Contemporary Makers: Conner Prairie Traditional Arts & Arms Making Workshop 2016

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Conner Prairie Traditional Arts & Arms Making Workshop 2016

Traditional Arts & Arms Making Workshop

CLASS SCHEDULE

OCTOBER 1-7, 2016

Conner Prairie’s hands-on classes provide a rare opportunity to work closely with some of the nation’s best craftsmen. Small class sizes in well-equipped facilities allow you to develop skills from a basic level to advanced. Register today as classes fill quickly. All materials are included in class price. Tools provided, unless otherwise noted.

All classes take place at Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Rd., Fishers, IN 46038.

For more details on any class, click the links or contact Historic Trades Manager Nathan Allen at allen@connerprairie.org.

Hearth Cooking

What: Learn to prepare a traditional meal over an open fire. Enjoy the smell of wood smoke as hearth cooking expert Sarah Withrow shares her knowledge. Learn to blend traditional techniques with historic and contemporary recipes that are perfect for home entertaining, historic re-enacting or camping.

When: Saturday, October 1 · 8 am-3 pm

Pennsylvania German Design

What: Create instant family heirlooms with Ken Scott while exploring the 18^th-century folk art of Pennsylvania. Ken will introduce traditional styles and design as you learn the art of calligraphy and drawing used in early fraktur, such as marriage and birth certificates.

When: Saturday, October 1 · 8 am-5 pm

Basic Blacksmithing

What: Join Nathan Allen as you learn the basics of blacksmithing like using a forge, drawing, punching, hardening and tempering steel, and forge welding. Items such as chain links, s-hooks, a fireplace poker and a fork will be made.

When: Saturday-Sunday, October 1-2 · 8 am-5 pm

NEW! Silver Wire Inlay

What: Discover the process of decorative silver wire inlay with instructor John Schippers. Inlay can be applied to rifles, furniture, or knife or tomahawk handles. Learn proper design, tool construction and execution of silver wireWhen: Saturday-Sunday, October 1-2 · 8 am-5 pm

NEW! Advanced Hornworking: Tansel Style Horn

What: Under the expert guidance of master hornsmith Art DeCamp, you’ll be introduced to the history and design of Tansel horns, the proper architecture and engraving motifs, and tips and techniques for reproducing period-correct powder horns. Learn to prepare, heat, shape and lathe turn horns and their parts, and see period techniques for the coloring of powder horns.

When: Saturday-Tuesday, October 1-4 · 8 am-5 pm
Wednesday, October 5 · 8 am-noon

Boot Bag

What: Well-known pouch maker Ken Scott teaches you how to make a hunting pouch from a pair of old boots. Instruction includes historical research, pattern development, applying the pattern to the leather, assembly and dying.

When: Sunday, October 2 · 8 am-5 pm

NEW! Forging Damascus Steel

What: Discover the fundamentals of making pattern welded steel including steel selection, the proper use of the coal forge and welding from blacksmith Nathan Allen. Utilize both hand- and power-hammer forging techniques to forge a billet of Damascus steel and at least one forged knife blank. If you are interested in completing a knife, sign up for the knifesmithing class, too.

When: Monday-Tuesday, October 3-4 · 8 am-5 pm
Wednesday, October 5 · 8 am-noon

Leatherworking

What: Join Ken Scott as he teaches you his unique style of making hunting bags and pouches. Pattern development and basic leatherworking techniques will be covered as well as Ken’s antiquing methods.

When: Monday-Tuesday, October 3-4 · 8 am–5 pm
Wednesday, October 5 · 8 am-noon

NEW! Carving: Longrifle

What: Learn how to carve a longrifle of the Golden Age under the instruction of master gunsmith Marvin Kemper. By studying historic examples, you’ll understand the various styles of carving, how to properly set up a workspace, sharpen tools, design and transfer patterns. Also, you’ll learn to execute stock moldings, and relief and incised carvings. Practice stocks will be provided, but you can work on your own rifle providing it’s properly shaped, finished and ready to carve.

When: Monday-Friday, October 3-7 · 8 am-5 pm

Engraving
What: Master engraver and author of Engraving Historic Firearms, John Schippers, shows you the art of metal engraving. Using practice pieces, you’ll learn basic design, tool selection and sharpening techniques.

When: Monday-Friday, October 3-7 · 8 am-5 pm

Axe Forging

What: Explore traditional forging techniques with blacksmith Nathan Allen. Examine stylistic differences and construction techniques used on historic axes, and then forge and finish an axe of your own.

When: Wednesday, October 5 · 1-5 pm
Thursday-Friday, October 6-7, 8 am-5 pm

NEW! Horn Drinking Cup

What: Challenge your hornworking skills as you work alongside hornsmith Art DeCamp to construct a turned horn drinking cup. You’ll learn how to select the proper horn, make mandrels and fixtures, turn horn and install a “chimed” bottom. Instruction will also be given on period appropriate surface finishing and coloring horn.

When: Wednesday, October 5 · 1-5 pm
Thursday-Friday, October 6-7 · 8 am-5 pm

Inkle Weaving

What: Weave straps and sashes using inkle looms as you learn about material selection, loom design, warping the loom and weaving to create beautiful works of art from master weaver Sue Payne. This class is suitable for beginners as well as those weavers wanting to develop more advanced skills.

When: Wednesday, October 5 · 1-5 pm
Thursday-Friday, October 6-7 · 8 am-5 pm

Knifesmithing

What: Under the guidance of Dwight Gallian, you’ll learn about the history and creation of a traditional hand-forged knife. Class will include materials selection, forging and finishing a functional knife.