Humble Oak Folk School

Farm to Yarn Immersive Class, with Rachel Catlett from Brown Dog Farm & Ellie Barbeau

Saturday, April 27th, 2024

9am- 4pm

Brown Dog Farm, Elkhorn, WI (map)  & Honey Creek Collective (map) 

Humble Oak Office/Studio Space- 3rd Floor 

SOLD OUT

Sliding Scale Class Fee (please see FAQ for details)

Supporter Level Ticket: $135

Sustainer Level Ticket: $110

Supported Level Ticket: $85

Materials Fee: $20 (to be paid directly to the instructor during class), this kit provided by the instructors will include a handmade top whorl spindle and 4 ounces of milled wool roving from the sheep at Brown Dog Farm.

Immerse yourself in a full day of wooly goodness and the wonderful world of farm and fiber! Spend the morning at a sheep farm meeting new lambs, learning about wool and how the regenerative farm operates. Then in the afternoon, learn how to spin your own handmade yarn from the sheep you met that morning!

We will start the day at Brown Dog Farm, in Sugar Creek Wisconsin, and meet some Icelandic and Shetland sheep and their new lambs!! Farmer, Rachel, will explain the difference between sheep and goats and the different aspects of their fleece.

See up close examples of wool on the hoof, shorn fleeces, skirting, cleaning, scouring and prepping for mill carding or hand carding,  and spinning. Learn how a regenerative farm raises sheep on rotationally grazed pastures and learn a bit about raising grass fed healthy foraging sheep.

In the afternoon, we will gather at the Honey Creek Collective to learn how to spin yarn and continue learning about how to prepare raw wool for spinning– washing, carding, storage, etc. Participants will become familiar with the amazing variety of fibers that can be spun and the work, time and care needed to go from animal to finished garment or product. 

This class will also be a great introduction to cover the basics of drop spinning. If you can whirl a top, you can spin your own yarn using a drop spindle! A very traditional and ancient craft, this spinning technique has been around for a LONG time – some of the earliest man-made artifacts are spindle whorls- made from wood, bone, and stone! A drop spindle is a versatile and portable spinning tool that with a little patience and a flick of the wrist can create exquisitely unique, handmade yarn. Using prepared wool roving and a top whorl spindle, we’ll work on putting the spindle in motion, drafting the fiber, and putting twist into the fiber.

The class will include lots of hands-on learning. Various different types of spinning wheels and wool processing equipment such as hand carders, pickers, blending boards, and drum carders will be available for students to try and become familiar with.

Instructions: Please bring a bag lunch. You are welcome to bring water and snacks for your comfort as well as a pencil and notebook if you so choose for taking notes.

This class will be limited to 15 students

Ages 14 and up.

Click Here to Register 

Handbuilding with Clay

with Jared Janovec

Saturday, June 8th, 2024

9am- 4pm 

Honey Creek Collective (map) 

Humble Oak Office/Studio Space- 3rd Floor 

Sliding Scale Class Fee (please see FAQ for details)

Supporter Level Ticket: $135

Sustainer Level Ticket: $110

Supported Level Ticket: $85

• Lunch included in the class fee

This class is focused towards learning about and experiencing foundational approaches in creating small, utilitarian, handbuilt clay/ceramic drinking vessels and bowl forms. Students will receive a variety of hands-on demonstrations during the early part of the class session, with the remainder of the session being dedicated for students to develop their own clay vessel form outcomes with guided mentorship as needed. Focus will be in the development of utilitarian, user-friendly ceramic vessel forms with personalized textural and other surface enhancement features.

• Apron and towel or towel, please bring 

• Appropriate clothing - the clay, etc. materials may stain clothing

• Completed project outcomes from the course will need drying and kiln firing processes and timeframes. Registered participants should anticipate a two-week time frame after the course in relation to being able to retrieve their kiln fired work

• Other materials (clay, hand-tools, etc.) will be provided 

This class is for Ages 16 to adult.

Class will be limited to 8 students.

Click Here to Register 

Field Botany for Herbalists & Foragers

with Linda Conroy

Sunday, July 14th, 2024

9am- 6pm 

The Woods, W2743 Friemoth Rd. East Troy, WI.

 Fire Pit Gathering Area (Outdoor Location)

Sliding Scale Class Fee (please see FAQ for details)

Supporter Level Ticket: $135

Sustainer Level Ticket: $110

Supported Level Ticket: $85

• Lunch included in the class fee

Plant Observations and Field Botany for Herbalists and Foragers

This program is intended to increase the skills and confidence of herbal enthusiasts, herbalists and foragers.  Learning and practicing field botany is fun and one of the most important skills for any forager. Through playful and engaging observation exercises, as well as practices with plant keys, you will leave this program feeling confident and excited about engaging with the plant world. Bring your favorite ID books and a hand lens (if you do not have one, there will be some for you to use and/or purchase). 

This class is for Ages 16 to adult.

Class will be limited to 15 students.

Click Here to Register 

Learning from the Land in Early Fall

with Nicholas WazeeGale

Saturday, September 28th,  2024

9am- 4pm 

The Woods, W2743 Friemoth Rd. East Troy, WI.

