FOLKWAYS: Examples of Workshops & Field Trips
In 2024, we started a Folk Fest gathering that has grown into Eye of the Whale. The practices of metal, wood, leather working and the companion fiber and plant workshops are core to our mission. See examples of hands-on Makers and Artisan Workshops plus tour activities that carry forth heritage folkways.
Wood Spoon Carving, Fri. at Brickworks, May 16
FRIDAY 9-4 : Wood Spoon Carving
This is a basic wood carving class and does not require previous experience. The class will cover wood selection, safety and sharpening, as well as axe techniques to rough out the spoon in the first half of the day, and in the afternoon will cover knife techniques to finish the shaping.
Blacksmithing, Friday at Brickworks, May 16
FRIDAY MORNING 9-12 : Wood Froe Forging.
Utilize traditional forging techniques to forge a useful wood splitting tool that's been in use for at least 5000 years. Learn practical techniques of drawing, flattening, punching, riveting, annealing, hardening and tempering. Taught by Emmett Pearsons, Copper Droplet Forge.
Blacksmithing, Friday at Brickworks, May 16
FRIDAY AFTERNOON 1-4 : Draw Knife Forging. Utilize traditional forging techniques to forge a useful wood shaping tool that's perfect for stripping bark, thinning and smoothing material. Learn the practical techniques of drawing, flattening, tapering, annealing, hardening and tempering.
Instructor: Emmett Pearsons
Off Grid Tools, Friday at Brickworks, May 16
FRIDAY 9-12 and 1-4 Join Guisepi Spadafora for hands-on use of old time, non-electric wood and metal tools to craft restoration projects. Treadle-powered tools are great for self-sufficiency, and fun to use. Materials and instruction provided to make your own projects.
Copper Spoon Making, Friday, May 16
FRIDAY 9-12 and 1-4 at Brickworks Create your own copper spoon to take home using traditional tools with instruction by Kiel Sloper. These heritage metal craft skills yield an enjoyable, handcrafted kitchen tool.
Leather Working, Friday at Brickworks, May 16
FRIDAY 9-noon or 1-4 Learn to stamp, dye, and design your own custom leather belt! One of our oldest art forms, leather working, born out of necessity for sturdy usable implements like bags, clothes, and useful tools. Taught by Josh Alber. 9-12 and 1-4.
Sat. Night SPASH! Dinner & Raku Firing
Sign up for dinner and add a raku experience with the delightful ceramic sculptor, Maria Michaelson, co-founder of Alchemy Arts Center. Limited space. This is a sought-after - and fascinating - live fire event. You will take home a cup or bowl, once cooled. Workshop is on the Brickworks plaza, for our dinners.
Blacksmithing, Saturday at Fellowshop
Join our hands-on blacksmithing class and craft your very own railroad spike bottle opener! Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, we will guide you step-by-step instruction as you transform a simple railroad spike into a functional and unique bottle opener. Taught by Vincent Jacques at the Fellowshop.
Examples of Folkways Field Trips on Saturday
The Off-Grid Living Workshop at Talking Horse Ranch
How can we use less energy while still accomplishing tasks in the shop? Join Guisepi Spadafora at his ever-evolving off-grid workshop on Talking Horse Ranch. Come see how a mixture of solar and human power can provide the energy necessary to fix and build things. You’ll get first-hand experience with the modern technology of an off-grid solar electric system, as well as hands- and foots-on experience with Victorian era treadle, pedal, and hand-crank tools. 12-3pm
Walking with Goats at Talking Horse Ranch
Enjoy a beautiful, guided hike with the whole herd on our 120 acres that walks along the pastures and heads into the forest. A trail takes up hill and leads to a scenic overlook of the farm, where on a clear day, Mount Baker is in full view. This hike is slow and meandering, so the goats can munch along the way. There will also be a baby kid goat petting time with newborn mischeif! Led By Allyson Rugge. (PS - baby goats for sale). Ally lives on Talking Horse Ranch where she and the collective tend a small herd of friendly goats, as well as a growing flock of chickens for rainbow egg production. 1-3pm
Holistic Animal Midwifery 101 at Talking Horse Ranch
What is Animal Midwifery? Can this approach change the ways we view farm animals to care for them in an empowering way? Learn a method that is deeply relational and works with the intelligence of intuition and natural instincts with practical skills and go-to remedies. Taught by Ally Rugge, founder of Women Who Stare at Goats Collective, & Mother Cluckers, on SJI. She is a pioneer in the work of practicing Animal Midwifery as a method of raising farm animals under the umbrella of Holistic & Regenerative Agriculture.
Fiber Farm Tours on Saturday
See the options on lower page of our Fibershed Track for sheep and alpaca farm experiences.
Seed Workshops on Saturday
See the Seed Nursery and Seed Sovereignty Activities on Saturday at island farms.
Stay Curious! and keep in touch with Eye of the Whale's year round offerings.