Folk Craft Revival: Recent Episodes
Daniel Howell
Join host Daniel Howell as he explores making and learning traditional skills and crafts with topic experts. From foraging to blacksmithing, weaving to hide tanning, each episode contains guidance and tips for learning to make or do it yourself. Inspired by the survival, homesteading and handmade communities this podcast covers a variety of traditional knowledge for the person that is interested in practical self-reliance, rural skills and artisan craftsmanship. Operating on the belief that knowing how to 'do things' is one of the most underrated skills in modern life and that the joy of craftsmanship and providing for yourself is rapidly becoming lost, each topic is presented in a way to provide you with the necessary information needed to get started now and make something useful in your life! Learn to make what you need, understand how things work, and imbue your life with the self satisfaction that comes from working with your hands! Homesteading, self-sufficiency, primitive technology, traditional knowledge, ancestral skills. . . Folk crafts. These are my passions, lets share them together.
#038. -- The ability to shape wood with a knife is one of the most elemental skills to have, and plays at least a minor role in the vast majority of other crafts. Sadly, knife skills in general seem to be in decline. . . Though that's something we encourage around here!
Brian, from the Carving is Fun channel on Youtube, helps educate and get folks involved in carving and came on the podcast to chat about carving, whittling, tips, techniques, and suggestions. I found this interesting because I've never attempted to whittle small 3D objects (what I classically think of when I think of whittling). Hope you learn something from our conversation!
Links resources mentioned in this episode can be found over at:
folkcraftrevival.com/38
#037. -- In the craft world of the modern age, bone seems to be a rather neglected raw material that is rarely used for much of anything. But that was not always so, and fortunately Dave was willing to come on the podcast and share a little bit of his experience and insight on the craft of working with bones and antlers.
Dave is a re-enactor of the early medieval period and a bone crafter who specializes in replicating artifacts of that time period. We chat about the history, archaeology, artifacts, methodology, and manufacture of bone implements. Overall, I found this to be a very fascinating and informative conversation, hopefully you enjoy it as much as I did!
I also hope we can change our perspective on how bone was used historically, and garner some ideas on what we can make with it now!
Links resources mentioned in this episode can be found over at:
folkcraftrevival.com/37
#036. -- How many of you have ever knitted your own garments from wool you processed and spun yourself? Just the thought intimidates me.... and also draws me in wanting to learn more!
In one of Josefin Waltin's Youtube videos she shows just that - and since her channel and website showcase a variety of other wool processing and spinning content I reached out to see if she would be willing to talk to us about spinning. We cover a bit about processing wool, the time involved in spinning, necessary tools and how this can be done just about anywhere, experiments with flax and other plant fibers, choosing interesting raw materials over easy to spin fleeces, and more.
Something I've been dwelling on was her comments about intentionally using the least mechanized process for her craft and how she thinks that's the easiest way to learn. Agree? Disagree? I would love to hear your thoughts about this!
Links to Josefin's website, channel, and resources mentioned can be found over at:
folkcraftrevival.com/36
035. The Folk Craft Revival podcast is back!!!!
If you can't tell, I'm excited! I've really missed putting together this podcast -- chatting with guests and getting to know some individuals involved in heritage skills and retaining and reviving the knowledge that was once fairly common. Hopefully you've missed it as much as I have! While I'm looking forward to where things are going moving forward I also wanted to give a little bit of an explanation into why I shut the podcast down for the last year.
..... that took about 3 minutes and then you get to put up with me rambling and updating ya'll with some of the projects I've been up to in the last couple months. :)
Shoot me an email if you know of anyone who would be interesting to talk with so we can keep this thing going strong!
Episode webpage will be:
folkcraftrevival.com/35
034. -- Scott Sutton (aka The Pigment Hunter) joins us to chat about the art of finding color on our local landscape. We discuss how he got involved with making paints and sourcing pigments, his philosophy on sourcing materials and minimizing his personal environmental impact, some of the base methods and tools used to source pigments and process them for paints, and where beginners like you and I should start.
Big thanks to Janey Chang for suggesting I chat with Scott!
Links to resources mentioned can be found over at:
folkcraftrevival.com/34
033. This week I’m chatting with Jesscy Dean (aka The Wild Homesteader) about foraging, food preservation, sourcing your own food, and old skills like that in general! Food seems to be the theme of this conversation, and why not? It is THE fundamental skill set that!
