October 6-13, 2017
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 the class price. Tools are
provided, unless otherwise noted.
Hand-Forged Pipe
Tomahawk
What: Join
blacksmiths Nathan Allen and Dwight Gallian in making a traditional hand-forged
pipe tomahawk. Starting with a steel blank, you’ll use coal forges and
traditional blacksmithing techniques to forge the head of the tomahawk the
first day of class. The next two days will be spent at the bench filing the head,
handling the tomahawk and applying finishing touches, like pewter inlay.
When: Friday-Sunday,
Oct. 6-8, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More information and
tickets: Here
Cordwaining: The Art
of Making Shoes
What: Treat your
feet to a pair of custom-made shoes. Work with cordwainer Cliff Pequet to learn
the process of making custom footwear from tracing and patterning your feet, to
creating a last (a custom built wooden block shaped like your foot), to
finishing the shoe with handstitched seams and scraping in the heel. You pick
the style of shoe you make from historic brogans to something with a
contemporary look. All tools for the class will be furnished. A materials fee
of approx. $75 will be paid to the instructor at the time of the class.
When: Friday – Tuesday, Oct. 6 – 10, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More information and tickets: Here
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: Saturday,
Oct. 7, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More information and tickets: Here
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, Oct. 7, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More information and tickets: Here
Basic Blacksmithing
What: Join Nathan
Allen as you learn the basics of blacksmithing including drawing, punching,
hardening, tempering steel and forge welding. You’ll make projects such as
chain links, s-hooks, a fireplace poker, pliers and a fork.
When: Saturday - Sunday, Oct. 7 – 8, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More information and tickets: Here
Inkle Weaving
What: Weave
straps and sashes appropriate for hunting pouches and powder horns using inkle
looms. 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 weavers with more advanced skills.
When: Saturday –
Sunday, Oct. 7 – 8, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More information and tickets: Here
Stock Carving & Silver Wire Inlay
What: Master
gunsmith John Schippers will help you learn the basics of two fundamental
techniques of decorating longrifles, tomahawks and knives: relief carving and
silver wire inlay. Utilizing practice pieces, you will learn how to design and
execute decorative motifs, and make your own tools and keep them sharp. You’ll
also pick up other tips and techniques from John that he has mastered over his
50 year career as a gunsmith.
When: Saturday –
Sunday, Oct. 7 – 8, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More information and tickets: Here
Advanced Hornworking:
Lehigh Valley Screw Tip Horn
What: Work
alongside master hornsmith Art DeCamp to make a traditional horn in the Lehigh
Valley style. You’ll be introduced to a wide variety of topics including the
history and design of horns and their proper architecture, horn selection,
heating and shaping, lathe turning and horn threading. Plus, you’ll get many
tips and techniques for reproducing period-correct powder horns and finishes.
You’re encouraged to bring unfinished horn projects to class for assistance in
finishing. If you don’t have one, you’ll get the opportunity to produce a
pressed flat horn.
When: Saturday – Tuesday, Oct. 7 – 10, 8 a.m. to 5
p.m., and Wednesday, Oct. 11, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
More information and tickets: Here
Custom Knife Sheaths
What: Folk artist
and leatherworker Ken Scott will show you the many tips and techniques used in
making knife sheaths for all styles of working knives. Please bring the knives
you want to sheath to class.
When: Sunday,
Oct. 8, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More information and tickets: Here
Forging Damascus
Steel
What: Let the
sparks fly as you learn to make Damascus steel. Blacksmith Nathan Allen will
teach the fundamentals of making pattern welded steel from proper steel
selection to basic pattern development. Traditional coal forges, anvil, and
both hand- and power-hammer forging techniques will be used to make a billet of
Damascus steel. The goal of the class is to get the billet forged and make at
least one forged knife blank. If you are interested in completing a knife,
you’ll also want to sign up for the knifesmithing class.
When: Monday – Tuesday, Oct. 9 – 10, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
and Wednesday, Oct. 11, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
More information and tickets: Here
Leatherworking
What: Join Ken
Scott as he teaches you his unique style of making hunting bags and pouches.
Through pattern development, cutting, stitching, finishing, and basic
leatherworking techniques, you’ll create a one of a kind hunting pouch. You’ll
also learn Ken’s unique antiquing methods.
When: Monday –
Tuesday, Oct. 9 – 10, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 11, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
More information and tickets: Here
Engraving
What: Master
engraver and author of Engraving Historic
Firearms, John Schippers, teaches you the art of metal engraving. Using
practice pieces, you’ll learn basic design, tool selection and sharpening
techniques. Also, you’ll have the opportunity at the bench to practice and
receive critique on the techniques learned in class.
When: Monday –
Friday, Oct. 9 – 13, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More information and tickets: Here
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 a traditional tomahawk and “Fort Meigs” style hatchet.
When: Wednesday,
Oct. 11, 1 to 5 p.m., and Thursday – Friday, Oct. 12 – 13, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More information and tickets: Here
Horn Accouterments
What: Work with
hornsmith Art DeCamp to challenge your hornworking skills through the
manufacture of small items made of horn. Make several items such as spoons,
cups and lantern panes. Discover techniques related to turning horn, making a
“chimed” bottom and also learning how to make molds for pressing horn items.
Instruction will also be given on period appropriate surface finishing and
coloring horn.
When: Wednesday,
Oct. 11, 1 to 5 p.m., and Thursday – Friday, Oct. 12 – 13, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More information and tickets: Here
Knifesmithing
What: Under the
guidance of Dwight Gallian, you’ll learn about the history and creation of a
traditional hand-forged knife. Topics include proper steel selection, use of a
coal forge and anvil, filing, and finishing a handle. You can expect to
complete at least one knife during class.
When: Wednesday, Oct. 11, 1 to 5 p.m., and Thursday –
Friday, Oct. 12 – 13, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More information and tickets: Here
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