“Students are taught to heel at the Villages Folk School”

     Last weekend the students returned to our Victorian home to spend another day learning to knit socks. This was the second of three classes in this subject because of the time required for each student to work their project in preparation for the next command; “learning to heel”. No, it wasn’t obedience school for their dogs it was time to knit the “heel” on their sock project. Their homework from the last class was to knit from the top of the sock to a length of 8 inches. Today’s class would provide them instruction for properly completing the heel of the sock. Karen Land and her students once again retired to the parlor to go about the process of making a proper heel on their knitted socks. I am not one to knit, but it does appear to get pretty involved. I always figured you just started knitting and “voila” there’s a sock. But I soon realized it was not quite that simple. I think the ladies in the class were also realizing that, but they were having such a great time together they didn’t give it much thought.

     Christmas is only a month away and for those of you who would like to make a personal gift for that special person in your life we have some classes to help you do just that. Joy Hanson can guide you through the process of making a candle in a mug that smells and looks like hot chocolate. Join her class this weekend and see how it’s done. You will come away with the satisfaction of making your own gift and with the knowledge to make more of the same. Maybe you would like to make a keepsake gift instead. Register for Sandi Dimmitt’s class in Keepsakes-Gift Making and make one of your own. The Villages Folk School class calendar is available for you on our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com. You can also email the school at villagesfolkschool@gmail.com for more information. Gloria will be out of the office this week but will be checking the emails.

     Here is a list of our classes coming up: Container Candles by Joy Hanson, Nov 27; Vintage Card Making by Sandi Dimmitt, Nov 27; Beginning Blacksmithing by Bill Printy and Mark Heisdorffer, Dec 4-5; Keepsakes-Gift Making by Sandi Dimmitt, Dec 4; Hand Piecing, Appliqué & Quilting, Dec 11-12; Container Candles by Joy Hanson, Dec 18.

     We at the Villages Folk School wish you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving.

“The Rush is on at the Villages Folk School”

     The wind was howling as I started the van and headed for our Villages Folk School class at the Congregational church in Keosauqua. Today was the chair caning class taught by Vern Ramsey. His student’s work today was on an antique chair in the fiber rush weave pattern. The different styles of caning are each unique and Vern teaches all of them. If you think about it, probably most of us have one of those antique chairs that have been in the family for years but because of the deteriorated weave it has been tucked away in the attic or closet. Well now is the time to get that old chair back into good-as-new condition. Before you register for a class, however, there is some preparation that needs to be completed prior to re-caning the seat. If the chair is in need of refinishing or replacement of any broken parts, that must be done before coming to class. Once the chair is fitted with the new cane it is ready to take its rightful place in your home. I’m sure stories will be told as you recall grandpa or grandma sitting in that chair. This series of classes taught by Vern Ramsey for the Villages Folk School will restore those family heirlooms and at the same time bring your ancestral history back to life. Go to our folk school website at www.villagesfolkschool.com and make plans to have your chair project ready for the next caning class. Registration is easily done by printing the online form or by calling our office at 319-592-3700.

     The holidays are fast approaching and it is time to start thinking about those Christmas gifts for family and friends. Here is a great idea for you; why not make something special this year. We have some creative classes coming up that will help you to do just that! See for yourself by going to the website and checking them out. Maybe you would like to make a container candle in their favorite mug, or something that becomes a keepsake. It is all very easy if you have the proper instruction. The next few weeks of classes will offer that opportunity for you. See for yourself by reading through the class descriptions or calling our office for any additional information you might need.

     Here is a list of our classes coming up: Container Candles by Joy Hanson, Nov 27; Vintage Card Making by Sandi Dimmitt, Nov 27; Beginning Blacksmithing by Bill Printy and Mark Heisdorffer, Dec 4-5; Keepsakes-Gift Making by Sandi Dimmitt, Dec 4; Hand Piecing, Appliqué & Quilting, Dec 11-12; Container Candles by Joy Hanson, Dec 18.

     We hope to make your holiday season very special by offering you a class with an instructor who will guide you through the steps required to create a very special gift that you can be proud to give. If not for a gift, then something creative that will be the perfect decoration for your home this year and in years to come.

     Register for that special holiday class by going to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com or by calling our office at 319-592-3700. Make this year very special for someone in your family; perhaps that someone is you!

“Iowa Public Television films folk school classes in Van Buren County”

                   
     This past weekend was not your average weekend of classes for the Villages Folk School. There was a little more excitement in the air as the Iowa Public Television camera crew rolled into town. The filming is in preparation for a special that will air in the Spring. First on the agenda was Gin Lammert’s “Still Life in Soft Pastels” class in the town hall at Cantril. I met the crew at the town hall and watched as they set up the set to interview Gin Lammert. The host of the program, Dan Kaercher, not only interviewed Gin but he took part in the class. The camera was rolling as she started her presentation and continued as each of the students moved to their respective easels and began to paint. Gin moved from student to student watching them as they worked on their masterpieces and giving her expert critic and helpful suggestions. It is a joy to watch as she seems to guide their projects down the right path with only her comments. I love this part of the folk school classes. Sometime you need to just stop in at one of our classes and watch as the artists work with their students. It is an awesome experience!