While a lot of our conversation revolves around food, Jesscy is involved in a number of other crafts and we talk about her felting, hide tanning, and general ethos of self reliance as well.
Links to resources mentioned can be found at:
folkcraftrevival.com/33
032. -- Dea Sasso, a Resident Artist from the John C. Campbell Folk School joins us to chat all about the school, it's history, types of classes it offers, how it has changed her life, and much more! Our conversation centers around learning about the school for those who have never heard of it.
The folk school has been a fixture of the local area for almost a century, and in addition to providing hand-on learning to the nearby communities, it has also been actively involved in preserving and recording the heritage of the local area. I love seeing the robust craft ethos that is maintained there, and hope to be able to make a trip to take a class in the near future!
Links to the school and any resources mentioned can be found at:
folkcraftrevival.com/32
031. -- Are you paying attention to the landscape around you? Can you explain the differences and changes you observe? Although it may seem foreign to many of us in the modern world, people around the globe have navigated for centuries using the clues found on the natural landscape around them.
In this episode I chat with Tristan Gooley who has made it his work learning and teaching how to interpret the signs we see. Or indeed, the signs we don't see, but are there if we learn to pay attention. We discuss good starting places for getting involved, why natural navigation (and nature awareness in general) opens you up to a deeper connection and fulfilling experience during your time outdoors, and how Tristan continues to practice and learn.
Links to resources mentioned can be found at:
folkcraftrevival.com/31
030. Rebecca Oaks, author of the book Making Charcoal and Biochar, joins us to discuss charcoal, it's history and uses, traditional methods of making it, what it looks like from a small scale charcoal burners perspective, and suggestions for making some at home. I will be undoubtedly making a few batches this summer-- for use in the garden and the grill if nothing else!
In the quest to learn to make things from the ground up, charcoal making is arguably one of those fundamental skills that many folks never realize they needed to know. These days the average person most likely only consciously uses charcoal for grilling food at a summer bbq, but at one point it was a substance that fueled much of the technological advancement that occurred. Metal ores were smelted using copious amounts of charcoal, gunpowder is mostly ground up charcoal, and charcoal is still used in a vast array of industrial applications. Lets learn about making some for ourselves!
Resources mentioned in this episode can be found at:
folkcraftrevival.com/30
029. Sammy and I chat about his introduction to primitive/survival skills, what draws him to them, woodworking, traditional southern Appalachian crafts (banjos in particular), ocarinas and more. For Sammy, nature connection is the primary reason behind practicing survival skills, and we chat a bit about that and some of the teaching he has been involved with.
Links to resources mentioned in the episode can be found at:
folkcraftrevival.com/29
028. -- In this episode I chat with professional blacksmith Sam Ritter about his journey as a craftsman. We chat about how he got introduced to blacksmithing, what his path was to going full time, why it was important for him to be around and learn from a master smith, becoming better at your craft and pushing your capabilities, his use of modern tools in a traditional craft, and much more. We also spend a bit of time chatting about traditional apprenticeship and journeyman stages and how being exposed to other masters techniques can influence your progression and aesthetic in the craft you choose to pursue.
Links to any resources mentioned can be found at:
folkcraftrevival.com/28
027. Janey joins us to do a quick dive into how to tan fish leather using tea leaves (or other tannin sources). We also chat about her introduction to fish skin tanning and ancestral skills in general, why she loves ancestral skills, oil tanned fish leather, natural dyes, teaching others and nature connection. I loved the enthusiasm that Janey brought to the conversation!
Links to resources mentioned in this episode can be found at:
folkcraftrevival.com/27
026. -- In this episode I chat with Helen about some of the traditional crafts she's involved with, how she became involved in them, and what draws her to them. We talk about keeping sheep, natural dyes, fair isle knitting, burning peat, the fleece rugs she makes, and so much more! Like many of us she is a dabbler in many traditional crafts, with a passion for learning about heritage crafts-- in particular those from the Viking era.
Oh yes, and I also spend way too much time asking about the Shetland Islands. . . =) I didn't know much about them and Helen was gracious enough to indulge my curiosity!
