Plants June 06 Custom Leather Sandal Construction June 06 Pies and Tarts for Spring and Summer June 06 Norwegian Rogaland Rosemaling June 06 Spring Birding on the North Shore June 07 Timbered Sawhorse Trestles: Women & Non-Binary Session June 12 Loop-in-Loop Chain Bracelet June 12 Kuksa Carving: Traditional Scandinavian Drinking Cup June 12 A Midsommar Feast June 12 Blacksmithing: Women & Non-Binary Session June 12 Herbal ID Basics and Creating an Herbal First Aid Kit June 12 Focus! The Basics of Photography June 12 Rhubarbarama June 14 Papermaking 101 June 16 Hand-Forged "Using" Knife June 17 Split Willow Picnic Basket June 22

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