Waterford Craft School

Make by hand.

Instructor

Jesica Clark

by

Willow Weaving

Jes Clark (they/them) is owner and operator of Willow Vale Farm in Stanfordville, NY. Jes weaves traditional and contemporary functional pieces and the basket forms created are a result of their conversation with each stick of willow. All of their willow is grown without pesticides using regenerative practices and with loving care.

Jes has been teaching weaving just since 2018 but has taught hundreds of students ranging from absolute beginners to experienced weavers looking to refine their craft. They have taught at the Stowe Basketry Festival, for the Northeast Basketmakers Guild, at the New York Botanical Garden just to name a few, and also privately in one-on-one tutorials. To see Jes’s wares, check out her Instagram page!

Karen Wychock

by

Basket-Making

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

by

Hand Spinning Wool

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!

Brett Walker Bt. W. & Co.

by

Leather Making 101 & 102 and Colonial Camp

Mr. Walker is a formally trained master boot-and shoe-maker who has practiced his art for the past 19 years. Four were as an apprentice and five as a journeyman with Colonial Williamsburg.

Mr. Walker is an historian/educator and a true craftsman.  He likes to tell the early American story by exploring the everyday experiences of everyday colonists to discover how their lives were shaped. He teaches a range of 18th century skills learned from working with museums and living history programs.  The two classes he will be teaching at the 2019 Craft School will be based on specific 18th century artifacts.

Linda VanHart

by

Silversmithing

Linda Van Hart was named National Art Educator of the year for excellence in the classroom, writing curriculum as the National Curriculum Chair, and arts advocacy beyond the classroom. Making Art and teaching Art is her life.

Linda is a fifth generation Carroll County Marylander who travels the world doing botanical portraits. In her fifth decade of teaching art and metalsmithing, she continues to find creative adventures in her raison d’être. She participates in a few high end juried and gallery shows every year, such as the Waterford Fair. Linda is in many private collections in the USA, Italy, Switzerland, Scotland and Russia.

Locally, Linda is represented by Off Track Art in Westminster and NOMA in Frederick, MD. She teaches metalsmithing in the Mid-Atlantic region, and is the Visual Arts Coordinator at Common Ground on The Hill.

Caroline Twigg

by

Rug Hooking

Caroline first learned to hook at the local library; she was taught to pull loops but knew there was more to learn. Caroline started searching for teachers and soon was organizing classes to learn how to dye wool. Once she started hooking she never looked back. She has taught at Association of Traditional Hooking Artists Biennial, and Rug Hooking Retreats at Sauder Village.

Caroline and her husband Ron live in a hand hewed log home along with their beloved beagles Otis and Maple. Ron has lovingly converted their attic into a beautiful studio, Eagles Nest.

Tim Rose

by

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.

Grace Rochford

by

Make A Floorcloth From Start to Finish

Meet instructor Grace Rochford! Grace 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 workshops, inspiring many of her students to continue making floorcloths on their own. The process is contagious!