Do you have a child that enjoys getting their hands dirty? Imagine your child getting to play with clay while learning the foundation of hand-building. In this mixed level afterschool courses, students 5-8 years old, learn about making slabs, hand coiling, pinching, texturing, and glazing. Each session begins with a project that children then customize into a unique, whimsical and colorful memory to bring home at the end of the season. Students will have the opportunity to make a variety of projects such as mugs, animals, ugly jugs, flower planters, syrup pitchers, gnome homes and more.

In this gentle 6 week class you will be introduced to the basics of bookmaking, including the materials and tools, sewing pages, and creating hardcovers with your choice of fabric and elastic closure. By the end of the month you will leave with a set of three beautiful, handmade books.

This will be a fun, engaging and hands-on opportunity to learn the wonderful art and craft of rug hooking.

Students will learn to hook various shapes and how to prepare the wool and yarn fiber. Different finishing techniques and design considerations will also be covered.

Sample kits ($25 fee) will be provided and are included in the cost of the class. They include an 8” x 8” design and all materials. Frames and hooks will be available for use and loan between classes.

This workshop, specifically for women and nonbinary folx offers participants the opportunity to start exploring our historic woodshop while learning how to make a beautiful handmade marquetry piece. Shelby will teach individuals how to create a mitered box.

This course is appropriate for brand new beginners as well as those with some skill who might like to try out our space.

We think this would make a fabulous friends night out...and you’d both leave with a one of a kind project!

Enameling is the process of fusing powdered glass to metal. Usually, a large kiln heated to at least 1500 degrees is used to achieve the bond. However, it is possible to use a torch-firing technique to achieve the same result — which students will learn in this class. First, we will design and saw a copper pendant, then apply several layers of enamel on both sides of the pendant to add color. The result is a smooth, shiny, colored surface. Students can also create asatin, matte, or textured finish using a variety of techniques and tools. The pendant can be wornusing cotton cord.

Shaker furniture focuses on the beauty of wood and traditional joinery. Join Shelburne CraftSchool Teacher, Mike Scully to build your own modern wall-hung shaker cabinet. Students will learn safe milling techniques, mitered Maple case construction, frame in panel Cherry doors and the French cleat hanging method. Each student will leave with a completed cabinet.

The Further Explorations course is an opportunity to expand your skills and try something new with an experienced mentor to guide you through any tricky spots. Try a new structure, a new fiber, or finer yarns. Or explore the design possibilities of an 8-shaft loom. And enjoy the camaraderie of fellow fiber enthusiasts as you weave. This course is designed to meet you where you are on your weaving journey and to expand your ability to more effortlessly achieve the results you want.

This is a project oriented course, with each student selecting their own project to weave. The instructor is available to consult on project selection at any point in your decision process. Please feel free to reach out to fiber@shelburnecraftschool.org to be put in touch with your instructor.

The course is primarily hands-on with each student warping and weaving their own individual project. The instructor will be available for one-on-one assistance and will offer tips for greater ease and efficiency of weaving. In addition, weekly instructor presentations will focus on gaining a greater understanding of weave structures and their possibilities.

This spring, the weekly presentations will focus on understanding lace weaves. Lace weaves bend the rectilinear grid of weaving and the results can be either airy or textural. We will look at two common lace weave structures: Huck and Atwater-Bronson. We will also consider the influence of materials and color on lace weave projects. Projects that relate to the lace weave theme are encouraged, but not required. In addition to Huck (huck spot, huck lace, huck-a-back) and Atwater-Bronson (spot or lace), possibilities include canvas weave (a form of huck with doubled threads) and Swedish lace. Lace weaves make lovely scarves, shawls, table linens, baby blankets, and curtains. If you would like to see some specific project examples for inspiration, please contact fiber@shelburnecraftschool.org.

In addition to class times, students are encouraged to attend one or more of the Open Studios offered throughout the week in order to have plenty of weaving time. Please see the bottom of this description for the Open Studio schedule. If you are interested in a wider or 8-shaft loom, early registration is encouraged to ensure your choice of loom.

Note that there is no gap week in the schedule this spring for warp winding. Please plan to consult with the instructor about your project plans, acquire your yarns, and wind your warp before the first class.

Pre-requisites:

Next Steps course or the equivalent experience. Students should be familiar with the steps of warping a loom and able to weave following a draft.

Materials:

Students will supply their own yarns. If you would like to buy yarn from the studio, please write to fiber@shelburnecraftschool.org. The studio has a wide range of yarns available for purchase at reasonable prices.

NOTE: no class May 7

Come spend the spring solstice celebrating this time of renewal, new life, and the coming of the days of longer light and warmer air! Bunnies and chicks will be the focus of this felting class, ever the symbols of spring!

No experience in felting necessary!