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.
*** We do require masking indoors, whatever your vaccination status***
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Taught by Tiff Tran
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!
The materials fee for this class is $20 and is included in the admission cost.
*** We do require masking indoors, whatever your vaccination status*** __________________________
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.
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This class is taught by Jeanette Torkelson and Andrew Austin-Petersen.
Straw ornaments have a rich holiday history in German and Scandinavian countries. These little treasures can adorn trees, mantles, gift wrap or mobiles. In this festive 3 hour class we will learn 3 styles of wheat straw ornaments and leave with the basic knowledge to create a variety of ornament designs at home. Individuals will take home the cork working surface and a box of wheat straws.
Considerations: Hand, finger dexterity to tie tight, tiny knots.
Please wear closed toed shoes.
The materials fee for this class is $16 and is included in the admission cost.
** We do require masking indoors, whatever your vaccination status***
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 Julie Arnold.
Elderberry is a powerful ally for cold and flu and Covid season, and an easy herb to love to take! In this class, herbalist Emily Pearson Ryan will introduce students to the many uses of Elder-berry (and blossom!) - most famously the plant's immune-boosting power. Then we will craft a delicious warming syrup together.
Students will take home one 8-ounce (or two 4-ounce) bottles of fresh syrup and recipes to make more.
The materials fee for this class is $20 and is included in the admission cost
Taught by Emily Pearson Ryan
Learn how to transform rough lumber into finished sizes while making a mitered box. This class will cover how to use the tools to create parallel edges and perpendicular corners before building the box. Through box-making, we will learn how to make several forms of joinery including miters, splines, and dados. The box will have a paneled top and bottom, so students will learn how to laminate veneer to a plywood core as well. This class is open to students of all levels of ability, and I will make accommodations for anyone with a disability.
The materials fee for this class is $25 and is included in the admission cost
Taught by Aria Kampfer
Make a handmade toy for your little one or a little one in your life! You can design your own or use one of the patterns available. This class will teach a few basic woodworking skills, and you will leave with a finished toy. You will be using a bandsaw, drill press, belt sander, laminate router (optional), hammer, and sandpaper.
--------------------------------------------Class taught by Kate Shiffler (@bbfurnituremn)
An Open House and Pop Up Market featuring goods made by instructors, students, and friends of Fireweed. More details coming soon!
Spoon nerds come together to investigate eating spoons and their best qualities! Over the course of 3 sessions, we will each design an eating spoon of our own, learn axework techniques, practice carving with straight and hook knives, and learn about the fundementals of sharpening edged tools. This class is intended for folks who have carved spoons before, but who want to take a deeper dive into the process of crafting a wooden eating spoon that they want to use all the time. Folks should bring one or two spoons of any material to investigate. Students are welcome to bring any personal tools they enjoy carving with, but they do not have to, the shop has carving knives available to use during class.
--------------------------------------------This class is taught by Mo.
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.
The materials fee for this class is $30 and is included in the admission cost.
Taught by Abbey Dickhudt
This craft hang is gathering in the hand tools classroom at Fireweed Woodshop.
6:30-8:30pm Registration is free or give what you can without pressure!
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. Masking indoors is encouraged, not required at this event.
This is a FREE event, open to all. If you like/are able to contribute, we have some different donation levels at registration, or you can choose "FREE!" registration. Thank you!
What to bring:
-your project (all handcrafts welcome!) - your carving tools (we will have some spoon blanks for sale)
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 Julie Arnold
Learn the basics of Western-style woodblock carving and printing and make unique prints and cards to share!
Students will design a 4x6 image in advance, learn to transfer this design, and have individualized instruction on best carving and printing methods. We will use powergrip woodblock hand carving tools, and print using the pressure of barrens and spoons (some hand strength required--instructor can assist).
This class is beginner-friendly. If you have experience with relief printmaking and are quick with carving, you can carve an additional design on the back of your block, or print more prints with different colors. Paper will be provided but if you are interested in printing on other paper you have, feel free to bring more. Black ink will be available, in addition to two other colors depending on group interest. Rainbow rolls will be demonstrated. You can apply these skills to carving other kinds of wooden objects (like ornaments!) and versatile linoleum stamps (to make wrapping paper, for example).
Email jessiemerriam@gmail.com with any questions. Registered students will receive composition recommendations in advance of the class, and resources for continuing this DIY printmaking practice at home. If you would like to purchase a kit to continue printing your block at home, some kits will be available for purchase in class. Email jessiemerriam@gmail.com by November 24 to reserve one ($35 for brayer and one tube of ink, and tips sheet).
Materials cost for this class is $22 and is included in the admission cost. Materials include ink, printmaking quality paper and cards, newsprint for proofs, shina plywood block, pencil, power grip carving tool rental and brayer tool rental.
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Taught by Jessie Merriam (@wheelbugs)
Learn the ins and outs of bowl turning. Turn a greenwood (fresh cut) bowl on the electric lathe. Learn lathe anatomy, bowl blank prep, turning with a bowl gouge and parting tool, drying, and finishing.
The class runs 5 hours total. Please avoid dangly clothing and wear close toed shoes. Leave with your very own bowl!
The materials fee for this class is $35 and is included in the admission cost.
Taught by Jess Hirsch
This class is taught by Katie Speckman.
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, mitre saw, and v-nailer to construct basic frames out of oak, maple, or cherry. Students should come to class with dimensions of the piece they want to frame, and we'll take it from there!
Using common woods we will make a frame and create tone bars with different musical pitches. When we’re done, we can practice playing together.
No woodworking experience required to enjoy this class. Over the course of 3 sessions you will use the table saw, chop saw, sander, drill press, band saw, and various hand tools to shape your pieces and create the instrument.
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This class is taught by EB .
Learn how to use the lathe while making a lovely candlestick holder. We will cover the basic cuts of spindle turning: bead, cove, v-cut, and flat. Learn how to drill on the lathe to make a hole for your candle. This is a beginner-friendly class!
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Learn to make functional and beautiful whisk brooms. In this 5 hour introduction class you will learn techniques to make a strong and sturdy hand broom. We will also learn to process stalks, plait handles and stitch the broom flat. Leave feeling confident and inspired to explore the world of broom making.
The materials fee for this class is $12.50 and is included in the admission cost.
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Facilitated by Aria Kampfer.
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