Learn to make by hand
In the historic village of Waterford
The Waterford Craft School seeks to preserve traditional methods used in craft and building arts through hands-on immersive instruction. We encourage participants to learn make-by-hand skills by offering classes to the public that are taught by experts in their fields.
The Waterford Craft School serves the educational mission of the Waterford Foundation and works with the Waterford Fair to provide opportunities for artisans to demonstrate and teach while for students to experience and learn.
Waterford Craft School Class features:
Hands-on instruction
Crafts & Building Arts
Ages 18 and up
Varying class lengths
Lunch included
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DISCOUNTS
Classes are eligible for Early Bird* and Member** discounts. Find the promotional codes in your cart after you choose your class.
*Early bird discounts expire 60 days before the start of class.
**You must be a member of the Waterford Foundation to use the Member discount. To become a member, add the Membership to your cart at checkout.
Note: Only one discount code can be applied per transaction. Discounts are not offered on mini classes.
GIVE A GREAT GIFT!
2019 CLASSES:
Swedish Band Weaving
In this two-day class, learn Swedish band weaving with Instructor Tony Daniel.
May 4-5, 2019
Container Gardening with Native Plants – Mini Class
Students will use native plants of Virginia to arrange their own container gardens.
May 23, 2019
Introduction to Herbal Remedies – Mini Class
Students will learn how to create immune-boosting and healing products using medicinal herbs.
April 25, 2019
Building a Bat House – Mini Class
Take an evening visit to Phillips Farm to learn about native bats of Virginia and their habitats. Students will also build their own bat house for the native bats living in their own backyards.
June 1, 2019
Introduction to Soap Making – Mini Class
Use natural materials to create fragrant soaps that are fun to use and good for you!
March 14, 2019
Introduction to Broom Making
Make a handbroom and cobweb broom from natural "broomcorn" using natural materials and traditional Appalachian methods!
May 4-5, 2019
Backyard Medicine Using Common Herbs
In this 2-day class, students will learn to use medicinal herbs in the creation of salves, oils, soaps, teas and tinctures.
July 13 - 14, 2019
Introduction to Calligraphy
This two day class will start with a brief overview of the history of various writing styles and discuss
different tools/materials. Over the course of two days, we will explore three different “hands” (styles/fonts), using flat, broad
edge nibs.
July 13 - 14, 2019
Dry Stone Fence Construction
Early Appalachian settlers created a functional art of using field stones to create beautiful mortar-less fences from surrounding field stone. Learn to enhance your own property using this eye-catching technique!
July 13 - 14, 2019
Old Time Rag Rug Weaving with a Twist
Appalachian rag-rug weaving incorporated various strips of fabric to create colorful and one-of-a-kind textiles. In this class, students will create their own table runner, small rug, and/or placemats. Rag-Rug Weaving With A Twist is a multi-day workshop.
July 11-14, 2019
Introduction to Dyeing
Learn the basics of dyeing fabric. In this introductory class, students will practice overdyeing wool using muttled verse solid-dyeing and dip-dyeing techniques.
July 13, 2019
Intermediate Rug Hooking
Learn the techniques of prodding flower petals, sculpturing the flower center, beading the border, braiding the stem.
July 13, 2019
Etching onto Metal
Explore etching metal using an illustration. You will learn how to make a transfer and how to etch copper.
July 13, 2019
Introduction to Stained Glass
Student will draw and create a hanging stained glass window. Student will have access to multiple sheets of art glass, with different colors and textures. Framing will be available.
June 1- 2, 2019
Introduction to Hand-Woven Cane
Learn the history, origin, and preservation of woven seats, how to prepare the materials to be used and what size cane to use. The chair seat itself will be the “loom” with holes drilled around the frame for the cane to be woven through. Learn the six steps in the process and leave with a finished product.
June 1- 2, 2019
Weave a Berry Picking Basket
Students will weave reeds over a wooden mold then use copper nails to attach the handle to the basket and then lash the rims with ash.
June 2, 2019
Let Them Eat Cake — Cake/Pie Basket
Working over a wooden mold in the manner of the Shakers, students will be weaving the basket of reed, ash and oak. This basket works very well as a cake/pie basket as well as a small picnic basket.
June 1, 2019
Stack, Fire, Bake — Outdoor Wood-Fired Brick Oven
Students will leave with knowledge of building stacked brick ovens, plans for three different sizes of ovens, and practice in baking in these ovens.
June 1, 2019
Leatherworking 101
In this class, students will make a slightly-enlarged copy (to accommodate standard modern letter-size paper) of a unique leather document case in the collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society.
July 13, 2019
Introduction to Metalsmithing
Master the basics of metalsmithing in this one-day workshop. Learn how to use a torch, sawing, hammering, plus other texture techniques to apply and finish copper jewelry.
May 4, 2019
Shoemaking
Using original tin patterns from the 1920s, students will learn about basic pattern-making and the steady-paced class will move forward from there. From start to finish, this process is 100% hands-on shoe work.
May 2 - 5, 2019
Hand Hewn Treenware
In this one day class, students will split out blanks from a section of green cherry wood, which will be used to create functional treenware to take home..
May 4, 2019
Fireplace Restoration
In this two-day class, learn how to evaluate and restore a wood-burning fireplace.
May 4 – 5, 2019
Exploring Color: Introduction to Watercolor
In this two-day class, learn the basics of watercolor with artist Antonia Walker.
April 13 – 14, 2019
Repair and Restoration of Old Windows 2019
In this two-day class, students will focus on the repair and restoration of traditional putty glazes window sashes, typically found in houses built prior to 1940.
April 13 – 14, 2019
Suminagashi and Turkish Marbling
In this two-day class, students will explore Turkish (ebru) marbling as they learn to color papers and silks.
April 13 – 14, 2019
Splint Seat Weaving
In this one-day class, students will focus on weaving splint seats along with learning the history, origin, and preservation of their woven seats made using this technique.
April 13, 2019
Making a Floorcloth — from Start to Finish
In this popular class, students will learn how to transform a raw piece of canvas into a colorful floorcloth. Design creation and stenciling technique will also be taught.
April 13, 2019
The Universal Penman: A Primer in 18th Century Handwriting
Learn how to create the curves, grand flourishes, and other aesthetically-pleasing treatments trademark of 18th century handwriting. Use your new penmanship skills to complement your holiday cards, invitations, and letters.
June 1, 2019
Introduction to the Pointed Pen
Get a taste of old-time penmanship and enjoy a relaxed evening of instructional fun in this one evening class. Beginners Welcome! Refreshments provided.
“This course was exactly what I hope it would be. I learned A LOT.”
“Allen was outstanding – clear, knowledgeable, understandable, interesting.”
“Wonderful course content. Gave us all hope that we will be able to repair our windows.”
“It was exactly what I hoped to learn – and I am now not at all dissuaded to tackle my own windows.”
“Karen Wychock was friendly, helpful, skilled basket maker. I liked the small class with personal attention.”
“Great lunch both days. Facility was clean and open. A lot of room.”
Become an Instructor
Join us as we aim to preserve handmade crafts such as quilting, weaving, pottery, furniture-making, basket weaving, and blacksmithing by educating the next generation of artisans. Classes in building arts are also encouraged, such as traditional construction methods, old and historic building restoration, and adaptive reuse.
Class space provided – Space appropriate for your specific class is provided for you in Waterford.
No administrative tasks – The Waterford Craft School handles all registrations and administrative tasks.
Lunch is provided – The Waterford Craft School provides lunch for students & instructors allowing you to concentrate on teaching.
Become a Member
Foundation members receive a $25 discount on a class.
