Our Classes and Workshops

We offer a variety of classes and workshops on topics such as blacksmithing, spinning, felting, soap making, and more. Classes are held here on our working farm, giving you the unique chance to learn traditional skills and techniques in an authentic farm setting.

Upcoming Classes

Blacksmithing (if you’re interested in being emailed when we post new classes, please subscribe to our Blacksmithing class newsletter.)

 

Soap Making (Our soap classes are finished for the year and will resume in spring 2020. if you’re interested in being emailed when we post new classes, please subscribe to our Soap Making class newsletter.)

 

Spinning and Felting Classes (if you’re interested in being emailed when we post new classes, please subscribe to our Spinning and Felting class newsletter.)

We offer classes on a rolling basis so not all of the classes below will be scheduled for upcoming months.

Please contact us if you’d like to set up a private or group class for any of the classes below if you don’t see them under “Upcoming Classes”.

Blacksmith Classes

Beginning Blacksmithing

Our beginners class gives you a basic history of blacksmithing and introduces you to the tools of the trade. You’ll learn basic techniques such as drawing out, twisting, cutting, and shaping. Each beginning student will work on 1 or 2 pieces during the class usually a decorative hook or similar item that they finish and take home. All materials, supplies, and tools are included in the class fee.

Class length: 3 hours

Class fee: $60 per student.

Maximum number of students is 4.

 

Intermediate Blacksmithing
This class will focus on splitting and shaping techniques.  Students will forge a fire poker or a heart hook. All materials and tools are furnished. Must have either attend the beginner’s class or have prior blaksmithing knowledge.

Class length 3 hrs.

Class fee $60 per student

Maximum number of students is 4.

 

Advanced Blacksmithing Techniques

This class will focus on decorative functional items. Students will learn to make leaves, garden ornaments and candle holders. Must have either attend both the beginner’s class or have prior blaksmithing knowledge.

Class fee $60

Class length 3 hrs.

Maximum number of students is 3.

 

Introduction to Railroad Spike Ax Making

In this class you’ll learn the basics of making an ax from a railroad spike.

 

Fiber Classes

Beginning Spinning

In this class we start with a discussion of spinning in general: the tools used, the different types of fiber that can be spun and different fiber preparations (e.g. roving, top, sliver). We will then go Each participant will spin and ply a small amount of yarn, ending up with a small amount of finished yarn.

Included in the class fee is a drop spindle and 4 ounces of several kinds of wool that the participant can take home. Spinning wheels are available for participants to use at no cost. Children must be at least 10 and preferably 12. Class size limited to 4.

Class length: about 3 hours

 

Spinning 102: Beyond the Basics

So, you finally learned to spin. Now what? In this class we will go over a variety of skills you will need to produce usable consistent yarn.  We will go over various drafting techniques, plying methods, yarn management and spinning with intention. We will also cover the use of tools such as a niddy noddy, lazy-kate, nostepinne and yarn wrapping tool. This is not an advanced class for folks wanting to learn spin coils or tail-spin, but a building on your basic skills. Participants MUST be able to spin on a wheel without assistance. Participants must bring their wheel* and at least 1 partially filled bobbin, preferably with a variegated single and have at least 2 empty bobbins.   A niddy noddy and some sort of lazy-kate are not required but will be helpful. The instructor will provide several types of wool and handouts. All materials are included.

Class length: about 3 hours

 

Drop Spindle for Beginners

Learn to spin. Here’s one of the oldest and simplest ways to make yarn. It is a great way to learn to spin, and spindles are far more affordable, and more portable, than spinning wheels. The class includes two ounces of wool roving, and the chance to play with lots of different spindles. We will practice basic techniques, and explore why some spindles are easier to use than others. All materials provided including 2 oz of wool and drop spindle for you to keep.

Class length: 1 to 1.5 hours

Maximum number of students is 8 and the minimum to hold a class is 3.

 

Introduction to Natural Dyeing

Dyeing with plant materials is an ancient art. In this workshop students will learn the basic principles of using natural dyes. Growing and harvesting the plants will be discussed and plant materials harvested in season will be used along with some dried materials. Students will learn the proper use of mordants to and which fiber to use them on.
All materials will be included and student will take home a variety of dyed samples. The class will be held outside using propane cookers, so students must be old enough to safely work near the cookers. The process is messy so old clothes are recommend. Students may bring their own yarn or wool to dye with as long as it is mostly wool — no acrylics please.

Class length: 3 to 4 hours.

Maximum number of students is 8 and the minimum to hold a class is 3.

 

Safe Yarn Dyeing

Dyeing yarn is often thought to be a mysterious process. In this 1-1 ½ hour workshop, participants will dye a hank of yarn using Wilton’s® Icing Color and a crock pot. This is a safe and fun method of dyeing that does not require separate equipment and is a fun way to learn the principles of dyeing. Children should be at least 6 years old (with adult) and 8 if they will not have an adult buddy. Icing coloring will stain clothing so old clothing or an apron is a good idea.

Class length: 2 to 3 hours

Maximum number of participants is 10 and the minimum to hold a class is 3.

 

Needle felting for Beginners

Ever wanted to learn how to needle felt? In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of felting by making a little figure like a penguin, bird or ladybug.  Students will learn how to safely create a shape, add color and contour.

The felting needles are VERY sharp so children should be at least 8 years old (with adult) and 10 if they will not have an adult buddy.

Class length: 3 hours

Beth also offers some season specific felting classes such as Felt a Santa or Gnome and Felt a Pumpkin.

 

Soap Classes

Intro to Soap Making

Learn the art of soap making on our working farm, with students making their very own batch of cold-process soap.

All materials are included in the class fee and students get a 1 lb. silicone soap mold that is theirs to keep, which they’ll use to make their batch of soap.

The focus of the class is on the cold-process method of making soap but we’ll discuss hot-process soap and melt-and-pour soap as well.

We’ll learn about the different properties of common oils and other ingredients used in soap making as well as the best places to buy oils, butters, and other ingredients.

Each student will also get 20+ page PDF guide that includes all of the details and topics covered in class along with different soap recipes to get started with.

Class length: 3 hours

Cost: $60 –  All oils, lye, fragrances, and colorants used in making soaps during class are included in the class fee. The class fee also includes a 4″ x 4″ soap mold — a great starter mold that holds 1 lb of soap.

 

Intermediate Soap Making

Our Intermediate Soap Making class takes your soap making skills to the next level, building on what students learned in Intro to Soap Making.

While we’ll touch on all the basics again briefly, this class is designed to be more hands-on for students.

We’ll make a soap recipe from scratch using SoapCalc and will pick a more advanced project to tackle such as goat milk soap and hot process soaps.

We’ll work with a wider variety of vegetable oils and butters including castor oil, shea butter, rice bran oil, palm oil, and palm kernel oil.

All materials are included in the class fee and students can use their 1 lb mold from the Intro to Soap Making class or any other mold they have.

Class length: 3 hours

Cost: $60