Traditional Crafts
Descriptions for 2025

8-hour class
Ready for an adventure? In this course, we will weave a 21” pack basket. This is our largest basket. This basket will be made with premium reed and will have either an ash or oak handle. All baskets will have a base, feet and pack straps of various colors. We will also have various color reeds available to give your basket a little color. We will go through step-by step instructions to ensure that all students finish their basket. This class is for any basket ability even a beginner. Join us to make this beautiful pack basket and learn a skill for life!

8-hour class
In this course, we will weave a 17” tall basket with premium reed. We will go over the history of pack baskets and what materials have been used. The instructor will go through the process of making the basket step-by-step ensuring all will walk away with a finished basket. The baskets will have a base and feet along with pack straps. We will bring a variety of color straps and even color reeds to add a little color to your basket.

8-hour class
In this course, we will weave a 15-17” tall basket with Ash. We will go over the history of pack baskets and what materials have been used. Student will have the opportunity to pound an ash log. All ash has been prepared for the class ahead of time.
The instructor will go through the process of making the basket step-by-step ensuring all will walk away with a finished basket. The baskets will have wooden base, feet and handle along with pack straps. There will be a variety of color straps to choose from.

5-hour Class
In this course, we will weave a 10-12” tall basket with premium reed. We will go over the history of pack baskets and what materials have been used. The instructor will go through the process of making the basket step-by-step ensuring all will walk away with a finished basket. The baskets will have a base and feet along with pack straps. We will bring a variety of color straps and even color reeds to add a little color to your basket.

8-hour class
Interesting in gathering your vegetables or apples in a basket this year? A basket that you made! Everyone is welcome to join this class. If you have never weaved before I will be doing step by step directions. You will walk away with a finished basket.

This basket will be a square - round basket that have leather bushed basket handles. The material is flat and half round quality reed. We will also add color reed in the basket if desired from blue, purple, red, green, and brown. Finished size is approximately: Base- 15" Top 21" Round Height 10"

8-hour class
Here is a basket that you can take to the market to grab your fresh produce and bakery items. Everyone is welcome to join this class. If you have never weaved before I will be doing step by step directions. You will walk away with a finished basket.

This basket will have two straps that can be worn on the shoulder or carried. Multiple color options on strap. The material of the basket is flat and half round quality reed. We will also add color reed in the basket if desired from blue, purple, red, green, and brown.

8-hour class
You don’t have to put fish in this beautiful basket, perfect for picnics, vegetable gathering, or collecting all sorts of fun things while foraging in the woods! Size is approximately 13"W x 8"H x 8"D the lids are cut to fit in the class and added on with a cut piece of a piano hinge.

5-hour class
If you are hiking in the forest or wandering in your garden, this will be a nice basket for fiddleheads, mushrooms, or herbs. Size is approximately 4” Width x 8" Height x 10" Length.

In this course, we will weave a small pack basket the size that would fit a gray squirrel with reed around 5” tall. We will go over the history of pack baskets and what materials have been used.

The instructor will go through the process of making the basket step-by-step ensuring all will walk away with a finished basket.

4-hour class or 8-hour class
(Fall Class only)
Wild basketry is an ancient craft that involves weaving natural materials, such as grasses, leaves, wood, vines, and tree bark, into functional and decorative containers. In class, we will review how to collect, process, and create baskets with local sourced plants. Some of the material that we may use in the class are as follow cattail, pine needle, birch bark, ash, pine bark, willow, grasses, red osier dogwood, and grapevine.

This will be an interactive and hands-on class, there will be a presentation and basket demos. Students will be given an opportunity to work with some of the material and create a basket. A PDF will be shared with information on the materials and patterns. During the 8-hour class, students will be able to get more involved with the process and can weave a larger basket or create a couple of smaller baskets. Learn a skill for life and become a wild basket maker.

3-hour class
Make a gourd basket. Perfect for a gift or to keep for yourself. Gourds will be pre-cut. Students will need to clean gourds, sand, and drill holes. Then we will sew white pine needles to the rim. We will be able to pick from a number of stains to finish the gourds. Gourds are around 4-5” in diameter. During this class, we will also go over the basics of making pine needle baskets. This is another great class to learn a skill for life.

Pine needle basket weaving is an ancient art that has been practiced by various cultures around the world. In this class, we will learn some of the history of pine baskets, learn about the type of pine trees that produce the best needles, and then learn how to craft a small basket using needles and a few other tools and materials.

Students will gain the basic understanding of making a pine needle basket and be able to continue the practice at home. These unique baskets can be used for decoration or for practical purposes such as a foraging basket.

The Thirsty Gourd Workship we will create a water bottle and a cup from a bottle gourd. In the class we will learn a little of the cultivating of these gourds, harvesting, processing and then creating these into wonderful work of useable art. Students will have time to personalize their creations with paint designs or experiment with woodburning. A wide variety of stencils will be readily available, allowing students to add an extra touch of artistry to their cups and bottles.

In this exciting and hands-on class, students will have the unique opportunity to unleash their creativity by carving their very own wooden spoon and crafting a beautiful gourd bowl. As the class comes to a close, we will gather together to savor a delicious group meal, where we will proudly enjoy hearty soups and crusty bread. The best part is that this meal is on me, a delightful way to celebrate our accomplishments in this class!

