Events

Learn to garden with nature at the forefront. Megan Gilger of Perma Studio will bring her knowledge of Permaculture and regenerative garden design as well as farming to this course. In the course you will learn about working with soil and designing a garden that accommodates your space no matter the size. You will walk […]

Imagine stepping into your backyard this summer and harvesting fresh mushrooms you’ve grown yourself. Join Dr. James Reznich and Julie Botsford as they guide you in making shiitake and oyster mushroom logs. In the beautiful setting of J2 Farms at Cedar North, gain hands-on experience in preparing, inoculating, and caring for the logs and benefit […]

Imagine stepping into your backyard this summer and harvesting fresh mushrooms you’ve grown yourself. Join Dr. James Reznich and Julie Botsford as they guide you in making shiitake and oyster mushroom logs. In the beautiful setting of J2 Farms at Cedar North, gain hands-on experience in preparing, inoculating, and caring for the logs and benefit […]

Biodynamic gardening/farming is more than a method; it's a philosophy that treats a property as a self-sustaining ecosystem. From pruning to harvesting, the biodynamic calendar controls the growing practices. The goal is to create a system that is minimally dependent on imported materials and instead meets its needs from the living dynamics of the property […]

REGISTER NOW Farm and market tours, private cooking lesson, and the art of gathering in a day. Some of our most magical memories are made around the dinner table. But what makes these experiences unforgettable? What are the ingredients—not just on the plate, but in the atmosphere—that invite people to linger, to open up, to […]

Step outside and gather around the fire for a hands-on experience in open-fire cooking, led by an instructor who lives what she teaches. In this unique class, you’ll learn the real-world skills of cooking over an open flame—from building and managing your fire efficiently to preparing simple, nourishing meals using local, seasonal ingredients. Along the […]

Learn the art of camera-less photography, and explore the poetic possibilities of nature-based image making.  In this hands-on workshop, participants will collect and prepare plant specimens, coat paper with light-sensitive chemistry, and harness the power of sunlight to produce stunning blue-toned prints. This meditative and experimental process invites a deeper connection with nature while offering […]

In folklore and mythology, the crone is an old woman often depicted as ugly, or even sinister. These tales have long coopted the crone, taking her power and strength, leaving a wicked, old woman in her place. In this course, we challenge the historical marginalization of the mature woman, while actively honoring, validating and owning […]

REGISTER NOW Farm and market tours, private cooking lesson, and the art of gathering in a day. Some of our most magical memories are made around the dinner table. But what makes these experiences unforgettable? What are the ingredients—not just on the plate, but in the atmosphere—that invite people to linger, to open up, to […]

De-stress and fall into the soothing pattern of weaving, adding a better kind of tension into your life. Tension Tray (also called Catalan Tray) Weaving is an ancient type of basketry. Designed with aesthetics and utility in mind, and made of foraged materials, these trays exemplify the beauty and simplicity of the art of weaving. […]

Spend the day with a herd of French Alpine Dairy Goats. No, we're not kidding. To begin, we'll go out for a walk. As the goats browse the delicious leaves of trees and shrubs, you'll start to discern their unique personalities. You'll have ample time to stroll the grounds and get to know fellow participants, […]

A hands-on, four-day retreat for quilters, artists, and anyone interested in exploring how quilts can hold stories, memory, and history. Guided by Cody Cook-Parrott, you’ll spend time sewing, learning, and discussing the quilt as a living archive — how it documents time, care, and community. Itinerary: Arrival: Friday 4 - 6pm Check in and join […]

Enjoy your garden goodies for seasons to come, learn the basics from canning simple fruits and vegetables to more complicated pressure canning processes for canning soups, meats, and sauces. This class is designed to introduce the home cook to the basic fundamentals of home canning. Whether new to the idea or renewing one’s interest in […]

Calling all spinners! No, this is not a cycling class. Nor is it another intro to spinning or drop spindle class. We asked fiber expert Amy Tyler what kinds of spinning classes spinners would actually want to take. Her answer? Mechanics of Your Wheel. These marvelous machines have been around for nearly 1,000 years. Each […]

Ritual is craft. It arises out of our human needs — whether that be to bear witness to transformation, a rite of passage, to tend our grief, or to become present to ourselves and all of our relations. Have you ever been left feeling like there was a void of spiritual practice? Like you didn’t […]

