Maple and Bass Classroom - Join Us
The Maple and Bass classroom is a fully-equipped workspace, providing each student with a workstation complete with all the necessary high-quality tools and equipment to finish your project. You don't need to bring your own tools, even if you own them.
Carving and Woodburning Drop-in - Every Friday morning from 9 a.m. to noon, starting January 3.
Bring a carving or woodburning project or two to work on. You can use the tools in the classroom or bring your own. Come as often or as little as your schedule allows. Enjoy a time of warm fellowship with others interested in carving, woodburning or other small wood projects.
A fee of $6.00 per session covers use of the space and tools and applicable taxes, as well as coffee or tea. While no formal instruction is provided during these sessions, Cam will generally be available to offer advice - or there may be someone present who can help you figure things out - or you may be able to help someone else. We can share knowledge and encourage each other. This is a great way to get together with like-minded people for fun, sharing of knowledge and fellowship. You’ll also have access to try many of the nifty tools and toys that Maple and Bass carries.
The coffee and tea pots are always on. So bring your favorite coffee mug and a project or two to work on - we look forward to seeing you!
Carve, Texture and Paint a Miniature Great Blue Heron - 10 weeks Tuesday Mornings Jan. 28 to April 1, 9am-noon
In this 10 week class (30 hours total), you will carve, texture, and paint a miniature Great Blue Heron approximately 1/5 life-size. This workshop is suitable for carvers at all levels of experience. Whether you are new to bird carving or an experienced artisan, you will find the class both enjoyable and challenging, as Cam tailors his instruction to each student's individual skill level and abilities. The class involves using rotary power carving tools, adding texture with woodburning tools, and painting with acrylics. By the end of the course, you will have acquired numerous new skills and crafted a stunning carving to proudly display.
Carve a Bison Skull - 4 Thursday Evenings: 6-9pm Jan 30, Feb 6,13 & 20
This is a great class for anyone wanting to learn how to use rotary tools for carving. Over 4 weeks (3 hours per week 6-9pm) you will carve this 4" bison skull from basswood. You will learn basic carving techniques using a rotary carving tool to carve and texture this small bison skull. This workshop is perfect for carvers of any skill level, including beginner carvers. You'll start with a bandsawn basswood blank and Cam will guide you through each step to complete your project. Many of the skills you'll learn and practice will be useful for many other carving projects.
You will learn how to use a micromotor rotary tool and the various bits and cutters available for them. Carving, sanding and texturing techniques with the micromotor as well as a small amount of woodburning for details will be covered.
One-day Woodburning Workshop - Saturday, February 8, 10am-5pm
Our Saturday woodburning workshop in October was such a hit that we are offering it again. Same format with a new project. Learn about pyrography techniques and tools and open up new possibilities in this amazing art form. Topics covered include tool and material selection, pros and cons of various types of woodburning tools, safety, as well as hands-on exercises making sample panels of various drawing, detailing, texturing and shading techniques. You'll bring it all together in a beautiful project to complete the class. Finishing and colouring will also be covered as time permits.
Carve, Texture and Paint a Magpie Tail Feather - 3 Thursday Evenings Feb 27, March 6 & 13, 6-9pm
In this 3 week (9 hour total) course you will learn basic carving, texturing and painting techniques and skills while completing a beautiful Magpie tail feather. This workshop is perfect for carvers of any skill level, including beginner carvers. You'll start with a bandsawn tupelo blank and Cam will guide you through each step to complete your project. Many of the techniques you'll learn and practice will be useful for carving, texturing and painting any bird carving. Magpie tail feathers are particularly beautiful with their stunning metallic iridescent colours.
The techniques you learn in this class will also be useful for many other carving projects, especially if you already have a rotary tool at home. You will learn how to use a micromotor rotary tool with the various bits and cutters available for them. Carving, sanding and texturing techniques with the micromotor as well as woodburning for details and painting iridescence with acrylic paints will be covered.
Making Bird Feet and Habitat - Two Thursday evenings March 20 & 27 6-9pm
The primary focus in this 6-hour class will be creating very realistic bird feet from brass and epoxy. Cam will share his techniques for working with brass - shaping, soldering and carving - as well as final touches with epoxy putty will be covered. There will also be information on incorporating wooden toes for larger pieces like birds of prey. This is a hands-on class where participants are encouraged to bring a carving or two so they can get started working on their own project.
While this class is primarily about making feet, the techniques learned are applicable to making branches and habitat using brass and epoxy as well.
Carve a Fishing Lure - March 21 6-9pm and March 22 9am-5pm
Choose from many different designs and complete your own carved basswood fishing lure. Not just a pretty ornament, these lures are made to look great AND catch fish! The most common comment previous participants hear - "You Made That?!!!" Next most common is "You're not going to put that in the water, are you?" NEW addition for this session: Cam's "Papa Frog".
This is a great class for beginners and an excellent way to get "hooked" on carving. It is also very popular with experienced carvers as it teaches many techniques for making these practical, functional pieces of art.
Carve, Texture and Paint a Magpie Tail Feather - 1 Day Saturday April 26 9am-5pm
In this one day course you will learn basic carving, texturing and painting techniques and skills while completing a beautiful Magpie tail feather. This workshop is perfect for carvers of any skill level, including beginner carvers. You will start with a bandsawn tupelo blank and Cam will guide you through each step to complete your project. Many of the techniques you'll learn and practice will be useful for carving, texturing and painting any bird carving. Magpie tail feathers are particularly beautiful with their stunning metallic iridescent colours.
The techniques learned in this class also will be useful for many other carving projects, especially if you already have a rotary tool at home. You will learn how to use a micromotor rotary tool with the various bits and cutters available for them. Carving, sanding and texturing techniques with the micromotor as well as woodburning for details and painting iridescence with acrylic paints will be covered.