Practical Skills & Traditional Crafts
The following Practical Actives & Tradition Crafts can be requested by schools & other organisations.
Most Projects & Craft activities require a minimum of a block of three days to complete
CRAFTS:
FROM SKIN TO LEATHER
Using Traditional Organic Tanning methods
Classes would be introduced to skinning an animal, in most instances a Deer, setting up a basic Tanning facility & introduction to basic leather working skills.
SUITED TO AGES -14 yrs & upward
BUILDING STRUCTURES
USING WATTLE & DAUB TECHNIQUES
SUITED TO AGES -9yrs & upward
PIT FORGE & BLACKSMITHING
Classes will build their own Pit Forge & be introduced to Basic Blacksmithing Skills
SUITED TO AGES -10 yrs & upward
CHARCOAL MAKING
This project will often take place in conjunction with Blacksmithing workshops but can also be run as a separate workshop activity.
Charcoal making project: Traditional Charcoal Clamp. 50 gal single drum method making & using an Oil Drum Charcoal Retort Kiln.
SUITED TO AGES -14yrs & upward
TRADITIONAL WILLOW BASKETRY
Classes in Willow Basketry.
Setting up a school willow bed
Dry & Live Willow Sculpture
SUITED TO AGES -14 yrs & upward
CLAY OVEN BUILDING
Community Building Project
SUITED TO AGES -9yrs & upward
ADVANCED BLACKSMITHING SKILLS
FORGING A KNIFE
Students will design & Forge their own knife, learn Tempering Skills, Knife Handle & Sheathe making.
SUITED TO AGES -16yrs & upward
BUSHCRAFT SKILLS
Pre-Craft activities
Suited for all ages of children.
Shelter building, Camp Fire cooking and baking, Fire by Friction Skills – making your own fire lighting kit.
CERAMICS - FROM CLAY TO POTS
Classes will be introduced to sourcing & preparing Clay, making pots & building a Paper Slip Kiln & Raku Firing.
SUITED TO AGES -9yrs & upward
LIME KILN
CONSTRUCTION & BURNING LIME STONE
The Limestone Project is most suited to Class 7 & 10 (Steiner Schools) as part of their Chemistry Curriculum
IRON ORE SMELTING
Construct a Bloomary Furnace – Prepare & Smelt Iron Ore
SUITED TO AGES -16yrs & upward.
All Practical Activities & projects will be carried out in a manner suited to age & Class Curriculum. Pupils will be expected to document & present their work as part of their portfolio.
RISK ASSESSMENT & PUBLIC LIABILITY.
DBS Checked
Practical activates & working with hand tools, fire etc does carry a degree of risk. All activates are carried out by professional Tutors who have experience in safe instruction & how to safeguard against potential danger to Persons & Property
All activities will have a Risk Assessment done & Pyrites – Living & Learning with Nature has Public Liability Insurance to cover all of its work& CRB check. Copies can be made available in advance.
COST OF COURSES & ACTIVITIES
Unless otherwise agreed, Basic Tuition Fee is £300 / day as of 1st Sept 2024
Materials at cost price.
Travel Expenses Fuel @.45/mile.
Accommodation usually provided by hosting school/organisation
Lecture Only – £125 + travel expenses