PDF Download of Brochure
Schedule a Program
NECKLACE MAKING
Soapstone
Beadmaking
Drilling hole in piece of soapstone using bamboo tipped willow drill
Drilling Holes
in Rocks with Sticks
is a fun coordination developing activity which introduces many of the age old stone and wood shaping techniques used in many other technologies: drilling, grinding, polishing & oiling.
Using soapstone (a soft but durable stone) we make beads to hang on the string that we have created.
Participants drill holes in soapstone using a drill made of willow & bamboo, shape that stone in to a bead using abrasive stones, polish the bead with "horsetail" sticks, and oil the finished bead with fat.
Everyone takes home either a bracelet or necklace which they are very proud to have made "from scratch".
Teamwork
Working Together
Sharing workstation with friends.
Soapstone & pine nut bead necklace made “from scratch”
Stringmaking
Triangle twisting style of stringmaking
String From Sticks
The process of extracting the native fiber Dogbane and/or other materials is demonstrated and can be explored further with individuals if there is adequate time & interest. We will use prepared Romanian hemp to practice string making and create our necklaces.
We twist these fibers into string using a group triangle twisting method which utilizes concepts of physics & geometry and which also requires cooperation.
Three fibers twisted together: dogbane, milkweed & black buckskin
Wood
Beadmaking
Pine nut beads a string
Finding Things
with Holes in Them
Using pine nuts (Pinus sabiniana) and/or willow stick segments, we make beads to hang on our strings to create a beautiful necklace which represents the energy and time that we have put into creating it.
Pine nut, willow stick & soapstone bead necklace
Handbook
FRICTION FIRE MAKING
Fire With Sticks
We begin by demonstrating how to make a fire by rubbing sticks together. Prepared handdrill firemaking kits are then supplied so participants can partner or group up and give it a try as an additional thing to try during their bead making activity.
Friction creating smoke.
Friction fire is a difficult skill to learn, so youth programs concentrate on the process, the need to cooperate, get into a rhythm and focus each individuals’ energy.
Focused groups of younger kids
do sometimes succeed at making a hand drill fire,
which is both empowering and exciting..
Young adult programs are slightly longer
and more focus is given to actually making fire.
Friction firemaking is a complicated group activity which is part of “in school hands-on” programs.
For long distance & remote programs, this topic is covered via video presentations.
GAMES OF SKILL & CHANCE
Games of skill and chance are part of “in school” hands-on programs.
For distance & remote programs, this topic is covered via video presentations.
CATCH GAMES
Catch games made from deer cannon bones, atlas bones & string
JUMPROPE
Teaming up as a Group
to create a Class Jumprope
The process of making a rope embodies a lot of cooperative energy.
Three separate cords being twisted on their own and then together.
Ropemaking is a complicated group activity which is part of “in school” hands-on programs.
For distance & remote programs, this topic is covered via video presentations and a miniature rope “fob” project.
BONE DICE GAMES
Astragalus bone dice game
FIELD ACTIVITIES
Hunting Tools Target Practice
Extremely Popular!
Require adequate space and adult volunteers.
A large private grassy field is the best venue.
Hunting Tools Target Practice Activities are part of “in school” hands-on programs.
For distance & remote programs, this topic is covered via video presentations.
RABBITSTICKS
Oldest & most pandemic of hunting tools.
In Australia, rabbitsticks evolved into the boomerang.
HANDSPEARS
One of the oldest most fundamental of tools.
Getting ready to throw handspears at rolling hoops.
Hoop & Pole game is a very fun and instructional spearthrowing game.
Showing how to hold the spear-thrower.
SPEAR-THROWERS
Developed over 40,000 years ago to hunt mammoths, mastodons & other megafauna.
Only available for 6th grade and older and requires large private field.
Preparing to throw the spear-thrower.
CROSSBOWS
First developed in China in the 3rd Century BC
Our low power crossbows are very popular.
BOW & ARROWS
Probably the most familiar hunting tool.
Still used in many different forms today.
Only available for 6th grade and older and requires large private field.
Ready to release the arrow.
Arrow through hoop target.
About
Tamara’s Clothes
Before the advent of agriculture, the predominant “cloth” used for clothing was animal skins tanned using some of the oldest forms of “chemistry”.
For the past 30+ years, we have been tanning our own buckskinn, making our own clothing using technologies similar to those used by our hunter/gatherer ancestors, and teaching others this important craft.
Tanning Tools made from deer and elk leg bones on display for participants and handle and experience in a very tactile way.
Touching the braintanned furs on display often spurs a sense of wonder at how soft and warm they feel.
Don't have a large enough group to sponsor a program?
Purchase an Ancient Skills Handbook
Purchase a Necklace Making Kit with video instructions
Check Workshops for upcoming programs
