Friday :: Saturday :: Sunday :: Monday
See full Schedule

Friday, July 10 Schedule
Add your day(s) to the cart, then choose classes and add materials fees to the cart.

8:30-1:00 REGISTRATION & CHECK-IN: Shake Rag Alley, 18 Shake Rag St.

---

Fri. 8:30-11:30 WOODLANDERS WORKING FOR SHAKE RAG: a Woodlander volunteering tradition to build or repair something on the grounds, a gift to Shake Rag.

---

Fri. 10:00-7:00 WOODLANDERS RUSTIC SHOWCASE at Longbranch Gallery (ongoing) Great display of rustic art, this weekend featuring the work of Woodlander participants and instructors. Longbranch, located at 203 Commerce St., is a well-known gallery featuring rustic art.

---

Fri. 1:00-4:00 A1. TOOLS & TECHNIQUES: BUILD A SMALL CHAIR: MACK—Rustic guru and author Dan Mack leads you in making a small twig chair that has all the agony and ecstasy of building larger work. $6

---

Fri. 1:00-4:00 A3. SLAB BENCHES: SOMAN & ELGIN—Make a great, sturdy, handsome garden bench and get a good education in mortise/tenon joinery in the company of rustic craftsmen Dan Soman and Paul Elgin. $25

Class filled

---

Fri. 1:00-4:00 A4. RUSTIC TWIG LAMP: KINGERY—Todd is a full-time rustic professional. He will help you create an attractive, free-form rustic table lamp using intriguing twig shapes and sturdy lamp parts. $20

---

Fri. 1:00-5:00 A5. BUILD A RUSTIC PLAYHOUSE: DALSTROM & GREENE (ongoing)—Brian Dalstrom (Redtail Design, Muscoda) and Alex Greene (Redbeard Lumber, Spring Green) are going to build a 6x8 fairytale playhouse with a gable roof. The shell goes up the first day, then the roof, then a stucco or mud interior. Brian and Tatiana Katara, who makes and teaches faerie cottages, were married last year, so Tatiana expects imaginative help from Woodlanders to cover the exterior to resemble an elf, fairy, or hobbit dwelling. It stays at Shake Rag for the kids to play in.

---

Fri. 1:00-5:00 A6. GOURD DRUM: SCHMIT—Terri, Wisconsin Gourd Society founder and musician, will soon have you drumming on your own gourd drum. She is very knowledgeable about all aspects of gourd growing, harvesting, cleaning, cutting, a great source of gourd information. She has a special interest in making musical instruments from gourds. $30

---

Fri. 1:00-5:00 A7. CARVE A JUMPING JACK TOY: SUTCLIFFE—Caricature figures are easy to carve from basswood branches. Judy will show you how to carve a bearded Woodlander with bare feet and twig legs. When you string him up, he jumps! $2

---

Fri. 4:00-5:30 A8. MAD SCIENCE FINISHES: KALLNER—With a splash of this and a dab of that Bill Kallner will show you how to add color and protect wood used in your rustic furniture. Learn an "instant ageing" method to give wood a long-loved look. Learn about finishes that give a natural luster and ones that provide superior protection in or outdoors. $10

---

Fri. 4:00-5:30 A9. RUSTIC HANDLES FOR UTENSILS: WILSON—Lindy has been gathering unusual pieces of wood just right for handles along with spoons, knives, and other implements or utensils that would benefit from a good strong handle. You'll be sawing, drilling, glueing, maybe even do a little carving. $3

---

Fri. 5:30-7:30 A10. KICK-OFF PICNIC & WOODLANDERS WELCOME WITH DAN MACK. $10

---

Fri. 6:30-8:00 WOODLANDERS WAY: MACK—An inspiring evening talk at dinner with Woodlanders Gathering founder and rustic artist/author Daniel Mack.

---

Fri. 8:00-9:00 A11. ELEMENTS OF RUSTIC DESIGN: MACK—Premier architect of the rustic renaissance, Dan Mack explores why rustic is back, and why its design elements are classic, traditional, and modern.

---

Friday :: Saturday :: Sunday :: Monday
See full Schedule

Saturday, July 11 Schedule
Add your day(s) to the cart, then choose classes and add materials fees to the cart.

