Friday, December 11, 2015

beekeeping 101

Beekeeping 101  Class dates and times: February 20, 2016   10am-1pm  Cost for each class is $45
Beginning Beekeeping classes at Village Green Nursery. 12 max, 5 min
A three hour class to get you ready for bees in your garden in 2016.
This class will introduce you to the life cycle of the honey bee and the basic tools and equipment needed to set up a hive or two in your yard.
honeycomb
The instructor, Christine Ranegger, has been a hobby beekeeper (managing about 25 hives) in Seattle for 8 years and is an Apprentice Level beekeeper as part of the Master Beekeeper Certification Program with the Washington State Beekeepers Association.
Full frame
Some supplies to get you started will be available for purchase.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Pottery studio time

 

 $25 drop in fee, we will work on projects like Salad tossers, spoons, fish wall hangings, crazy faces,  miniatures for tiny gardens, doll parts for marionette dolls or whatever your imagination can come up with. 
Bags of clay for sale $15. We work with white clay only. Wheel work is for experienced throwers only or schedule a private lesson for throwing.  
*Firing included... though you Must return and pay for second class to finish pieces for firing.
I offer studio time for 4 weeks at $125, includes all glazes. Open studio time is on Saturdays/Sundays 10-4, Wednesday evenings 5-9pm. Other times by appointment.
If you have interest in a kids/parent workshop, and can get 2 other families together, I’m happy to put together a class.


 

Blacksmith workshop

Basic introduction to blacksmithing. 3 workshops to choose from. Skill level, beginner to intermediate. 
8 and up is best, adults are welcome to sign up with kids!
I can only take 2 people at a time in the shop.
Learn how to taper, draw out and scroll hot steel to form shapes for functional items, such as a fire poker, a towel rack or camp cook set.  A lesson in Physics!       I am not a knife maker. knives require special heat treating and annealing, however we can make the shapes if return student would like to try it.
S1,  10-2  Saturday/Sunday Dec 26/27  (2 day workshop) $210 10-2 pm (includes materials)
S2  10-2   Saturday/Sunday January 2/3  or Jan 30/31 (2 day workshop) $210 10-2 pm  (includes materials)
S3  10-1pm  begins Wednesday's in January Drop in workshop $95 person, plus $25 materials fee. Just try out the smithy.  (must confirm with Vera beforehand)

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Must sing a waiver. Village Green/Vera Johnson is not responsible for any injuries

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We'll hammer iron, learn proper posture and holding techniques, shop safety and more
I'll demo then you can try your 'arm and hammer'
Must wear canvas or denim pants, fitted cotton long sleeve shirt, wear layers. Flannel shirt, denim shirt, leather shoes. No synthetic materials. They can melt and burn skin.
Hair must be tied back. NO Fleece, no baggy clothes.
I would be willing to discuss the hourly rental of the studio with interested adults.
I have been a practicing blacksmith for over 15 years, taking classes from Scott Shattuck at the Duwamish trade center through SSCC, Continuing my education through weekend workshops with David Lisch, master damascus knife maker (I do not make knives, we practiced other skills) and apprenticed for Shannon Buckner of 'Bent productions'
camp cook set
Vera 206-819-8544
10223 26th Ave SW Seattle Wa 98146 
Street parking. Shop is onsite at Village Green