4-hour class
(Seasonal - April-November)
Learn how to make your own birch bark basket. We will head into the woods to identify trees, learn how to collect the bark from down trees, how to process the bark, and finally how to make a basket.

3-hour class
Spoon carving is a wonderful craft that allows you to create functional and beautiful wooden spoons using traditional hand tools. These spoons will be the size of a serving spoon with a handle of 6”-8”.

4-hour class
Learn how to design and carve your own fishing handline. Each student will get materials to make up to two handlines, though only one may be completed during the class. Supplies include wood, line, hooks, and weights, We will go over everything from how to use your handline and cast it properly.

Kuksa is a type of drinking cup, traditionally crafted by the Sami people of northern Scandinavia. the perfect but for tea or coffee and a perfect gift for you or a loved one.

In class, we will use either basswood or birch woods for the cup. We will also carve wooden spoons. We will have many various woods to choose and whittle.

Crafting a wooden kuksa cup is designed for both beginners and skilled carvers alike. We will go through the various tools and carving techniques needed to make this cup and wooden spoon

5-hour class
This class is a basic introduction to brewing and fermentation. We will go over the ingredients and equipment used in the making of mead. Students will go through the process of making mead and making their own one-gallon batch. The class will go over the fermentation process and how to measure levels of sugar to determine the levels of alcohol. We will also review the process of sterilizing and bottling.

3-hour class
Get ready to sink your teeth in some tasty treats. This is a 3-hour course we will learn how to make soft cheese, yogurt, ice cream and maybe even my favorite candy – salted caramels. We will go over the tools and materials needed, ingredients, recipes, and the step-by-step process. Get ready to taste our lovely homemade treats.

4-hour class
Did you ever know all the amazing things can make from Dandelions. Join us in this class.to learn how to collect and process these amazing plants.
- Learn recipes with dandelion greens
- Use dandelion flowers to make jams, teas and wines.
- Go over the beneficial properties of dandelion roots.
We will taste, create and make some delicious dishes.

4-hour class
It's that time of the year when the sap comes up from the roots of a maple tree and starts to feed the tree new buds. This is when we tap the maples to gather the sap and boil it down to make maple syrup or other yummy, sweet products. Join me to learn the basics of maple syruping and how you could start making your own maple syruping in your own backyard!

Have you ever wanted to learn how to make delicious foods over a fire? This is the class for you. We will go over some favorite’s backcountry recipes. In this course, we will go over how to cook with a Dutch Oven, Pie Irons, using wood sticks, gill over the fire, and camp stoves. We will even bring out the Coleman oven and bake some cookies. We will have a feast of food so bring your appetite.

4-hour class
You may call it soda, pop, soda pop, or even coke. No matter what you call it, we will learn how to make our own root beer and Vanilla Cream Soda in the class. We will learn how to collect the roots of plants or where you can purchase the supplies.
We will also go over how to make your own kombucha and fun ways to flavor it.
Each student will walk away with a 1-gallon jar and kombucha mama or a half dozen bottles filled with soda. Each student will also build a wooden bottle holder which will include a bottle opener.

Another class that builds on the skills for life!

The Eastern White Pine is a magnificent tree not only is it beautiful but filled with so many incredible gifts. In this class, we will explore the many uses of this tree. We will make tea, oils, and even some hard candies from the needles. Learn how to harvest the inner bark and pinenuts for food and how to prepare it to eat raw, cooked or dried. Lastly, dive into the many uses of the bark and needles to be collected and processed to be used into functional baskets.

In any given situation our plans could change, and our trip needs to find an alternative route, activity, shelter, and substance. Even the best of Outdoor Professionals needs to rely on their wilderness and primitive skills. In this course, we will go over these four topics: shelter, water, fire and food. This course will be filled with hands-on activities and demonstrations.

Experiencing a wilderness meditation retreat is a unique way to be in the natural world. This retreat is designed to support each participant and help guide us to relax, feel at peace, and to allow us to listen to our own inner truth. During this retreat, we will give you various tools and skills to bring back to your daily practice.

You will receive guided instruction in the following areas during this wilderness meditation retreat: Awareness; Mindfulness approach; Meditations (guided, walking, sitting, paddling); Gentle stretching and yoga; Crafts such as beading and painting; Group dialogue and discussions aimed at enhancing awareness in everyday life; and Tools for healthier lifestyle.

3-hour class
In this class, we will learn how to make three homemade gifts from natural items. These are wonderful gifts to continue to make and perfect for the holidays!

Who loves Gnomes? In this class, we will make Giant Holiday Gnomes out of balsam, fir and white pine while using the framework of a tomato cage. To finish them off, we will add a nose and large holiday hat. These Gnomes will be about 3’ high and perfect for your holiday season.

We will also make smaller gnomes that can be a holiday decoration or used for a cork stopper in your holiday wine. They are very cute for that small holiday gift.

Finally, we will learn how to collect and process balsam for your own balsam fir bags/pillows. In most gift shops here in Maine we sell the fragrance of the wilderness. Another perfect gift for yourself or a loved one.

2-hour class
Tis the season!
In this class, we will learn how to make holiday wreaths. We will use balsam and also decorate it with other beautiful leaves from white pine and cedar. We will use a 12" ring to make this balsam wreath.

These supplies will be made avilable: Balsam tips, 12" ring, wire, 2.5" ribbon for a bow, and other natural denotations will be made available.