4
JULY 28�AUGUST 4, 2021
MIXED MEDIUM
THE ARTS AROUND
EASTERN OREGON
Pioneer skills meet 21st-century technology
Learn how to
make a forge and
use it Aug. 7-8 in
online classes
Go! staff
cording to the class description.
Those who want to go a step
further with their forge are invited
to take Thompson’s Sunday, Aug.
8, “Basic Bladesmithing” class.
Utilizing basic everyday hand
tools or objects, participants will
learn heat treatment techniques,
handle assembly and fi ling/grind-
ing techniques to complete a
forged knife.
Both classes run from 8 a.m.
to 5 p.m. There is no age require-
ment if a parent is taking the
class too; otherwise, participants
must be at least 13 years old.
F
LORA — The pioneers did
not have computers or
smartphones to learn what they
needed, but the Flora School
Education Center does — and
the organization is taking advan-
tage of current technology to
present its pioneer skills classes
online this year.
August’s online off ering is a
pair of blacksmithing classes led
by Nathan Thompson from Rusty
Hammer Forge in Walla Walla,
Washington.
Saturday, Aug. 7, is “Black-
smithing from the Ground Up.”
Pioneers used what they had to
get the job done. This class will
teach you how to blacksmith
when you do not have a forge,
blower or tongs by building an
in-ground forge “using what we
have with minimal expense,” ac-
fl oraschool.org
Nathan Thompson from Rusty Hammer Forge in Walla Walla, Washington, is
leading two online blacksmithing classes the weekend of Aug. 7-8, organized
by the Flora School Education Center.
Wed-Fri 12-5 pm & Sat 10am-2pm
FALL ONLINE COURSES HOSTED BY THE
FLORA SCHOOL EDUCATION CENTER
Upcoming online classes planned by the Flora School Educa-
tion Center are a weaving class and a sewing class, both taught
by Vanessa Thew Thompson from Flora’s North End Crossing.
The weaving course, “The Three Rs: Recycling, Reusing,
Repurposing,” happens Sept. 18. As the title implies, partici-
pants will learn to weave after making a loom out of used items
(picture frames, sticks, dowels, 2x4s, plastic lids and containers)
and gathering what they have to make yarn (clothing, T-shirts,
Mother Nature’s gatherings, unravel a sweater, leftover yarns).
In an Oct. 9 sewing class, Thew Thompson will help partici-
pants get to know their sewing machines (electric, treadle or
crank) while making a “French burrito pillowcase.”
For questions on either class, contact Thew Thompson at
541-828-7010 or northendcrossing@tds.net.
Donations in lieu of class fees are
accepted after the class.
For questions about the
classes, call or text Nathan at
509-876-7812 or email him at
dirtdart1981@yahoo.com. To fi nd
out more about Thompson and
get a look at his work, visit www.
rustyhammerforge.com.
Since the classes are online,
it is important to register ahead
of time to make sure all materials
and equipment are gathered. To
sign up, email fsec.education@
gmail.com. You will then receive
information on how to access the
class, what materials are needed
and how to donate.
For more information on the
Flora School Education Center,
classes, volunteering, teach-
ing, work parties and events,
go to www.fl oraschool.org or
the center’s social media, email
fl oraschool@tds.net or call 541-
828-7010.