• Principles of Herbal Medicine

    Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States

    The use of plants for wellness, nutrition and balance has been practiced for thousands of years in the Adirondacks and cultures around the globe. Join Margo for an exploration of Basic Principles of Herbal Medicine through the lens of intimately getting to know 6 easy to identify plants from our local region who may be growing right under your own feet! (And in your own garden!)
    In this class you will have an opportunity to gain intimate knowledge of plants and traditional methods of working with them, while building your wild skill set in identification and transforming raw (plant) material into beneficial preparations through hands-on experiences. Your work in the classroom will continue at home. In each class you will receive a rooted specimen of the plant we work with, along with the earthwork of establishing your own medicinal herb garden.
    This class is recommended for those who are: curious, herbalists, gardeners and/or plant lovers, ages 13 and up, beginner or experienced.

  • Traditional Soap Making

    Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States

    Create soap just like Grandma, but better! Join Chrissey for an enjoyable Sunday afternoon as you learn how to make soap that not only smells good but is all-natural and feels great on your skin. This fun class will teach you how to create soap using the cold-process and natural/organic ingredients. You will learn all about the basic process, oils, and the difference between fragrances and essential oils. You will create soap from a recipe while learning how to handle lye safely. Finally, you'll take home your hand-made soap. So, say good-bye to store-bought soap and start using soap you made yourself!

  • Rugs from Rags

    Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States

    No weaving experience is necessary! The looms are dressed and ready to go, all you need to do is bring your creative spirit and to leave with a finished one-of-a-kind rug. Students will have a choice of making a traditional Rag Rug using recycled fabric strips or making a Sock Rug using remnants from a sock factory. Colors and choices of fabric and remnants vary from class to class depending on availability. The rugs are 24" wide, and up to 45" long.

  • Introduction to Bladesmithing

    Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States

    This class is taught by renowned instructor and the very first winner of History Channel's Forged in Fire, Matthew Parkinson. Students can expect to forge and finish one 4-6" blade antler handled hunting knife, using a gas forge. Topics covered will be working with high carbon steels, knife design, forging a blade to shape, grinding, finishing, heat treating, fitting a guard and attaching a handle. This class is intended as an introductory bladesmithing class, but some forging experience is helpful. Also covered will be the design, construction and finishing of a leather belt sheath. Students will learn how to make a pattern for the individual knife. Then they will cut out, mold, stitch, dye and finish a leather sheath. Special attention will be given to the design of the sheath for good retention of the knife as well as holding up over time.

  • Adirondack Berry Picking and Gathering Basket

    Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States

    This basket is a variation on an Adirondack Pack Basket, one of the oldest surviving traditions inside the Adirondack Park. You will use a continuous weave technique and hand shaping to create this wonderfully useful basket. Bridle leather will be used to weave the strapping and create a strap that will leave your hands free for blueberry picking or any other type of gathering. It also makes a great container to keep your yarn when knitting socks. The approximate finished size is 10" - 12" tall (width may vary). This is a challenging class with lots of hand shaping.

  • Make a Sapling Bow and Arrow

    Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States

    Learn the ancient craft of creating a sapling bow and arrow with sinew, feathers and flaked stone points. Saplings, dogwood arrow shafts, imitation sinew and feathers will be provided. Children can come enjoy a few hours on a summer day learning about our Native American ancestors. This is also a perfect class for your family to experience together, or for a scout troop.

  • Live Edge Bowl

    Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States

    Come create a simple turned bowl that still looks and feels rustic due to its live edge. This course is targeted to those who have an interest in learning how to turn. The emphasis will be on learning how to use a lathe and tools safely and correctly. In this class, you will learn the basics of creating spindle-based objects and then work at turning your bowl. Leave the class with a lovely treasure that captures the "wild" feel of the Adirondacks!

  • Introduction to Bladesmithing

    Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States

    This class is taught by renowned instructor and the very first winner of History Channel's Forged in Fire, Matthew Parkinson. Students can expect to forge and finish one 4-6" blade antler handled hunting knife, using a gas forge. Topics covered will be working with high carbon steels, knife design, forging a blade to shape, grinding, finishing, heat treating, fitting a guard and attaching a handle. This class is intended as an introductory bladesmithing class, but some forging experience is helpful. Also covered will be the design, construction and finishing of a leather belt sheath. Students will learn how to make a pattern for the individual knife. Then they will cut out, mold, stitch, dye and finish a leather sheath. Special attention will be given to the design of the sheath for good retention of the knife as well as holding up over time.

  • Adirondack Berry Picking and Gathering Basket

    Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States

    This basket is a variation on an Adirondack Pack Basket, one of the oldest surviving traditions inside the Adirondack Park. You will use a continuous weave technique and hand shaping to create this wonderfully useful basket. Bridle leather will be used to weave the strapping and create a strap that will leave your hands free for blueberry picking or any other type of gathering. It also makes a great container to keep your yarn when knitting socks. The approximate finished size is 10" - 12" tall (width may vary). This is a challenging class with lots of hand shaping.

  • Eco Print Silk Scarf

    Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States

    Join Marjolaine in a 1-day class to create an eco print silk scarf. During this workshop you will explore the technique of eco printing, a method of transferring the pigment within leaves and other plant matter to silk fabric via steaming or boiling. It is a technique for printing on fabric with the natural dye color present in plants.

  • Forging Small Garden Tools

    Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States

    Learn to forge a garden trowel, fork and rack from carbon steel. Eliminate the hassle of cheap garden supply tools that often bend and break. You'll learn some basic forging techniques while making quality tools and have the satisfaction of using tools you've made yourself.

  • Forging Small Garden Tools

    Adirondack Folk School 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne, NY, United States

    Learn to forge a garden trowel, fork and rack from carbon steel. Eliminate the hassle of cheap garden supply tools that often bend and break. You'll learn some basic forging techniques while making quality tools and have the satisfaction of using tools you've made yourself.