Julie Goforth

Amazing Ice Dyeing

Jessica Kauffman, Instructor

Saturday, February 15, 2025

9 AM – 5 PM

Have you tried ice dyeing yet? It’s positively addictive and you won’t believe your results. With the magic of applying safe, easy-to-use fiber reactive dye powders over ice, colors & effects are ethereal, intricate, and never the same twice. As the colors split and fissure due to the slowly melting water, your fabric takes on watercolor-like effects that can be subtle or psychedelic! Overdye colored fabric or start with white; either way, you’ll create yardage (and/or pre-sewn garments) that are beyond beautiful. Every square inch is different! Works on knits or wovens. Class will give you time to make multiple smaller projects (napkins, fat quarters) or 1-2 larger projects (yardage, aprons, garments). These dyes work on plant fibers, so think cotton, linen, rayon, bamboo, hemp, etc. Everything is provided except whatever you want to dye. Dyeable t-shirts and assorted other garments & fabric will be available for purchase.

Jessica Kaufman

I first learned to teach batik, tie-dye, and shibori while working at Gwynn Valley Camp in the early 2000s, and I came back year after year to continue my studies in the crafts programs there. Eventually I was hired to head up the crafts program, and was so inspired by what I was doing that I decided to earn a Masters degree in Crafts Education at Prescott College in Arizona (2008). I learned so much about how we learn as makers, how crafting positively effects our brains and our self-esteem, and about the handmade movement specifically in Southern Appalachia in the last century. All of this, plus my undergraduate degree in teaching theatre arts, means that I can give you an entertaining, in-depth, and well-paced course full of insight and experience.

Karen Wychock

Large Laundry Basket & Shaker Cheese Basket

Working over wooden molds, in the method of the Shakers, Karen’s baskets are traditional in shape and materials. She weaves both Shaker reproductions in ash and traditional, utilitarian baskets of reed. Native hardwoods such as ash and oak are used to make the rims and handles, and all of her baskets are lashed using ash. Each basket takes on its own character as it is woven in a quatrefoil. Twill or fancy lace patterns appeal to both eye and touch.

Karen was an art teacher for 22 years in the Neshaminy School District, Langhorne, PA, before becoming a middle school principal for 15 years in both the Neshaminy School District and the Central Bucks School District.

She is a member of the Bucks County Craftsmen’s Guild, the Bucks County Hand Weaver’s Guild and the PA Guild of Craftsmen. She sells her work at various shows and galleries throughout the northeast (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Virginia, and Ohio), and has the earned the distinction of Waterford Landmark Artisan for her commitment to the Waterford Fair and the Waterford Foundation. She is also president of the Penn-Jersey Basket Weavers Guild and teaches both children and adults.

Susan Withnell

Fiber Arts Craft Camp (Ages 8-10 & Ages 11-13)

Susan is a hand spinner and weaver, operating her fiber arts business, ‘Ewes-Ful Fiber Arts’ for over 20 years. She raises high percentage Wensleydale sheep (known for their excellent spinning fleeces) on her Maryland Farm. She uses these fibers in the hand spun and hand dyed yarns she sells at fiber art and craft shows. Susan has been a juried, demonstrating artisan at the Waterford Fair for over 10 years, earning the distinction of ‘2020 Waterford Artisan of the Year’ for her commitment to the Waterford Foundation and her excellence as a Fair demonstrating artisan.

Susan is also a retired elementary school teacher, who created and led a fiber arts club for her students. She enthusiastically continues to share her knowledge with the public, teaching hand spinning on drop spindles and spinning wheels to adults, and summer Fiber Arts Craft Camps here in Waterford for young people ages 8 – 13. She also has demonstrated hand spinning at the Great Yorkshire Agricultural Show in Harrogate, England. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from this engaging artisan!

Grace Rochford

Making A Floorcloth From Start to Finish

Grace Rochford originally made floorcloths just for herself, then was inspired to launch her company, Designs By Grace. She’s been making floorcloths for over 15 years, and has the added distinction of being one of our Waterford Landmark Artisans, who are the heart of the Waterford Fair and long-time supporters of the Waterford Foundation. She has taught numerous Waterford Craft School classes, inspiring many of her students to continue making floorcloths on their own. The process is contagious!

Paul Pendola

Spoon Carving, The Business of Art

Paul Pendola is the founder of the Galena Spoon Co. Artisan Studio & Gallery, and a Galena, Illinois-based green woodworking artist specializing in hand-carved wooden spoons and other hand-crafted woodenware. Using only an axe, straight knife, hook knife, and all-natural food-safe oil and wax, Paul’s mission is to create simple, authentic, and beautiful functional art. He enjoys sharing his love of carving with his students and leading professional development workshops to empower artisans.

Diane Myers

Rag Rug Weaving

Ms. Myers has been a fiber artist working primarily as a handweaver since her college days. She has taught at in the public schools and is a veteran weaving instructor with the Waterford Craft School and at the Waterford Fair.

Rob Miller

Hard Cider: Home Brewing Basics

Distillery Lane Ciderworks is a family-owned and run orchard located in the shadow of the Appalachian Trail in rural Maryland. They have 3500 trees with over 45 different apple varieties, producing national and international award-winning hard ciders with their fruit.

Tim McGinn

Window Restoration

Established in 1984, T. H. McGinn & Co. is a general contracting firm located in historic village of Waterford, Virginia.

Over the course of nearly three decades they have acquired an extensive knowledge of both traditional and modern building materials and methods. Their reputation for historically sensitive rehabilitation projects has been established from years of working on a variety of traditional building types and architectural styles.

Mr McGinn, company owner, apprenticed for nine years before forming his company. He holds a Master’s Degree in Historic Preservation from Goucher College. This will be his third year with the Waterford Craft School.