BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Firefly Gathering - ECPv6.18.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Firefly Gathering X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Firefly Gathering REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20230312T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20231105T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260918T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260920T170000 DTSTAMP:20260227T021637Z CREATED:20260226T223844Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T021637Z UID:10000105-1789732800-1789923600@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Basket Weaving: Willow Picnic Baskets w/ Tyler Lavenburg DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Basket Weaving: Willow Picnic Baskets w/ Tyler Lavenburg\n\n\n\nWillow basketry is a craft built slowly—through repetition\, patience and the steady conversation between hands and material. In this immersive 3-day willow workshop\, you’ll weave a durable\, beautifully functional picnic / gathering basket using the traditional European stake and strand method\, a technique carried across generations by migrant ancestors and still trusted today. \n\n\n\nWorking with strong yet supple willow\, you’ll create a compact version of a full pack basket\, but small enough to manage comfortably\, yet still crafted with strength and durability. These baskets are meant to be used: for harvesting food\, carrying daily essentials\, or heading out into the wilderness for a beautiful picnic! Your finished piece will be completed with your choice of a wrapped willow handle or soft leather straps. \n\n\n\nBeloved Firefly friend and willow weaver Tyler Lavenburg\, guides the process with care and attention\, helping students move through the inevitable moments of challenge toward real skill and confidence. As your basket takes form\, you’ll learn a variety of traditional weaves while developing an intuitive understanding of how willow bends\, holds\, and even breaks–such good metaphors for life. \n\n\n\nOpen to all experience levels\, this class is ideal for anyone drawn to traditional handcraft\, practical skill-building\, and the quiet pride of making the things we need in our everyday lives. \n\n\n\nYou’ll Walk Away With:\n\n\n\n\nA beautiful and unique handwoven picnic / gathering basket made start to finish by you\n\n\n\nKnowledge of willow propagation\, tending and sustainable harvesting techniques\n\n\n\nHands-on experience with a variety of traditional basket weaves\n\n\n\nThe skills and understanding to replicate the entire weaving process on your own\n\n\n\nA deeper connection to an ancient craft rooted in European heritage\n\n\n\nA renewed confidence and appreciation for what your hands can make and do\n\n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors on Friday\, Saturday & Sunday\, September 18-20\, 2026\, from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Friday and 9:00 am – 5:00 pm on Saturday & Sunday\, near Weaverville\, NC. \n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\nOnsite camping will be available for a small fee and can be arranged directly with the Instructor.Feel free to contact perennial.workshops@fireflygathering.org if you have questions beforehand. \n\n\n\nThe minimum age is 12 with previous craft experience and accompanied by a parent\, otherwise the minimum age is 16. Moderate hand strength is recommended for this workshop. Please be prepared to sit on the ground while crafting. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Tyler Lavenburg\nTyler and his family align their life with the cycles of the seasons and the bounty of the wild. They harvest and utilize as much as they can from the gardens and forests around them. \n\n\n\nTyler first fell in love with Southern Appalachian ecology as a student at Warren Wilson College\, where he received a degree in Environmental Education. The children’s novel My Side of the Mountain sparked Tyler’s passion for traditional skills and wild foods. Since then\, he’s been blessed with teachers and mentors who continue to draw his attention into deeper layers of mystery and the possibilities around crafting a handmade\, wild life. \n\n\n\nOver the years\, Tyler has studied\, apprenticed and taught at many traditional skills schools and events\, including Wild Abundance\, The Roots School\, Living Earth School\, Earthskills Rendezvous\, The Firefly Gathering\, Florida Earthskills\, Whippoorwill\, and others. He’s worked with hundreds of children and adults through public and private schools\, homeschool cooperatives\, and special events. \n\n\n\nTyler has experience in many traditional crafts and skills\, with a special passion for willow basketry. He tends around 30 species of European basket willow and plans to provide basket material and live cuttings to the Asheville community in the near future. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $175 – $375\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $375: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $275: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $175: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\nRegistration closes at 11:30pm on September 12th \n\n\n\nEnter the HTML code for Eventbrite’s embedded checkout in the Custom HTML box below. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/basket-weaving-willow-picnic-baskets-w-tyler-lavenburg-2 CATEGORIES:Basketry,Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/20250921_103452-copy.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260823T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260823T170000 DTSTAMP:20260409T084152Z CREATED:20260124T184716Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T084152Z UID:10000104-1787490000-1787504400@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Broom Making: Craft a Turkey-Wing Whisk Broom w/ Emileigh Zola DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Broom Making: Craft a Turkey-Wing Whisk Broom w/ Emileigh Zola\n\n\n\nJoin longtime Firefly friend Emileigh Zola\, for an afternoon of broomcraft and belonging. More than a traditional handcraft class\, this workshop is a community-oriented gathering\, a connective space; an invitation to slow down\, settle in\, and create with intention. \n\n\n\nEmileigh brings Rhythm & Ritual to everything she does and won’t be able to join us at the Annual Gathering this year; so now is your chance to soak up the calm and meditative vibe that Emileigh creates\, while learning an ancient skill that serves form\, function and connection. \n\n\n\nTogether\, we’ll slow down and work with natural materials to create a traditional turkey-wing whisk broom\, learning each step of the tying process along the way. Using broomcorn stems\, participants will also weave a decorative handle\, gaining a versatile technique that can be adapted to make other styles of whisk brooms in the future. \n\n\n\nThis class is designed to be accessible to beginners and welcoming to all. The repetitive motions of broom-making offer a grounding\, meditative experience\, while the shared space encourages presence\, intention\, and creativity in community. \n\n\n\nParticipants can expect to: \n\n\n\n\nLearn about broomcorn and its historical role in traditional broom-making\n\n\n\nSet intentions for the time together\n\n\n\nTake part in an inclusive\, supportive creative space\n\n\n\nTie a traditional turkey-wing whisk broom\n\n\n\nWeave a decorative handle using broomcorn stems\n\n\n\n\nParticipants will leave with a finished whisk broom\, the foundational skills to continue making brooms on their own\, and a renewed sense of connection: to themselves\, to community and to keeping traditional Appalachian craft alive through shared practices and hands-on learning. \n\n\n\nThis class will be held indoors on Sunday\, August 23rd\, 2026\, from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm in Marshall\, NC. \n\n\n\nAll Firefly Gathering workshops are hosted in the greater Asheville area\, sometimes at private venues. For that reason\, the actual venue address will be included in your Welcome email\, approximately one week before the workshop. \n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\nThis class is beginner friendly\, but requires moderate hand/upper body strength and use of feet. Minimum age is 12 and participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Emileigh Zola\nRHYTHM & RITUAL was born from a deep inner knowing—a whisper on the wind\, the voice of an ancestor\, the strength of a woman. It is a living\, ever-evolving offering\, rooted in the same natural rhythms that shape us all. At its heart is Emileigh Zola\, a woman of the woodlands with a deep reverence for the quiet wisdom of mountain creeks\, forested hills\, and the unseen threads that connect us to the Earth. \n\n\n\nEmileigh is devoted to curating spaces rooted in depth\, belonging\, and inspiration. She leads with her heart and is widely known for her grounded\, embodied presence and her ability to make others feel welcomed\, seen\, and included. Her path has been non-traditional\, shaped by years of study with many teachers in Earth-centered practices\, and she is currently in the midst of a seven-year training at a local Earth-based healing school. \n\n\n\nWhether crafting brooms\, teaching broom-making\, or guiding women’s retreats\, Emileigh brings patience\, devotion\, and a deep belief in the healing power of creating sacred\, practical tools with one’s hands. Intentionally made\, her brooms carry this resonance—holding space for ritual\, daily use\, and transformation. \n\n\n\nWhen she is not in her broom workshop\, Emileigh can be found tending plants\, making medicine\, baking\, sitting quietly in the woods\, studying spiritual texts\, learning new skills\, or facilitating women’s gatherings. She lives in Marshall with her partner\, two daughters\, a bonus son\, two dogs\, a cat\, and a snake. \n\n\n\nFind out more about Emileigh and her offerings at her Rhythm & Ritual website: handmadebrooms.com \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $50 – $100\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $100: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $75: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $50: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\nRegistration closes at 5pm on August 21\, 2026. \n\n\n\nEnter the HTML code for Eventbrite’s embedded checkout in the Custom HTML box below. