This weekend, Canterbury Shaker Village will host a new special event on its campus with more than 50 craftsmen who will teach their work.
The Traditional Craft Days was born out of a re-imagining of Wood Days, which the Shaker Village put on about 10 years ago, said Nicole Laurin, special events coordinator.
The vendors and presenters will demonstrate their skills, sell their work and explain where others can learn to make the traditional crafts.
Many vendors offer classes themselves, Laurin said.
In the spirit of the original Woods Days, there will be plenty of craftspeople who create woodwork crafts. Homestead Woodworking School of Newmarket will have some teachers present. Furniture Masters Ted Blatchely and Roger Myers will be among those demonstrating along with cabinetmaker and furniture designer David Lamb of Canterbury. Joe Pustizzo of Pustizzo Fruit Farm in Boscawen will show sawmilling techniques and Steve Fifield will demonstrate timber framing.
Stoneboat Farm will bring its horses for pulling demonstrations while Sanborn Mills Farm of Loudon will show oxen skills and ox yoke making.
Other craftspersons include Pam Bartlett with rug hooking, Tracy Szcanto with quilting, Janet King with soap making and en plein air painting, Diane Louise Paul with leatherworking, George LeDuc with flint knapping, Gary Kalajian with blacksmithing and Barbara Francis with Penobscot basketweaving.
“This is a top-notch group of craftspeople,” said David Emerson, one of the organizers of the event, in a statement. “Their enthusiasm for their work is contagious. If you’ve ever wished you could become adept at a handcraft, chances are good you’ll find one that appeals to you and an experienced teacher to ensure your success.”
Canterbury Shaker Village will have its own demonstrators in various buildings on the property, with Everett Bailey making brooms, Barbara Beeler making oval boxes, Carol Lachance hooking rugs, Dan Lachance weaving, and Jim Macnab demonstrating the art of letterpress printing.
A full list of presenters is on the Shaker Village’s website.
While you explore new handiworks and skills, you can listen to a changing line-up of music. Badger’s Drift starts off the weekend Saturday at 10 a.m., followed by Doug Hazard at noon and New Found Grass from 2 to 4 p.m. Then on Sunday, the Fiddling Thomsons will perform starting at 11 a.m. and in the afternoon Entangled Strings will play from 1 to 3.
When you get hungry, Somerset Grille, Betty’s Kitchen and the Shaker Village Cafe stocked by the Concord Co-op will sell you lunch. After lunch, grab an ice cream from Arnie’s.
The museum will be open its regular hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Self-guided tours are available throughout the day and guided tours are held at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Laurin said.
The event is included with the cost of regular admission to the Canterbury Shaker Village, which is free for members, $19 for adults, $9 for ages 6 to 17 and free for those under 5. A family of two adults and two or more children is $45. Tickets are available online or at the campus and are valid for both days.
For more information, visit shakers.org/traditional-craft-days.