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.
| May 29-30 | Toms River, NJ | $185 | ›› Sorry, this workshop is now full ‹‹ |
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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.
| February 12 | Toms River, NJ | $85 | ››This date has passed‹‹ |
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| August 16 | Toms River, NJ | $85 | Register Now! |
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. But if your handy Swiss Army set went missing, would you know how to make an easy replacement pair? 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.
| January 17 | Toms River, NJ | $85 | ››The dates for this workshop have passed, but we'll let you know next time it's offered ‹‹ |
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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, beds and countless other itemss!) Over the two days of this workshop you will learn how to make mats, shelters, water filters, flour, chairs and clothing — 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 & Bark-work
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, and create bark baskets and containers from birch and cedar. 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.
›› This workshop is not currently on the schedule, but we'll let you know the next time it's offered.‹‹
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.‹‹
NEW! 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, and you will learn how to find, harvest process and store pitch, how to render down birch tar (our new favorite glue!), how to make 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".
| February 13 | Toms River, NJ | $85 | ››The dates for this workshop have passed, but we'll let you know next time it's offered ‹‹ |
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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!
›› This workshop is not currently on the schedule, but we'll let you know the next time it's offered.‹‹
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.
›› For information on current Braintanning classes, please check out the schedule from our friends at Two Wolves. ‹‹
Using the Whole Animal
In conjunction with Two Wolves Braintanning, we have added this special "Using
the Whole Animal" workshop to our November schedule.
This is a six day, totally hands-on workshop that will go through the full process
of how to use an entire animal, including butchering, braintanning, drying meat,
sausage, jerky, 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.
This workshop will be STRICTLY LIMITED in number of people, so if you want to
take this one be sure to get signed up ASAP!
›› This workshop is not currently on the schedule, but we'll let you know the next time it's offered.‹‹