2008 Classes
(For more info on any class or demo, email Frank Foltz at frankfoltz@usfamily.net or call 763-633-4920)
One of my main interests is too see the folk arts revived and brought back into our every day lives, especially that of hand carving a spoon for yourself or a friend. Check this list often for demos and classes. If you don't find one in your area, contact me and I will try to make one available. I usually demonstrate at almost all the arts and crafts events that I do. See events below. Scroll down to see classes on organic fruit growing, pruning and grafting fruit trees, and on other homesteading skills as they become available.Scandinavian Spoon Carving Classes
Instructor: Frank Foltz
March 3rd & 4th, 2008 Princeton, MN. Mon. & Tue. evenings from 7 to 9 pm. at the Princeton Middle School. Contact Princeton Community Ed. at www.ceisfun.com for more information.
March 8th, 2008 Milan Village Arts School, Milan, MN, Saturday, 9am to 5pm, $65.00 for members, $80.00 for non-members. Go to www.milanvillageartsschool.org for more information.
July 18, 19 & 20th, 2008 - Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fair, Crystal Lake, IL. More details at www.fiberandfolk.com . This is the 2nd year for this fair and it's organizer, Carol Cassidy-Fayer, has already established it as one of the best of it's type in the country. I will be doing a spoon carving class here on Friday.
Class Description
There are ancient traditions in Scandinavia and other cultures of carving a spoon for someone you care about and love. This class is all about reviving that folk art and learning a practical wood carving skill that will allow you to produce beautiful, durable, and usable wooden ware for your own culinary pleasure and as gifts for friends and loved ones. Beginners and experienced carvers are welcome and will be working at their own pace. Many people love wooden spoons for cooking but few have enjoyed the pleasure of actually eating with a well crafted wooden spoon. They are light, delicate, quiet and a delight to use, while retaining a simple, elegant, and
durable form. (For pictures, go to www.spoonsofwood.com).
You will learn safe spoon carving strokes for both roughing and finishing cuts while carving a butter spreader. Then you will be carving an eating spoon from one of the many species of wood that grow in our area and are suitable for wooden ware, including the notorious and invasive buckthorn.
Topics covered: Tools, supplies, sharpening, safety, carving strokes,
suitable wood types, selecting and storing wood, spoon design for
cooking, serving, and eating spoons, roughing out and finishing a spoon,
sanding and oiling, resources, etc. Carving blanks needed to complete the class are provided. Extra blanks will be available at a nominal fee. Carving knives, safety glove, and sharpening tools will be available from instructor to borrow or buy.
Hope to see you there for a fun time of carving, learning, and sharing. Be sure to bring any spoons you have already carved or possess that might be of interest to the class!
Fruit Growing Classes
Instructor: Frank Foltz
Mar. 9th, 2008, Grow Your Own Fruit - the Natural Way! Sweetgrass Farm, Dalbo, MN Sunday 1pm to 5pm, $38.00 To register contact amy@amysabrina.com or call 763.389.1536.
Grow Your Own Fruit - The Natural Way!
Organic Fruit Growing Class and Grafting Demonstration
Backyard fruit growing can eliminate a substantial portion of your family’s fruit budget and give you a fresh supply of healthy fruit, free of
chemical residues - and, yes, it can be done even in our harsh
Minnesota climate. Well, maybe not bananas! This class deals with
varieties for Minnesota and how to grow them naturally. Topics
include: planning, spacing requirements, site selection, soil
preparation, pruning, biological disease control, dealing with insect
pests & rodents, harvesting and storing. Fruit covered: Apples, pears,
plums, cherries, grapes, apricots, mulberries, small & native fruits, etc.
We will also demonstrate grafting your own fruit trees for those of you
on a tight budget who prefer to do your own. Cost includes extensive
fruit growing handouts.
Mar. 30th 2008, Pruning and Grafting Fruit Trees - Workshop. Sweetgrass Farm, Dalbo, MN Sunday 1pm to 5pm, $45.00 To register contact amy@amysabrina.com or call 763.389.1536.
Workshop Description:
Pruning fruiting trees, shrubs, vines, and brambles will be the focus, including apples, pears. plums, apricots, grapes, blueberries, raspberries, etc., including the restoration of old and neglected trees. Second half of class will cover whip and tongue grafting and each participant will graft two apple trees to take home for planting.
Class Hosts and Locations
(click on Hosts name to open their web site)
Milan Village Art School: A wonderful folk school in a quaint Norwegian village in west-central Minnesota. This is a perfect place to get away from it all and enjoy some peace and quiet while attending one of many and varied classes. P.O. Box 230, Milan, MN 56262 Ph. 320-734-4807 email:mvas@fedteldirect.net
Ripple River Gallery , Bob Carls and Amy Sharpe host many educational classes, workshops and other community events at their fine arts gallery, They also publish a delightful magazine, called Homespun. Click on their link above to find out how to receive a free sample copy. 27591 Partridge Ave., Aitkin, MN 56431 Ph. 218-678-2575 email: ripriv@mlecmn.net
Sweetgrass Farm: A center for all kinds of interesting community events including dances, educational workshops, concerts, arts and crafts festivals, etc.
Hostess, Amy Sabrina, and other community members are restoring the old red barn to host even more events. To get on the email list for community doings, contact Amy at amy@amysabrina.com 38775 Llama St. NW, Dalbo, MN 55017 Ph. 763-389-1536
Registration Information
Instructor: Contact instructor with questions about class content, etc. Unless noted otherwise, all classes are taught by Frank Foltz, 33311 Dolphin St. NW, Princeton, MN 55371 Ph. 763.633.4920, email:frankfoltz@usfamily.net
Registration: Send class fee with your name, address, phone, email and the class you wish to attend to the class host. Deadline-3 days before class or call to make other arrangements. Class size limited - register early.
2008
Events and Demonstrations
(Please check in often, I am still finalizing my schedule)
2008 Spoon Carver's Gathering
June 6,7, & 8th at Milan Village Arts School