7:30-1:00 REGISTRATION & CHECK-IN: Shake Rag Alley, 18 Shake Rag St.

Sat. 8:00-8:30 B1. CHI GONG: EIGHT PIECES OF BROCADE:JOHNSON / TERRILL—Start your morning with a Basic Chi Gong workshop with James and Ann. It will include 8 easy exercises widely practiced in China and known for their positive health benefits.

---

Sat. 8:30-9:15 B2. PERSONAL TOOL MAKING: MACK—Tools are devices for directing energy. Dan discusses tool heritage and its mythology, and you’ll make some unique personal tools yourself. Take one or all three sessions.

Class cancelled

---

Sat. 8:30-10:00 B3. DYEING WITH NATURAL MATERIALS: RYAN—With WPTV’s “Wisconsin Gardener,” Shelley Ryan, you’ll look for weeds, flowers, twigs on Shake Rag grounds, and use them and a few other things to dye silk scarves in Shelley’s unusual and remarkable technique. You’ll take home 3 scarves. $30

---

Sat. 8:30-10:00 B10. MILLED LUMBER SEATS, SHELVES, TABLE TOPS: KALLNER —Milled lumber can add a beautiful contrast in color and texture to rustic furniture. Learn about wood you can purchase from lumber yards, home centers and backyard sawmills. Bill will discuss how he uses waste wood from his fish net business and how you can use wood reclaimed from building sites, demolitions, and shipping pallets. He’ll also demonstrate installation of a milled lumber table top on a maple stick frame and discuss several joinery methods.

---

Sat. 8:30-11:30 B4. FOSSIL EXPEDITION: KOSTOHRYS—Explore with Jim the last resting place of 450-million year old animals in a nearby quarry. Jim really knows his fossils and where to find them. He’ll show you where to look and what to look for. Amazing finds!

---

Sat. 8:30-11:30 B5. ADIRONDACK TWIG MOSAIC FRAMES: GIESE—With Adirondack craftsman Dennis Giese, you’ll make a unique twig and bark mosaic frame. Dennis will supply the wood frame backing, which you will cover with your own design of birch bark and twigs. $35

---

Sat. 8:30-11:30 B6. VIKING WOVEN COPPER BRACELET W/STONE/WOOD: DAVIS—Marti Davis will share with you a fascinating (and easy) method for making a beautiful Viking style flexible woven copper or silver bracelet with many variants. Drill stone or wood beads for attachments. You may choose between copper or silver wire purchased direct from Marti. $15

---

Sat. 8:30-4:30 B7. CARVING A WOODPECKER: SCHEUER—Sharpen your woodcarving knife and join Nick in carving and painting a realistic woodpecker peeking out of a hollow tree. $15

---

Sat. 8:30-4:30 B8. DESIGN & BUILD A TWIG CHAIR: DAVIS—Dick will help you work out your own one-of-a-kind chair design constructed from branches with intriguing curves and shapes. The class may go harvest some branches for inspiration. He will have a stack of possibilities, especially local (invasive) buckthorn. The chair will have a seat that can be upholstered in a second class Dick will teach. $30
Class filled

---

Sat. 9:15-10:00 B9. WOODLANDER TRADING CARDS: MACK—Make small cards, actually small collages, with Daniel Mack, using found natural materials and themes of hope, family, loss, and growth. Take one or all three sessions. And trade cards with other Woodlanders.

---

Sat. 10:00-11:30 B11. LEAF CASTING IN CONCRETE: SUTCLIFFE—
Rob the rhubarb patch or the burdock clump and make leaf castings in concrete. The process involves making a sand mold to support the leaf, with a special mix on concrete.$5

---

Sat. 10:00-4:00 B12. BUILD A RUSTIC PLAYHOUSE: DALSTROM & GREENE (ongoing)—Brian Dalstrom (Redtail Design, Muscoda) and Alex Greene (Redbeard Lumber, Spring Green) are going to build a 6x8 fairytale playhouse with a gable roof. The shell goes up the first day, then the roof, then a stucco or mud interior. Brian and Tatiana Katara, who makes and teaches faerie cottages, were married last year, so Tatiana expects imaginative help from Woodlanders to cover the exterior to resemble an elf, fairy, or hobbit dwelling. It stays at Shake Rag for the kids to play in.

