You'll learn the basics of making a bowl from fresh (green) wood during this single session, four hour, in person class. We will learn how to operate the wood lathe safely, explore form, and turn wood. Class will cover all steps to make a simple bowl and you will leave with our own bowl and a finishing kit to take home.
The materials fee for this class is $30 and is included in the admission cost.
*** We do require masking indoors, whatever your vaccination status***
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Taught by Laurie McGinley
The materials fee for this class is $20 and is included in the admission cost.
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Taught by Alo Osberg
Learn how to keep your tools sharp!
Tool sharpening is an important part of any woodcraft practice. A sharp tool is a safe tool and makes for cuts that are easier on our bodies and can produce a finish-ready surface. In this class we will provide a foundation of what sharp is and how sharpening works via the three stages of grinding, honing and polishing. Several types of sharpening media will be discussed and students will leave with their own consumable (abrasive paper) sharpening kits. Instructors Jeanette and Andrew will demonstrate a few different sharpening techniques and students will have plenty of time to practice sharpening their own tools. At the end of class students will have the knowledge to continue their own tool maintenance.
Students are required to bring two tools to sharpen: one sloyd or similar straight carving knife and one of the following: hook (spoon) knife, gouge, chisel, plane blade, spokeshave blade, drawknife or carving axe. Students may bring in a couple extra tools, just know that there might not be time to attend to more than 2 tools. No saws, serrated blades, scrapers, scissors or lathe tools please!
The materials fee for this class is $15 and is included in the admission cost.
This class is taught by Jeanette Torkelson and Andrew Austin-Petersen.
Open shop is a time for you to bring in any projects or crafts you are working on and have access to the tools and the space. While we will have an instructor on staff to help open shop run smoothly and make sure tools are being used safely, this is a self-directed work time NOT class time. Open shop is capped at 8 participants and needs 6 participants to run.
Registrants of open shop MUST have taken power tools 101 or be comfortable and experienced using power tools. Every attendee of open shop must register. Please no guests without registration!
Please email fireweedwoodshop@gmail.com if you have any questions about open shop or what tools are available to use.
*** We do require masking indoors, whatever your vaccination status*** _________________________________
Facilitated by Bozena.
Join herbalist Emily Pearson Ryan and printmaking instructor Jessie Merriam to learn about the lore and uses of yarrow, and carve a 4x6 woodblock of your own. A template will be provided for the block, so this class is beginner friendly.
Taught by Jessie Merriam (@wheelbugs) and Emily Pearson Ryan
Calling all bakers, chefs and hobbyists! Novices and pros alike!
Learn the basics of spindle turning in this fun, beginner-friendly course. Class will introduce the anatomy of the lathe and students will learn the techniques to turn a maple or walnut French rolling pin. Course will also cover sanding and food-safe finishes.
The materials fee for this course is $20 and is included in the admissions cost.
Taught by Tiff Tran
Fireweed woodcarving instructors Jeanette and Ema are back to host another craft hang at Fireweed Woodshop!
Come by any time between 6-8:30pm ! Registration encouraged but not required!
Bring your own hand-carving project to the shop for some company, community, and sharing tips and tricks. This is NOT A CLASS, just a hangout.
This is a FREE event, open to all. If you like/are able to contribute to the park and our physical space , we have some different donation levels at registration, or you can choose "FREE!" registration. Thank you! We will also be accepting cash donations!
What to bring:
-your project (all handcrafts welcome!) - tools (we will have some printmaking supplies and spoon blanks for sale)
Learn how to carve a spoon from a fresh cut tree using traditional Nordic carving techniques. We cover tree anatomy, knife holds for the hook & sloyd knife, drying, and finishing. This class is great for the beginner or the person wanting to learn Sloyd style carving.
Please wear pants and close-toed shoes as we are going to make some wood chips!
---------------------- Taught by Vanessa Walton
Get confident with an axe through this all day axe-extravaganze. Morning will focus on ergonomics and practice cuts. The afternoon will be spent axeing out blanks for a spreader, spatula, or spoon. We will only work with the axe so do not plan on completing a finished project. Please note we will be standing all day so wear comfortable shoes and bring water. There will be a 1/2 hr lunch break.
