Folk Craft Revival

#018. We talk about a variety of fun topics in this episode including yurt building (and touch on some other traditional/natural building techniques), managing a coppiced hardwood forest, English green woodworking, and traditional lime wash and lime production in the UK. Alex and his wife run Little Foot Yurts which produces handmade yurts from coppice wood they've harvested themselves. Additionally, they also run an event catering business renting out the yurts they've made, and teach workshops on yurt building.

Links to any resources mentioned in the episode can be found at:

folkcraftrevival.com/18

#017- If you're interested in making your own pottery you first need to know how to find and process the clay that is local to your area. In this episode we're discussing how to find and identify local wild clays for making your own handmade pottery. We also dive into how to refine and purify that clay, as well as temper it and test it. Andy does a lot of replica pottery that revolves around the archeological pottery of his area, so we also discuss the cultures of the Southwestern U.S. and how some of their pottery differs.
If you're interested in learning to source your own materials and become more self sufficient in the craft this episode is for you.... and if that's not you, it's still fascinating to learn!

Links to any resources mentioned can be found at:

www.folkcraftrevival.com/17

#016- Rug Braiding, that unique American craft developed as a way of turning scrap cloth into something useful. . . and gorgeous too! Learn about the craft of making traditional braided rugs as well as the art form it has evolved into. In this episode we discuss the origins of braided rugs, how they're made, how the craft has evolved, and getting started on making one of your own.

Links to any resources mentioned can be found over at:

folkcraftrevival.com/16

#015. We talk about the construction and use of pole lathes, compare them with modern electric lathes and discuss what drew Jarrod to pole lathes to begin with and why he chose to focus on turning rather than other traditional crafts. This was a fun conversation that also delved a little into the philosophical realm as we talk about the reasons for pursuing production work, focusing on one design or craft to obtain mastery, "realcraft", and functionality.

Catch the links to any resources mentioned in the episode over at:

folkcraftrevival.com/15

#014. Want to learn to felt? Have wool and need something to do with it? Consider trying felting!
In this episode of the Folk Craft Revival podcast we discuss the basic method and theory behind wet felting wool as a way to create hats, boots, mittens, vests, rugs, etc. I was introduced to felting last fall when I took a class from Rosemary and made my own hat and I think it's the type of project many of you will enjoy!

Links to any resources mentioned in the episode can be found at:

folkcraftrevival.com/14

#013 - Today we're talking construction, dry stone construction! Dry stone masonry is an age old craft, we have examples of it going back centuries.... amazingly you can still find a lot of it intact too! If you're like me, the first examples that pop into mind are the stone walls found throughout the UK and the new england states here in the U.S. I've always been fascinated by them, I love craft that endures for so long. Plus it's beautiful!
This week we're talking with modern craftsman Bryce Hollingsworth about dry stone construction and how he got involved in masonry. Great talk with a great craftsman-- I found this to be a fascinating topic, I hope you do as well!

Links to all the resources mentioned can be found over at:

folkcraftrevival.com/13

#012- Thanks for tuning in! This week we're chatting about human powered machinery and tools with Tamara Dean, author of The Human Powered Home. Her book definitely got my gears going on useful things I could make to help out around the place, and it presented material in a way that made creating or modifying these machines very approachable! 

If you're interested in self-reliance, understanding the principles behind how a lot of machines operate (homemade & vintage), building stuff yourself, or just all around cool creations I think you'll enjoy both her book and this episode. I've always loved inspecting old home or farm machinery and following the movement of parts so I can figure out how they are working and how they accomplish what they do. If you have the same curiosity, this is something  you need to look into. We also discuss some of the reasons why human power machinery makes sense and is important to consider. 

Links to any resources mentioned in the episode can be found over at:

folkcraftrevival.com/12

#011- We talk craft, work ethic, music, perfectionism.... and a little bit about flutes too! Charlie Mato-Toyela from Blue Bear Flutes joins the podcast in this episode to discuss Native American flute making. If you're interested in the principles of flute making and what it means to be a flute maker this episode is a great one!
. . . For that matter, it's a great one anyways! I think just about everyone loves the soft sound produced by Native American Flutes. There aren't many instruments that can so effectively get you to relax and unwind. So lets learn together and then see if making them is just as relaxing!

Resources mentioned in this episode can be found over at:

folkcraftrevival.com/11

#010 - We discuss basic fingerweaving methods and what was most commonly made using this method. In addition, we talk about the some of the history surrounding fingerwoven materials (primarily belts and sashes) and what native materials were utilized in North America pre-contact and during colonial times. 

Most importantly, this sounds like a project that is portable and can be done somewhat distracted once you learn. . . I'm always glad to hear about projects like this since I don't always have the luxury of focusing completely on what I'm working on!

Links to references mentioned in this episode can be found over at:

folkcraftrevival.com/10

#009- Woven snowshoes, wool clothing, canvas tents with stoves, toboggans-- the old school equipment used by trappers in the forests of the northern United States and Canada. In this episode we discuss winter camping and expeditions done in a traditional manner!

Since it's winter, why not discuss winter and ways to enjoy it more thoroughly? Kielyn Marrone from Lure of the North joins us to discuss how she and her husband got started in traditional winter expeditions and what that looks like. Lets get out and enjoy winter more!

To get links to all the resources mentioned, visit:

folkcraftrevival.com/9