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/broom-making-craft-a-turkey-wing-whisk-broom-w-emily-zola CATEGORIES:Farmsteading,Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_2714-copy.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260815T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260815T140000 DTSTAMP:20260117T153421Z CREATED:20260117T153224Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260117T153421Z UID:10000102-1786788000-1786802400@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Working with Bone - an overlooked Gift w/ Josh Barnwell DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Working with Bone – an overlooked Gift\n\n\n\nSince time immemorial\, bone has filled a material niche for humanity. Harder and sharper than wood\, less brittle than stone\, this often over-looked gift from our four-legged kin brings both beauty and function and has been used by all of our ancestors to shape our world. \n\n\n\nWith expert guidance from beloved Firefly Gathering instructor Josh Barnwell\, participants will pick a project suited to your interests and needs: an awl or needle\, a crochet hook\, hair pin or even a whistle! In this hands-on workshop\, you will transform these material gifts into beautiful functional crafts that invite the natural world into your daily life. Through cleaning\, shaping\, polishing\, and finishing bone by hand\, we’ll explore both the practical skills of the craft and the deeper understanding that comes from working directly with animal bodies. \n\n\n\nParticipants will learn: \n\n\n\n\nProper sourcing\, handling and storage of bone\n\n\n\nBasic deer anatomy and how it relates to human anatomy\n\n\n\nHow to select the right bone for different projects\n\n\n\nUnderstanding and experience of which tools to use while working with bone and how to safely use them \n\n\n\nBest practices for cleaning\, shaping\, polishing\, and finishing bone\n\n\n\nThe basics of scrimshaw and other decorative techniques\n\n\n\nExamples of additional bone projects to inspire future exploration\n\n\n\n\nThis class is open to all skill levels\, from absolute beginners to experienced makers curious to explore a new material. By crafting with bone\, participants are invited into a deeper relationship with the more-than-human world—one that can quietly shift how we understand kinship\, care\, and our human place within the larger living web of life. \n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors on Saturday\, August 15\, 2026\, from 10 am – 2 pm in Asheville\, NC.  \n\n\n\nModerate hand strength is recommended. Some familiarity with basic hand tools is helpful but not required. Participants must be at least 12 years old; minors must attend with an accompanying adult. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Josh Barnwell\nJosh Barnwell has been a lifelong student of traditional and endangered skills\, starting with learning the plants and wildlife from the woods around his home and growing from there. With over 20 years of experience under his belt\, he leads classes with enthusiasm and the philosophy that by learning these skills to directly meet our needs from the natural world and attaining a connection to and appreciation of that world\, we connect and align ourselves to what it truly is to be a human living on this planet. \n\n\n\nJosh teaches for various gatherings\, camps\, and nature programs around the southeast and beyond. When he is not leading a workshop or teaching for a gathering he is participating in the highly seasonal\, cyclical crafts that make up the wheel of his year. \n\n\n\n✨ “My favorite part of teaching is seeing the joy and enthusiasm of my students as they connect with the natural world in a tangible way. My goal is to share skills that people can carry into their daily lives\, deepening their relationship with nature.” \n\n\n\nYou can find out more about Josh through his website bewelloutdoors.com \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $50 – $100\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $100: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $75: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $50: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\nRegistration closes at 8am on August 15th \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/working-with-bone-an-overlooked-gift-w-josh-barnwell CATEGORIES:Farmsteading,Knives & Blades,Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Bones-600x400-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260613T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260613T160000 DTSTAMP:20260518T165351Z CREATED:20260518T165258Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260518T165351Z UID:10000110-1781355600-1781366400@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Woodslore\, Weeds\, and Wildwoods Wisdom Walk w/ Doug Elliott DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Woodslore\, Weeds\, and Wildwoods Wisdom Walk w/ Doug Elliott\n\n\n\nMuch more than a plant walk\, this is an opportunity to peek into the life of beloved elder and naturalist Doug Elliott. For the first time in Firefly herstory\, we will walk with Doug at his home\, on the land he and his lovely wife Yanna have tended for more than 30 years. \n\n\n\nDoug and Yanna chose their little slice of heaven because it had everything they wanted: \n\n\n\n\nDiversity: located 40 miles from cotton fields in the Piedmont and 40 miles from the tallest peaks of Appalachia\, their homestead sits at an intersection of these ecotones\, offering a wide range of habitat for plant and animal life.\n\n\n\nFeatures: When Doug and Yanna found it\, this little slice of heaven had a house\, flats for gardening\, a creek and pond for swimming – even a waterfall! Everything they needed to build their dreams upon.\n\n\n\n\nNow\, more than 30 years later\, we can see the fruits of their labor and witness what living your dreams looks like. We will wander their beautiful landscape\, learning about plants and animals as we go. Doug says\, “Nature will surprise us and we can’t plan who will show up\, but it will be exciting! You never know what we’ll find out there!” \n\n\n\nThis workshop is a special opportunity to be inspired by an Appalachian folk hero who has followed his heart’s path all of his life. On this ramble\, participants will: \n\n\n\n\nLearn to recognize and identify fascinating wild plants and their practical uses.\n\n\n\nEncounter birds\, insects\, and critters\, hearing their stories through local cultural and scientific lore.\n\n\n\nLaugh out loud with lively harmonica tunes\, regional dialects and tales stranger than fiction. You might even get to hear about Doug’s favorite animal (o’ possum) and maybe even about the time he got swallowed by a SNAKE!\n\n\n\nGain unique insights from Doug’s decades of experience as a naturalist.\n\n\n\nBe inspired by a ever evolving farmstead; it is truly a unique experience to witness the fruits of decades of love and labor.\n\n\n\n\nSo join us for this wonderful wander and come and honor and celebrate our beloved Doug Elliott\, a man who has truly dedicated his life to opening the eyes and hearts of the people to the wonders of the natural world. \n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors on Saturday June 13th\, 2026\, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm in Union Mills\,NC. \n\n\n\nThis walk is for everyone! The minimum age is 10 with an accompanying adult. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Doug Elliott\nDoug Elliott (he/him) is a naturalist\, herbalist\, storyteller\, basket maker\, backcountry guide\, philosopher\, and harmonica virtuoso. For years\, he made his living as a traveling herbalist\, gathering and selling herbs\, teas\, and remedies while immersing himself in the wisdom of traditional country folk and Indigenous communities. Through these experiences\, he learned their stories\, folklore\, and time-honored ways of connecting with the natural world. \n\n\n\nDoug’s work has taken him around the globe\, performing and presenting at festivals\, museums\, botanical gardens\, nature centers\, and schools. He has led ranger training sessions for the National Park Service\, guided wilderness adventures across the U.S.\, and earned the title of harmonica champion at the prestigious Fiddler’s Grove Festival. An accomplished author\, Doug has written five books\, contributed numerous articles to regional and national publications\, and created award-winning albums of stories and songs. His talents have also been featured on PBS-TV\, the History Channel\, and the National Geographic Channel. \n\n\n\nDoug’s dedication to his craft has earned him widespread recognition. The National Storytelling Network inducted him into their Circle of Excellence for his “exceptional commitment and exemplary contribution to the art of storytelling.” The International Herb Association honored him with the Otto Richter Award for his pioneering work with herbs and wild plants\, while the National Association for Interpretation bestowed on him the Master Front Line Interpreter Award for his “mastery of interpretive techniques\, program development\, and creative projects” that celebrate the natural world and humanity’s connection to it. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $25 – $65\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $65: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $45: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $25: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\nRegistration closes at 9am on June 13th \n\n\n\nEnter the HTML code for Eventbrite’s embedded checkout in the Custom HTML box below. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/woodslore-weeds-and-wildwoods-wisdom-walk-w-doug-elliott-3 CATEGORIES:Farmsteading,Naturalist Walks,Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Doug-Elliott-for-copy.