Ian Andrus
Lutsen, MN
Ian wove his first basket in 2008, and immediately developed a passion for craft. From yurts to canoes, spoons to skis, he prefers to make things by hand from natural materials. Ian built his house in the maple forest outside Lutsen, Minnesota, where he lives with his wife, daughter, and son. His latest and largest project is the creation of Creaking Tree Farm, his home garden in which he grows organic vegetables for market.
Current Courses Offered by Ian Andrus
3 Days
Black Ash Pack Baskets
Instructors:
Ian Andrus
The black ash pack basket: It's beautiful, highly functional, and can be made using simple materials. The first part of the class will be spent preparing black ash splint for your basket by pounding a locally harvested log. Next, you'll weave the basket and finish it with a rim, handle,…
Fri, Sep 28th, 2018 – Sun, Sep 30th, 2018
Instructor:
Ian Andrus
Fri, Mar 1st, 2019 – Sun, Mar 3rd, 2019
Instructor:
Ian Andrus
4 days
Build Your Own Yurt
Instructors:
Ian Andrus
Create yourself a comfortable living space: a spare bedroom, office, studio, sauna or whatever else you can dream up. The 18-foot yurt is an excellent shelter option that provides comfortable living arrangements for all four seasons. Working with skilled yurt builders, you’ll build a simple yurt, complete with a door…
Mon, Nov 26th, 2018 – Thu, Nov 29th, 2018
Instructor:
Ian Andrus
Sat, Dec 1st, 2018 – Tue, Dec 4th, 2018
Instructor:
Ian Andrus
3½ Days
Craft of Birch Ski Making: Making Your Own Set
Instructors:
Ian Andrus
Discover the secrets of the old Saami school of ski construction by crafting a custom pair of birch skis to meet your needs. In this course you'll learn about the origin of ski design, function and construction. We'll also cover topics such as wood grain, bending wood, types of bindings,…
Thu, Jan 3rd, 2019 – Sun, Jan 6th, 2019
Instructor:
Ian Andrus
Wed, Jan 9th, 2019 – Sat, Jan 12th, 2019
Instructor:
Ian Andrus
1 day
Foraging for Spring Wild Edibles
Instructors:
Ian Andrus
Have you always been interested in gathering wild foods but just weren't sure where to start? This class is a great first introduction to spring edibles as we focus on just five common, nutritious and often abundant plants. These early risers sprout up almost as soon as the snow is…
Sat, May 25th, 2019
Instructor:
Ian Andrus
2 Days
Traditional Finnish Ski Poles: Craft Your Own Set
Instructors:
Ian Andrus
Enhance your winter adventures with these lightweight, durable ski poles which are based on the types used by northern Minnesota Finnish immigrants for winter travel. The poles are constructed with birch shafts, copper rivets, whitetail-tanned buckskin grips, and moose rawhide and bent birch baskets. You will make your custom-sized ski…
Mon, Jan 7th, 2019 – Tue, Jan 8th, 2019
Instructor:
Ian Andrus
3 Days
Traditional Harvest of Wild Rice
Instructors:
Ian Andrus
Manoomin, Zizani aquatica, wild rice… the symbolic grain of the North. Wild rice has been a significant food source for the people who have inhabited the Great Lakes region for centuries and who have harvested this annual grain generation after generation. In this course, you will paddle to a historic…
Fri, Sep 7th, 2018 – Sun, Sep 9th, 2018
Instructor:
Ian Andrus
4 Days
Yurt Building: Design and Construction
Instructors:
Ian Andrus
Whether you’re looking for a spare bedroom, office, studio, tent, sauna, summer cabin, or just looking to reduce your footprint, the yurt may be the answer. Yurts are ancient, portable shelters and one of the classic inventions of human history: simple, efficient, easy to heat, sturdy, and beautiful inside and…
Thu, Nov 1st, 2018 – Sun, Nov 4th, 2018
Instructor:
Ian Andrus