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2008 Workshops - Complete Listing by Subject
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-see also, Native American arts and crafts
Saturday, February 9 9am – 4pm
Cost: $30.00 Limit: 10
Learn to make this large, versatile basket, used in olden times to carry pies.
Saturday, April 12 9am – 4pm
Cost: $25 Limit: 10
Learn to weave this traditional Appalachian basket, delicately engineered to carry eggs without breaking them.
Saturday, November 1 9am – 4pm
Cost: $25 Limit: 10
Build a large wooden-bottomed basket from a variety of available shapes and colors.
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18th Century Blacksmithing Instructor: Mark Ramsey
Saturday, June 14 10am – 4pm
Saturday, November 15 10am – 4pm
Cost: $85 (includes supplies) Limit: 6
For beginners or the more experienced—let us know your level when you sign up!
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Chair Bottoming
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Beginning Chair Bottoming Instructor: Kathy Broyles
Saturday, March 29 9am – 4pm
Cost: $30 Limit: 10
A great way to repair an old favorite or brush up an antique! Learn how to weave the life back into your old cane furniture.
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Saturday, October 4 9am – 4pm
$50 Limit: 12
Prepare fish, chicken, vegetables, greens, cornbread, drinks, apple betty in a pumpkin, cooling cinnamon water, and coffee over an open fire, 18th century style. Please wear closed toe shoes, pants or long skirt, and socks. Bring your favorite cutting knife and apron.
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Saturday and Sunday, March 1 and 2 Saturday 10am – 4pm; Sunday 2pm – 4pm
Cost: $30 Limit: 10
This two-day class offers decorative techniques of egg design, just in time for Easter! Bring white blown eggs.
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Saturday, May 31 11am – 3pm
Cost: $30 (includes supplies) Limit: 12
Turn wool fleece into a colorful and useful item using only soap, water, and your hands. Learn to make a flat item such as a placemat, rug, or drawstring purse
Intermediate Wet Felting Instructor: Melanie Koenig
Sunday, June 1 1 – 4 pm
Cost: $25.00 (includes supplies) Limit: 12
Advance your felting skills by making a 3D item such as a purse or hat.
Beginning Needle Felting Instructor: Melanie Koenig
Saturday, December 13 9am – noon
Cost: $25 (includes supplies) Limit: 12
A fun way to felt without all the water! Make ornaments or other flat items.
Intermediate Needle Felting Instructor: Melanie Koenig
Saturday, December 13 1 – 4pm
Cost: $25 (includes supplies) Limit: 12
Enhance your skills learned earlier this day with a 3-D project and more advanced techniques. Make a Santa or doll head.
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Fibers (Miscellaneous)
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Fibers Mini-Workshops: Felt Balls, Felting Over Soap, Lucet, Knitty Knobby
Instructor: Melanie Koenig
Saturday and Sunday, August 8 & 9 (at the Carter Mansion Celebration)
10am – 4pm
Cost: $5 most classes, $6 for soap class
This series of short, 30-minute workshops will be offered as you drop by throughout the weekend on topics such as felting and knitty knobby. Call the park for more details.
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Hunting and Trapping
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-note: the following hunting workshops do not take the place of a hunter safety course. They are purely for historical interest.
Saturday, September 20 10am – 4pm
Cost: $20 Limit: 10
Before colonial settlement crept across the mountains, this land was the domain of the long hunters. Learn how to assemble and optimize your gear for a long hunter trek, 18th century style. A great resource for teachers and students as well as those interested in re-enacting.
Saturday, October 11 10am – 4pm
Cost: $35 Limit: 10
Learn the old ways of the Cherokees for hunting, trapping, and fishing—using ordinary materials to survive in the wild.
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Saturday, February 16 1 – 3 pm
Cost: $25.00 Limit: 16
Learn basic three ball juggling technique and several tricks. You will leave with three professional quality juggling bags and the ability to use them.
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Sweater Knitting Instructor: Melanie Koenig
2nd Mondays 9 am – 1 pm
January 14
February 11
March 10
April 14
May 12
June 9
July 14
August 11
September 8
October 13
November 10
December 8
Cost: $25.00 per class or $80.00 for four (plus supplies) Join any time
Learn to follow a published pattern of your choice and produce an attractive garment in the process. Learn tips and tricks to make your knitting easier and better. Basic knitting skills required. Materials are available from the instructor for $8 to $12.
Beginning Knitting Instructor: Melanie Koenig
Saturday, January 26 11 am – 3 pm
Saturday, February 16 12 – 4 pm
Saturday, May 10 11am - 3pm
Saturday, August 16 11am - 3pm
Cost: $25.00 plus supplies Limit: 14
Learn how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off. Leave class with your first project started and the skills to complete it. Materials are available from the instructor for $8 to $12.
Knit Socks Instructor: Melanie Koenig
Sunday, January 27 1 – 4pm
Sunday, April 27 1 – 4pm
Cost: $25.00 plus supplies Limit: 12
Learn to knit creative and beautiful socks on double pointed needles. Basic knitting skills required. Materials are available from the instructor for $8 to $12.
