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 18th-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.
When: Wednesday, October 5 · 1-5 pm
Thursday-Friday, October 6-7
· 8 am-5 pm
More information and tickets: http://www.connerprairie.org/Things-To-Do/Events/Arts-and-Arms-Making-Workshops/Knifesmithing