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260516T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260516T160000 DTSTAMP:20260515T195723Z CREATED:20251118T203937Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260515T195723Z UID:10000100-1778925600-1778947200@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Wet Felting a Wool Pouch w/ Colleen Hewlett DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Wet Felting a Wool Pouch\n\n\n\nDiscover the ancient craft of wet felting and the satisfying transformation of soft wool fibers into a beautiful\, seamless pouch. Under the guidance of Colleen Hewlett\, accomplished fiber artist and basket weaver\, you’ll explore one of humanity’s oldest textile traditions — a technique that predates both spinning and weaving. \n\n\n\nIn this hands-on workshop\, you’ll learn how to wrap wool roving around a resist\, then use hot water\, soap and friction to create a durable piece of felted fabric. Colleen will share insights into the history and cultural significance of felting as an ancestral skill\, as well as the science behind which fibers work best and why. \n\n\n\nOnce your pouch has taken shape\, you’ll have the chance to add your own flair — sewing on buttons\, adding decorative details\, and attaching an optional leather strap with rivets. By the end of class\, you’ll go home with a completed\, ready-to-use felted wool pouch and the confidence to expand your skills into larger projects like hats\, bags\, mittens\, or slippers. \n\n\n\nWhat You’ll Learn: \n\n\n\n\nThe history and importance of felt as an ancient and practical craft\n\n\n\nHow to choose fibers that felt well and understand their properties\n\n\n\nThe wet felting process: using heat\, soap\, and agitation to form solid fabric\n\n\n\nTroubleshooting tips for common felting challenges\n\n\n\nFinishing techniques\, including embellishment and leatherwork\n\n\n\n\nAccessible\, hands-on\, and deeply satisfying\, wet felting offers immediate creative rewards. Whether you’re new to working with wool or eager to reconnect with traditional handcrafts\, this class will give you both the knowledge and inspiration to keep creating long after the workshop ends. Sign up soon\, as this class is sure to fill fast! \n\n\n\nThis class will be held mostly outdoors on Saturday\, May 16th\, 2026\, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm in Asheville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis class is mostly geared towards beginners\, but all levels of experience will walk away with a beautiful finished product and a lovely day of community crafting! The minimum age is 15. Moderate hand and upper body strength is recommended. Expect long periods of standing while felting. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Colleen Hewlett\nColleen Hewlett has been working with wool for nearly thirty years. She moved to her farm twenty years ago with the dream of having her own fiber animals. Currently\, she has a small flock of predominantly Shetland sheep whose wool she dyes\, spins\, knits\, and felts into many different products from hats to three dimensional sculptures. She sells at regional art and craft shows\, and has been teaching at earthskills gatherings for nearly 10 years. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $70 – $135\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $135: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $105: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $70: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\nRegistration closes at 10:00am on Saturday\, May 16th \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/wet-felting-a-wool-pouch-w-colleen-hewlett-2 LOCATION:near Asheville\, NC CATEGORIES:Basketry,Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Workshop-Featured-Wet-Felting.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260509T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260509T160000 DTSTAMP:20260408T005744Z CREATED:20260312T163523Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T005744Z UID:10000109-1778331600-1778342400@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Woodslore\, Weeds\, and Wildwoods Wisdom Walk w/ Doug Elliott DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Woodslore\, Weeds\, and Wildwoods Wisdom Walk w/ Doug Elliott\n\n\n\nMuch more than a plant walk\, this is an opportunity to peek into the life of beloved elder and naturalist Doug Elliott. For the first time in Firefly herstory\, we will walk with Doug at his home\, on the land he and his lovely wife Yanna have tended for more than 30 years. \n\n\n\nDoug and Yanna chose their little slice of heaven because it had everything they wanted: \n\n\n\n\nDiversity: located 40 miles from cotton fields in the Piedmont and 40 miles from the tallest peaks of Appalachia\, their homestead sits at an intersection of these ecotones\, offering a wide range of habitat for plant and animal life.\n\n\n\nFeatures: When Doug and Yanna found it\, this little slice of heaven had a house\, flats for gardening\, a creek and pond for swimming – even a waterfall! Everything they needed to build their dreams upon.\n\n\n\n\nNow\, more than 30 years later\, we can see the fruits of their labor and witness what living your dreams looks like. We will wander their beautiful landscape\, learning about plants and animals as we go. Doug says\, “Nature will surprise us and we can’t plan who will show up\, but it will be exciting! You never know what we’ll find out there!” \n\n\n\nThis workshop is a special opportunity to be inspired by an Appalachian folk hero who has followed his heart’s path all of his life. On this ramble\, participants will: \n\n\n\n\nLearn to recognize and identify fascinating wild plants and their practical uses.\n\n\n\nEncounter birds\, insects\, and critters\, hearing their stories through local cultural and scientific lore.\n\n\n\nLaugh out loud with lively harmonica tunes\, regional dialects and tales stranger than fiction. You might even get to hear about Doug’s favorite animal (o’ possum) and maybe even about the time he got swallowed by a SNAKE!\n\n\n\nGain unique insights from Doug’s decades of experience as a naturalist.\n\n\n\nBe inspired by a ever evolving farmstead; it is truly a unique experience to witness the fruits of decades of love and labor.\n\n\n\n\nSo join us for this wonderful wander and come and honor and celebrate our beloved Doug Elliott\, a man who has truly dedicated his life to opening the eyes and hearts of the people to the wonders of the natural world. \n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors on Saturday\, May 9th\, 2026\, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm in Union Mills\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis walk is for everyone! The minimum age is 10 with an accompanying adult. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Doug Elliott\nDoug Elliott (he/him) is a naturalist\, herbalist\, storyteller\, basket maker\, backcountry guide\, philosopher\, and harmonica virtuoso. For years\, he made his living as a traveling herbalist\, gathering and selling herbs\, teas\, and remedies while immersing himself in the wisdom of traditional country folk and Indigenous communities. Through these experiences\, he learned their stories\, folklore\, and time-honored ways of connecting with the natural world. \n\n\n\nDoug’s work has taken him around the globe\, performing and presenting at festivals\, museums\, botanical gardens\, nature centers\, and schools. He has led ranger training sessions for the National Park Service\, guided wilderness adventures across the U.S.\, and earned the title of harmonica champion at the prestigious Fiddler’s Grove Festival. An accomplished author\, Doug has written five books\, contributed numerous articles to regional and national publications\, and created award-winning albums of stories and songs. His talents have also been featured on PBS-TV\, the History Channel\, and the National Geographic Channel. \n\n\n\nDoug’s dedication to his craft has earned him widespread recognition. The National Storytelling Network inducted him into their Circle of Excellence for his “exceptional commitment and exemplary contribution to the art of storytelling.” The International Herb Association honored him with the Otto Richter Award for his pioneering work with herbs and wild plants\, while the National Association for Interpretation bestowed on him the Master Front Line Interpreter Award for his “mastery of interpretive techniques\, program development\, and creative projects” that celebrate the natural world and humanity’s connection to it. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $25 – $65\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $65: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $45: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $25: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\nRegistration closes at 9am on May 9th \n\n\n\nEnter the HTML code for Eventbrite’s embedded checkout in the Custom HTML box below. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/woodslore-weeds-and-wildwoods-wisdom-walk-w-doug-elliott-2 CATEGORIES:Farmsteading,Naturalist Walks,Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Doug-Elliott-for-copy.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260411T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260411T160000 DTSTAMP:20260109T172748Z CREATED:20251112T154251Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260109T172748Z UID:10000099-1775898000-1775923200@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Kudzu Basket Weaving w/ Carleigh Fairchild DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Kudzu Basket Weaving\n\n\n\nLearn how to transform a nuisance into a source of beauty with a purpose! Discover the usefulness hidden in one of Appalachia’s most abundant wild plants—kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata). In this hands-on workshop\, you’ll learn how to transform this often misunderstood vine into something both functional and beautiful: a useful basket crafted with invasive materials by your own two hands. \n\n\n\nGuided by experienced basketmaker and Earthskills instructor Carleigh Fairchild\, participants will explore the full journey of wild weaving—from identifying and harvesting kudzu\, to splitting\, storing\, and preparing the vines for weaving. You’ll learn foundational techniques for beginning\, shaping\, and finishing a basket\, while gaining confidence in working with wild materials so you can take this craft out into the wilds with you!  \n\n\n\nThis class welcomes all skill levels. While some previous basketry experience is helpful\, curiosity and willingness to learn are what matter most. As we weave\, we’ll reflect on the ways basketmaking can mirror our own inner rhythms\, inviting patience\, creativity and connection. \n\n\n\nYou’ll head home with: \n\n\n\n\nYour own handmade kudzu basket\n\n\n\nThe skills to continue weaving with wild vines\n\n\n\nA renewed sense of empowerment\, creativity\, and connection to the natural world\n\n\n\nA new perspective on what we consider / label foreign or invasive\n\n\n\n\nMore than a craft class\, this is an invitation to reimagine your relationship with the land\, to see beauty where others see problems\, and to weave deeper connection into your daily life. \n\n\n\nThis class will be held indoors on Saturday\, April 11th\, 2026\, from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm in Asheville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThe minimum age is 18\, although 12 and ups are welcome if they are making a basket with an adult. Moderate hand strength is recommended for this workshop. