Primitive Skills Workshops (4)

Carrying Net

  The gathering and hunting grounds were often a long distance from the homes of hunter/gatherers. When the load got heavy and became too great to carry in their arms, carrying nets were devised to hold as much as the harvester or hunter could carry. Items were carried in the small hammock of large mesh. The net was attached to a carrying strap, which was suspended from the head or shoulders. The carrying net was no trouble to carry empty, yet convenient if one needed to transport something.
The making of the mesh net will be started on the first day. You'll learn to use a shuttle and gauge to construct the netting knot. On the second day, we'll continue the net and also begin creating the carrying strap.
Fee: $45

Coconut Shell Drum

 In the traditional Hawaiian hula, music and dance were performed for religious purposes to honor gods, ruling chiefs and their family history. The hula involved dances accompanied by mele (music, song, prayers and poetical chants) and a variety of sound-producing instruments, some of which were musical. Others were used to beat time for hula dancers. One of the musical instruments used by the drummer/chanter was the coconut shell drum.
We will make a rhythm drum out of a coconut shell and lash it to a goat skin rawhide. The drum beater will made from coconut fibers.
Fee: $60

Tule Sun Visor
  Tule or bulrushes were used by local groups throughout the world. It's length, pliability and cell structure made the plant suitable for making baskets, clothing, mats, watercrafts, paper, toys, duck decoys and sun visors.
The class will deal with constructing a sun visor from tule. When hiking or working in the field on a hot day, a sun visor will protect your eyes from the glare of the sun. The wide brim will also shade your face and keep you cool.
Fee: $30

Looped String Bag
  The textile technique of intertwining string to make a usable container or bag is found throughout much of the world, from the Pacific Islands to Australia, Africa, Europe and the Americas, both prehistorically and historically. This form of producing fabric, also known as knotless netting, is as old as cloth itself. It has been used by virtually every culture through history.
Using just a string and needle, we'll create a looped string bag to hold your primitive items.
Fee: $30

Knots and Lashings
  Cordage was one of mankind's' first inventions, certainly predating the wheel, and its structure has remained essentially the same for centuries. Cordage and knots are two words that go hand in had, for one is useless without the other. What use is a length of cordage without at least one knot in it? The art of knot work was used to haul, secure and repair the items that were used everyday.
The workshop will be a hands-on activity involving knots and lashings that are most used and are useful in the field. You'll learn several knots and lashings from a clove hitch to a tripod lashing to perform various tasks.
Fee: $30

Open Workshop
  The Open Workshop is only for students who have taken 3 or more classes within the year. I will be offering free workshops to assist students on their own primitive projects. The projects will be worked on within the days that the workshops are offered and on the student's own time. Any materials that are needed for the class will be provided by the student. I will offer suggestions on where the materials can be purchased or gathered. It will be up to the student to bring their materials to the workshop.
Fee: Free to students who have taken 3 or more workshops for the year

© PrimitiveWays 1998 - 2001