Sunday, February 17 1 – 4pm
Sunday, August 17 1 – 4pm
Cost: $20.00 (supplies not included) Limit: 14
Learn to follow a pattern as you knit a hat using circular and double pointed needles. Basic knitting skills required. Materials are available from the instructor for $8 to $12.
Sunday, May 11 1 – 4pm
Cost: $20 (supplies not included) Limit: 14
Learn to follow a pattern, increase, and decrease as you knit mittens on double pointed needles. Basic knitting skills required. Materials are available from the instructor for $8 to $12.
18th Century Knitting Instructor: Melanie Koenig
Sunday, July 6 1 – 4pm
Sunday, September 21 1 – 4pm
Cost: $25 Limit: 14
Learn about knitting in the 18th century and try some typical patterns. Basic knitting skills required. The cost of the class includes yarn. Bring US #6 or #7 needles.
Sunday, December 14 1 – 4pm
Cost: $20 (supplies not included) Limit: 10
Get patterns and ideas as you knit some quick projects for gift giving. Materials are available from the instructor for $8 to $12.
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-see also, Native American arts and crafts
Flat Foot Dancing Instructor: Scott Koenig
Saturday, February 16 10 – 11 am
Cost $5.00 Limit: 20
Learn this old time traditional dance style. No taps please.
Saturday, March 1 1 – 4pm
Cost: $20 Limit: special
Learn the basics of this popular and historic instrument. Instruments are provided, or you may bring your own!
Saturday, July 19 1 – 3pm
Saturday, September 20 1 – 3pm
Cost: $25 (includes whistle); $15 (if you have your own)
Learn the fundamentals of holding and sounding your whistle, learn your first notes and play your first song, or advance the skills you already possess (instructional material provided).
Beginning Appalachian Dulcimer Instructor: Melanie Koenig
Saturday, November 8, 9 am – 12 pm
Cost: $20.00 Limit: 15
Instruments are provided for this class. You will learn traditional techniques & songs.
Beginning Autoharp Instructor: Melanie Koenig
Saturday, November 8, 1 – 4 pm
Cost: $20.00 Limit: 15
Learn techniques & styles of playing: instruments are provided
Intermediate Dulcimer and Autoharp Instructor: Melanie Koenig
Sunday, November 9 1-4pm
Cost: $20.00 Limit 15
Learn lots of new songs and techniques to improve your skills while playing with a group.
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Saturday, February 23 10am – 4pm
Cost: $45 (includes supplies) Limit: 10
Cherokee pipes were functional works of art, and held important meaning in Cherokee life. Learn to carve a traditional Cherokee pipe with native steatite.
Saturday, March 29 10am – 4pm
Cost: $65 (includes supplies) Limit: 10
Make a well-fitted set of center-seam Cherokee leather moccasins using traditional techniques.
Saturday, March 8 1pm – 4pm
Cost: $25 (includes supplies)
Make a traditional Cherokee basket using honeysuckle, naturally dyed with bloodroot, walnut, and pokeberry. Learn how to cook the vine, roll, bleach, dye, and make splints.
Saturday, April 5 10am – 4pm
Cost: $100 (includes supplies) Limit: 10
The art of making a traditionally tunes Cherokee-style flute using native river cane (wear old clothes).
Sunday, April 6 1 – 4pm
Cost: $30 (if in Saturday class, $45 if not) Limit: 12
Learn the techniques of creating beautiful melodies with the native river cane flute.
Saturday, June 14 1 – 4pm
Cost: $25 (includes supplies) Limit: 10
Learn the techniques of appliqué and edge beadwork.
Saturday, October 11 Time TBA
Cost: TBA
Color your basketry materials the Cherokee way—all natural materials, with no artificial dyes or colors. Then take them home to further your own arts and crafts projects.
Saturday, October 18 10am – 3pm
Cost: $25 Limit: 15
Celebrate the simple joys of fall with this popular Native American craft. Bring a large bowl and a pair of scissors.
Saturday, November 8 10am – 3pm
Cost: $45 (includes a loom that you keep) Limit: 10
Use a loom to create intricate woven patterns of beads.
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Saturday, September 20 10am – 2pm
Cost: $25 Limit: 10
Make beautiful color with all the bounty of nature! Learn to dye thread as did the settlers of the 18th century, and create stunning colors with all the herbs and flowers of the field.
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Friday, January 11 9am – 4pm
Friday, April 25
Saturday, May 24
Saturday, June 21
Saturday, July 12
Saturday, August 30
Friday, September 19
Saturday, October 25
Saturday, November 22
Saturday, December 6
Cost: $50 (includes supplies) Limit: 12
Use wet-on-wet techniques to learn oil on canvas from a certified Bob Ross instructor.
Saturday, January 12; Friday and Saturday, January 25 & 26; Saturday, February 9; Saturday, February 23; Saturday, March 8; Friday and Saturday, Mar 28 & 29 (2-day class); Saturday, April 5 10am – 1pm each day
Cost: One day classes: $12 (plus supplies) or $20 (includes supplies)
Two day classes: $20 (plus supplies) or $35 (includes supplies)
Learn and practice watercolor techniques and styles. Dress to take a short walk outdoors for photos and observations, weather permitting.