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Carleigh Fairchild\nCarleigh (she/her) has a deep love for the Earth. She gardens\, keeps bees\, wild harvests\, processes animals\, tans hides\, weaves baskets\, and finds joy in time spent around the fire. \n\n\n\nAs the founder of Human Nature Connection LLC\, Carleigh feels called to help others remember that we can live in a collaborative and respectful relationship with the Earth. She joined the survival show ALONE to share that message with a wider audience and to explore the depth of her own connection to the land. Over 86 days in the wilds of Patagonia\, she relied on her skills\, intuition\, and connection with the Earth—emerging with a deeper understanding of what it means to truly belong to the natural world.  \n\n\n\nCarleigh first learned survival and earth skills as a teenager through kids’ camps at the Tracker School\, founded by Tom Brown Jr. Over the last 25 years\, basket weaving has become one of the skills she’s most deeply developed. It is more than a craft—it’s a practice of connection\, a quiet dialogue with the nervous system\, and in a chaotic world\, a path back to self and stillness. \n\n\n\nLiving and teaching in Western North Carolina\, Carleigh offers both online and in-person classes\, often working with families\, friends\, and community groups. She loves weaving not just materials\, but relationships—believing that a basket is never just a basket\, but a symbol of creating containers that connect us to ourselves\, each other\, and the Earth. \n\n\n\nCarleigh is also a NIASZIIH bodywork healer and a teacher at WildernessFusion\, with a practice based in Asheville\, NC\, where her work continues to weave together body\, earth\, and spirit. \n\n\n\nYou can learn more about her offerings at humannatureconnection.com. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $75 – $155\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $155: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $115: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $75: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\nRegistration closes at 8am on April 10th \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/kudzu-basket-weaving-w-carleigh-fairchild LOCATION:near Asheville\, NC CATEGORIES:Basketry,Naturalist Walks,Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/kudzu-basket-600x400-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260322T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260322T150000 DTSTAMP:20260106T213044Z CREATED:20251112T154229Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T213044Z UID:10000098-1774173600-1774191600@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Introduction to Birds & Bird Language w/ Luke Cannon DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Introduction to Birds & Bird Language\n\n\n\nWhether you’re an aspiring bird nerd or a seasoned beak geek\, this class is for you! Birds evolved in the Jurassic period\, 150 million years ago\, and have persisted through five mass extinctions on Earth. And yet we are surrounded by their birdsong every day—a chorus of calls and songs that reveal stories of survival\, kinship\, and the pulse of the living world. In this engaging workshop\, naturalist\, storyteller and longtime Firefly instructor Luke Cannon\, will guide you into a deeper relationship with these remarkable creatures and the many ways they communicate\, adapt\, and thrive. \n\n\n\nWe’ll begin out in nature\, tuning our senses to the rhythms and voices of nearby birds\, before gathering for an afternoon of lively conversation and discovery. Along the way\, Luke will share fascinating insights into bird evolution\, migration\, senses\, nesting strategies\, and the ecological connections that tie them—and us—together. \n\n\n\nThe melodic tunes of birdsong serve as a sign of peace and safety\, tapping into our primal instincts\, signaling our nervous system to relax\, rest and return to a place of equilibrium. Join in on this beautiful experience\, and come ready to listen closely: the birds have so much to say. \n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors on Sunday\, March 22nd\, 2026\, from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm near Asheville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis class is suitable both for experienced birders and beginners alike! The minimum age is 13\, with those under 16 accompanied by an adult. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Luke Cannon\nMore than a botanist\, Luke Cannon is a long time pursuer and teacher of our astounding natural world. Over the last twenty five years\, Luke has instructed numerous nature connection programs and led hundreds of classes\, walks and workshops. An avid naturalist and storyteller\, Luke blends his studies of deep-ecology with permaculture\, animism\, survival skills\, homesteading\, and experiential education. He has taught for the North Carolina Arboretum\, Blue Ridge Audubon Society\, Organic Growers School\, Finger Lakes Native Plant Society\, Asheville Mushroom Club\, Wild Abundance\, and Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine to name a few. In 2011 he founded Astounding Earth– dedicated to helping people deepen their relationships with our living planet\, and he co-founded the Sacred Naturalist School in 2020. Luke currently lives in the mountains of North Carolina studying and teaching Appalachian Ecology and leading nature connection focused courses and backpacking expeditions. He offers regular public walks and classes to share his knowledge and love of local plants\, birds\, mammals\, mushrooms\, soils and ecology. Find his niche in the web at: www.AstoundingEarth.com  \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $40 – $75\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $75: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $55: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $40: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\nRegistration closes at 8am on March 22nd \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/introduction-to-birds-bird-language-w-luke-cannon-3 LOCATION:near Asheville\, NC CATEGORIES:Naturalist Walks,Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/birds-600-x-400.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260307T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260307T160000 DTSTAMP:20260106T212028Z CREATED:20251112T154200Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T212028Z UID:10000097-1772877600-1772899200@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Blacksmithed Spoons and Ladles w/ Tod Kershaw DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Blacksmithed Spoons and Ladles\n\n\n\nBack by popular demand! Join engineer-turned-off-grid dumpster diver extraordinaire Tod Kershaw for a lively\, hands-on adventure in blacksmithing with reclaimed materials. Tod’s inventive spirit and knack for making beauty from the scrap heap will inspire you to see discarded metal in a whole new way. \n\n\n\nIn this workshop\, you’ll learn how to find\, reclaim\, and transform scrap metal into something both beautiful and functional — a one-of-a-kind serving spoon or ladle forged entirely from salvaged materials. From rebar ties and 55-gallon drums\, to copper plumbing pipe and aluminum transmission wire brought down by hurricane Helene\, every element in this class — even the coal — is reclaimed\, foraged\, or reused! \n\n\n\nThrough the process\, you’ll: \n\n\n\n\nIdentify and source useful metals and fuels\n\n\n\nLearn how to extract and process reclaimed materials\n\n\n\nPractice foundational blacksmithing techniques\, including hammering\, shaping\, and coal fire tending\n\n\n\nExplore cold swaging and riveting methods using handmade rivets\n\n\n\nGain confidence using a variety of hand tools\n\n\n\nCraft your own beautiful\, functional serving spoon or ladle to take home\n\n\n\n\nWhether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned tinkerer\, this class will give you the skills and confidence to keep creating with what’s around you — proof that artistry and sustainability can go hand in hand. \n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors on Saturday\, March 7th\, 2026\, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm near Barnardsville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThe minimum age is 14 with an accompanying adult. Moderate strength is recommended for this workshop. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Tod Kershaw\nTod Kershaw (he/him) has been a Firefly Gathering instructor since its beginnings\, in addition to teaching at Forest Floor Wilderness Programs and various earthskills gatherings throughout the southeast. An engineer turned dumpster-diving fringe dweller\, Tod left the mainstream\, but kept his cleverness. \n\n\n\nFrom Tod: \n\n\n\n“My father told me that when I was very young he took me to a craft gathering and I spent the entire time hanging around and pestering the blacksmith. Years later I worked as a professional welder and enjoyed working with hot metal. Then\, around 35 years old I went to a gathering like Firefly and hung around the blacksmith the whole time. Then I started doing it myself. \n\n\n\nOne thing that draws me to this craft is that it can be done almost entirely with scavenged materials. I like scavenging. And with relatively little experience or money one can create beautiful and useful things.” \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $55 – $130\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $130: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $90: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $55: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\nRegistration closes at 8am on March 7th \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/blacksmithed-spoons-and-ladles-w-tod-kershaw-2 LOCATION:near Barnardsville\, NC\, Barnardsville\, North Carolina\, United States CATEGORIES:Basketry,Hide Tanning,Knives & Blades,Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FF-Tods-spoon-600-x-400.