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By Robin Sauerwein Generations ago activities like crocheting, weaving and woodworking were common place. Children learned these skills from their parents and grandparents. Today, video games and the Internet eat up most of their time. But these timeless activities are making a comeback. So next time the grandkids are over, take a chance and unplug their world. Instead of going to the movies or a video arcade, why not try exploring a new handicraft together. There are plenty of places you can go. North House Folk School located in Grand Marais is one place. Program Director, Scott Pollock said that of the 370 regular courses offered at the school, 70% of them are available for those under 18 if accompanied by an adult. The school encourages younger people to take the classes and like Pollock said “see education happen.” According to their website, the North House Folk School was created, “to promote and preserve knowledge, skills, and crafts of the past and present, and through them, to better understand the future and our role in it.” At the school, you will see a lot of intergenerational opportunities happening between adult and child. A few times during the summer, the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center pairs up with North House to bring an Elderhostel program over for intergenerational sessions. The school hosts shortened versions of classes like wood fire flat bread baking and birch bark weaving. Pollock said that it is one thing to study Ojibwa culture out of a book but it becomes quite another learning experience when grandparents and grandkids share in making a voyageur paddle. “Anything can be learned but here is a history lesson with a meaning. It comes alive here at the school right before your eyes,” he said. “It is history talking. It is not a museum. It’s not boring.” For grandparents it is an added benefit that the activity is closer to their hands. And for kids it just makes more sense. Something that is missing in today’s education. “It is foreign in our modern education. We used to have ties to the land,” he said. Pollock said that grandparents are always telling him that, “it is just about getting the grandkids involved.” Paddle making and flatbread baking are two of their more popular courses that attract both boys and girls. The two day course on voyageur paddle making teaches both adult and child the necessary woodcarving techniques to make a voyageur paddle. Flatbread baking is a popular one day course where participants learn five different recipes. They roll their own dough and bake it in a wood fire oven. In addition to a history lesson kids also learn a little about the chemistry of how ingredients interact. Pollack credits the school’s teachers with an ability to create an interesting learning environment for a child. For example, learning how to hand carve a bread board for the kitchen may be easy enough for a 13 year old to do but if you relate those skills to a skateboard suddenly his ears perk up. “That’s the power of our instructors here at North House. Finding what the kids are into and to make the experience unique to the individual.” The North House Folk School is just one place to take classes. The Twin Cities offers a wide variety of places to learn everything from crocheting to woodworking. Whether you are an experienced needle crafter or a novice, check out the resources below for an unlimited supply of ideas, classes and supplies. Not only will both of you have fun but it’s a great way to bridge that generation gap without having to learn how to text message. Crafty Planet Whether it’s knitting chemo hats with the Roller girls or just a neighborhood craft and chat evening, Crafty Planet is much more than just a craft store. It’s a community. Husband and wife team, Matt DeVries and Trish Hoskins offer funky fabrics, contemporary patterns and friendly classes for all levels in crocheting, knitting, quilting, embroidery and more. Their selection is so trendy and fun that theater scenery designers often come and select some of their fabrics for their sets. Some of their more popular items at the store include Amy Butler Fabrics and patterns. You’ll find floral botanical motifs that are not stuffy or old fashioned, Japanese fabrics, subversive cross-stitch patterns and soft Alpaca yarns. “There is a younger, hipper crowd getting into crafts today,” owner, Trish Hoskins said. Some of their products can be purchased on line at their website. But if you want to learn how to do something with all these great fabrics and materials, then this is the place to do it. Some of the classes being offered for beginning and advanced include: crocheting, embroidery, spinning, sewing and tatting (lace making). The Yarnery The Yarnery is a St. Paul tradition located in the Victoria Crossing area. They carry mostly natural fibers–basic wools, cottons, alpaca, mohair, as well as a wide selection of patterns from local designers. They also offer knitting classes, clinics, and community knitting opportunities. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced knitter, come in and check them out. They are open seven days a week. New in the store: Reversible Lotus Blossom Hat, Woolly Gnomes and Introduction to Japanese Knitting Patterns. Other classes include: Adult and child knitting, mini sock, lace and felted clogs workshop. Knitting for others crochet items for those in need. This year The Yarnery will provide school kids in need with hats, mittens, and scarves. If you would like to donate finished items or leftover yarn, the group members will knit it for you. You can also drop off your handknit items at the store. Ingebretsen’s Ingebretsen’s is a great place to visit. A true old world market with everything Scandinavian including food, gifts, needlework and even clothing. But there is more than just great Scandinavian food and gifts. You can also take some interesting child friendly classes like: Paint a Norwegian or Swedish Ornament, Crop Art, Norse Myth and Puppetry, and Butter Knife Carving. An extensive collection of needlework supplies, books and materials are available as well. Call for more information or to register. Weaver’s Guild Advance your skills in weaving from those dull pot holder looms you had as a child. Or perhaps you have one of those Weavette’s or other little weaving device? Learn what you can make with one of these looms besides cute little squares or try your hand at other types of looms. The Weavers Guild teaches the fun of weaving from the tiniest inkle loom to giant floor looms for beginners and experienced weavers alike. Lots of classes to choose from including one day workshops so you can leave with a completed project in hand. Spinning and dyeing classes are also offered. Wood Carver’s Store & School Learn the fundamentals of woodcarving and whittling by taking a class at the Wood Carver’s store. Whittle everything from Christmas ornaments to bunnies Classes for young people stress the importance of safe techniques in working with wood. Storytelling You can also visit the locally based Northstar Storytelling League’s website: www.northstarstorytelling.org to get a feel for developing the craft of storytelling and information on events. Every month the league sponsors PJ Stories at the Coffee Grounds Coffee shop, 1579 Hamline Avenue in Falcon Heights. Held from 6:30-7:30 pm, volunteer tellers engage the elementary school age audience (pjs encouraged) with tales of every description. Finally, the folks at The Art of Storytelling with Children, (www.storytellingwithchildren.com) host a podcast/conference call most Tuesdays at 8 pm. Participants can join in the conversation or just listen as a different guest each week explores the specific art of telling stories to children. North House Folk School It is well worth the trip up to the North House Folk School on the harbor at Grand Marais just for the fascinating selection of classes they offer. Depending on the class you take, you may be staying for more than one day, but that just offers more time alone with your grandchildren. Some of the courses to choose from include: twig furniture, handcraft a wool braided rug, old fashioned soap making, sausage making, wooden bowl turning and build your own canoe. North House encourages intergenerational learning and the courses that are open to students under 18 along with an enrolled adult student are listed in the course descriptions. Courses will be held at North House Folk School, located on Lake Superior in Grand Marais, Minnesota at the foot of the Gunflint Trail. Students receive a list of available lodging options in the area. |
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