---

Sat. 10:00-4:30 B13. MAPLE TABLE WITH TILE MOSAIC TOP: KINGERY—If you've seen Todd's end tables at Longbranch, you know how attractive they are. Todd will lead you in constructing a silver maple end table with a 15”x15” top with a raised edge, perfect for applying mosaic. And you will add a mosaic of tile and pebbles for a handsome piece of furniture. You'll have plenty of earth tone tiles to break up into mosaic and combine with small pebbles and pieces of colored tile and glass. You will adhere the mosaic and grout it. Ready to take home and to set a lamp or a pitcher of lemonade on. Beautiful! $30

---

Sat. 10:00-7:00 WOODLANDERS RUSTIC SHOWCASE at Longbranch Gallery (ongoing) Great display of rustic art, this weekend featuring the work of Woodlander participants and instructors. Longbranch, located at 203 Commerce St., is a well-known gallery featuring rustic art.

---

11:30-1:30 LUNCH ON THE GREEN AT SHAKE RAG

---

Sat. 12:30-1:30 SPIRIT OF WOODLANDERS: MACK—Prepare to be inspired during lunch by a master of rustic design who has written five popular, innovative books on rustic.

---

Sat. 1:30-3:00 B14. SPINNING NATURAL FIBERS: POTOCKI—Jane will show you how to make a hand spindle and how to spin natural fibers from sheep, soy, bamboo, and her own friendly llamas. With your own spindle, you can hand spin anywhere you go. $5

---

Sat. 1:30-3:00 B15. BLACKSMITHING HOOKS: EAGAN— Dave will fire up one of the new Shake Rag Alley coal forges and show you how to make a simple hook. This is a blacksmithing demonstration, but Dave will invite some hands-on participation.

---

Sat. 1:30-3:00 B16. PRESENTING YOURSELF: THE ARTISTS STATEMENT: MACK— Artistically awake Woodlanders must be able to talk and write about their work in clear, brief ways, asserts Dan Mack. His workshop is intended to help start or refine that process. It will include writing an artist statement and how to use it.

Class cancelled

---

Sat. 1:30-4:30 B17. BLUE BIRD HOUSE ON POLE: WERNER—This is no ordinary birdhouse! John, an innovative craftsman who thinks big, shows you how to make an awesome sculptural structure using driftwood, rustic materials, and found objects. The bird house is constructed on a tall pole. So cool! $30

---

Sat. 1:30-5:30 B18. LEATHER JOURNALS WITH LEAF IMPRINTS: SMEJA—Leather artist Cheryl will show you how to emboss leather with wonderfully delicate imprints of leaves and grasses. Design your unique journal cover with an arrangement of leaves you have gathered. $8

Class filled

---

Sat. 1:30-5:30 B19. BASIC BROOM MAKING-HEARTH BROOM: HOLZWART—Discover the art of making handmade brooms! John, an expert craftsman, will teach you how to make your own decorative and functional round or flat hearth broom, choosing a unique handle from various woods. John is a traditional broom-making artisan who will teach you how to make an attractive broom for your hearth and home. $30

---

Sat. 1:30-5:30 B20. RUSTIC GARDEN GATE: GIESE—with Dennis Giese, a talented craftsman, you will make your own handsome, rustic gate from willow and other branches. All hardware is included. Come prepared with the size you’d like, if you have a specific place for your gate. $40

Class cancelled

---

Sat. 4:30-5:30 B21. RUSTIC BUSINESS IN AN APOCALYPTIC WORLD: MACK—An inspiring thinker and activisit in the rustic and “green” worlds, Dan Mack will have intriguing ideas on where rustic as a business is headed and why.

---

Sat. 4:30-5:30 B22. WILLOW HARVEST: SOMAN—Join Dan on a hunt for wild willow. Learn where it lives, how to harvest, what to be aware of.

---

TILL 7:00 DINNER ON THE TOWN

---

Sat. 7:00-8:00 MAKING SMALL RUSTIC BOATS: ROGNESS & ELGIN—Have fun making little boats from gourds, wood scraps, whatever will float, for the boat race in the Sharps’ creek. This is not “model making,” but crazy ideas for what will float and not turn over as it runs the rapids amid much encouragement.

