So that you may have a better idea of what we do and what we offer, this page lists past classes that we have offered for the local community and other groups. As of now it does not list privately arranged or custom classes that we have offered, since they do not get advertised individually. We hope this gives you an idea of what we have been up to, and what you may expect in the future. If you are considering a custom class, pay attention to past tuition rates and class sizes. Much of what you see has been part of our Historic Skills Workshop Series held in Chewelah, WA & surrounding area. Fall Primitive Skills Intensive - November 15-17th, Thurs - Sat. Cost: $175  Three days of camping and immersion in the outdoors of Northeastern Washington while learning the living skills of our ancestors. We will focus on the outdoor survival skills of friction fire making, spark fire making, shelter building, open hearth cooking & fire use, knife use and safety & cutting edge from stone, cordage, wild foods, and much more! If you have ever wanted to increase your comfort in the outdoors and become proficient using natural materials and means to do so this camp is for you! Camp will begin at 12noon thursday and go until 4pm on Saturday. Food provided. Precise location and other info available to registered participants! For questions please email Patrick. Instructor: Patrick Farneman  Friday 5pm to 9pm, Sat 9am to 4pm. Participants are welcome to tent camp self-contained for the night! Class Description: Participants will learn bladesmithing basics & intermediate techniques using solid fuel forges. All tools, materials and equipment provided. Time permitting we will create handles & learn simple blade hafting techniques to create finished knives. Students keep the knives they create! Previous forging experience preferred, but not required. Instructor: Patrick Farneman  Class Description: new participants will learn the basics of forging hot steel and iron into useful items. They will also learn how to build and operate a simple blacksmith forge and anvil from scrap & salvaged materials, and how to do so in an environmentally friendly manner. No previous experience necessary! B 201: instruction will be given for those with experience, so folks who have already taken the intro class can learn new skills! Instructor: Patrick Farneman Class Location: 3004 Farm to Market Rd, Valley, WA (Patrick's Home)  Class Description: A one day hands-on taste of all the steps of creating soft buckskin from raw deerhides. Participants will experience the process and variations of the ancient art of braintanning and leave fully armed with the information to be successful on thier own. This is a special class situation; normally a tanning class is a minimum of 4 days and much more costly. Your instructor has over 20 years of tanning experience and is willing to share his accumulated knowledge with you! Instructor: Patrick Farneman Class Location: 3004 Farm to Market Rd, Valley, WA (Patrick's Home)  Friday, July 20th from 11-4, Cost: $25 Location: Chewelah City Park, at the Farmer's Market Description: participants will be guided in the construction of thier own pair of sandals from rawhide, conveyor belt, or tire tread. Instructor: Patrick Farneman  Cost: Free of Charge! Class Description: This is a special event sponsored by the Chewelah LDS Ward Relief Society, and is OPEN TO ALL. Come learn what to do BEFORE disaster strikes! Participants will learn low-cost options for water storage and purification, food supplies, medical supplies, clothing, shelter, cooking and other necessities. Things happen - this is how a person can have peace of mind on a limited budget! Location: This event will be held at the Chewelah LDS Ward meeting house, and simple refreshments will be served. Space for this workshop is NOT limited, but for preparation purposes we need to know if you are planning to attend.  Cost: $25.00 (special Farmer's Market Price!) Class Description: Students will be guided in the process of making felt from raw sheep's wool and will leave with their own completed project & the knowledge needed to make their own felted clothing and accoutrements. Location: Chewelah City Park on Hwy 395, Chewelah, WA Instructors: Kamber & Patrick Farneman  Cost: small donations accepted Class Description: Students will be guided in the construction and fine tuning of primitive stick deadfalls and loop snares used for outdoor survival purposes. Students will learn and make at least 2 types of traps/snares and will keep what they make. Location: 3004 Farm to Market Rd, Valley WA Instructor: Patrick Farneman  Cost: $50 Class Description: Hands-on instruction in the basics of hot forging and heat treatment of knives. Students will learn to identify high carbon steel suitable for blades, and will forge and heat treat their own blacksmith knife in class from high-carbon simple steel. Pre-requisite: It is recommended that students complete Backyard Blacksmithing or Basic Blacksmithing first, or have experience with hot forging and are already able to draw and shape metal. Location: 3004 Farm to Market Rd, Valley WA Instructor: Patrick Farneman Class Full!  Wild Foods Walk - Thursday May 10th from 5:30pm until 7pmCost: small donations welcome Class Description: Students will be led in a small group on a walk through varied terrain to view & talk about the available plants, animals & fungi that are useful for food sources. Talk will likely be broad and thorough on many levels including supplemental wildcrafting, primitive living, and survival. Location: 3502 Solokar Rd, Valley, WA (many thanks to our hosts, the Templetons!) Instructor: Patrick Farneman Class Full! (looking forward to seeing everyone there! and if you have talked to me, don't worry; you're in!)  