Notes from this episode can be found over at:
folkcraftrevival.com/26
025. Do you raise and butcher your own livestock? Process the game animals you hunt?
Regardless, this time of year would have been the traditional butchering season in northern latitudes and just about every rural family would have been processing their yearly meat in addition to putting up their harvest for the winter. Many of us no longer raise, slaughter, or butcher our own animals anymore (something I think keeps us too removed from the reality of what is going on with our food), but I thought that I would like to do an episode that revolves around home butchery and talk about some of the basics.
I also believe that we (Americans at least) let too much of the animal go to waste these days, and that if we truly respected the life we were taking we would utilize more of the parts that often get discarded. Fortunately, Jake is a nose-tail butcher so we also discuss various cuts that often get overlooked and what you can do with them. Enjoy!
Resources mentioned in this episode can be found at:
folkcraftrevival.com/25
024. In this conversation we discuss getting started in blacksmithing, what you'll need, where to find tools, what to look for before buying, general guidelines for smithing, etc. We also cover some suggested resources and Vern's experiences teaching blacksmithing. Fun conversation!
Links to resources mentioned can be found at:
folkcraftrevival.com/24
023. This week we're talking flintknapping-- learning about making and using stone arrowheads and knives. We discuss the knapping from a high level perspective, with a little bit of how-to and the principles involved, a bit of considerations for using your stone blades and tips, things to keep in mind when getting started, etc. I consider flintknapping to be a foundational skill, almost all other technologies are based around having a blade in order to cut with, and I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with someone who is good at it.
Mike is a professional flintknapper who has been knapping for about 40 years, and he makes some gorgeous work (check it out at artofishi.com). We had a great conversation, and I think you'll enjoy it! Big thanks to Rich Williams, the guest from episode #21, for recommending I chat with Mike!
Links to any resources mentioned can be found at:
folkcraftrevival.com/23
022. In this episode we delve into throwing sticks (rabbit sticks, boomerangs, whatever you wish to call them) and how to make and use them. Michael is also an archaeologist by education so we discuss some of the historical and archaeological examples from around the world.
Throwing sticks are perhaps one of our earliest hunting tools and it is always fascinating to learn how to create something like this that was a very natural weapon common to a large percentage of the world. From a functional standpoint, I love learning how to craft a weapon from something so elemental as a stick, from a scientific view I enjoy learning about the physics involved and how complex they really can be, and from an artistic viewpoint I appreciate their simple beauty. Hope you try making one!
Resources mentioned in the episode can be found over at:
folkcraftrevival.com/22
021. -- In this episode we talk through the principles of scrimshaw and how it is done, from prepping your work piece to tools needed, techniques used, legality issues, and so much more. We also discuss the history of scrimshaw as a nautical art and how it has progressed through history to the present day. If you're curious about trying scrimshaw, or simply like to learn about the common crafts and arts of our past, this episode is for you!
Links to resources mentioned can be found at:
folkcraftrevival.com/21
020. -- Could you use a cooking source that heats up quickly, uses very little fuel that is easily gathered from your landscape, and is something you can build with a minimal amount of time, cost, or skill? A rocket stove just may be the answer! In this episode I talk with Tom Mills (from the GreenShortz DIY Youtube channel) about his experience in building rocket stoves and some of the principles involved as well as his suggestions for folks building their first one.
Like many of you I am interested self reliance and developing the knowledge to take care of myself and those around me..... plus I love a good hands on project to make! Rocket stoves are one of those things that checks both boxes-- I definitely see one in my future!
Resources mentioned can be found over at:
folkcraftrevival.com/20
019. -- You know those old-time rustic bent willow chairs? I think of them as being a product of the Great Depression, others think of them as being emblematic of gypsies. Regardless, they are one of the mostly forgotten folk crafts of our past.... And today we're talking about how to make one with Justin Roberts of Walk the Willow! I've been curious about these chairs for years, but have never known anyone who could show me how to make one. Fortunately, Justin was willing to chat about it!
Some example pictures and links to any resources mentioned in the episode can be found at:
folkcraftrevival.com/19
018. We talk about a variety of fun topics in this episode including yurt building (and touch on some other traditional/natural building techniques), managing a coppiced hardwood forest, English green woodworking, and traditional lime wash and lime production in the UK. Alex and his wife run Little Foot Yurts which produces handmade yurts from coppice wood they've harvested themselves. Additionally, they also run an event catering business renting out the yurts they've made, and teach workshops on yurt building.
