Native American Drum Making Workshop at The Institute for American Indian Studies

The Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington Connecticut located in the heart of the Litchfield Hills is offering a workshop to celebrate the drum because it is considered to be the most important Native American instrument.  Most Native Americans prefer to use drums made from traditional materials made by a master drum maker or make their own. This is because of the strong spiritual associations of the drum....it is the heartbeat of Mother Earth.

Indigenous peoples made several kinds of drums; log drum, water drum and the most common, the hand drum. Hand drums could be single or double-headed. In the northeast region they were traditionally made using a wooden base and an animal hide; typically deer or elk.

The drum is considered to be the first musical instrument used by humans; historians believe the drum has been virtually every culture known to mankind. The original purpose was for communicating over long distances as a type of signal.

On Saturday, February 23 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Allan Madahbee, Ojibway artist and musician, will instruct participants in making their own single-face drum while sharing the importance of the drum in Native American culture. This workshop is recommended for cildren ages 12 and up. The workshop fee is $150; $125 IAIS Members. Reservations and a $50 nonrefundable deposit is required by calling 860-868-0518. The museum is located on 38 Curtis Rd. in Washington 

Connecticut. For additional information www.iaismuseum.org. For area information www.litchifieldhills.com

About The Institute for American Indian Studies

IAIS is a Not-For-Profit organization. We do not receive monies from the State, Town of Washington nor any other museum or gaming facility. We reply on membership, programs and contributions for support.

A Workshop for Fiber Enthusiasts in Litchfield Hills

If you are thinking of taking an unusual weekend country retreat to recharge a unique workshop featuring the art of fiber preparation is being offered in the Litchfield Hills.   The workshop takes place at Sachem Farm B&B that is situated serenely overlooking Lake Waramaug, Connecticut's second largest natural lake.  Here you will learn about  sheep, knitting, spinning, and  felting along with discussions on wool processing and fiber preparation in a setting of great natural beauty.  Join Kim Goodling from VT Grand View Farm June 10-12 for a weekend workshop, taking a fleece through the stages of skirting, washing, and carding.

This workshop will explore fiber preparation, from skirting a newly shorn fleece, to carding techniques and everything in between. You will explore different breeds of sheep and how the care and health of a sheep affects wool quality. You will learn how to wash a fleece and how to use both hand cards, and a drum carder to create wonderful batts for felting or spinning.  You'll leave this workshop with the confidence to purchase and process your own fleeces.  Best of all, you don't need to know how to spin to appreciate this workshop, although by the end of the retreat .... you'll want to learn!

The Sachem Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast, overlooking Lake Waramaug provides the ideal venue for this weekend workshop. Guest rooms are elegantly decorated with fine antiques, comfortable reading chairs, and luxurious beds.  A leisurely breakfast featuring fresh eggs from the farm and local produce is included in every stay. Here you can take time to enjoy the pastures and sheep as you learn about working and living on a small fiber farm.  You may want to spend your free time knitting on the porch that overlooks majestic Lake Waramaug, take a stroll down a country lane or explore the ring road along the Lake by bike.  Nearby bucolic villages  provide endless shopping and restaurants for dining.  As an added bonus, Hopkins Vineyard is just up the street for wine tasting and vineyard walks.
 

Friday, June 10
Arrive at 2:00pm (Early Check-in offered, with time to relax and unwind)
Spend the afternoon knitting or spinning on the porch.
5:00pm-6:00pm Complimentary Wine Tasting featuring local wine from Hopkins Vineyard.
Dinner on your own (there are many fine area restaurants to choose from or, get take-out and eat by the lake)

Saturday, June 11
8:00am-9:00am Breakfast on the porch
9:30am-12:00pm Morning Workshop
Different Wools
-   Discuss different types of sheep wool
-   Discuss other available animal fibers, i.e. angora, llama, etc.
-   Discuss animal care and health of fleece
-   Selecting fleeces and hands-on skirting
12:00pm-1:00pm Picnic Lunch by the sheep pasture
1:00pm-3:00pm Afternoon Workshop
-    Fiber Preparation
-   Discuss methods for cleaning wool
-   Hands-on washing a fleece

Sunday, June 12
8:00am-9:00am breakfast on the porch
9:30am-12:30pm Morning Workshop
-   Hand Carding Wool and creating spinning rolags
-   Using a drum carder to blend and create fibers into wonderful
batts for spinning and felting
12:30pm-1:30pm A "working" lunch on the porch if extra time is needed for carding.
Check-out will be extended until 4 pm for those who would like to explore the area or enjoy the lake front.

Fiber Preperation Workshop Weekend Special June 10-12
Lodging cost: Friday & Saturday night, (breakfast included)
$535.00 lake view room with private bath (accommodates two, $40.00 for 1 additional person on rollaway cot) (CT state occupancy tax included)
$335.00 shared bath room (accommodates two) (CT state occupancy tax included)
Workshop fee $175.00 (lunch, afternoon tea & materials included) Accommodations and workshop availability are limited.
 
For workshop registration and reservation requests:  Phone (860)-868-0359  Email:  info@thesachemfarmhouse.com  http://www.thesachemfarmhouse.com