If you subscribe to the Woodspirit Handcraft Newsletter, the Woodspirit School Newsletter, or follow along on Instagram you may have already heard some of this news—sorry for the redundancy. It’s hard to balance the many choices on where to share information and since many of you subscribe only to my blog, this news is worth repeating.

This is what it looked like in November.

Last November we bought a small building just a few blocks away from our house in Ashland WI. It was a bit spontaneous, but we knew it would mean something good. We’d been driving by the vacant building for years, often daydreaming about what we could do with it. When it went on the market we had to move fast. And we did. The following months were filled with brainstorming, talking to architects, engineers, city planning and finally in February with everything in order we began the renovation. It’s been non-stop ever since—a whirlwind in fact. I wasn’t sure if I could handle the hard work of demolition and rebuild myself. It had been years since I had done that level of carpentry. But with the help of two friends and a lot of sweat we gutted the building and added a second story. Looking back, I thought it went well. I had only minor aches and pains, though I was definitely tired at the end of each day.

Willow basket weaving in the spring with guest instructor Scogin Zimmerman-Mayo. Woodspirit School

This whole experience has been amazing and a bit surreal. I’ve been keen to start a craft school for years, but didn’t quite know how it would come to be realized. In late spring we launched The Woodspirit School of Traditional Craft (sorry I have a thing for long titles). Once the main structure was built we prioritized finishing the second floor for hosting classes, workshops and other events. To date we’ve held several craft classes: spoon carving, willow basketry, birch bark weaving, pole lathe turning, making a crooked knife, and a spin, dye, weave class. Most of them were held in the space as it was being completed. It’s funny, I thought we’d be done by June.

Proud pole lathe bowl turners. Woodspirit School

I do need to mention that there’s a difference between a craft school and a folk school. The difference comes down to their respective core missions or ethos. The way I understand it, folk schools are about building community first and foremost. They use craft, dance, art, etc. to bring people together. A craft school is about sharing skills first and foremost. Of course the community part is there too, it’s inseparable, but the main focus is on sharing skills. These differences are important distinctions—mostly for us behind the curtain as we plan course work and events.

That said, community is paramount to us. We’ve been hosting a craft potluck night two Tuesday’s a month where we eat and craft together. It’s been a fantastic time with both regular attendees and a cycle of new folks (visitors from as far as Colorado and New Mexico) showing up to share their skills, geek out or simply work quietly. As summer ends and we move into fall and soon enough winter, I’ll be sharing my collection of esoteric craft films on craft nights.

The ground floor of the building is my woodworking shop. Just last week the heavy machines got lugged up from my basement workshop (Thanks Rude and Tom!) Regardless of the numerous finish details that still have to be made, I need to start making (and selling) again. It’s been too long. I can hardly wait to get making again. On Sunday I set up my Harvey lathe and turned two bowls. This helped me to work through the flow of the space—where to set up drying racks, the other lathes, which direction to face the bandsaw, where to put bins for waste, etc. All this needs careful consideration. I won’t commit firmly for a while, instead I’ll observe how I use the space to answer those questions.

There was a great turnout at our open house. Woodspirit School

This past Friday was our open house. It was kind of like throwing a party so you’d clean your house sort of deal. We spent the past few weeks completing big things like installing the cabinets and countertops, plumbing the sink, building the finished stairs which replaced the temporary ones, sanding and painting the lower space, installing the garage door, deep cleaning of overflowing piles of cardboard and building scraps and lastly hanging the sign (Jazmin designed and made it).

Jazmin taught a dye, spin, weave class the day after the open house

There was a great turnout. People have been wondering what we were up to with this building so it was a great chance for them to pop in and see. We had some light snacks and drink (served on wooden tableware of course) and plenty of our craft on display for folks to pick up and handle. Much of it was the stuff we make in the classes we offer.

This week we’ll relax a bit and try to enjoy these last summer days. This weekend I’ll run a pole lathe turning workshop, then on to the finish trim, tweaking my shop, and with a little luck getting back to work making bowls, cups, boxes, spoons, baskets and who knows what else in September. My mind is reeling with ideas as this larger space allows me to further stretch my wings.

The Woodspirit School of Traditional Craft

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