Primitive Skills
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Primitive Pottery
Unlike any other primitive pottery class we know of, this workshop will change what you know about firing pottery without a kiln. By combining his own years of experience with the techniques of master-potter and friend, Greg High, Eddie will show you how to create useful and beautiful fired clay objects in a fraction of the time most others will tell you is possible.
You will also learn where to find and how to harvest your own clay, as well as how to process and temper it, allowing you to turn soils with even the most marginal of clay content into fine, pure, usable clay.
PLEASE NOTE: The Toronto workshop begins at 7pm on Friday EVENING!
| May 25-27 | $195 | Register Now! |
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Making & Using Natural Cordage
Whether you call it cordage, rope, string or twine, it's all made from something, but "from what?" is not a question that many people think to ask. More often than not the strongest, the finest, and the most utilitarian types of cordage can be made from some inauspicious plant or grass that is growing right nearby. In this workshop you'll get out into the field and discover how to identify, harvest and process a variety of different cordage plants and materials. When it comes to making cordage we'll go much farther than just your basic reverse wrap. 3-ply cordage, thigh rolling, plaited loops, bowstrings and more will all be covered, along cordage options from animal parts such as sinew and rawhide. Lastly, we'll go over how cordage materials can be used as clothing and you'll make your own fiber sandal to take home. You'll never look at that roll of string the same way again!
›› CHECK
THIS OUT!
Student Comments: Read
what past students of this workshop have to say
Skill
of the Month: The June '08 issue of our monthly
newsletter featured one of our most unexpectedly popular Skill of
the Month features: The Plaited Loop.
Bone Working
Anyone who has spent time in the woods knows the value of a simple pair of tweezers,
whether for slivers or for ticks. Did you know you can make an
easy replacement pair out of bone? Bone has be used in many different ways
for many different tools. Learn how to make bone knives, arrow points, fish
hooks, awls, tweezers and much more. You will also learn which bones work best
for what tools, as well as how to sharpen and maintain those handy bone implements.
Bone need not be just functional, it can also be beautiful! In this workshop
you will also learn how to seal and treat your bone tools and implements,
and how to decorate them using the amazing art of Scrimshaw!
| June 1 | $85 | Register Now! |
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››NEW! Primitive Soap Making
We have fielded so many questions and dispelled so many misconceptions on this
topic that we decided it was time to run this workshop! Making "Primitive"
soap using lye made from wood ash and rendered fat is a much
misunderstood process. When made properly, this type of soap should be hard,
generate lather and clean just as well as "modern" or store-bought
soaps —
never ashy, greasy or soft!
In this workshop you will learn how to make your own lye using wood ash
in both the traditional and modern styles, how to bring it to the proper
concentration for making soap, how to properly render fat, and how to put
all your ingredients together to make a truly homemade product "just like
Grandma used to make"!
Each participant will take home their own bars of primitive soap to save,
use, or show off to family and friends.
Working with Grasses: The Undiscovered Resource
"Sedges have edges, Rushes are round, Grasses are hollow and grow all around."
One of the most under-used and least understood of resources, grasses are abundant,
easily renewable, and can be used for shelter, water, fire and food. (Not
to mention clothing, furniture, shoes, beds and countless other items!) Learn
how to make mats, shelters, water filters, flour, chairs, clothing and more — and
techniques to make it all much easier!
›› This workshop is not currently on the schedule, but we'll let you know the next time it's offered.‹‹
Burned Bowls, Spoons & Containers
Containers were an essential part of life for all indigenous peoples, just as
they are for us today. Without containers how would we harvest, store, carry
or cook? As well as being a functional part of life, decorative containers
have also been a traditional way of expressing creativity and personality.
This workshop will show you how to find, harvest and process natural materials
and produce finished products that you will be proud to display or use in your
own home. You'll learn the truth of "slower is faster" when
producing coal-burned bowls and utensiles. This often overlooked survival skill
will give you a better understanding and appreciation for the skills and ingenuity
of yesterday.
All basket materials and tools are provided.
Working with Rawhide
One of nature's wonder materials, rawhide is useful for a so many different purposes! You will turn rawhide into cordage, containers, par fleches, and many other useful items.
›› This workshop is not currently on the schedule, but we'll let you know the next time it's offered.‹‹
Natural Glues & Adhesives
Being able to stick things together became very important very quickly
to our ancestors. Where would the atlatl dart or the arrow have been without
the ability to properly haft a point onto the shaft and have it stay right
where you put it?!
This workshop will focus on all things sticky;
you will learn how to find, harvest process and store pitch, how to render
down birch tar (our new favorite adhesive!), how to make and use hide
glue, and more.
You'll also learn some suprising uses for these natural glues
and adhesives, and what types of things they can be used for "in a pinch".
Primitive Fishing
Never underestimate the value of fish in a survival situation! Take a day to learn the basics of a variety of fishing techniques, from the fish spear to primitive hooks and baits, from underwater traps to the collection and use of natural fish toxins. High in protein and essential fats, fish can be a tasty supplement to, or the solid basis of any wilderness diet — provided you know how to catch them!
| June 2 | $85 | Register Now! |
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Braintanning
We will be focusing on the Wet Scrape method of naturally tanning hides, and after three hard days of work you will leave with your very own piece of freshly completed braintan! We'll walk you through the entire process step-by-step, from fleshing to final smoking of the hide. As you'll see, the Wet Scrape method produces a finished product that is superior to traditional dry scrape (which will be briefly reviewed) in many ways, and far more luxurious than commercial, chemically tanned, buckskin.
›› This workshop is not currently on the schedule, but we'll let you know the next time it's offered.‹‹
Using the Whole Animal
The most intense and extensive workshop we offer, this totally hands-on
four days will take you through the full process of how to use an entire animal,
including butchering, braintanning, drying meat, making sausage, jerky and soap,
processing sinew, removing and using antlers and hooves, preparing and using
bones, preparing and using internal organs, and much more.
Materials and supplies
are included, and as always you can stay on-site for the duration of the workshop.