Thursday, February 16, 2012

23rd Arts and Arms Making Workshop at Conner Prairie


Connor Prairie’s hands-on classes offer you an opportunity to work directly with some of the nation’s best craftsmen. The small class size provides individual attention from the instructor to further develop your skills.

Weekend Classes
Saturday – Sunday, October 6 & 7, 8AM-5PM

Tinsmithing with Mike Runyon will introduce the art of working sheet tin into functional objects. Tools and techniques of the tinsmith will be covered including layout, cutting, soldering and the use of stakes and other forming tools.

Inkle Weaving with Sue Payne will show the completion of several powder horn or hunting straps. Participants will learn about the material selection, loom design, warping the loom and weaving.

Carving will John Schippers will cover basic carving techniques. Using simple carving knives, students will learn proper design and layout of long rifle relief carving.

Basic Blacksmithing with Nathan Allen will teach the basics of blacksmithing, including how to use a forge, draw, punch, harden and temper steel, and do forge welding. Projects such as s-hooks, fireplace pokers, chain links and a fork will be made.


Sunday – October 7, 8AM-5PM

Pennsylvania German Design will be taught by Ken Scott. Students will learn the technique and artistry of traditional Pennsylvania German fraktur and calligraphy. In addition to learning the technique of drawing and water colors students will learn the history and design of this art form.

5 Day Classes
Monday-Friday, October 8-12, 8AM-5PM
Hornworking: Southern Banded Horns by Art DeCamp is one of the five day classes. Lathe techniques for turning horn and wood, proper horn selection, scraping, heating, and shaping and coloring will be taught.

Engraving with John Schippers will cover the art of metal engraving. Basic design, tool selection and sharpening techniques will be covered.

2 1/2 Day Classes
Session 1
Monday-Tuesday, October 8-9, 8AM-5PM, Wednesday, October 10, 8AM-12PM

Traditional Barrel making with Nathan Allen will cover forging and finishing a skelp-welded gun. This class is a combination of demonstration and hands-on work which will show the steps of welding a barrel, making reaming and rifling tools and finishing the inside and outside of the barrel.

Quill Working by James Blake will cover using authentic brain-tanned hides, developing traditional patterns, process and dyeing quills, and applying quills to a project.


Leather Work with Ken Scott is on making hunting bags and pouches. Pattern development and basic leather working techniques will be covered as well as antiquing methods.

Session 2
Wednesday, October 10, 1PM-5PM, Thursday – Friday, October 11-12, 8AM-5PM

Finger Weaving with James Blake will be on the techniques for Eastern Woodland finger weaving. Material selection, design, and techniques for use on sashes, pouches and bags will be taught.

Knifesmithing with Dwight Gallian will cover the history and manufacturing of a traditional hand-forged knife. The class will include material selection, forging and finishing a functioning knife.

Folding Knife by Nathan Allen will instruct students how to build an 18th century style folding knife. Traditional filing, bench work and heat treating skills will be covered in this class.

Evening Class
Tuesday, October 9, 6:30PM-8:30PM

Decorative Techniques for Redware Pottery will show students how to lay a design, glaze and carve on Pennsylvania German and early New England redware. Students will be able to take home a piece of pottery.


Photos supplied by Nathan Allen at Conner Prairie. Poster design by Jan Riser.

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