A technique that originated in northwest India, Ply- Split Braiding has been traditionally used in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan to weave camel girths.

This fiber technique continues to be used to make traditional bands and mats; contemporary fiber artists also use the technique to make sculptural and vessel forms.

Working with cords spun by the instructor, students will make a small fiber vessel using one of the main ply-splitting techniques: Single-Course Oblique Twining (SCOT) method.

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Interested in expanding your weaving repertoire and creating vibrant and functional pieces?

The projects chosen for this three-day workshop build skills and familiarize students with weaving with paper. Students will make four baskets out of painted paper designed by the instructor.

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In this busy four-day workshop, Ann will introduce the off-loom weaving technique of twining as a method of creating contemporary woven sculptural forms.

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This workshop takes a dive into design principles for Baltic/Speckled pickup using original and playful reptile patterns created by instructor Annie MacHale, a nationally celebrated Inkle Loom weaver for over 45 years.

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Learn all about cross stitch with a folk-art twist.

After a short introduction to Nordic folk art and history, students will receive step-by-step instructions to complete their own 3″ floral cross-stitch piece. Students will head home with the skills to read a cross-stitch chart to continue this craft on their own after class.

Suitable for ages 16+. $65 ($55 ASI member) + $15 materials fee.

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Spin the night away as you transform fibers into hand-spun yarn.

This hands-on class welcomes beginning spinners to the essentials of yarn making using a simple and portable tool, the hand spindle. Whatever your yarn dreams may be, this class will get you started!

Note, spinning requires motor skills in two hands. Suitable for ages 16+. $55 ($50 ASI member) + $15-30 materials fee.

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Learn the history of Norwegian embellished sheepskins, or skinnfell, while block printing a tanned sheepskin hat.

Students will use traditional Norwegian wooden print blocks to create meaningful designs and finish with a stitched hem. Leave with a warm and woolly hat, plus the skills for future wearable and decorative skinnfell projects.

Suitable for ages 18+; some hand strength is required. $95 ($85 ASI member) + $60 materials fee.

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Step beyond sock puppets in this intergenerational class.

Using wool as the base material, students will create 3-D characters of their own design, including ears, arms, feet, and a mouth with any expression they can imagine. After sculpting and shaping the puppet, students can either create a stuffed animal or keep it as a puppet.

Suitable for ages 5-12 alongside an adult. $90 adult/child pair ($80 ASI member adult/child pair) + $50 material fee.

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Starting with Slöjd is a monthly program for early elementary children. Participants explore new tools, materials, and skills that prepare them for a lifelong love of handcraft. These drop-off programs are suitable for students in grades K–2.

For this class, students will join instructor Anna Ruhland to learn all about the art of block printing. Students will learn basic techniques to create rubber stamps for printing on paper or fabric.

Advanced registration required. $20 ($15 ASI member).

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Slöjd Studio is a monthly program for children in grades 3–5.

Participants will practice slöjd skills and explore new tools as they continue to nurture their lifelong love of handcraft. In this class, instructor Anna Ruhland will teach students how to create the iconic cone-shaped hat of Tomte.

Young makers will cut out a pattern in felt, then needle felt their own designs on the fabric and handstitch a seam to complete their Swedish Tomte hat to wear all year round. $25 ($20 ASI member).

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Try out spoon carving in this afternoon-long intro class.

Learn how instructor Jess selects a tree and prepares wooden blanks, practice basic carving techniques to carve a cooking spoon, and end with a discussion of finishing options and spoon care.

Suitable for ages 16+.  $75 ($65 ASI member) + $20 materials fee.

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Learn basic carving holds while crafting an iconic Swedish Dala horse.

Pick up a Swedish carving knife and pre-cut basswood blank to bring your unique Dala horse to life. Learn some finishing options in a class discussion.

Suitable for ages 16+. $75 ($65 ASI member) + $20 materials fee.

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Norwegian-style acanthus carvings are familiar to many appreciators of traditional buildings, wooden bowls, and other folk art, with painterly forms that build together into endless patterns.

In this four-week workshop, students learn the basic “alphabet” of Norwegian acanthus by drawing and then beginning to carve with gouges and chisels. Students provide some of their own materials for this class; see web link for more info.

Suitable for ages 18+. $180 ($160 ASI members) + $25 materials fee.

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Open to all levels, this gemcutting intensive focuses on handpiece-style faceting.

Students gain comprehensive knowledge and practical experience with gemcutting across various techniques, including hand shaping, wax dopping, polishing theory, glue transfers, manipulating facet geometry, and more. Students cut and finish four stones throughout this two-week bootcamp.

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Paper weaving is a quick and fun way to play with color, image, and pattern—without a loom!

Through lecture and demonstration, you will learn how to choose papers for weaving, how to decorate them, how to cut strips, choose a weave structure, read a weaving draft, and how to do the actual weaving.

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