Worcester Center for Crafts



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This winter Liesl is teaching at the Worcester Center for crafts in Worcester, MA.

If you are interested in any of the workshops you've seen on this page but just can't make it to Uxbridge and Worcester is closer.  Contact the center and request a class from Liesl.

For more information about the classes Liesl will be teaching contact the center at

'The Worcester Center for Crafts'

25 Sagamore Rd

Worcester, MA 01605

hhess@worcester.edu

Five joints in one day



This September I'm teaching a private workshop out of my studio.  The workshop is a birthday gift from a woman named Elana who purchased it for her Father.  I teach a workshop that I call " Five joints in two days".  I'm teaching the same workshop only I'm condensing it to one day.  The project for the class is a small freestanding or wall mounted pine cabinet.  The cabinet is a great teaching tool because most of the joinery used in traditional and contemporary cabinetmaking is in this small cabinet.
If you're interested in a private workshop please get in touch with me.

As always- Thanks for looking'

Steve

A weekend of Jewelry making

Last month Liesl taught a weekend workshop called 'Bangles, Rings, and Things'.

For two days her students made bangles and rings.  This was a introductory class.  I must admit- I was very impressed with the results.  The work produced by the students was awesome'

Please visit Liesls site at www.lcarlsonjewelry.blogspot.com to see more of her work.  Contact Liesl if you are interested in taking a class.

Bangles,Rings and Things

This long weekend Liesl is teaching a workshop at Snowfarm in the Berkshires titled Bangles, Rings and things.

She is also has some students signed up to take the same workshop in July at her own studio in Uxbridge, MA.  I guess this is a small but mighty step towards a proper craft school. If you are interested in a great beginning jewelry class, or just want to hone your skills then  Bangles, rings and things is for you.  You'll learn new jewelry skills and how to use and work with sterling silver. To find out more information about the class and Liesl's work check out her blog at http://www.lcarlsonjewelry.blogspot.com/ 

Below is Liesl's studio

 

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Not again

Well- it certainly has been a long arduous battle trying to get the town or State to help us with our craft endeavour.  Due to redistricting Ryann Fattman is no longer our representative in our area.  I emailed him to find out about our situation but no one from his office has been in touch.
So- that being said we are starting from scratch, again.  The Blanchard Bldg still sits empty, costing the town money.  The old building needs some work but no one from the town office wants to have anything to do with it.  I thought elected and appointed officers were here to serve the towns people, not just collect a pay and ignore good ideas.  Oh well'  When we're a success they'll all take credit for it.  Maybe we have to move our venture to another town
We'll keep you posted.
Thanks for your interest
Regards
Steve

State Rep

Last week one of our State Representatives Ryan Fattman took Liesl and I out to lunch.  We discussed our school venture and possible grants and other funding alternatives.  We finally have someone listening to us and who believes in what we're doing.  Hopefully this leads to some good news in the future.  keep checking and I'll post the news as soon as I get it.
Thanks again to all for the support.
Regards
Steve

More Images

We would like to create a community lending library at the school.  If you have any old art, craft, architecture or design books stored in the basement or attic and would like to donate them we would love to take them off of your hand and make them part of our lending library.  With the closure of many school woodworking and craft programs we are losing our resources.  We would love to see the community visiting our space and looking through the shelves of books.  We are always in need of old woodworking, jewelry making, ceramics, any book that relates to craft, art, design, art history, etc .  We want to be a source of inspiration.  We will even come to pick them up.