Saturday, April 19 10am - 12pm
Saturday, June 14 10am - 12pm
Cost: $5 Limit: 10
An overview of the powdered pigments and bonding materials used from medieval
times through the 18th century. Learn to prepare traditional watercolors and
egg tempura paints.
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Flint Knapping: Making Stone Tools
Instructors: Bob Estep, Chris Edens, Clark Sams
Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4 10am – 4pm
Cost: $60 (includes supplies) Limit: 12
Make stone tools such as the arrow point using only traditional techniques (Adults only).
Saturday, July 26 10am – 4pm
Cost: $40 (includes supplies) Limit: 12
This two part class begins with learning primitive techniques to create functional pottery. These pieces will be pit-fired in Part II of the class on August 9.
Primitive Pottery II: Pit-Firing Techniques
Instructors: Bob Estep, Chris Edens, Clark Sams
Saturday, August 9 (at the Carter Mansion Celebration)
10am – 4pm
Cost: $15 (free if you attended the July 26 class)
Fire your pottery in an earthen pit with naturally burning materials
Primitive Atlatl and Spear
Instructors: Bob Estep, Chris Edens, Clark Sams
Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14
10am – 4pm
Cost: $60 (includes supplies)
Limit: 12
Make a spear and spear thrower, a hunting tool used by primitive cultures worldwide. Bring a knife suitable for woodcarving and wood carving tools, if available (Adults only).
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Saturday, January 19 10am – 3pm
Cost: $25.00 Limit: 15
Take something old and make something beautiful! Make a rug, table runner, or placemat out of the fabric of your choice.
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Saturday, January 12 10am – 3pm
Cost: $30 Limit: 15
Learn the history of soap making while making a batch of cold processed soap. Use all-vegetable ingredients; add essential oils, dried herbs, and more. Practice stenciling and other decorative techniques to embellish your gift-giving. We will end class with tea and scones, 18th century style.
Saturday, May 3 10am – 4pm
Cost: $35 Limit: 15
Learn to make soap as it was made in the 18th century—in a cast iron kettle over an open fire. Add essential oils, herbs, and more to the soap that you take home. Bring a lunch, wear closed toed shoes and long pants or a long skirt.
Saturday, May 3 2 – 3:30pm
Cost: none Limit: none
Participate in the first Sycamore Shoals soap molding and carving contest! Bring your own bar of soap or get one with your registration. The carvings will be on display in the park Visitors Center for one week to allow the public to vote on the winners. Winners will be announced Saturday, May 17 at 12:00 noon.
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Spinning Fiber – First Steps Instructor: Melanie Koenig
Saturday, April 26 9am - 1pm
Cost: $30.00 includes supplies Limit: 8
Learn to work with wool fiber to spin it into yarn on a spinning wheel
Spinning Fiber – Intermediate Instructor: Melanie Koenig
Saturday, April 26 1:30-4:30pm
Cost: $30.00 includes supplies Limit: 8
Work with all sorts of exotic fibers including curly mohair, llama, angora, linen, and others.
Spinning on a Bottom Whorl Drop Spindle Instructor: John Plutchak
Saturday, August 9 (at Carter Mansion) 10:30am – 1:30pm
Cost: $20 (spindle provided) Limit: 12
Learn how to spin fiber into thread using the Bottom Whorl method, used by our ancestors in this region over two hundred years ago.
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-see also, Soap Making
Valentine’s Day Tea Instructor: Sherri Hyder
Saturday, February 2 10am – 2pm
Cost: $15.00 Limit: 15
Explore the history of Valentine’s Day and tea in the 18th century, make potato block print cards, and learn how to give a tea party for any occasion.
Wednesday, June 18 1 – 3pm
Cost: $20 Limit: 15
Learn the history of “teatime” from the time of the American Revolution, and learn how to present a tea to teach manners in a fun environment. Perfect for teachers, girl scout leaders, or anyone interested in teaching manners and/or presenting a tea to young people of all ages.
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Saturday, April 19 1 – 4pm
Cost: $15 Limit: 10
Weave a detailed, versatile pattern with a few inexpensive supplies. A great introduction to the basics of weaving.
Saturday, February 2
Saturday, February 16 10am – 12pm
Cost: $15.00 Limit: 5
Learn to finger weave with DMC (embroidery) thread using 1 color first, then 2 or 3 colors. You will make a bracelet and/or bookmark. Bring a pillow with large safety pins or a clipboard, and 2 or 3 different colors of thread.
Saturday, February 9
Saturday, February 23 10am – 12pm
Cost: $15 Limit: 5
Learn to finger weave with yarn using 2 or 3 colors. You will make a belt or a hatband. Bring a pillow with large safety pins or a clipboard, and 2 or 3 different colors of yarn.
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Carving a Dough Bowl Instructor: Mark Ramsey
Saturday, May 10 10am – 3pm
Saturday, August 9 (at the Carter Mansion) 10am – 3pm
Cost: $75 (includes supplies) Limit: 6
Learn the woodworking techniques used to carve a traditional Appalachian bowl.
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