Specialty Crafts

Beekeeping keeps honey-bee colonies for honey, pollination and pleasure. You will learn bee biology, hive setup, seasonal management, disease control and harvesting.

Bonsai is the practice of growing miniature trees in containers. You will learn species selection, pruning and wiring, repotting and root work, watering and seasonal care, and the design principles behind traditional bonsai styles.

Bookbinding is the craft of physically assembling a book from sheets of paper. Learners will understand various binding styles, including pamphlet stitch and multi-section sewing, and how to use specialized tools to create durable covers and spines.

Bushcraft is living comfortably in the wild with minimal gear. You will learn fire, shelter, water and navigation, knife and axe skills, foraging basics and wilderness first aid.

Candle making is the craft of melting wax and combining it with wicks, dyes, and fragrances to create functional candles. Learners will understand different wax types, temperature control, wick sizing, safety protocols, and various pouring and molding techniques.

Mycology is the study of fungi and foraging the practice of gathering wild food. You will learn fungal biology and identification, safe foraging of mushrooms and plants, and the field guides and communities that matter.

Glassblowing is the art of shaping molten glass by inflating it through a tube. Learners will understand the properties of hot glass, the operation of furnaces and reheating chambers, and how to use specialized hand tools to shape functional vessels.

Jewelry making is the craft of designing and creating wearable ornaments from metals, stones, and beads. Learners will understand wire-wrapping, metal sawing, soldering, stone setting, and how to use specialized hand tools to finish professional-grade decorative pieces.

Leatherworking is the craft of converting leather into practical objects or art. Learners will understand how to select hides, use cutting and carving tools, perform saddle stitching, dye and finish edges, and construct items like wallets, belts, and bags.

Origami is the art of folding paper into forms without cutting or glue. You will learn standard bases and folds, how to read diagrams and crease patterns, modular and tessellation techniques, and the mathematics behind modern origami design.

Pottery is the process of forming vessels and other objects with clay and other ceramic materials. Learners will understand hand-building techniques, wheel throwing, glazing, and firing processes to create durable, functional, and decorative ceramic pieces.

Pottery and ceramics covers the creation of objects from clay, which are then hardened by heat. Learners will understand hand-building techniques, wheel throwing, glazing methods, and the chemistry of firing clay bodies in electric or gas kilns.

Soap making is the chemical process of combining fats or oils with an alkali to produce soap. Learners will understand the saponification process, safety measures for handling lye, oil formulation, scenting, coloring, and both cold-process and hot-process techniques.

Growing food and keeping a homestead builds self-reliance. You will learn vegetable gardening, soil and compost, season extension, preserving, small livestock and planning a productive plot.

Horology is the science and craft of timekeeping. You will learn how mechanical movements work, from mainspring and gear train to escapement and balance, how to service a watch, and the history of clock and watch design.

Woodturning and carving covers the shaping of wood using hand tools or a rotating lathe. Learners will understand wood grain characteristics, tool sharpening, safety procedures, and techniques for creating sculptural reliefs, bowls, spindles, and detailed ornamental designs.