Any consideration is greatly appreciated

Regards

Steve Butler 

 

Almost there

Today we looked at another location for the school.  It's the old post office on Main Street in Uxbridge.  The building is a perfect place to start, it'll take a lot of work but we could easily get it together for spring.
We will know in a couple of weeks if we can lease it.  Please get in touch and let us know what type of classes you'd like to see happen at the school.  As always- we want to serve the community and be your school.
Keep checking in.
Regards

Steve Butler

New Location

Well- We still haven't heard a thing from the town about our craft venture into the old school.  But- as things sometimes happen we've had an offer which could see us in a new location come March.  I'm very excited about this.  The location will still be in Uxbridge.  We really want to be a community based craft center, it is very unfortunate that we don't have the support of town hall.  I think they are missing out on a wonderful experience.  The old Blanchard building would be revitalized and full of artistic life and energy, not an eye soar as it is now.  I don't want to jinx us until everything is finalized.  Please send us an email to be added to our contact list and to let us know what type of workshops you'd like to see, ceramics, woodworking, jewelry, etc
Thanks for checking in and stay posted
Have a safe and happy holiday
Regards
Steve Butler

Delay, Delays

The image below is of  a sign posted in the front yard of One Hartford Ave East, what use to be the Blanchard Early Childhood Education Center. This is what we responded to nearly two years ago.  We have submitted two proposals about our plans to occupy the building and develop a community craft center.  Two weeks ago we had a definitive date and time as to when we would meet the board of selectman and present our plans and proposal.  Well- again they have been cancelled.  The chairman of the board contacted me and told me that it is the responsibility of the new town manager.  I've contacted him about my desire to meet with him and any one else on the board to discuss our vision, but as of yet there has been no return message.  So- we sit and wait again.  This building has been empty for over eight years, yes there are some concerns and issues to be dealt with.  We are willing to address these concerns and issues.  This building would cost the town a fortune to demolish.  That money could be turned back into the facility for repairs and we could have a vibrant craft center catering to the needs and wants of the Uxbridge community.  This is getting very, very frustrating.  It seems like nobody at town hall wants to be responsible for making a decision on this building.  Please keep checking in and thank you always for your support.  If we get a confirmation meeting date I'll post it and send out an email.

Regards

Steve

 

Selectman and Town Meeting

WELL-
We finally have a date confirmed to present our proposal to the town and the board of Selectman.
Liesl and I will be presenting our proposal on Monday September 26th at the Uxbridge town hall.  All meetings can be attended by and open to the public.  If you would like to show your support for a community craft school in your area then please attend this meeting at 7pm and let the Selectman know that you are in favor of a craft school at the old Blanchard Early Childhood Center at One Hartford Ave East.