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Taught by Katie Speckman
Come learn how to turn your own bowl on the lathe! We will start with a freshly cut bowl blank and take it all the way to its finished shape. You will be learning parts of the lathe, how to mount your blank, and how to use bowl gouges, scrapers, and different chuck attachments. We will also cover how you will later on dry, sand, and finish the bowl. In this 4 hour class we will go at a pace at which everyone is comfortable, leaving plenty of room for demonstration, questions, and hands-on time.
Taught by Abbey Dickhudt
Popular in 1600 and 2022, this ancient chair style is still a darling of the contemporary furniture field. Starting from a green log students will learn to split, soak, and shape their way to a finished piece of furniture. In this class we will cover the essential techniques required to build a classic Windsor side chair – we will also cover a variety of approaches to furniture design including maquettes, drafting and creating original patterns. The instructor will share plans and techniques for building a small kiln, steam box, bending forms, and a shavehorse so that students return home empowered to design and build their own chairs. Whether you are new to woodworking or an experienced maker, Windsor chair making will deepen your appreciation for the strength and versatility of wood and the power of hand tools.
The materials cost of this class is $140 and is included in the admission cost.
The Chairmakers Toolbox is offering full scholarships for 2 seats in this class. Apply here.
Taught by Aspen Golann and Wu Hanyen
It can be hard to find just the right picture frame--especially for one-of-a-kind art--and custom frames are expensive. Solve that problem by learning how to build your own! We'll use the table saw, chop saw, and drill to construct basic frames out of poplar. Students should come to class with dimensions of the piece they want to frame, and we'll take it from there!
The materials fee for this class is $15 and is included in the class admission cost.
Taught by Kate Schiffler
Learn how to carve a spoon from a fresh cut tree using traditional Nordic carving techniques. We cover tree anatomy, axing out a blank (roughed out spoon shape), knife holds for the hook & sloyd knife, drying, and finishing. This class is great for the beginner or the person wanting to learn Sloyd style carving. The class fee includes tool rental, materials, a finishing kit, and safety gloves. Please wear pants and close toed-shoes, as we are going to make some wood chips!
This class is taught by Katie Speckman.
Do you ever wonder where to put clothes you’ve worn that aren’t ready for the wash? Create an artistic chair to keep your clothes off the floor on their way to the laundry room. We will use found branches (provided by the instructor unless you have some to share!) and milled lumber to express our imagination during the Year of the Chair. Use the table saw, band saw, and drills to assemble a chair according to your own pattern and what the wood invites you to do.
The materials fee for this class is $55 and is included in the admission costs.
Taught by EB.
For students who have completed Woodblock 101 or have equivalent experience (email jessiemerriam@gmail.com if unsure)
In this two-session class you will learn to design and carve a two color or simple three color print using 2 or 3 woodblocks (4x6” each). Learn principles of design, transfer, registration, and color mixing and layering.
The final prints will be on different printmaking papers, with layered images.
Students will design a simple image in advance of class and email it to the instructor for feedback (you will receive a reminder!).
The two sessions will involve finessing design, identifying color separation, transferring design, carving one block to exactly transfer the design to the second block, carving the second block, choosing and mixing colors, and printing both layers.
Materials cost for this class is $30 and is included in the admission cost.
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Taught by Jessie Merriam (@wheelbugs)
Learn to make a long handle Full Sweep broom. This class will have a portion of work you will complete at home. In class, we will attach the wet broomcorn to the wooden handle and build the shape of the broom. You will be shown how to stitch the broom. Once your broomcorn has dried you will stitch your broom at home using the clamp and needle provided. Participants should have moderate hand, leg and foot strength.
Please wear closed toed shoes.
The materials fee for this class is $53 and is included in the admission cost.
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This class is taught by Tina Green Krause
***This class is for students have previous broom making experience***
Learn to make two functional and beautiful Rooster Tail brooms with wrapped handles. This 3.5 hour class. Leave feeling confident and inspired to keep exploring the world of broom making.
***This class is intended BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students***
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