Sat. 8:00-9:30 SUNSET MINI-BOAT LAUNCH, BONFIRE, AND S’MORES: SHARP— Woodcarver John and painter Jennifer graciously invite Woodlanders for a boat race in their creek, followed by “just sittin” around a campfire. You’ll love their handmade house, the woodcarvings, the rock gardens, and more.

---

Sunday, July 12 Schedule
Add your day(s) to the cart, then choose classes and add materials fees to the cart.

7:30-1:00 REGISTRATION & CHECK-IN: Shake Rag Alley, 18 Shake Rag St.

Sun. 8:00-8:30 C1. CHI GONG: EIGHT PIECES OF BROCADE: JOHNSON/ TERRILL—Start your morning with a Basic Chi Gong workshop with James and Ann. It will include 8 easy exercises widely practiced in China and known for their positive health benefits.

---

Sun. 8:30-9:15 C2. PERSONAL TOOL MAKING: MACK—Tools are devices for directing energy. Dan discusses tool heritage and its mythology, and you’ll make a few personal tools yourself.

Class cancelled

---

Sun. 8:30-10:00 C3. MEDICINAL & WILD EDIBLE PLANT WALK: HOLZWART—Take a walk on the “wild side” with John Holzwart and see how tasty and healthy are many common weeds and flowers, prairie and woodland plants.

---

Sun. 8:30-11:30 C4. TEE PEE GARDEN TRELLIS: SOMAN—Measure your vehicle and build a teepee trellis to fit (4-6 ft. tall). Weave willow withes into your freestanding willow teepee and elevate your garden specialties. These are handsome structures in the garden, adding height amid low-growing plants. $35

Class filled

---

Sun. 8:30-11:30 C20. BOOKENDS OF OAK & RIVER STONES: DAVIS—Dick will bring oak, river stones, and the materials needed; you may add your own small stones or unusual objects to make your pair of attractive bookends extra special. $10

Class filled

---

Sun. 8:30-5:30 C5. POWER CARVING RELIEF ON WOODEN BOX: ROGNESS—Bring your Dremel or Foredom and power carve with Jamie a leaf relief carving on a 6” round box with lid and twig handle. $35 (includes box and 8-pc. set of bits right for the project)

---

Sun. 9:15-10:00 C6. WOODLANDER TRADING CARDS: MACK—Make small cards, actually small collages, using found materials and themes of hope, family, loss, and growth. Trade with other Woodlanders.

---

Sun. 10:00-11:30 C7. NATURE IMPRINTS IN CLAY: JOHNSTON—Create a unique bowl and imprint the clay with natural texture, working with expert potters Tom and Diana at Johnston Pottery, a huge old stone building that was once a brewery. $12 + $8 shipping, if applicable.

---

Sun. 10:00-11:30 C8. RUSTIC WALL HOOKS: EAGAN—Natural wood branch hooks look great anywhere. They are easy to make once David Eagan shows you how. He will supply branches, and the know-how. $3

---

Sun. 10:00-7:00 WOODLANDERS RUSTIC SHOWCASE at Longbranch Gallery (ongoing) Great display of rustic art, this weekend featuring the work of Woodlander participants and instructors. Longbranch, located at 203 Commerce St., is a well-known gallery featuring rustic art.

---

Sun. 10:00-4:30 C9. SLATE TOP SIDE TABLE: WERNER—Natural slate looks great in combination with rustic wood. John, an inventive and talented rustic artist, will help you build an attractive, sturdy side table in a triangular shape, with a handsome slate mosaic top. A Woodlander treasure to take home and enjoy. $30

---

Sun. 10:00- 5:00 C10. BUILD A RUSTIC PLAYHOUSE: DALSTROM & GREENE (ongoing)–Brian Dalstrom (Redtail Design, Muscoda) and Alex Greene (Redbeard Lumber, Spring Green) are going to build a 6x8 fairytale playhouse with a gable roof. The shell goes up the first day, then the roof, then a stucco or mud interior. Brian and Tatiana Katara, who makes and teaches faerie cottages, were married last year, so Tatiana expects imaginative help from Woodlanders to cover the exterior to resemble an elf, fairy, or hobbit dwelling. It stays at Shake Rag for the kids to play in.