 Fire Pit Gathering Area (Outdoor Location)

Sliding Scale Class Fee (please see FAQ for details)

Supporter Level Ticket: $135

Sustainer Level Ticket: $110

Supported Level Ticket: $85

In this explorative and experiential program we will delve into a more up close and personal relationship with Nature and perceiving more deeply the workings of our local wilds. Through using a fuller range of our senses, looking in the right places for the tracks and signs animals leave us, and gaining a greater knowledge base of our wild neighbors and their habits, we will begin to see into the overlooked workings of our ecosystem. Whether examining a nibbled-upon plant, a fresh set of animal prints, a nest in a fencerow, or the details of an unfamiliar plant in the understory, we can begin to learn so much more about our animal and plant neighbors by observing things thoroughly, using background knowledge, and applying some basic problem solving techniques. Practicing and integrating these tools into our time outdoors will open up a dynamic and intriguing world and also offer us a healthy and harmonious way to connect more deeply with Nature. These methods can even offer personal lessons and help us become more beneficial and aware stewards of our local wild communities

• Dressing for the conditions, including shoes and long pants for exploring off trail, will be very important as this is an outdoor class. Notebook and writing implements encouraged and camera/phone, magnifying glasses, and binoculars welcomed.

This class is for Ages 12 to adult.

Class will be limited to 12 students.

Click Here to Register 

Beginner Wood Carving: Wall Hook Project 

with Stephen Adam & Adam Barbeau

Saturday, November 4th, 2023 Postponed until Yurt work is complete :)

9am- 12pm

Honey Creek Collective (map) 

Humble Oak Office/Studio Space- 3rd Floor 

Sliding Scale Class Fee (please see FAQ for details)

Supporter Level Ticket: $80

Sustainer Level Ticket: $60

Supported Level Ticket: $40

Hone your wood carving knowledge with this introductory class that is designed to help you gain the knowledge and practice to carve with confidence. Students will be introduced to basic axe techniques, knife strokes, wood choice, and safety practices. 

The project for this class will be to create a decorative wall hook from a tree branch.  The branch blanks will be provided by the instructors. 

With the support of two instructors each student will be sure to have plenty of opportunity for direct guidance.

Students are to bring the following required tools:

• Mora no. 120 carving knife (no chip carving, hunting or Flexcut knives)

Class will be limited to 12 students.

*Students must be 18 yrs. to participate. This is a beginner class so no previous carving experience is necessary, however participants should feel comfortable handling a knife.

Click Here to Register 

Conversation with Beekeeper

 Dan O'Leary

Saturday, April 13, 2024

1pm- 3:30pm 

Honey Creek Collective (map) 2nd Floor Gathering Space

In this conversation style workshop we will learn from each other collaboratively in dialogue with Dan O’Leary. Dan has been keeping bees in Walworth Co. for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience. Be ready to ask your questions about beginning beekeeping. This workshop will be discussion based and participants can actively be involved with getting their questions asked and answered. 

This class is for Ages 12 and up.

Click Here to Register 

Introduction to Needle Felting

with Jodie Janovec

Saturday, March 23rd, 2024 

1pm- 4pm 

Honey Creek Collective (map) 

Humble Oak Office/Studio Space- 3rd Floor 

This class is a good continuation to the Introduction to Wet Felting class. We will use the same felt made at the Introduction to Wet Felting class, however, if you were not in that class, not a problem, as a piece of handmade felt will be provided. This Introduction to Needle Felting class will focus on embellishing flat felt surfaces via the needle-felting process and cover how to make small wet felted beads. We will learn about the different supplies needed and the various types of fibers that can be used to essentially draw and paint through the needle-felting process onto prepared pieces of felt fiber. The class time will include time to try and further experiment with the various needle-felting techniques and make beads. 

The course will end with participants having finished bookmarks, felt coasters and/or felted beads which can be made into earrings, used as buttons or as adornments to take with them.

Materials fee: $10 (to be paid directly to the instructor during class)- Includes several felting needles and the wool you will be working with during the class. We have felting mats that can be used during the class and some available to purchase if you wish.

This class is for Ages 12 and up.

Broom Making

with Ellie Barbeau

Saturday, March 16th, 2024

9am- 12pm 

Honey Creek Collective (map) 

Humble Oak Office/Studio Space- 3rd Floor 

This hands on class will explore the whimsical and mysterious craft, traditions, and history of Broom Making. Students will learn how to craft two different styles of broom: a Turkey Wing, (a traditional Appalachian style of hand broom) and the students choice of a pot scrubber or cake testing broom.

Students will learn the process of how to tie a broom, assemble the broom and plait a beautiful woven handle with a leather hanger using broom corn stems and reed. Students will leave class with their very own handmade brooms to sweep away dirt and dust from the home, release energy that no longer serves you or to just hang it proudly in your home as a work of art. Broom Making is a wonderful craft that allows you to experience natural materials to explore your creativity and  create practical and useful tools.

Students will create two brooms to take home with them in class.

Overall steady and stable upper body strength is needed for broom making.

Beginners class- Ages 12 and up

Materials Fee: $15 (to be paid directly to the instructor during class), this kit provided by the instructor will enough broom corn to make two brooms, leather strap for broom hanger, nylon twine, and reed.

Class will be limited to 12 students.

Introduction to Wet Felting

with Jodie Janovec

Saturday, March 2nd, 2024

1pm- 4pm 

Honey Creek Collective (map) 

Humble Oak Office/Studio Space- 3rd Floor 

Learn the basics of Wet Felting. An ancient traditional practice. We will lay out the wool batting in alternative layers. Along the way we will discuss the principles of how the fiber is laid out and how these methods directly dictate the final piece of felt and ensure it’s technically sound and strong. The beauty of felt comes naturally. I have never found the need to work at making something with wool beautiful. It naturally is. 

We then wet and rub the work until it is ready for the next steps of “felting” and “fulling”.

You will have a nice size piece of wool felt when finished. This felt can then be constructed into any number of utilitarian or decorative final pieces such as bookmarks, coasters, patches, and more. 

Felting requires some hand strength to be successful. 

Beginners class- Ages 12 and up

Materials fee: $18 (to be paid directly to the instructor during class)- includes bamboo mat and netting to take home, and wool and soap for project and use of all materials to make your felt

Please bring a bath towel and several hand towels

Class will be limited to 9 students.