     It was time for the crew to move on so they packed all the camera gear and off we went for Bentonsport and Bill Printy’s blacksmith shop at Iron and Lace. We arrived at the shop and found Bill working at the forge. After some introductions they set about their work. Several angles for pictures were discussed and the camera man set up for the shoot. Bill began cranking the bellows and the coals were soon engulfed in a searing flame.

     The iron he had placed in the coals was glowing hot as Bill swiftly drew it from the forge and placed it on the anvil. With purposely directed blows he began to shape the tip. As the hammer came down upon the iron the sparks flew in every direction. You could see the iron cooling as the sparks grew less and less. Bill was keenly aware of the proper moment for the iron to be returned to the fire and once again the bellows were cranked to produce the proper flame. Bill makes this look so easy, but, after all, it has been his life for the past thirty some years. What was once a straight piece of iron from the mill was now a perfectly formed poker and Bill smiled with satisfaction as he displayed his finished work. Dan Kaercher moved over next to Bill and the camera man set his lens and microphone for the interview portion of the filming. Bill is always the humble blacksmith but he has truly turned the working of iron into a fine art. Working of iron has been passed down from generation to generation in Bill’s family but his passion for the arts has brought this trade to a new level that results in custom work seldom found in other shops. Classes are offered throughout the year in beginning blacksmithing, tool making, tong making and forge welding. Go to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com for dates and times. If you have always wanted to learn the blacksmithing trade; what are you waiting for? This is an opportunity you won’t want to pass up. Working along side Bill Printy is his assistant Mark Heisdorffer and the two of them provide you with all the instructor / student time you will need to not only learn the proper methods but to turn out a quality piece of work.

     We were soon out of time and packing up to leave for the next class shoot. This was Meg King’s beginning knitting class being held in the parlor of our 1865 Victorian brick in Bonaparte. 



One of the students was a young lady and I could tell she was nervous with the camera so close but soon she was engrossed in her knitting and not paying attention to the camera. We soon had to move on so the camera gear was packed and off we went.

     The last location for the coming broadcast was from the top of the hill where J40 starts down into Bentonsport. This overlook is so indicative of the beautiful rolling hills and scenic river valley of Van Buren County. The camera was set and Dan, with the valley as a back drop, began his rap up of the day’s events. We are thrilled to have such coverage of our beautiful Van Buren County and look forward with much enthusiasm as the Villages Folk School continues to bring attention to this area.

     We invite you to join us in our endeavor to make the Villages Folk School into a premier year-round folk school. By becoming a Friend of the Folk School your sponsorship dollars will help with the advertising and marketing needed to reach out to the surrounding areas for students and keep our artists working to support their families and this area. Information for sponsorship is available on our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com or call our office at 319-592-3700 for assistance.

     Here is a list of our upcoming classes: Chair Caning with Fiber Rush Weave, Nov 13; Fried Fiction Workshop, Nov 13-14; Container Candles, Nov 27; Beginning Blacksmithing, Dec 4-5; Hand Piecing Appliqué & Quilting, Dec 11-12; Container Candles, Dec 18.

     Taking a class at the Villages Folk School is more than just spending a little time with a craft; it is a chance to experience firsthand the life of living the arts in Van Buren County, Iowa. As the holidays approach and you are thinking about presents for friends and family wouldn’t it be fun to give a gift that you made? There are some classes coming soon that will allow you to do just that. Container candles are made in your favorite mug and would make a wonderful gift. We hope to see you here for one of our classes and look forward to your participation.

“Days are getting shorter but the Villages Folk School is in full swing”

     Two trips around the Villages of Van Buren County can take all day. That is, if you stop to listen in on one or two of the folk school classes. There is always something to learn and when it is being taught by a gifted artist the whole process is a delightful experience. In finding an art subject that fulfills a desire you have always kept inside, I think you will agree with me when I say, “Doing is so much better than watching!” Now, with the help of our instructors, artists who are inspired by the very land they have chosen to make their home, you can make it a reality. We have a treasure in Van Buren County that has not only attracted the artists but has offered them a palette for their work and livelihood. Going about their trade on a daily basis has spawned a culture that lives the arts here in Van Buren County, Iowa.

     The benefit to those who come from outside our county to take a class at the Villages Folk School is twofold. They experience not only the beauty and serenity of this Des Moines River valley, but they connect with their inner self as they create a newfound art form under the instruction of a folk school artist.

     Those of us who live here have but to journey outside of our county to soon realize what we have in Van Buren County. Living here is wonderful, as I think we all agree. What we haven’t all realized is that getting in touch with our creative side through the arts and then living it here in the villages opens our eyes in so many areas. That goes for young and old alike. Allow yourself to experience the Villages Folk School and encourage your children to do so. The arts and being creative will spill over into every aspect of your life. It is a thrill that keeps getting better and better.

     Come join us for one of our exciting classes. Call our office at 319-592-3700 or go online to www.villagesfolkschool.com and register for your class. You will find the classes and their times on our calendar.

     We invite you to help us grow by becoming a “Friend of the Villages Folk School”. The sponsorship information is listed for you on our website and a secure PayPal site is available for your convenience.

     Here is a list of our upcoming classes: Still Life in Soft Pastels, Nov. 6; Chair Caning with Fiber Rush Weave, Nov 13; Fried Fiction Workshop, Nov 13-14; Container Candles, Nov 27.

     It’s not too late to register for one of our many classes. Then get ready for the thrill of a lifetime as you live the arts with one of our artist instructors.