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260207T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260207T160000 DTSTAMP:20260102T173708Z CREATED:20251112T153516Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260102T173708Z UID:10000096-1770467400-1770480000@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Winter Botany & Wild Foraged Tea w/ Marc Williams DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Winter Botany & Wild Foraged Tea\n\n\n\nWhen the lush greens and bright blooms of summer fade away\, a quieter world of wonder remains. Join ethnobotanist and longtime Firefly instructor & beloved friend Marc Williams for an immersive workshop and garden walk exploring the art of winter plant identification and wild foraging. \n\n\n\nTogether\, we’ll learn to recognize the subtle signatures of plants during their dormant phase—tracing patterns in bark\, buds and form that reveal who’s who beneath the winter hush. Marc will guide participants in deepening their botanical literacy and relationship with local ecology\, blending scientific insight with ethnobotanical wisdom and practical foraging knowledge. \n\n\n\nAs we walk the garden and surrounding landscape\, we’ll: \n\n\n\n\nPractice identifying plants without their usual flowers\, fruits\, or leaves\n\n\n\nDiscuss off-season plant characteristics and traditional uses\n\n\n\nExplore key resources for continuing your studies\n\n\n\nShare wild-foraged tea and connection to close the afternoon\n\n\n\n\nWinter botany is a lesser-known\, yet vital skill that invites us to see the natural world with new eyes. By learning to read the land in its quiet season\, we strengthen our awareness\, resilience\, connection and capacity to live sustainably within our ecosystems—all year long. \n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors on Saturday\, February 7th\, 2026\, from 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm near Asheville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis class is suitable for all levels of experience! The minimum age is 10 with an accompanying adult. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Marc Williams\nEthnobiologist Marc Williams has studied the people\, plant\, mushroom and microbe interconnection intensively while learning to employ botanicals and other life forms for food\, medicine\, and beauty in a regenerative manner. His training includes a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies concentrating in Sustainable Agriculture with a minor in Business from Warren Wilson College and a Master’s degree in Appalachian Studies concentrating in Sustainable Development with a minor in Geography and Planning from Appalachian State University. He has spent over two decades working at a multitude of restaurants and various farms and has traveled throughout 30 countries in Central/North/South America and Europe as well as all 50 states of the USA. Marc has visited over 200 botanical gardens and research institutions during this process while taking tens of thousands of pictures of representative plants and other entities. He has taught hundreds of classes to thousands of students about the marvelous world of people and their interface with other organisms while working with over 100 organizations and particularly as a Board of Directors member of United Plant Savers\, Plants and Healers International\, and online at the website www.botanyeveryday.com. Marc’s greatest hope is that this effort may help improve our current challenging global ecological situation. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $25 – $65\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $65: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $45: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $25: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\nRegistration closes at 8am on February 7th \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/winter-botany-wild-foraged-tea-w-marc-williams LOCATION:near Asheville\, NC CATEGORIES:Basketry,Farmsteading,Naturalist Walks,Perennial Workshop,Wild Foods ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Winter-Bot-600x400-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251220T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251220T170000 DTSTAMP:20251112T110641Z CREATED:20250910T133717Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251112T110641Z UID:10000093-1766239200-1766250000@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Hand-Dipped Beeswax Candle Making with Jess Kaufman DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Hand-Dipped Beeswax Candle Making\n\n\n\nJoin Jess Kaufman for this fourth annual beloved Solstice tradition and gather with friends—old and new—to taper\, shape\, and shine with hand-dipped beeswax candles on these\, the longest nights of the year!  \n\n\n\nIn this cozy\, hands-on workshop\, you’ll circle around the “fire” (our stovetop cauldrons of golden beeswax) and practice the soothing rhythm of dipping and cooling\, as your candles slowly grow before your eyes. Jess\, local batik artist and founder of WAXON\, will guide you not only in the craft of candle making but also in the deeper story of beeswax—an increasingly rare and precious gift from our pollinator kin. You’ll discover how WAXON’s zero-waste batik studio reclaims and recycles every drop of wax\, giving new life to this sacred resource. \n\n\n\nParticipants will leave with: \n\n\n\n\nTwo pairs of hand-dipped taper candles (four candles total\, with the option to make more!)\n\n\n\nPractical candle-making skills—from wick selection and tapering to trimming and shaping\n\n\n\nA sense of joy and connection as we honor the dark\, and prepare for the return of the light together\n\n\n\n\nAs Jess says\, her favorite part is “how joyful everyone is when they see their candles grow!” Come celebrate the Solstice\, kindle your own light\, and take part in a tradition that’s as much about community and conservation as it is about craft. \n\n\n\nThis class will be held indoors on Saturday\, December 20\, 2025\, from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm near Asheville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis class is suitable both for experienced crafters and beginners alike! The minimum age is 10 accompanied by an adult or 16 unaccompanied. Please be prepared for long periods of standing. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Jess Kaufman\nJessica Kaufman (she/her) has an MA in crafts education and is the owner of WAXON Batik & Dye Studio in Asheville\, NC.  With over 22 years of teaching experience\, Jess has taught a wide variety of fiber and textile arts to summer campers\, school children\, high schoolers\, and adult workshops up and down the East Coast.  Her enthusiasm for teaching is apparent in every class she leads.  Jess maintains over 80 free knitting videos at HappyGoCrafty.com. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $75 – $35\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $75: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $55: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $35: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\nRegistration closes at 12pm on December 20th \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/hand-dipped-beeswax-candle-making-with-jess-kaufman LOCATION:near Asheville\, NC CATEGORIES:Basketry,Farmsteading,Perennial Workshop,Wild Foods ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/candle-hands-6x4-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251115T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251115T160000 DTSTAMP:20251112T110728Z CREATED:20250909T190956Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251112T110728Z UID:10000094-1763200800-1763222400@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Coppersmithing: Wilderbling DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Coppersmithing – Wilderbling\n\n\n\nStep into the magical realm of bending and shaping raw copper into whimsical pieces of art that  you can wear\, use\, or make as epic gifts. In this hands-on workshop with metalsmith and beloved earthskills instructor Grant Adkisson\, you’ll learn how to turn simple copper materials into beautiful and functional one of a kind creations. Using a few basic tools and cold-forging techniques (which are easy to replicate at home!)\, you’ll design and craft your adornments—bracelets\, pendants\, earrings\, hair sticks\, blanket / shawl pins\, and more. \n\n\n\nThis class is designed to show how accessible and adaptable copper can be—no heavy forge required. With just a few tools (all of which can fit in a single toolbox)\, you’ll explore the endless creative possibilities of this versatile metal and leave with both finished pieces and the knowledge to continue crafting at home. \n\n\n\nIn this workshop\, you will: \n\n\n\n\nGain the skills to source tools and materials for your own future projects.\n\n\n\nLearn the basics of cold-forging techniques and pro-tips for working with copper.\n\n\n\nDesign and create your own bracelets\, pendants\, earrings\, hair pins/sticks\, blanket pins\, and more.\n\n\n\n\nWhether you’re brand new to metalwork or eager to expand your craft\, this workshop offers the opportunity to build confidence\, try something new\, and walk away with beautiful handmade pieces that are functional and uniquely yours. \n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors on Saturday\, November 15\, 2025\, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm near Mars Hill\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis class is suitable for all experience levels! The minimum age is 12\, with those under 16 accompanied by an adult. Please be prepared for long periods of standing. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Grant Adkisson\nGrant Adkisson is a lifelong learner\, craftsman\, and educator with a passion for helping people connect more deeply with their hands\, the land\, and themselves. An Earthskills Instructor\, Nature Educator\, Farmer\, and Metalsmith\, Grant brings over a decade of experience teaching at gatherings and schools across the Southeast\, including Firefly Gathering\, Florida Earthskills\, Ancestral Knowledge\, and Earthskills Rendezvous\, where he also served as Youth Programs Coordinator for eight years. \n\n\n\nGrant is the co-founder of Corylace Cove\, an Earthskills school in Mars Hill\, NC\, offering homeschool and summer camp programs for children ages 3–17. His teaching spans a wide range of traditional and practical skills—from coppersmithing\, blacksmithing\, and hunting to organic gardening\, livestock farming\, wildcrafting\, and mead making. \n\n\n\nWhether guiding children in outdoor play or leading adults in hands-on craft\, Grant is inspired by creating opportunities for others to grow in skill\, resilience\, and confidence. He believes that true mastery comes when you can answer the toughest questions from curious students\, and he strives to keep deepening his own craft through teaching. