About us
This is a group for everyone who feels we've lost touch with our roots -- feeling lost that most urban dwellers no longer know how to grow and preserve food, find food, etc. We'll meet and discuss, and do hands-on workshops to get back to our fundamental skills of self-reliance. This is all about modern empowerment -- looking to the past to find meaning in the future. This is an opportunity to network with like-minded people and learn what they are doing, and to learn and practice new skills each time we meet.
Upcoming events
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FIBRE-CRAFT 101
Hahamonga Watershed County Park (formerly Oak Grove), 4550 Oak Grove Dr, La canada, CA, USTo attend and for exact location, register HERE
Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m. FIBRE-CRAFT 101:
The Art of Turning Plant Fibres into Bags, Baskets, Nets, String, Sandals.
We’ve had some requests for a BASKETRY Workshop. This class will include Basketry basics, though this class will not be only basketry.
The art of working fibre is nearly a lost art. You’ll learn to recognize some of the common plants which yield a useful fibre, and learn how to work them into strings, and baskets, and nets, and sandals, and more. In the old days of the Southwest, the lives of the people were literally tied together with fibre: for shelter, for clothing (hats, belts, shoes), fishing nets, bags, weaponry, fire-making, brushes, looms for fabric.
In the past, most people had a more intimate connection to plant fibres. There are so many practical applications, though today someone makes everything we use. So it’s become a lost art.
You will learn how to process a few plant fibres and how to make them into a usable product!We will do a short walk (if time) and learn about some of the plants that are useful for weaving, and making cordage.
You will then learn by making some of the useful products.
Along the way, you’ll also see many of the other useful and edible plants of the area.
NOTE: PLEASE RSVP SINCE WE NEED TO PLAN TO BRING SUFFICIENT SUPPLIES!
$65 (Seniors and students $45)3 attendees
MIDDAY GOURD WORKSHOP
Hahamonga Watershed County Park (formerly Oak Grove), 4550 Oak Grove Dr, La canada, CA, USTo attend and for exact location, Register HERE
Thursday, October 1, Noon to 2P
LEARN THE ART OF CREATING A CUP, BOWL, PLATE, OR SCOOP FROM THE HARD-SHELLED ORNAMENTAL GOURDIn this mid-day class, you will take a dried gourd and learn all the steps to turning it into a beautiful and functional plate, or bowl, or canteen, or even a scoop.
We’ll bring the tools you need, but if you have saws, files or rasps, bring them.It’s not that hard to make a good functional gourd. We used to each make one before a week at Dirttime, and then if we cut it just right, we’d have a dish, and a bowl. Bushcraft skills? Survival Skill? Whatever you call it, it’s a great skill, and a great opportunity to meet with like-minded people.
$45 ($30 students/seniors)Please register to attend and for location.
Hahamonga Watershed County Park is our field office, the class may be in a different location.2 attendees
MIDDAY FIBRE AND YUCCA WORKSHOP
Hahamonga Watershed County Park (formerly Oak Grove), 4550 Oak Grove Dr, La canada, CA, USTo attend and for exact location, Register HERE
Thursday, October 8, Noon.
midday FIBRE AND YUCCA WORKSHOP IN THE ARROYO
This is one of our Ethnobotany class series.
We’ll be in a section of the Arroyo Seco and learn about some the history and unique plant-life of the area.
We’ll see edible and medicinal plants on our short walk, and will learn some basics about making cordage, nets, and bags.
You will practice hands-on making cordage, nets, bags, brushes, etc. A very good introduction to this ancient art.Bring your canteen.
Location — you’ll get details upon registration.
$45 ($30 senior and students).Please register to attend and for location.
Hahamonga Watershed County Park is our field office, the class may be in a different location.2 attendees
Past events
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