Storytelling is one of the most foundational crafts of humankind. Stories have helped us interpret and understand the world, one another, and ourselves. The craft of bookmaking and binding also has a long and rich human history. Inside and out, these vessels are an important part of cultures all over the world. In this class, […]

Carve a bench! In this course, students will craft a bench using the techniques of green woodworking, utilizing freshly cut wood in shaping the legs and tenons. We will witness the magic of shrinking wood and relative ease of working with hand tools. Legs will be shaped using a draw knife, spoke shave and shaving […]

Have you ever been curious what your land is trying to teach you about itself? Are you curious about learning the language of your wild spaces you interact with whether your backyard, acreage, farm, or just the places you hike and walk? Megan Gilger of Perma Studio will be teaching just how to wander and […]

In this full-day, hands-on workshop, we’ll explore the local and seasonal plant life of Cedar, Michigan to create unique, functional watercolor paints. Working with both cultivated and foraged plants from the surrounding landscape, this class is a sensory exploration of place, plant knowledge, and sustainable creativity. Throughout the day, you’ll learn the complete process of […]

Join us for a hands-on, heart-centered dive into the world of the ancient folk medicine, Fire Cider, and immune-supporting herbal remedies. In this class, we'll explore the rich history and healing potential of kitchen herbalism, and uncover natural ways to support your immune system. Each participant will leave with 1 quart jar of fire cider, […]

Back by popular demand...Described by artist Claire Wellesley-Smith as “no rules, no projected outcome. A record of days, but not a daily record.” Slow Stitching or stitch journaling is not necessarily about having a plan or creating an item, but it is a meditative approach to stitching. This fiber-based equivalent to journaling or a sketch book […]

Do you feel stuck knowing what to do with holidays that feel complex? How do we do Thanksgiving with family when we are committed to pushing back on colonization? How do we spend our day on July 4th when patriotism is linked with authoritarianism? Perhaps Christmas feels like an automatic practice rather than one linked […]

Discover the timeless art of band weaving in this immersive one-day workshop designed for beginners. Using a rigid heddle backstrap loom, participants will learn the foundational techniques of weaving narrow bands that have been used for centuries to create functional and decorative textiles such as belts, straps, and trims. These beautiful bands can be used […]

Come down to the folk school on Saturday December 20th from 5pm - 7pm to craft shadow puppets for the Solstice Festival Puppet Show (Sunday, December 21st at 5pm). This event is open to community members of all ages! Feel free to bring your own scissors, tape, and paper, but everything needed for the puppets […]

Akash, in Sanskrit, translates to “sky” or “ether.” In Hindu philosophy, Akash is known as the fifth element - alongside earth, water, fire, and air. Modern science points to the existence of this energetic field, one that permeates the entire Universe and subtly influences all that exists. In essence, The Akashic Records are your soul’s […]

Join green witch and naturalist Summer Hennessy for a guided journey through The Wheel of the Year, an ancient cycle of eight seasonal festivals marking the solstices, equinoxes, and their midpoints. For centuries, these celebrations have offered people rhythm, meaning, and connection to the land, the seasons, and one another. Together, we’ll explore the origins […]

We are outraged by the political violence happening at the hands of the state. When the world feels scary, it’s important that we gather, share our skills, and build a strong and united community. Join us for CRAFTIVISM OPEN STUDIO at Green Door Folk School on Friday, January 30, from 6pm-8pm. The doors to our […]

Learn the craft of the beloved winter sport of cross country skiing! In this day long workshop, we'll cover the basics of cross country skiing from equipment to clothing, waxing, and technique. We'll spend some of the day out exploring on skis! This is a great opportunity to learn more about your own pair of […]

The vision of a space that feeds the whole ecosystem and yourself is a dream for many. Plucking apples from trees that grow amongst berries, flowers, and plants that feed the soil microbes below so the process is simpler, easier, and more holistic. Come learn just how to create a space that does just that […]

Feeling alone or isolated? Feeling like you need to make art but don’t know where to start? Feeling like you just need to be with people, but don’t want to have to work at conversation? Itching to sing? All great reasons to join Firelight Embodiment's monthly song circles!