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
Sign up to get our e-newsletter from the Waterford Craft School
AGE POLICY
All classes are for students 18 years and above unless otherwise stated in the class description.
DISCOUNTS
MEMBERS ONLY: Members of the Waterford Foundation are eligible for a $25 discount of any one-day or multi-day class. Use code MEM-2020-WCS at checkout.
Note: Only one discount code can be applied per transaction. Discounts are not offered on mini classes.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Students who cancel at least 30 days in advance of the first date of class will receive a 100% refund. Cancellations made within 30 days of the first day of class will incur a cancellation fee of 50% of the Class Tuition. 100% refunds for materials fees will be issued for all cancellations.
GIVE A GREAT GIFT!
Leatherworking 201: Portmanteau
Friday & Saturday June 5-6, 2020, create a leather portmanteau using traditional methods in leatherworking.
Leatherworking 301: Slippers
Friday & Saturday July 10-11, 2020, build on your current leatherworking skills to create a pair of leather slippers from start to finish.
Whirligig Based on 19th Century Period Design
Saturday & Sunday July 11-12, 2020, create and carve a wooden whirligig based on 19th century design.
“Totally Twill” Shaker Cathead Baskets
Saturday & Sunday July 11-12 2020, weave a 10'' and a 12'' Shaker Cathead basket using a twill pattern and traditional methods!
Intermediate Stained Glass 201
Saturday & Sunday July 11-12 2020, make your own stained glass window!
Let’s Make Paper and Turn it Into a Journal
Saturday & Sunday June 6-7 2020, make your own paper decorated with natural materials and use it to create your own handsewn journal.
A Shaker Weekend…Cathead & Teaspsoon Basket
Saturday & Sunday May 2-3, 2020, weave two Shaker style baskets with ash and reed.
Stone Sculpture Carving
Saturday & Sunday May 2-3, 2020, create a small stone sculpture using traditional carving tools.
Chocolate Making at The Conche
Make your own chocolate creations at The Conche!
Wreath-Making With Virginia Master Naturalist on December 5
Thursday, December 5, 2019 from 6PM to 8PM, make a wreath using native plants of Virginia with the Virginia Master Naturalists.
Hand-Spinning Yarn From Wool Using a Drop Spindle
Saturday, April 4, 2020 Learn to use a drop spindle to weave wool yarn from carded wool with Susan Withnell, owner of Ewes-Ful Fiber Arts.
Making a Floorcloth — from Start to Finish
Saturday, April 4, 2020, transform a raw piece of canvas into a colorful floorcloth. Design creation and stenciling technique will also be taught.
Wreath-Making With Virginia Master Naturalist on November 21
Thursday November 21, 2019, make a wreath using native plants of Virginia with the Virginia Master Naturalists.
Introduction to Broom Making
Saturday & Sunday April 4-5, 2020, make a handbroom and cobweb broom from natural "broomcorn" using natural materials and traditional Appalachian methods!
Backyard Medicine Using Common Herbs
Saturday, July 11, 2020, learn to use medicinal herbs in the creation of salves, oils, teas and tinctures.
Dry Stone Fence Construction
Saturday & Sunday, May 2-3, 2020 practice the method Early Appalachian settlers created using field stones to create beautiful mortar-less fences from surrounding field stone. Learn to enhance your own property using this eye-catching technique!
Handwoven Rag Rug Creation
Friday, Saturday & Sunday May 1-3, 2020, students will learn the basic techniques to make a warp, thread a 4 harness floor loom, make a weave their choice of rag rugs, placemats or table runners. .
Introduction to Stained Glass 101
Saturday & Sunday June 6-7, 2020, draw and create a hanging stained glass window. Students will have access to multiple sheets of art glass, with different colors and textures. Framing will be available.
Introduction to Hand-Woven Cane
Saturday & Sunday April 4-5, 2020, 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.
Leatherworking 101 – Document Case
Saturday, May 2 2020, 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.
Metalsmithing Jewelry
Saturday, July 11, 2020, master the basics of metalsmithing jewlery in this one-day workshop. Learn how to use a torch, sawing, hammering, plus other texture techniques to apply and finish copper jewelry.
Handwoven Splint Seat
Saturday, July 11, 2020 weave a splint seat and learning the history, origin, and preservation of their woven seats made using this technique.
“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.
