coursework taught through the american swedish institute

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binding a hardcover book

A handmade hardcover book can record anything from journal entries to sketches, recipes to guest remembrances. Get started with bookbinding while creating a hardcover book just the size and colors you need. This class focuses on a style of codex bookbinding (i.e.; folded pages attached to a binding) with a sewn text block, resulting in a strong and firm set of pages inside a book cloth-wrapped hardcover. Working alongside instructor Maeve Gathje, students will complete all the steps of binding at least one book, and begin or even complete at least one more, as well as leave with the skills and tools to continue binding books beyond the course. Throughout the class, Maeve will address various tools, alternative techniques, design elements, problem-solving strategies, and questions about future adventures in bookbinding.

Carve a garden veggie

Try your hand at carving by making a couple of sweet miniature wooden vegetables with carving instructor Maeve. This beginner-level course will introduce students to the tradition of Scandinavian-style flat-plane carving, including basic knife grips and carving techniques. Students will be able to choose from several vegetable designs and can expect to complete at least two or three in class. The course will also cover related topics, including selecting and preparing tools and materials and techniques for painting and finishing. The finished vegetables will be perfect for playtime, display, or even a statement necklace.

carving tiny folk

Try out Scandinavian style flat plane carving in this one-day class, focused on carving “tiny folk” or small characters. Maeve Gathje will get students started with the technique of carving faces and people “on the corner” of a longer squared blank. This simple format is is approachable for beginners while still offering lots of great opportunities for carvers to practice knife skills and exercise their creativity. Throughout the day, tool and material selection, knife safety techniques, and finishing options such as milk paint will all be discussed. Students might go home ready to carve a whole village of characters!

Carve a Heart

This beginner-level course will introduce students to the tradition of Scandinavian-style flat plane carving, including basic knife grips and carving techniques. Related topics such as acquiring and preparing tools and materials will be covered throughout the class. The finished hearts will be perfect for display, gifting or even making a statement necklace.

 

Woodcarving 101 Intro to Green Woodcarving

If you know nothing about carving green wood, or what green wood means, or even what kind of knife to use for carving and how to keep it sharp, this course is for you! We will cover the basic techniques, handholds, and safety in beginning to learn how to carve. Students will leave with a butter spreader or other small object, but most importantly, they will leave with the basic knowledge of how to carve green wood and what you need to get started.

Woodcarving 102 a closer look at Green Wood

Ready to dive into Scandinavian style green wood carving? Join Maeve Gathje for this weekend long course designed to introduce students to everything they need to know to start a carving practice, from fresh cut log to finished project. Students will try several types of hand tools, with focus on the slojd (Scandinavian-style carving) knife and discuss building a tool set, acquiring green wood, tool maintenance and sharpening, drying, finishing projects with milk paint or oil, and more. Over two days students will complete several small projects such as a wall hook, spatula, or shrink pot.

Ornament Carving

Try your hand at carving while creating a totally unique wooden ornament to spruce up your holiday tree! This beginner-level carving course with Sam Gathje will introduce students to the tradition of Scandinavian-style flat plane carving, including basic knife grips and carving techniques. Students will pick a few pre-cut shapes to finish shaping or freehand your own design and see where the carving process leads. Students should expect to take home a few ornaments that can be painted or oiled after class, and then displayed or gifted. This class is the perfect way to connect with family over the holidays and maybe even start a new tradition.

Hooks and Hangers

Put your carving knife to work carving hooks and hangers in this one-day class! Alongside woodworking instructor Sam Gathje, students will practice carving in the traditional green wood style, starting with a small branched length of wood. Using the natural shape of the branch, students will shape it into a useful hook. From there, students will tackle simple pegs and attach them to a board for any hanging storage needs. Decoration and finishing, such as additional carving, paint, or other finishes will be discussed and demonstrated if time allows.

Carved Spreaders and Spatulas

Try out Scandinavian-style woodcarving in this one-day hands on workshop. Students will work with fresh “green” wood, a carving knife, and a few other simple hand tools to make a variety of kitchen tools. Starting with the basic knife grips, each student will carve a spreader for butter, jam, or soft cheeses, then move on to using a drawknife and shaving horse to create a spatula. This is a terrific introduction to foundational hand tools and techniques that will take students on to spoons, bowls, and lots of other interesting projects.