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $60 – $100\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $100: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $75: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $60: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\nRegistration closes at 8am on November 15th \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/coppersmithing-wilderbling LOCATION:near Mars Hill\, NC\, Mars Hill\, North Carolina CATEGORIES:Basketry,Hide Tanning,Knives & Blades,Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Coppersmithing-600x400-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251024T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251026T170000 DTSTAMP:20251020T161354Z CREATED:20250808T004515Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251020T161354Z UID:10000092-1761300000-1761498000@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Buckskin Hide Tanning w/ Callan Shore & Nico Piedrahita DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Buckskin Hide Tanning\n\n\n\nEver wonder what to do with all of those car-killed animals on the side of the road? Know someone who hunts\, but doesn’t use the hide? Then this class is for you! \n\n\n\nExperience one of the most magical ancestral skills in this hands-on\, multi-day workshop where you will participate in the transformation of a wet sticky deer hide into beautiful buttery buckskin. Unlike most tanning workshops\, this class uniquely combines two powerful traditional methods: combo-tanning—a blend of traditional brain-tanning and bark-tanning techniques. You’ll get the best of both worlds—learning how to use both brain and bark to create beautiful buckskin. \n\n\n\nYou’ll leave with a finished buckskin that you made yourself\, and the skills to keep going on your own. Buckskin is an amazingly strong\, suede-like material\, and has been used for millennia to make clothing\, bags\, shoes\, and more. \n\n\n\nIn this workshop\, we’ll cover:\n\n\n\n\nThe history and ancestral roots of hide tanning and some naturalist knowledge about the whitetail deer\n\n\n\nAn overview of different tanning methods: buckskin\, fur-on\, bark tanning\, smoke tanning\, and more\n\n\n\nSome of the science and chemistry behind the process\n\n\n\nHow to remove the grain (top layer) from a hide—what makes buckskin different from leather\n\n\n\nMaking bark or plant teas for tanning\n\n\n\nTechniques for wringing and softening a hide\n\n\n\nTips on how to preserve and clean your buckskin\n\n\n\n\nYou’ll leave with:\n\n\n\n\nYour own finished buckskin\n\n\n\nA working knowledge of the combo-tanning process\n\n\n\nThe confidence and resources to start tanning on your own\n\n\n\nA deeper appreciation for the deer and the full cycle of transformation\n\n\n\n\nTanning hides is hard work\, but there’s real meaning in it. It’s one way to counter throwaway culture—turning something that’s often discarded into something beautiful and lasting. It’s also a way to connect with skills nearly all of our ancestors once knew. \n\n\n\nThis class is open to everyone\, whether you’ve never touched a deer hide before or you’ve tanned a few already. There’s a lot of satisfaction in working through this process—we change along with the hides we are working with our hands\, as we connect to all people who have come before us with this ancient skill. \n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors on Friday\, Saturday\, and Sunday\, October 24-26\, 2025\, from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm near Weaverville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis is a physically demanding class. Expect to be standing for long periods and to be using your arms to push and pull. Moderate arm and hand strength is important. The minimum age is 16. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructors: Callan Shore & Nico Piedrahita\nCallan:  \n\n\n\nCallan Burton-Shore (she/her) is an ancestral skills teacher and traditional craftsperson living outside of Asheville\, North Carolina. She has been teaching hide tanning for the last 4 years and runs a small tannery out of her home. She also teaches friction fire\, spoon carving\, and other skills throughout Western North Carolina and the Southeast. When she’s not teaching or creating\, you will likely find her swimming in a river\, working in the garden\, or climbing a tree! \n\n\n\nNico: \n\n\n\nSince he was a kid\, Nico Piedrahita (he/him) always wanted to live in the woods. For the last 10 years\, he’s been fulfilling that dream\, living off-grid in the mountains around Asheville\, and studying the skills and knowledge it takes to meet his own needs from the land. That “simple” act\, of meeting a need for himself\, ties him closer to the land and all the beings around him. His main areas of focus have been hide tanning and woodworking\, and he now runs a business tanning hides\, carving spoons and bowls\, and teaching these skills to the local community. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $385 – $165\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $385: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $275: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $165: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\nThis class requires a minimum of seven students. \n\n\n\nIf we do not meet the required minimum\, tickets will be refunded (minus a 5% processing fee). \n\n\n\nRegistration closes on October 20th at 11:59pm. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/buckskin-hide-tanning-w-callan-shore-nico-piedrahita LOCATION:near Weaverville\, NC CATEGORIES:Farmsteading,Hide Tanning,Knives & Blades,Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/600x400-hide.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250920T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250921T170000 DTSTAMP:20250909T192158Z CREATED:20250515T004420Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250909T192158Z UID:10000087-1758358800-1758474000@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Basket Weaving: Willow Picnic Baskets w/ Tyler Lavenburg DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Basket Weaving – Willow Picnic Baskets\n\n\n\nJoin us for a hands-on\, two-day journey into the art of willow basketry\, where you’ll craft your very own beautiful picnic basket / carry all\, using the traditional stake and strand method. These materials and weaving traditions hail from Europe\, traveling with our migrant ancestors. \n\n\n\nUnder the expert guidance of basket maker Tyler Lavenburg\, you’ll bend sturdy willow into a beloved basket\, ideal for harvesting veggies\, carrying your computer\, or packing the perfect picnic. Whether you choose a hard willow handle or opt for soft leather straps\, your finished basket will be as useful as it is timeless. \n\n\n\nWe’ll follow the very same process as making a full-size pack basket\, just on a smaller\, more manageable scale. Along the way\, we’ll also dig into the living tradition of willow weaving\, learning how to grow\, harvest\, and honor this remarkable plant and the rich European weaving heritage it carries. \n\n\n\nThis immersive workshop is perfect for beginners and experienced weavers alike who are ready to create something both beautiful and functional with their own two hands. \n\n\n\nWhat to Expect Each Day:\n\n\n\nDay One \n\n\n\n\nWeave the base of your basket\n\n\n\nSet your spokes in place\n\n\n\nBegin weaving up the sides\n\n\n\n\nDay Two \n\n\n\n\nFinish weaving the body of the basket\n\n\n\nTurn down your rim for a clean finish\n\n\n\nAdd your choice of leather straps or a wrapped willow handle\n\n\n\n\nYou’ll Walk Away With:\n\n\n\n\nA beautiful\, handwoven picnic basket made start to finish by you\n\n\n\nThe skills to replicate the weaving process on your own\n\n\n\nHands-on experience with a variety of traditional basket weaves\n\n\n\nKnowledge of willow propagation and sustainable harvesting techniques\n\n\n\nA deeper connection to a craft rooted in European heritage\n\n\n\nA renewed appreciation for what your hands can do\n\n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors on Saturday & Sunday\, September 20-21\, 2025\, from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm each day\, near Weaverville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThe minimum age is 12 with previous craft experience and accompanied by a parent\, otherwise the minimum age is 16. Moderate hand strength is recommended for this workshop. Please be prepared to sit on the ground while crafting. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Tyler Lavenburg\nTyler and his family align their life with the cycles of the seasons and the bounty of the wild. They harvest and utilize as much as they can from the gardens and forests around them.  \n\n\n\nTyler first fell in love with Southern Appalachian ecology as a student at Warren Wilson College\, where he received a degree in Environmental Education. The children’s novel My Side of the Mountain sparked Tyler’s passion for traditional skills and wild foods. Since then\, he’s been blessed with teachers and mentors who continue to draw his attention into deeper layers of mystery and the possibilities around crafting a handmade\, wild life. \n\n\n\nOver the years\, Tyler has studied\, apprenticed and taught at many traditional skills schools and events\, including Wild Abundance\, The Roots School\, Living Earth School\, Earthskills Rendezvous\, The Firefly Gathering\, Florida Earthskills\, Whippoorwill\, and others. He’s worked with hundreds of children and adults through public and private schools\, homeschool cooperatives\, and special events.  \n\n\n\nTyler has experience in many traditional crafts and skills\, with a special passion for willow basketry. He tends around 30 species of European basket willow and plans to provide basket material and live cuttings to the Asheville community in the near future. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $335 – $165\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $335: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $250: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $165: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\nRegistration closes on September 13th at 11:59pm \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/basket-weaving-willow-picnic-baskets-w-tyler-lavenburg LOCATION:Weaverville\, NC (specific location shared later)\, Weaverville\, North Carolina\, United States CATEGORIES:Basketry,Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Willow-Basket-600x400-1.