Thursday, January 19, 2012

New Class: Basic Tools Workshop for Women

By Blueberry Beeton, Shelter Staff—You know that piece of trim that needs to be replaced, or the door that sticks in the kitchen, or the light fixture you want to replace? You can do it yourself and many other much bigger projects with the right tools!

My Mom always said, "A woman may not have the strength to bash a beam into place, but she’ll find a way to get it there one way or another." Having the right tools and a creative mentality are key to making that happen. A few years ago I gave a tool talk to an audience of women at a library in Damariscottathe enthusiasm and standing ovation made me want to offer a similar class at Shelter. A couple of months ago I read an article in one of my FAVORITE magazines about tool selection and it was such a disappointment. It didn’t feature any of the really cool tools available. I like to buy great tools like I buy great shoes, dresses or cooking tools. So this new class is my version of that article in real life. This workshop will be a comfortable space to learn about tools, get your feet on the ground, and an opportunity to bring your questions and have a discussion!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Shelter at the New England Woodworking and DIY Show

Shelter will be one of the exhibitors at the New England Woodworking and D.I.Y. Show in West Springfield, MA, January 13-15. (Directions.)

Tickets are $12 for adults and can be purchased online. Children under 15, active duty police, fire, and military with ID get in free.

The list of exhibitors includes Fine Woodworking, Lee Valley, Veritas tools, Kreg, Delta, Bosch, Bessey Tools (more clamps!), and many more. There will be lots of free stuff, tools on display, and discount buying opportunities.

The show also offers an impressive list of educational seminars, including a seminar on tools offered by Shelter's very own Blueberry Beeton! Another seminar on making a hand plane and building cabinets is offered by Bob Settich, author of Built-Ins (in Taunton's Build Like a Pro series). He will talk about cabinetmaking details, plane techniques, and more. Maybe he'll get me motivated to start the built-in bookshelf/window seat I've promised my wife for years.

We're very happy to be part of such an impressive lineup. If you can make your way there, please stop by and see us.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Living Simply Class at Shelter

We've written about Ben Tipton previously on the Shelter Build blog. Four years ago, the Tipton family and Shelter built a home in Woolwich, Maine. The Tipton's goal was to down size and live as energy efficiently as possible. You can read more about the Tipton's home and their personal journey on their blog: Simple Living.


Ben is returning to his blog, and he is also offering a class at Shelter on February 18th titled, "Living More Simply." The simple goal Ben would like to impart is...

Mindfulness.

How can we achieve mindfulness? How can we reduce the noise and stress in our lives? To begin, Ben asks us to BREATHE..... One simple act that can help us push the pause button on our busy lives. Slow down and walk at 1/3 your normal speed and get to see more along this path we call life.

In Ben's six-hour workshop he'll help you think about slowing down and enjoying every moment more fully. Come learn a new skill, explore ways you can simplify your life, connect with others and learn techniques for managing stress through simple living. We will carve a wooden spoon, make elderberry syrup, share stories, walk in the woods, and slow down while discussing ways to simplify your life while still being engaged in our modern world.

Ben Tipton has been trying to simplify his life and has been investigating the impact of simple living on our health. With over 16 years experience as a physician assistant he has seen the direct impact a stress-filled life can have and has sought ways to help heal by slowing down. His education has been supported by standing on the shoulders of really smart people, through which he has acquired many skills of yesterday and today. He currently grows his own food with the help of his wife, two kids, a dog, 8 chickens and a rabbit on the rocky clay filled soils along the coast of Maine. While he does not consider himself an expert, he employs the mindset of "try something and see what works."

Register for the Living More Simply class online at Shelter.

Tuition is $45 per person. The class will be held on the Shelter Campus, February 18, 2012 from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Lunch will be provided and each student will receive a traditional Murphy's Carving Knife and a blank of wood for carving.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Beekeeping 101 at Shelter

Shelter has invited guest speaker, Christy Hemenway from Gold Star Honeybees, to offer a two-day "Intensive" beekeeping workshop on Top Bar Beekeeping February 11-12 at the Shelter campus. The class is designed specifically for those who want to get started keeping bees in top bar hives in the 2012 beekeeping season.

This in-depth classwith emphasis on the why of thingscombines important how-to information, history, hive management techniques, and natural disease and pest control methods. You can get started with confidence!

The Weekend Intensive workshop is two full days of "Bee Buzz" and includes the topics below:

How Did We Get Here From There?
A history of beekeeping through the last couple of hundred years, which has brought us to today’s industrial methods. What effect is this having on honey bees?

Terrible Things That Can Happen To Your Wonderful Bees
Forewarned is forearmed! Know how to recognize pest and disease problems in the hive.

Hands-on Instruction and Demonstration
Instruction/demonstration of related activities: hive inspection techniques, comb handling, mite monitoring, wax rendering, hive management methods, splitting, honey harvest, winterizing.

You'll Be a Gold Star Graduate!
You and your fellow students will be part of a growing support system in the future as greener beekeeping methods spread. By attending a Gold Star Weekend Intensive, you are automatically invited to be a part of the Gold Star Graduates Google Group.

A Certificate of Beginning
... Beekeeping is a journey, and we hope that today’s beekeepers continue their journey into a healthier, green future. Students receive a signed certificate marking the beginning of their journey.

Tuition includes breakfast and lunch both dayswonderful local and/or organic foods.

Because ORGANIC is a BEE'S BEST FRIEND!

Register online today.

Tuition: $200/person or $175 early bird tuition if you register by January 31

Schedule overview:
Feb. 11-12, 2012
8:30: Check-in and gather over coffee, tea and light breakfast
9:00-12:00 Class
12:00-1:00 Lunch Break
1:00-4:00 Afternoon Session