Get Crafty!

Crafts has a fairly long history at Camp Foley. One of the first mentions

Campers getting crafty in the 50s!

of crafts in a newsletter was back in
1957 when Red Dawn, a full blood descendant of a Sioux Cheiftain came for a day-long seminar featuring feather crafts, headdresses and dancing. Again, in 1958 a newsletter describes some craft projects: lamps, lanyards, bracelets and belts. Campers were also able to finger paint and create pine cone bird feeders. In 1978, after girls were spending summers at Foley, Art was available for girls and was held in the garage on the west end (currently known as the girl's weight room). It wasn't until 1987 that boys were allowed to take art. In 1994, Ed McGaa visited Camp Foley during the three-week session to share Native American crafts!

80s crafting on at the picnic benches!

As we know, Crafts (and Art) has had many homes throughout Foley's history. From picnic benches, to an art tent outside of Osawaka, to above the Mid-Washo and even into Osawaka. But, in 2010, Crafts was given its own, dedicated building located where Shop was held for many years. I can't speak for the Craft instructors or campers, but I'm sure they love the well-lit, larger space that the new building offers!


So, we know what Crafts is all about within the Foley community, but what is "crafts" in the outside world? According to Wikipedia, "A craft is a pastime or profession that requires some particular kind of skilled work." I guess that makes sense. Historically, craftsmen were concentrated in urban centers as they depended on the exchange of goods to provide for their families (craftsment could not be as self-sufficient as those involved in agricultural work). A craftsman did not simply become a craftsman. First, he would have to find an apprenticeship

Screen printing in 2012!

and when that was complete, a journeyman in search of a place to set up a shop. Once, he established his own shop, he could consider himself a master of his craft. Obviously, this is a rather outdated practice, and today we consider crafting to be more of a hobby. Different types of crafts may include: studio pottery, metal work, weaving, wood turning, wood working, glass blowing or glass art. It's not unlikely that the more talented crafters are able to turn their hobby into a profession, especially with the use of the internet to sell their products.

Whether you consider yourself a "master of your craft" or someone who just enjoys let their creative juices flow every now and again, we hope you join in a Crafts class at Camp Foley. Who knows what you'll make? The opportunities are endless as you let your creativity shine! 

Crafts has a new home...

Shop class - before the move.

If you follow the blog and remember what I blogged about the last time I signed in, well this is Part 2!

Okay, so now that the shop class is moved into its new building we now can start the revamping process to give Crafts their own home! Crafts will never have to move, well maybe at least not for a while. I am sure I was not as excited as the campers, but I was excited...

So the first step was to, BOOM, get rid of everything in there. Okay, we did not get rid of everything, but most things. We took out both old-school counter tops/work benches running along the sides of the building. We also took out the old sink that was in there to make way for a new one! Whoop.

Out with the old - working on the new.

The supplies for this revamp showed Foley’s true recycling capabilities. The new Counter tops we used for the project came from Alli’s house, Marie’s house, and pieces from an old cabin. The frames for the counter tops were made specifically for the room itself, making storage and use of mediums easier.

New counter top in Crafts.

Another major contribution to this new crafts building was the use of the cabinet frames for the main center island and the sink vanity. They fit perfectly and made the transition very smooth, and gave the crafts room its’ own personality. It took some time and elbow grease but it came out awesome! The set up/arrangement of the Crafts building works perfectly for the activity. It became a place not only the campers liked to do Crafts it became the head quarters for the staff to create the fun and entertaining props for end of session banquets and grand central name tag station as well.

I know that this newly updated will bring the Crafts program a much needed ‘home’ for a long time to come. I had a fun throwing on the old tool belt for this build, and I am glad that it is enjoyed by all!

The result: Crafts fit for a KING!

Until next time…
 
- Chris Mathiowetz, Director