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July 2020
Summer Foraging at Foxfire (Adult Class)
Join us for a wild foods foraging adventure at Foxfire in Southern Appalachia; one of the most botanically diverse regions of the world! About this Event Summer is a plentiful time for gathering wild foods, herbs, and fungi. The summer sun ripens wild berries and activates aromatic herbs adding layers of nutrient-dense flavors to foraged dishes. With the right mix of temperature and moisture, we are likely to find some fungi popping up on the Foxfire trails. What you might…
Find out more »August 2020
7-Step Chair Bottoming
Taught by Foxfire contact and demonstrator Kermit Rood, this two-day class instructs students in the method of cane weaving. This seven-step process involves weaving the seat bottom into the perimeter of the seat through drilled holes. For the class, students will need to bring a chair they wish to bottom. All other tools and materials will be supplied in the class. Be sure to pack your lunch for both days!
Find out more »Intro to Yarn Spinning
This 6-hour class taught by Foxfire's resident weaver, Sharon Grist, will include instruction on different fibers and their characteristics and practical applications of carding, drafting, and spindle and wheel spinning. Students will spin wool and learn several ways to handle fiber to produce varying yarn structures. Class fee includes instruction, use of studio equipment, raw materials, and handouts. Be sure to pack your own lunch! Students with their own wheel are welcome to bring it. Class date subject to change,…
Find out more »September 2020
Introductory Woodworking
Taught by Foxfire contact and demonstrator Kermit Rood, this one-day class introduces the student to the fundamentals of woodworking. The class will focus on historic and present day methods, tools, and equipment, shop safety and setup, as well as sources for lumber and hardware. You will leave this class with a handmade wooden box, made using tools such as a froe, draw knife, and molding plane. All tools and materials will be supplied in the class. Be sure to pack…
Find out more »The Joy of Castile Soap Workshop
Miss Jenny uses her Castile soap for the base of 100’s of recipes that are custom tailored to meet the Stevens families cleaning challenges. This class will teach you how to make cold process castile soap and provide re-milling instructions to customize Miss Jenny’s Castile Soap into your very own specialty soaps & cleaning solutions. Participants will leave with Castile Soap in a wooden soap mold, The Joy of Castile Soap workbook with recipes and re-milling instructions. You will have…
Find out more »Beginning Weaving
This two-day introduction to weaving is taught by resident weaver Sharon Grist and covers: the mechanics of three kinds of floor looms how to do graph paper draw-downs of weave structures the process of making a warp how to properly thread heddles and reeds dressing the loom winding a proper bobbin hem-stitching the fabric Students will weave a twill sampler runner on which they will explore numerous treadling variations on one basic threading sequence. No experience is necessary. Class fee…
Find out more »FALL FORAGING (ADULT CLASS)
The multicolored forest provide us with an abundance of wonderful wild food medicine including roots, leaves, flowers, bark, seeds, and nuts. Many herbaceous fall plants help to strengthen our respiratory and immune systems in preparation for winter. Try your hand at making culinary infusions with local honey, homemade apple cider vinegar, and vitamin C-rich wild ingredients such as rosehips and pine needles. We’ll also whip up a batch of goldenrod cornbread to celebrate this wonderful time to be outdoors in…
Find out more »October 2020
Broom Making
Learn broom making with Foxfire's resident broom artist, Carole Morse. This two-day course covers the essentials of broom making, including discussions on the materials, processes, and art of crafting different broom varieties. Students participating in the class will complete and take home a cobweb broom and hearth broom. The class runs two days, from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm on each day. Pack a good lunch and get ready to be swept away with broom making!
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