Materials Fee: $5 Class Description: Students will learn the basics of spinning wool and other fibers by hand into yarn using a drop spindle and other simple equipment. Wool grading and processing will also be covered. Tools will be provided for students during class for free, and will be available for purchase if desired afterward. Location: 3004 Farm to Market Rd, Valley, WA Instructor: Kamber Farneman Class Full! Backyard Blacksmithing Tuesday May 1st from 4:30 to 8:30 Cost: 40.00 Class Description: participants will learn the basics of forging hot steel and iron into useful items. They will also learn how to operate a simple blacksmith forge and anvil made from scrap & salvaged materials. No previous experience necessary! Location: 3004 Farm to Market Rd, Valley, WA Instructor: Patrick Farneman  April 14th - 21st, 2012, at Woodworker Network in Addy, WA. Instructor: Kiliii Yu of Seawolf Kayak Cost: $1350 ($650 deposit required to reserve your space) What you get: You will be guided in the construction of your own skin-on frame sea kayak and paddle using the same techniques as the native Greenland seal hunters. Your finished boat will be about 30 lbs, and be completely seaworthy. Great for paddling in ocean, lakes or rivers. This is a rare opportunity to build with a very experienced builder and paddler & kayak designer; we are very fortunate to bring Kiliii to Northeast Washington! For questions please contact Patrick by phone or through his email: patrickf(at)bridgestothepast.org Total Spaces still available: Class Full! *Contact Patrick for more info - we are currently gathering interested persons for the next kayak workshop in the near future!  April 2nd from 10am to 3pm (Mon) Instructor: Kandis Larson Location: The Deli, 114 E. Main St. Chewelah, WA Cost: $60.00 - all materials and tools provided Learn how to make your very own beading loom & how to bead bracelets.You will go home with your own loom and the skills to continue making your own beautiful beaded creations!  March 31st from 10am to 2pm (Sat) April 3rd from 10am to 2pm (Tues) Instructor: Kandis Larson Location: The Deli, 114 E. Main St. Chewelah, WA Cost: $40.00 - all materials and tools provided Learn techniques for weaving baskets with soft fibers like wool, hemp, jute, bailing twine, and cloth. weave your own unique basket and go home with the skills to weave and create more! Note to participants: These are 2 seperate classes, not a continuation on day 2. To register for this class: Contact Patrick by email or phone (509)936-1599 to get on the class list and for payment instructions. Total Spaces Available: 10  March 22nd, 2012 from 10am to 4pm Instructor: Patrick Farneman Location: Camo'D Arrow Archery Center, 1965 C Hwy 395 S., Chewelah, WA Cost: $50.00 - all materials and tools provided Participants in this class will be guided through the construction of a whole-shoot arrow from locally harvested materials. If you have ever wanted to learn to make good arrows using stone-age materials this is the class for you; participants will leave the class fully-armed with a new arrow, and the knowlege and confidence to make many more! Registration for this class is simple: Contact Patrick by email or phone (509)936-1599 to get on the class list and for payment instructions. Total Spaces Available: 10  January 21st, Saturday from 10am to 3pm Cost: only $15.00! -payable day of class Instructors: Patrick and Kamber Farneman Location: THe Deli/Whale of a Tale Bookstore in Downtown Chewelah, WA. 114 E. Main, Chewelah, WA – meeting room Participants will get hands-on experience processing plant stalks for thier fiber and will learn to twist this fiber into knotless cord and rope. This skill is a foundation skill that, once learned, opens doors in many of the material arts. We know this subject doesn't sound exciting to many of you, but it is a lot more fun than it sounds! The instruction in this class will also be peppered with stories and historical anecdotes so the subject will be learned in it's historical context for many cultures. Making cordage is truly an ancient human art! Registration for this class is simple: Contact Patrick by email or phone (509)936-1599 to get on the class list.
Oct 17,18,21(5-8pm) & 22(8am to 6pm) - Mon, Tues, & Fri evenings & Sat all day. Cost: $150 Class Description: This is a hands-on opportunity. All aspects of tanning buckskin will be discussed and learned by workshop participants. Students will go home with buckskin they tanned. This class is physically demanding - if you question whether you will be able, please contact your workshop instructor before registering. All supplies and tools will be provided for you - no experience necessary. To register please open workshop flier , print & complete the registration form and contact your instructor. Instructor: Patrick Farneman  Workshop: Backyard Blacksmithing Saturday, October 14th, 2011 from 9am to 4pm. Cost: $45.00 Class Description: participants will learn the basics of forging hot steel and iron into useful items. They will also learn how to build and operate a simple blacksmith forge and anvil from scrap & salvaged materials, and how to do so in an environmentally friendly manner. No previous experience necessary! Please open attached flier below. Instructor: Patrick Farneman |
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