Links to any resources mentioned in the episode can be found at:
folkcraftrevival.com/18
017- If you're interested in making your own pottery you first need to know how to find and process the clay that is local to your area. In this episode we're discussing how to find and identify local wild clays for making your own handmade pottery. We also dive into how to refine and purify that clay, as well as temper it and test it. Andy does a lot of replica pottery that revolves around the archeological pottery of his area, so we also discuss the cultures of the Southwestern U.S. and how some of their pottery differs.
If you're interested in learning to source your own materials and become more self sufficient in the craft this episode is for you.... and if that's not you, it's still fascinating to learn!
Links to any resources mentioned can be found at:
www.folkcraftrevival.com/17
016- Rug Braiding, that unique American craft developed as a way of turning scrap cloth into something useful. . . and gorgeous too! Learn about the craft of making traditional braided rugs as well as the art form it has evolved into. In this episode we discuss the origins of braided rugs, how they're made, how the craft has evolved, and getting started on making one of your own.
Links to any resources mentioned can be found over at:
folkcraftrevival.com/16
015. We talk about the construction and use of pole lathes, compare them with modern electric lathes and discuss what drew Jarrod to pole lathes to begin with and why he chose to focus on turning rather than other traditional crafts. This was a fun conversation that also delved a little into the philosophical realm as we talk about the reasons for pursuing production work, focusing on one design or craft to obtain mastery, "realcraft", and functionality.
Catch the links to any resources mentioned in the episode over at:
folkcraftrevival.com/15
014. Want to learn to felt? Have wool and need something to do with it? Consider trying felting!
In this episode of the Folk Craft Revival podcast we discuss the basic method and theory behind wet felting wool as a way to create hats, boots, mittens, vests, rugs, etc. I was introduced to felting last fall when I took a class from Rosemary and made my own hat and I think it's the type of project many of you will enjoy!
Links to any resources mentioned in the episode can be found at:
folkcraftrevival.com/14
013 - Today we're talking construction, dry stone construction! Dry stone masonry is an age old craft, we have examples of it going back centuries.... amazingly you can still find a lot of it intact too! If you're like me, the first examples that pop into mind are the stone walls found throughout the UK and the new england states here in the U.S. I've always been fascinated by them, I love craft that endures for so long. Plus it's beautiful!
This week we're talking with modern craftsman Bryce Hollingsworth about dry stone construction and how he got involved in masonry. Great talk with a great craftsman-- I found this to be a fascinating topic, I hope you do as well!
Links to all the resources mentioned can be found over at:
folkcraftrevival.com/13
012- Thanks for tuning in! This week we're chatting about human powered machinery and tools with Tamara Dean, author of The Human Powered Home. Her book definitely got my gears going on useful things I could make to help out around the place, and it presented material in a way that made creating or modifying these machines very approachable!
If you're interested in self-reliance, understanding the principles behind how a lot of machines operate (homemade & vintage), building stuff yourself, or just all around cool creations I think you'll enjoy both her book and this episode. I've always loved inspecting old home or farm machinery and following the movement of parts so I can figure out how they are working and how they accomplish what they do. If you have the same curiosity, this is something you need to look into. We also discuss some of the reasons why human power machinery makes sense and is important to consider.
Links to any resources mentioned in the episode can be found over at:
folkcraftrevival.com/12
011- We talk craft, work ethic, music, perfectionism.... and a little bit about flutes too! Charlie Mato-Toyela from Blue Bear Flutes joins the podcast in this episode to discuss Native American flute making. If you're interested in the principles of flute making and what it means to be a flute maker this episode is a great one!
. . . For that matter, it's a great one anyways! I think just about everyone loves the soft sound produced by Native American Flutes. There aren't many instruments that can so effectively get you to relax and unwind. So lets learn together and then see if making them is just as relaxing!
Resources mentioned in this episode can be found over at:
folkcraftrevival.com/11
010 - We discuss basic fingerweaving methods and what was most commonly made using this method. In addition, we talk about the some of the history surrounding fingerwoven materials (primarily belts and sashes) and what native materials were utilized in North America pre-contact and during colonial times.
Most importantly, this sounds like a project that is portable and can be done somewhat distracted once you learn. . . I'm always glad to hear about projects like this since I don't always have the luxury of focusing completely on what I'm working on!