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250913T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250913T140000 DTSTAMP:20250605T113001Z CREATED:20250605T113001Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250605T113001Z UID:10000090-1757757600-1757772000@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Whispers of the Mountain: Exploring Appalachian Folkways & Spirit Traditions w/ Byron Ballard DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Whispers of the Mountain – Exploring Appalachian Folkways & Spirit Traditions\n\n\n\nStep into the heart of southern Appalachia and experience its rich\, living traditions through the eyes of a native Appalachian magic practitioner and beloved storyteller Byron Ballard. Whispers of the Mountain is more than a class — it’s an invitation to wander deep into the old ways\, where the land\, the water\, and the spirit world speak to those who listen. \n\n\n\nTogether\, we’ll explore folk practices and traditions that have shaped generations\, and dispel commonly held stereotypes about the people of Appalachia. We will also learn to craft traditional asfidity (protection bags) and poppets (dolls) from up-cycled fabric\, tools that carry stories of protection and healing. As we ramble through the lore\, you’ll meet the spirit folk and ghosts who linger in Appalachian memory\, and discover the herbs long used for both magic and medicine. \n\n\n\nAlong the way\, we’ll share the deeper history and peculiarities of Appalachian folkways — not just as curiosities\, but as vital threads in the fabric of this region’s people and culture. At midday\, we’ll gather around to break bread and enjoy a warming bowl of soup\, nourishing body and spirit alike. \n\n\n\nIn this workshop\, you will: \n\n\n\n\nGain a richer understanding of Appalachian history and its people\n\n\n\nLearn the unique spirit traditions and folkways of the region\n\n\n\nHear stories of ghosts and spirit folk passed down through generations\n\n\n\nDiscover herbs used in Appalachian healing and magical practice\n\n\n\nCreate your own asfidity bag and poppet to take home\n\n\n\n\nJoin us for this hands-on\, heart-opening journey\, and come away with new respect and connection to the deep places of this old world. \n\n\n\nThis class will be held indoors on Saturday\, September 13th\, 2025\, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm near Asheville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis class is suitable for all – from folklore & folkways enthusiasts to those new to these traditions! The minimum age is 10 with maturity level to understand the content. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Byron Ballard\nH. Byron Ballard\, BA\, MFA\, is a native of Western NC. She is a writer\, amateur folklorist with a specialty in Appalachian folk magic & healing. She tours extensively in the US & Great Britain. Her books include four on mountain folk magic. The first was Staubs and Ditchwater\, and the most recent (2025) is A Feral Church. She lives in Asheville. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $80 – $30\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $80: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $55: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $30: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/whispers-of-the-mountain-exploring-appalachian-folkways-amp-spirit-traditions-w-byron-ballard LOCATION:near Asheville\, NC CATEGORIES:Basketry,Naturalist Walks,Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/BB-600x400-1.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250823T093000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250823T153000 DTSTAMP:20250604T205017Z CREATED:20250604T205017Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250604T205017Z UID:10000088-1755941400-1755963000@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Foraging for Wild Fungi! w/ Luke Cannon DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Foraging for Wild Fungi\n\n\n\nStep into the enchanting world of wild mushrooms and forest fungi with beloved naturalist and Firefly Gathering instructor\, Luke Cannon! More than just a botanist\, Luke is a passionate explorer and gifted teacher whose deep curiosity about the living Earth has taken him from the forests of the Americas to ecosystems around the globe.   \n\n\n\nOn this immersive woodland walk\, you’ll: \n\n\n\n\nFind and identify fabulous fungi with hands-on mushroom ID techniques\n\n\n\nLearn essential safety tips for foraging and enjoying wild mushrooms as food\n\n\n\nDelve into the secret life of fungi\, discovering their vital role in nurturing healthy forests\n\n\n\nDiscuss ethical harvesting practices and deepen your connection to the natural world\n\n\n\n\nFungi are not only breathtaking to behold and fun to find—they’re essential to the health of our planet and rich in both nutrition and flavor. Whether you’re a seasoned forager or simply curious about the forest’s hidden treasures\, this workshop offers a unique chance to connect with some of the most fascinating life forms on Earth. \n\n\n\nCome wander the woods and awaken your senses with one of Firefly Gathering’s most cherished guides. Let’s celebrate the astounding world of fungi together! \n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors on Saturday\, August 23rd\, 2025\, from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm near Asheville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis class is suitable both for experienced foragers and beginners alike! The minimum age is 12. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Come prepared for a hike in the woods! \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Luke Cannon\nMore than a botanist\, Luke Cannon is a long time pursuer and teacher of our astounding natural world. Over the last twenty five years\, Luke has instructed numerous nature connection programs and led hundreds of classes\, walks and workshops. An avid naturalist and storyteller\, Luke blends his studies of deep-ecology with permaculture\, animism\, survival skills\, homesteading\, and experiential education. He has taught for the North Carolina Arboretum\, Blue Ridge Audubon Society\, Organic Growers School\, Finger Lakes Native Plant Society\, Asheville Mushroom Club\, Wild Abundance\, and Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine to name a few. In 2011 he founded Astounding Earth– dedicated to helping people deepen their relationships with our living planet\, and he co-founded the Sacred Naturalist School in 2020. Luke currently lives in the mountains of North Carolina studying and teaching Appalachian Ecology and leading nature connection focused courses and backpacking expeditions. He offers regular public walks and classes to share his knowledge and love of local plants\, birds\, mammals\, mushrooms\, soils and ecology. Find his niche in the web at: www.AstoundingEarth.com  \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $110 – $40\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $110: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $75: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $40: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/foraging-for-wild-fungi-w-luke-cannon LOCATION:near Asheville\, NC CATEGORIES:Naturalist Walks,Perennial Workshop,Wild Foods ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/mushrooms-600x400-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250809T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250809T150000 DTSTAMP:20250402T195112Z CREATED:20250402T183826Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250402T195112Z UID:10000084-1754733600-1754751600@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Bark Mask Making w/ Josh Barnwell DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Bark Mask Making\n\n\n\nIn preparation for Autumn and Samhain\, the season of ancestors and mystery\, this hands-on exploration of the nature of bark–and your own wild nature–is the perfect opportunity to create an alternate visage for yourself. Bark is a material of incredible richness\, its textures\, forms and functions shaped by the trees it protects. Beyond its practical uses\, bark has a deeper\, more mysterious potential: transformational masks. For centuries\, humans have metamorphosed through masks\, exploring alter selves and new ways of seeing the world. \n\n\n\nIn this hands-on workshop\, you’ll do just that: explore the nature of bark and your own creative instincts by crafting a unique mask from tulip poplar bark. \n\n\n\nWhat You’ll Learn & Create: \n\n\n\n\nHow bark behaves from tree to transformation—its natural properties\, preparation\, and preservation.\n\n\n\nThe process of selecting and shaping bark into a mask\, designing a form that speaks to you.\n\n\n\nBasic low-relief carving techniques using simple hand tools (experience is helpful but not required).\n\n\n\nHow to process your own bark into mask blanks for future creations.\n\n\n\n\nEach participant will leave with a handmade mask and the skills to continue crafting with bark. But more than that\, this workshop offers a chance to connect—both with the living trees that provide this material and with the internal landscapes we explore when we create and embody an alternate version of ourselves. \n\n\n\nWhether you’re a seasoned carver or a curious beginner\, this class invites you to step into the world of bark mask making—an art both ancient and newly rediscovered. Join beloved crafter and inspiring instructor\, Josh Barnwell\, in shaping something truly unique. \n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors on Saturday\, August 9th\, 2025\, from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm near Asheville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis class is suitable for both beginners and experienced carvers! Experience with basic knife safety is encouraged. The minimum age is 14. