Daniel Mack

Rustic Furnishings

Workshop Topics

Creative Fitness Workshops     see recent article

Dan has developed several short workshops--2-3 hours each--in specific techniques and themes in working with Natural Materials.Each workshop was limited to 9 people. People can come to any one, two or all three two-hour workshops in the day.  He offers these every few months in Warwick.  The December, 2007 Workshop offered three topics:

Making a small Rustic Stool with Mortise and Tenon Joinery

Making Tools: Imaginal and Real

Introduction to Artists Trading Cards

The next are Saturday, February 16 and Saturday, March 15

Same topics, for 2 1/2 -3 hours..

 

Building Rustic Garden Structures

Daniel Mack introduces the attitudes and basic construction techniques and tools of rustic work, as we learn by working together on large scale garden structures- arbors, a pergola and a playful garden folly -which all stay at Omega.

Introduction to Working Rustic

Daniel Mack guides you through the process of designing and building with branches, saplings and other natural materials. He introduces ways of thinking about designs which honor both the materials and the artist.. He teaches a variety of techniques for joining natural materials together with simple tools. This is a workshop for both the Playful and the Practical. You build a 12" high "trophy" chair which has all the mortise and tenon joints and design challenges of larger scale furniture. And for those wanting to escape the tyranny of utility, there is a supply of bark and driftwood to shape into rattles, wands, talking sticks, walking sticks, utensils, jewelry and other forms of decoration and adornment. Spring and Fall · One Day · Cost: $125/day

Working Rustic

Daniel Mack has been working with sticks, saplings, logs, bark and driftwood for 25 years to make furniture, architectural work, garden structures and small, simple objects. He has written five books on the techniques and attitudes of working rustic. He has learned about the 'language' of natural materials which he shares in this workshop, "Rustic is really a way of saying something about beauty, nature, longing and your place in the world. It's much more than just furniture".

Dan introduces the basic construction techniques and tools of rustic work as you work on your own projects. This workshop is excellent for people who have never used a drill or a hammer. But experienced builders and craftspeople will be surprised and challenged by the subtleties of the rustic ways of making things. You can expect to make two or three things during the course. 3 days · limit 7 people · at Dan's studio/shop in Warwick, NY · Cost: $360

Rustic Tutorial at Daniel Mack's Studio

This is a 1 or 3 or 5 day workshop for practicing artists, woodworkers, contractors,craftspeople and anyone with good hand-eye skills and experience with basic tools. It is held at Dan's workshop in Warwick so you have access to the common and specialized tools and materials in his shop and barn. It is a brisk infusion of energy and ideas into your work.. In addition to the making of furniture, you will gather information, develop ideas and experiment with tools and materials for work n your own shop and... meet other people interested in the same work. Limit 7 people · Spring and Fall · Cost: $125/day

Writing Skills for Artists and Craftspeople

Versatile writing skills are more important than ever. Small business people, artists and craftspeople especially need the skills to write press releases, artists statements, short bios and short, clear descriptions of products and services for websites and promotion. This workshop introduces the basics of writing, finding appropriate "voices" and editing. There are handouts, discussion, in-class exercises and at-home practices. Three meetings, 2 hours each, plus email contact · Cost: $120

Future Workshop Topics

Working with Birch Bark, Free-Form Carving from Bark, Business practices for artists and craftspeople