Links to references mentioned in this episode can be found over at:
folkcraftrevival.com/10
009- Woven snowshoes, wool clothing, canvas tents with stoves, toboggans-- the old school equipment used by trappers in the forests of the northern United States and Canada. In this episode we discuss winter camping and expeditions done in a traditional manner!
Since it's winter, why not discuss winter and ways to enjoy it more thoroughly? Kielyn Marrone from Lure of the North joins us to discuss how she and her husband got started in traditional winter expeditions and what that looks like. Lets get out and enjoy winter more!
To get links to all the resources mentioned, visit:
folkcraftrevival.com/9
008- I had a great chat with Casey McFarland about the why's of wildlife tracking, getting started with tracking, connection with place, and overall getting to know and interact with the natural world. Casey has several decades of tracking experience, is co-author of several field guides/tracking books and is the current president of Cyber Tracker North America (an organization devoted to reviving and promoting wildlife tracking). Overall, this is a phenomenal episode where we discuss tracking as a high-level overview.
If you want to check out any of the resources mentioned in the episode go to:
folkcraftrevival.com/8
007- What traditional skills and crafts are actually useful in modern life? In this episode we discuss the integration of traditional skills into modern life with Neal Ritter (who was kind enough to to come on and share his philosophy with us). I really enjoy his all around holistic and positive outlook on things.
We discuss subsistence living, what traditional & primitive skills he enjoys practicing in his life (without purposefully making it difficult), where he definitely prefers to go modern, and raising kids.
Grab links to anything mentioned in the show notes over at:
folkcraftrevival.com/7
006- Some of my recent thoughts and reflections on knowledge vs experience.
The difference between having an intellectual understanding of how something works or is done, and having DONE it before and what a difference that can make.
005. Learn to weave with willow! Nick LaHaise from Hearth Folk School joins us to discuss weaving willow baskets. We cover everything from harvesting willow to handle attachment. This episode provides a great introduction to willow weaving for beginners and is a great refresher for those who have dabbled with weaving in the past.
Check out the links to any resources mentioned in the episode over at
folkcraftrevival.com/fcr5
004- Learn to tan without chemicals! Jessie Watson Brown from the Oak and Smoke Tannery joins us to discuss bark tanning furs and teach us some of the ins and outs of traditional bark tanning. If you raise rabbits for meat, hunt small game, or know anyone else who hunts this episode is an essential tool in learning how to utilize the fur!
Warning: from here on you won't look at animals quite the same.... you'll be eyeing that roadkill rabbit on your way home from work wondering what you could turn it into!
Check out the show notes and grab the links to any resources mentioned over at:
folkcraftrevival.com/fcr4
003- Learn how to make mead using traditional methods! Mead is one of the simplest alcoholic beverages to make, and is perhaps one of the oldest as well. In this episode Jereme Zimmerman, author of Make Mead Like a Viking, joins us to discuss mead making using wild yeast and limited kitchen equipment.
We go through the process from start to finish using a basic one gallon example batch to explain what is happening and why. Perfect introduction to traditional brewing for a beginner or someone who has only brewed using modern techniques!
If you'd like to see the show notes and get the links to things mentioned in the episode, go to:
https://folkcraftrevival.com/episode3
002- Have you ever wondered how to start a fire without modern materials? Do you want to develop the skill of making a fire by friction? Listen in to learn methods, tips, and techniques from primitive skills practitioner and wilderness survival instructor Donny Dust as he teaches us how to make and use a bow drill fire set!
Making and using fire is perhaps one of the most fundamental skills of human existence. It is what sets us apart and makes us unique. . .
It is also one of the lost skills of the modern time.
Learn to create one with nothing but the resources in your environment! Knowing how to start a friction fire is a must for anyone interested in self-reliance!
If you'd like to get the links and show notes mentioned in this episode visit:
https://folkcraftrevival.com/episode2
001- A podcast for traditional skills enthusiasts! Do you love to learn new skills? Exploring our past? Work with your hands to create what you use? Welcome!
Join Daniel Howell (the host) as he talks about his history with traditional skills and crafts and discusses the upcoming focus of the Folk Craft Revival Podcast. If you want hands on actionable information on making, learning and doing projects ranging from primitive through the artisan era, this podcast should be your new go-to resource.
The website is now live, check it out here!
https://folkcraftrevival.com/episode1