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Instructors

Fred Livesay

St. Paul, MN
North House Folk School photo of instructor, Fred Livesay

Fred Livesay made his first spoon at age seven and has focused his life and career on traditional handwork ever since.  He trained formally as a wheelwright and carriage-builder and then went on to study Scandinavian folk art, decorative arts and art history, eventually receiving an M. A. in history museum studies.  Forty years of teaching and study here and in Sweden and England, give him a clear understanding of the joy handmade objects bring to everyday living, the healing art of craft & the mediative connection between head, hands & heart.  Fred is a founding instructor of North House Folk School, the Spoon Gathering, Milan, MN. and is a widely, respected sought after teacher of craft nationally and internationally.  He was recently made an Associate Professor of Fine Handcrafts, Luther College.

Current Courses Offered by Fred Livesay

Birch Bark Boxes: Scandinavian Bark Basketry

In this class, students will make durable, airtight birch bark boxes that are perfect for storage of…
Thu, Mar 26th, 2026  –  Sun, Mar 29th, 2026
9am-5pm each day

Craft Exploration Camp for Adults

If there is one thing that all North House students have in common, it is curiosity: how is…
Tue, Aug 11th, 2026  –  Sat, Aug 15th, 2026
9am-3pm each day

Craft Exploration Camp for Families

Make this year's North Shore vacation unforgettable: join us for family craft camp! Curious kids…
Tue, Aug 11th, 2026  –  Sat, Aug 15th, 2026
9am-3pm each day

Knife Skills are Life Skills

Using a knife efficiently is a core skill for anyone interested in slöjd-style woodworking. The…

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Sat, Mar 7th, 2026  –  Sun, Mar 8th, 2026
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Fred Livesay

Make Your Own Pjaal

If the words pjål, skjøve, or skavl mean anything to you, you’re in very fine…
Thu, Aug 27th, 2026  –  Sun, Aug 30th, 2026
9am-5pm each day
Instructors: Fred Livesay, Kjetil Groven

Scandinavian Inspired Boxes with Sliding Dovetailed Lids

Immigrants from Scandinavia brought with them items of importance. Often, these keepsakes arrived in…
Thu, Nov 5th, 2026  –  Sun, Nov 8th, 2026
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Fred Livesay

Wooden Spoon Carving Traditions

Carving wooden spoons is a tradition in Scandinavia, where carvers crafted spoons for home use, for…

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Thu, May 7th, 2026  –  Sat, May 9th, 2026
9am-5pm each day
Thu, Oct 1st, 2026  –  Sat, Oct 3rd, 2026
9am-5pm each day

Wooden Spoon Carving Traditions: Day 4

This offering is an optional fourth day to extend the Wooden Spoon Carving Traditions course offered…
Sun, May 10th, 2026
9am-3pm
Sun, Oct 4th, 2026
9am-3pm

Past Courses Offered by Fred Livesay

Birch Bark Boxes: Scandinavian Bark Basketry

Carving Inuit-Style Snow Goggles

Make Your Own Japanese Woodworking Tool: The Kebiki

Make Your Own Kebiki: The Essential Japanese Woodworking Tool

Plane Talk: Restoring & Tuning Hand Planes

Plane Talk: Restoring & Tuning Hand Planes

Sharpening Tutorial

Spring Break Makers Camp

Swedish Classic: 18th Century Style Lyre-Base Trestle Table

Swedish Classic: 18th Century Style Lyre-Base Trestle Table

The Art of Spoon Carving

Unlocking the Secrets of the Yeast Ring

Wanigan: The Traveling Box

Woodwork for Smaller Hands: Carve a Butter Spreader

You Can Handle It: The Custom Slöjd Knife

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