Below is a copy of the original propoasl we sent the Selectman about our plans for the building.
Thank you again
Regards
Steve Butler
Liesl Carlson
The making of objects is inherent to us all.
It is the mission of The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts
To provide the finest craft education, to inspire the creative spirit, and to celebrate the hand made.
We want to bring craft back to the community and the community back to craft.
WelcomePlease except this letter as an application to occupy the premises at One Hartford Ave East, the former Blanchard Early Childhood Education Center. This beautiful, historic building is the perfect compliment to our vision. This building was gifted to the town of Uxbridge and to remain an educational institute and we are determined to keep this vision alive. We would like to occupy part or whole of the building, creating a craft center like no other in the area that embraces the community inside and out. Allow us to introduce ourselves. Steve Butler and Liesl Carlson are two professional craftspeople, artist and educators. We believe that preserving craft is preserving something that is inherent to us all. We all love to make things. We love what craft has done for our lives and we want too share our passion with you. We want too make sure that craft remains a part of our community. So – we invite you to the beginning of our next creation. " The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts"
The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts
Steve Butler and Liesl Carlson of Uxbridge established The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts in March 2010. Still in it’s formative stages; the school is temporarily located in South Grafton, MA.
The idea grew out of a chance meeting between strangers- Liesl, my son Quinn and I moved back to Massachusetts after my position as director of the wood studio at Peters Valley Craft Center in Layton, NJ was eliminated because of budget constraints. Liesl and I established our studios on Rte 16 and were introducing our selves around town. We stopped at Eagle Eye Antiques in Uxbridge, where we met owner Jeff Hollis who is a furniture refinisher, restorer and woodworker. Jeff suggested we meet Richard Chiros who had a fully equipped studio in South Grafton we might be able to use temporarily. Shortly after this meeting Liesl and I formed The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts.
The idea seemed so far-fetched in these hard times but why not? I’ve seen so may school programs close…But there is something saying that this is going to work and that this is the right area to be in. We hosted two demonstrations so far and each has been very successful garnering a lot of community support, We have a long list of people wanting to sign up for classes. I have plenty of experience in building craft programs from scratch. I’m a former teacher with the Marshfield public schools; I was the department head of the wood studio at The Worcester Center for Crafts prior to my post at Peters Valley Craft Center. While at Peters Valley I built the woodworking program ad introduced wood turning to the center. I later established a local chapter of the American Association of Woodturners. We have the support of the Central New England Woodturners. Liesl is a graduate of a craft program and teaches as well. She is a jeweler and metal smith. We are passionate about what we do. It is important for us to pass this on. Humans are makers. When people make things they take ownership. It becomes part of you. People feel better when they make things. Our mission statement states that "we want to bring craft back to the community and the community back to craft". We feel strongly about this. We envision a craft school that is a vibrant part of the community that is accessible to all no matter what income bracket one might be in. We want to be a part of and embraced by the community offering daytime and evening adult –Ed classes. When you care about and are confident in something it is infectious. We want to bring this infectious, positive energy to the community.
We are proud members of The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. Our business account is with the local branch of Unibank. I am an active member of Uxbridge Community Access Television. I produce and host a show called " The Garage". This is a show about craft and the making of objects. We have looked at and toured the facilities at One Hartford Ave East in Uxbridge. This is the former Blanchard Early Childhood Education Center. This is a beautiful historic building that has been vacant for eight years. This building is exactly what we envisioned for a local community craft school. We would love to bring back the playground and open it up to the community also providing an outdoor area for students to sit and have and lunch amongst a sculpture garden. We would also like to create an allotment garden for the community. The doors will be open to the community. This venture will create employment for local craftspeople that will be able to subsidize their income by teaching adult – Ed classes as well as providing a rich creative environment for the community.
Please help us resurrect and bring life back to this beautiful historic building and help us bring craft back to the community. Any consideration for us to bring our vision to the Uxbridge community and to occupy this building is greatly appreciated. I would love to talk with you further about our venture at your convenience.

Regards
Steve Butler
Liesl Carlson
(508) 372-9169
(413) 717-5062
PO Box 62
North Uxbridge, MA 01538
www.blackstonevalleyschoolofcraft@gmail.com
　
　

Update

For more than six months Liesl and I have been back and forth with the town of Uxbridge about this beautiful old school building. Liesl and I are hoping to lease the building from the town and finally have a permanent home for our school

 The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts"  A month ago the town managers office called and asked us to re-submit our proposal.  We did and last week we got a call from the chairman of the board of selectman.  They are interested in our proposal and in September we have to give a presentation to the entire board of selectman. The building was originally gifted to the town and is to remain an educational institution.  We want to create a vibrant craft center that embraces the community.  Hopefully we'll get the building and bring new life to it through the making of objects.  I'll keep you posted.  Please visit http://www.theblackstonevalleyschoolofcrafts.blogspot.com/ for updates.  Liesl and I received a call from Jeannie Hebert of The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce and from Bruce Larsen form The Small Business Development Association ( SBDA).  They are very interested in our school venture and are working with us to achieve our goal.  Apparently there are grants  and funding available for such initiatives as ours.  They met last week with the State on our behalf.  We should hear back from them soon.  I'll keep you posted.  So - as usual we have a lot of irons in the fire.

I'm not a citizen of this country so I can't vote, if I could I'm not sure which polotical party I would vote for especially in these tough times.  I have never endorsed a polotical candidate before and always try to hear both sides of an argument and give everyone  a chance.  This being said I must give praise and a huge thank you to a young State Representative.  Ryann Fattman is a State Representative, representing Sutton and parts of Uxbridge, MA.  When we originally didn't hear back from the town about our proposal I contacted a few offices.  Ryan's office was the only one to call us back and do something.  Ryan's office contacted the town managers office.  We heard back that same day.  Last Thursday evening I was invited to go to an event that Ryan was hosting.  Ryan meets hundreds of people each week but he came over, shook my hand and asked about the school.  He then proceeded to introduce me to Senator Scott Brown and Charlie Baker,

who ran for congressman.  I'm very impressed with this young politician.