---

11:30-1:30 LUNCH AT SHAKE RAG

---

Sun. 1:30-4:30 C11. BENT WILLOW CHAIR DEMO: SCHAKEL—Watch the willow master at work as he prepares a sturdy chair base, then gently bends and curves green willow to form the graceful shapes of arms and back. Inspiring.

---

Sun. 1:30-4:30 C12. MOSAIC CONCRETE BIRD BATH: SUTCLIFFE—You’ll have fun with Judy making a concrete birdbath, then hammering a plate for the mosaic you’ll apply. You’ll grout it and take home an attractive garden art piece. $5

---

Sun. 1:30-4:30 C13. MINIATURE TWIG/DRIFTWOOD CHAIR: CLARKE—George makes mini chairs so exquisite you wish they were full-size. Try it yourself with bits of twig and driftwood. $10 includes glue gun.

---

Sun. 1:30-4:30 C14. UPHOLSTER SEATS FOR RUSTIC CHAIR, STOOL: DAVIS— In this class you'll upholster the seat of the twig chair you made with Dick earlier (or even a plywood seat that doesn’t have legs as yet). Bring with you some leather such as an old leather jacket, or wool or other fabric if you prefer. And if you have them, scissors, staple gun, backing fabric, matte knife, hot glue gun. Dick will supply padding and other materials and will have leather and fabric available for purchase if needed. $15

---

Sun. 1:30-4:30 C15. VIKING WOVEN COPPER BRACELET WITH STONE/WOOD: DAVIS—Marti Davis will share with you a fascinating (and easy) method for making a Viking style flexible woven copper or silver bracelet with many variants. Drill stone or wood beads for attachments. You may choose between copper or silver wire purchased direct from Marti. $15

Class filled

---

Sun. 4:30-5:30 C16. USING TWITTER, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE (DEMOS): MACK—Dan discusses and shows you all about Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and why you should care!

---

4:30-5:30 C19. BLACKSMITHING HOOKS: EAGAN—Dave will demo blacksmithing techniques for making simple hooks, and you can try your hand at it.

---

5:30-7:30 C21. PICNIC ON THE GREEN: A pleasant time to socialize. $10

---

Sun. 6:30-7:30 DOUSING RODS DEMO & HANDS-ON: RIVER & WERNER—Falcon River and John Werner are very good at dousing and making dousing rods. They will demonstrate simple metal rods during dinner and let you try them. You might be a natural at it, so give it a try.

---

Sun. 7:30-9:00 C17. ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATIONS OF RUSTIC: MACK—Dan Mack will show fascinating examples of modern rustic used as architectural components in homes and businesses that will open your eyes to infinite possibilities!

---

Monday, July 13 Schedule
Add your day(s) to the cart, then choose classes and add materials fees to the cart.

7:30-1:00 REGISTRATION & CHECK-IN: Shake Rag Alley, 18 Shake Rag St.

Mon. 8:30-9:15 D1. PERSONAL TOOL MAKING: MACK—Tools are devices for directing energy. Dan discusses tool heritage and its mythology, and you’ll make a few personal tools yourself.

Class cancelled

---

Mon. 8:30-10:00 D2. SMALL WONDERS: NATURE THROUGH A MICROSCOPE: JOHNSON—With Jan, a fine painter and botanist, discover the fascinating world of tiny plants most of us never see. We'll look for these jewels on Shake Rag grounds. You'll need a magnifying glass, and Jan will have extras plus a microscope for really close looks. Bring a camera if you wish.

---

Mon. 8:30-11:30 D3. WATTLE FENCING: HOLZWART—Wattle fencing (willow woven between stakes) has long been familiar to English gardeners. John will cover materials, harvesting, preparation, and construction of a wattle fence panel. Take home a section of wattle fence you have made yourself and the know-how for building larger structures. $5

---

Mon. 8:30-11:30 D4. TOOL TIPS & MAKE A SLAB BENCH: WERNER—John has finally got his shop organized, and now he's ready to share his methods for organizing a good rustic carpentry shop. He will talk about rustic construction and materials, sharpening tools, joinery, dream tools, making jigs and C-clamps. That's part of the class. The other part is showing you how to use an assortment of tools for rustic joinery. And then, you will make use of tools to create a small slab bench for yourself. If you are serious about rustic, this is the perfect class for you. $25

