Primitive & Traditional Living
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Baskets, 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 class 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. We will make primitive-fired Earthenware, produce coal-burned bowls and utensiles, create bark containers, and construct several styles of baskets from a variety of materials. This often overlooked survival skill will give you a better understanding and appreciation for the skills and ingenuity of yesterday.
›› This class is not currently on the schedule, but we'll let you know the next time it's offered. ‹‹
Baskets 1: Melon Baskets & Twinned Baskets
The Melon Basket is one of the most versatile baskets patterns, and one of the fastest and easiest to make in a wilderness situation. Many of the most beautiful baskets seen in museum exhibits througout the world are Twinned Baskets, which can be made from materials found in any ecosystem. In this class you will make simple versions of both these baskets, and see examples of several different variations on the basic pattern that you can learn to incorporate into your own designs, and by applying the techniques learned you will be able to make a variety of different baskets, bags and other containers. You will never look at Pottery Barn the same way again!
| March 14 | Toms River, NJ | $75 | The date for this class has passed, but we'll let you know the next time it's offered. |
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Baskets 2: Woven Baskets & Coil Baskets
Both Woven and Coil baskets can turn the most basic of natural materials into beautiful and functional pieces of artistic craftsmanship. You will learn several different stiches that will allow you to customize the design of your Coil basket, and discover how varying your materials can completely alter the look of your Woven basket. Whether you are looking for functional baskets or an artistic outlet, learning the basics of these two basket styles will allow you create virtually any type of container you may need.
NOTE: Baskets 1 is NOT a prerequisite for this course!
| March 15 | Toms River, NJ | $75 | The date for this class has passed, but we'll let you know the next time it's offered. |
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Baskets 3: Pack Baskets & Gathering Baskets and the Basket Quiver
Learn to make your own traditional woven Pack Basket -- an extremely functional and beautiful alternative to the modern backpack or satchel. You may also choose to make a Gathering Basket (perfect for collecting edible plants, acorns, or other raw materials), or a Woodland-style Basket Quiver. Lightweight, comfortable and highly durable, these basket styles have been around for centuries and antique examples can be found in museums throughout the United States. No matter which design you choose, the basket you take home will make you the envy of family, friends, and passers-by!
All basket materials and tools are provided.
| March 16 | Toms River, NJ | $95 | The date for this class has passed, but we'll let you know the next time it's offered. |
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| June 9 | Clifton, TX | $115 | Register Now! |
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Boats & Rafts
In this workshop we will construct a simple boat using modern materials that are easy to find in any environment (or Home Depot). We'll also cover several different styles of primitive boats that originated in all different parts of the world, one of which we will build on day two.
›› This class is not currently on the schedule, but we'll let you know the next time it's offered. ‹‹
Natural Dyes
The art of producing and using natural materials to produce naturally dyed fibers will be explored in this class. We will harvest and collect a variety of materials suitable for making dyes and use them to produce several different dyes of various colors.
›› This class is not currently on the schedule, but we'll let you know the next time it's offered. ‹‹
Primitive Lighting
We will have a great day of fun making a variety primitive lamps, torches, and candles. You'll discover what materials are best used as oils and for wicks, as well as which are the longest-lasting, produce the brightest flames, the least smoke, and how to keep the bugs away!
| January 13 | Toms River, NJ | $65 | The date for this class has passed, but we'll let you know the next time it's offered. |
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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.
| February 16–17 | Toms River, NJ | $175 | The date for this class has passed, but we'll let you know the next time it's offered. |
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| May 11–12 | Toms River, NJ | $175 | Register Now! |
| June 2 | Pope Valley, CA | $95 | Register Now! |
Soap Making
With all of the additives, chemicals and allergies that plague our world today, natural soaps have begun popping up in more and more mainstream stores. But why pay a premium to have a soap that contains ingredients that you can actually pronounce when you can make your own? In this one-day session you will participate in making a batch of cold-process soap, using all-natural, vegetable materials. You will also learn how to incorporate essential oils and natural botanicals that will allow you to personalize your soaps, based on your own preferences or allergies. In addition, you will be introduced to the hot-process method of soap making, and ways of making primitive soap in primitive conditions.
| February 24 | Toms River, NJ | $75 | The date for this class has passed, but we'll let you know the next time it's offered. |
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