 

Still Waiting

Yesterday we found out that we'll have to wait another two weeks before the town of Uxbridge makes a decision about the school occupying the old building.  I really want to get this venture under way and start offering craft classes to the community.  We are excited about becoming members of the local community.
Oh well- we'll just have to wait.  Thank you to those who follow our blog, we appreciate your loyalty and hope we can meet you all at the school's first open house.  Keep your fingers crossed for us'

Back yard playground and sculpture garden

This is the view from the second floor.  The back yard has a playground and a small sculpture garden.  If we get the building we will refurbish the playground and open it up to the community.

Third Floor

This is the top of the stairway on the third floor.  There is only one room on the third floor, a wonderful room with a stage, great for meetings,events or even a gallery.

Second Floor

These are more pictures of the space on the second floor.  All rooms have lots of natural light and all have chalk boards, awesome.

More views inside Hartford Ave School

These rooms are huge, they have lots of windows and all have tin ceilings. These room are upstairs on the second floor. There are also a few smaller rooms which will make great administrative offices.  Keep your fingers crossed that we can work out a deal with the town

Inside 1 Hartford Ave East

Today Liesl and I had a look inside the old Hartford Ave School.  W are considering leasing it from the town of Uxbridge for the future site of the craft school.  The school needs some TLC but it has great bones. There was fantastic woodwork and tin ceilings all over.  The school has three floors and a basement.  The third

 floor was the auditorium and has a great stage.

 

1 Hartford Ave East/The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts

This is the old elementary school on Hartford Ave East in Uxbridge, MA.W e are currently talking with the town about a lease to make this the permanent home of The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts.  If everything works out well we will refurbish the playground in the back, opening it up to the neighborhood and creating an alotment garden for the public  We want to create an energetic, vibrant craft center catering to the needs of the community.  Wish us luck'  Please keep watching the blog to see how things work out.  If you are in favor of our plan and would like to support our cause please call the town magaer of Uxbridge, MA and tell him you would like to see our venture in the neighborhood.  The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts relies on generous and kind donations of others for support   All donations to the school are tax deductible.  The Blackstone Valley School of Craft is always looking for donations of new, old, and used equipment and books.  We want to create a lending library specializing in the crafts.  This library will be open to the general

public.  

 



Build a wooden hand plane

Saturday February 5th. 10-4
Tuition $115 + $60 Material Fee
Instructor: Steve Butler

This is a great class for any one who wants to learn the basics of woodworking and who has a love of hand tools. There is nothing more gratifying than making your own tools. Of all the tools used to shaped wood, the hand plane is the one that has come to symbolize craftsmanship. It's no surprise. Here's a cutting tool that is designed to create truth: dead straight and flat surfaces ready for finishing and precise joinery. Tuning up one and mastering its use are two of the greatest thrills of woodworking. There is a genuine pleasure in using a finely tuned hand plane. Making your own out of wood is truly rewarding because you can create something that that fits your hands and suits your needs. In this workshop we will learn how to make, tune up and use a Krenov style wooden hand plane.
Skill Level: Beginner-Advanced
For more information email: blackstonevalleyschoolofcraft@gmail.com
or call 413-717-5062

As a furniture maker, Steve Butler has been creating artwork for over twenty years. Born in Toronto, Canada, he began his woodworking career serving a formal apprenticeship. After his apprenticeship training he worked in various furniture studios in the Toronto area. As his passion for art and craft grew he pursued formal training at Sheridan College of Art and Design, majoring in furniture design. Graduating with honors, Steve then went to Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario where he studied education. Steve is the former Department Head of the wood studio at Peters Valley Craft Center in Layton, NJ and the Worcester Center for Crafts in Worcester, MA. Steve is currently the director of the newly formed Blackstone Valley School of Crafts in Grafton, MA. He exhibits his work throughout the US and has been featured in various publications such as Lark Book’s 500 Chairs and 500 Tables.