---

Mon. 8:30-4:30 D5. CARVING A SUNFLOWER STOOL: SHARP—Each year John creates a new relief carving design for a stool seat. Last year a snake; this year a lovely petalled flower. Bring carving tools if you have them, gouges and veiners; John provides loaners. Beginners welcome. You’ll go home with a real treasure. $30

---

Mon. 8:30-4:30 D6. BENT WILLOW MOSAIC TABLE: SCHAKEL—Make an artful willow side table with master willowworker John Schakel’s help, then finish the top with your own original willow twig mosaic design. The product is simply stunning. $30

---

Mon. 9:15-10:00 D7. WOODLANDER TRADING CARDS: MACK—Make small cards, actually small collages, using found materials and themes of hope, family, loss, and growth. Trade with other Woodlanders.

---

Mon. 10:00-11:30 D8. STEEL LEAF FORGING - BLACKSMITHING DEMO: DAVIS—A woodworker and blacksmith, Dick combines both skills in furniture. Gather round the forge and watch as Dick Davis takes a leaf shape cut from reclaimed steel and turns it into a useful and decorative piece of metal art using swedge blocks, hammered textures, chisel marks, and color burnishing. And you will get to try your hand at it.

Class cancelled

---

Mon. 10:00-11:30 D9. WOOD FAUX FINISHES DEMO: KELLY—Tom used to repair and repaint antique furniture and became very adept at faux finishes. They can be surprisingly easy to do, and Tom will show you his secrets. He’ll let you try his methods, too.

---

Mon. 10:00-11:30 D10. PRESENTING YOURSELF: THE ARTISTS STATEMENT: MACK—Artistically awake people must be able to talk and write about their work in clear ways. We will work on artist statements and short biographies.

Class cancelled

---

Mon. 10:00- 5:00 D11. BUILD A RUSTIC PLAYHOUSE: DALSTROM & GREENE (ongoing)—Brian Dalstrom (Redtail Design, Muscoda) and Alex Greene (Redbeard Lumber, Spring Green) are going to build a 6x8 fairytale playhouse with a gable roof. The shell goes up the first day, then the roof, then a stucco or mud interior. Brian and Tatiana Katara, who makes and teaches faerie cottages, were married last year, so Tatiana expects imaginative help from Woodlanders to cover the exterior to resemble an elf, fairy, or hobbit dwelling. It stays at Shake Rag for the kids to play in.

---

Mon. 10:00-6:00 WOODLANDERS RUSTIC SHOWCASE at Longbranch Gallery (ongoing) Great display of rustic art, this weekend featuring the work of Woodlander participants and instructors. Longbranch, located at 203 Commerce St., is a well-known gallery featuring rustic art.

---

11:30-1:00 LUNCH AT SHAKE RAG

---

Mon. 1:00-2:30 D12. PEBBLE MOSAIC STEPPING STONES: SUTCLIFFE—Try making a stepping stone using an ancient technique of pebble mosaic. Arrange river pebbles a special way and cover with concrete. $3

---

Mon. 1:00-4:00 D13. NATURE ASSEMBLAGES: STERBA—Explore Shake Rag with Diane and discover natural materials—sticks, stones, leaves—to use for found object sculpture, a creative project with delightful results. $5

---

Mon. 1:00-4:00 D14. BRAIDED LEATHER BELT: DAVIS—Dick will show you how, step by step, to braid a leather belt and attach a buckle. Handsome, useful, and fun. $15

---

Mon. 1:00-5:00 D15. SQUEAKY TURKEY CALLER: ELGIN—Work with outdoorsman Paul Elgin to construct and woodburn a thin, wooden box with a mobile lid that squeaks and gobbles as you dip and drag it. Paul's design has been called "one of the best turkey callers ever made." The squeaky sounds imitate turkeys just right. Make a beautiful wood turkey caller you’ll treasure. $10

---

Mon. 2:30-4:00 D16. RUSTIC HANDLES FOR UTENSILS: WILSON—Lindy has been gathering unusual pieces of wood just right for handles along with spoons, knives, and other implements or utensils that would benefit from a good strong handle. You'll be sawing, drilling, glueing, maybe even do a little carving. $3

---