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Josh Barnwell\nJosh Barnwell has been a lifelong student of traditional and endangered skills\, starting with learning the plants and wildlife from the woods around his home and growing from there. With over 20 years of experience under his belt\, he leads classes with enthusiasm and the philosophy that by learning these skills to directly meet our needs from the natural world and attaining a connection to and appreciation of that world\, we connect and align ourselves to what it truly is to be a human living on this planet. \n\n\n\nJosh lives in Tennessee with his 4 children and teaches for various gatherings\, camps\, and nature programs around the southeast and beyond. When he is not leading a workshop or teaching for a gathering he is participating in the highly seasonal\, cyclical crafts that make up the wheel of his year. \n\n\n\nJosh first felt drawn to bark mask making when he discovered the material’s untapped potential. While bark has long been used for containers\, cordage\, and even shelter\, crafting masks from it remains an overlooked art. \n\n\n\n✨ “My favorite part of teaching is seeing the joy and enthusiasm of my students as they connect with the natural world in a tangible way. My goal is to share skills that people can carry into their daily lives\, deepening their relationship with nature.” \n\n\n\n You can find out more about Josh through his website bewelloutdoors.com \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $130 – $70\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $130: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $100: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $70: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/bark-mask-making-w-josh-barnwell LOCATION:near Asheville\, NC CATEGORIES:Basketry,Knives & Blades,Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Bark-Mask-Making-600x400-1.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250614T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250614T160000 DTSTAMP:20250217T193253Z CREATED:20250216T084800Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250217T193253Z UID:10000082-1749895200-1749916800@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Living with Fire: Building\, Tending\, Honoring w/ Tyler Lavenburg DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Living with Fire – Building\, Tending\, Honoring\n\n\n\nReignite your connection to one of humanity’s most ancient and essential earthskills: firecraft. In this immersive\, hands-on workshop led by seasoned firecraft expert and beloved Firefly instructor Tyler Lavenburg\, you’ll not only learn the practical techniques of building and tending fire but also develop a deeper appreciation for the intimate relationship we share with fire. With over 15 years of teaching experience\, Tyler brings passion\, expertise\, and a heartfelt understanding of how fire-making can inspire and nourish the soul. \n\n\n\nWhat You’ll Do and Learn: \n\n\n\n\nCraft Your Own Friction Fire Kit: Inhabit the timeless bow-drill method of creating fire and leave with a functional\, handmade kit.\n\n\n\nHarvest Natural Materials: Learn the age old practice of gathering tinder\, kindling\, and other fire-starting materials from the landscape around you.\n\n\n\nBuild and Tend a Fire: Construct a proper fire structure and gain confidence in lighting and maintaining it.\n\n\n\nExplore Fire Accessories: Learn about fire-starting tools\, fire-carrying techniques\, and how to build a backcountry-ready fire kit.\n\n\n\nOne-on-One Guidance: Get personalized instruction and support in producing your first coal using friction fire techniques.\n\n\n\n\nWhat You’ll Walk Away With: \n\n\n\n\nA deeper relationship with the natural world and a new perspective of walking in the woods and seeing what’s there for firecraft.\n\n\n\nA complete fire-making kit\, fully equipped for backcountry adventures\, or simply lighting your woodstove.\n\n\n\nGreater comfort and confidence in starting and maintaining fires.\n\n\n\nA newfound connection to the ancient practice of fire-tending and a deeper sense of well-being from your relationship with fire.\n\n\n\n“Typically folks leave with revelations about how their spirit and soul need to be around fire to be well.”   ~Tyler Lavenburg\, instructor\n\n\n\n\nThis workshop goes beyond technical skills\, offering a transformative experience that rekindles your bond with fire. You’ll leave with not just the knowledge\, but a profound appreciation for the warmth\, light\, and vitality fire brings to our lives. Join Tyler and discover how mastering fire can warm your body\, awaken your spirit\, and spark a connection to the natural world like never before. \n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors on Saturday\, June 14th\, 2025 (Father’s Day Weekend)\, from 10:00am – 4:00pm near Weaverville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis class is suitable for beginners and anyone desiring a deeper connection with fire. The minimum age is 14. Knife skills are a plus but not necessary to join this workshop. Be prepared to kneel on the ground to tend fire. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Tyler Lavenburg\nTyler and his family align their life with the cycles of the seasons and the bounty of the wild. They harvest and utilize as much as they can from the gardens and forests around them.  \n\n\n\nTyler first fell in love with Southern Appalachian ecology as a student at Warren Wilson College\, where he received a degree in Environmental Education. The children’s novel My Side of the Mountain sparked Tyler’s passion for traditional skills and wild foods. Since then\, he’s been blessed with teachers and mentors who continue to draw his attention into deeper layers of mystery and the possibilities around crafting a handmade\, wild life. \n\n\n\nOver the years\, Tyler has studied\, apprenticed and taught at many traditional skills schools and events\, including Wild Abundance\, The Roots School\, Living Earth School\, Earthskills Rendezvous\, The Firefly Gathering\, Florida Earthskills\, Whippoorwill\, and others. He’s worked with hundreds of children and adults through public and private schools\, homeschool cooperatives\, and special events. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $130 – $60\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $130: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $95: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $60: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/living-with-fire-building-tending-honoring-w-tyler-lavenburg LOCATION:near Weaverville\, NC CATEGORIES:Knives & Blades,Naturalist Walks,Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/living-with-fire.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250531T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250531T160000 DTSTAMP:20250309T221939Z CREATED:20250309T221939Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250309T221939Z UID:10000083-1748692800-1748707200@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Herbal Gardening for your Healthcare w/ Deanna Rose DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Herbal Gardening for your Healthcare\n\n\n\nAre you ready to take wellness into your own hands and deepen your connection with the plants and Earth? Join herbalist Deanna Rose for an empowering and immersive journey into the garden and the wide world of herbalism\, designed to support your unique health needs. \n\n\n\nIn the first part of the class\, we’ll do a deep dive into the world of medicinal herbs and their relationship to our body’s vital systems\, including the heart\, brain\, gut\, womb\, colon\, immune system\, lungs\, throat\, and nervous system. We’ll also explore natural remedies for anxiety relief and general first aid\, gaining valuable knowledge on how to enhance your health and well being naturally. \n\n\n\nIn the second part of the workshop\, with this rich understanding\, we’ll bring your vision to life by designing an herbal garden that serves your specific wellness goals. Imagine creating garden beds dedicated to heart health\, anxiety relief\, or other areas you want to support. If you don’t have garden space\, you can craft an “inner garden” by developing a routine for using these herbs or creating an inspiring art piece to guide your herbal journey throughout the year. \n\n\n\nThen in the third part of this immersive experience\, we’ll get hands-on with herbal medicine making by blending two custom teas to take home: one for heart health and another to ease anxiety\, giving you a head start on your herbal self-care. \n\n\n\nPerfect for beginners and seasoned herbalists alike\, this class empowers you to cultivate your own remedies\, deepen your connection with plants\, and take charge of your health. Remember: self care is community care! Join us and grow your own and your community’s well being today! \n\n\n\nWhat You’ll Do\, Learn\, and Take Home: \n\n\n\n\nExplore Herbal Remedies\n\nLearn about herbs that support the heart\, brain\, gut\, lungs\, throat\, immune system\, nervous system\, womb\, colon\, and more.\n\n\n\nDiscover natural solutions for anxiety relief and general first aid.\n\n\n\n\n\nDesign Your Own Herbal Garden\n\nCreate a personalized garden plan tailored to your health needs\, with one-on-one guidance from Deanna.\n\n\n\nDesign an “inner garden” by crafting an art piece or developing a personalized herbal regimen.\n\n\n\n\n\nHands-On Herbal Medicine Making\n\nBlend two custom herbal teas to take home: one for heart health and another for anxiety relief.\n\n\n\n\n\nTake Home\n\n2 Custom Tea Blends – One for Heart Health and one for Anxiety Relief.\n\n\n\nA Personalized Garden or Inner Garden Design – A plan to grow or integrate herbal remedies into your daily life.\n\n\n\nEmpowerment and Knowledge – Confidence to cultivate your own herbal healthcare\, reducing reliance on pharmaceuticals and fostering a deeper connection to nature.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis class will be held indoors and outdoors on Saturday\, May 31\, 2025\, from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm near Candler\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis class is suitable for all experience levels! The minimum age is 8\, with those below 16 accompanied by an adult. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Deanna Rose\nDeanna Rose was born and raised in Nashville\, Tennessee where she grew up helping her father out in the garden. She has lived in Asheville for eighteen years\, attended Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine\, WWC and UNCA and has continued to garden and work on farms. For a long time\, Rose had her own landscaping gardening business where she helped others design\, install and plant their herbal and vegetable gardens. Now at the age of 35\, she focuses on teaching these skills to students so they can bring this knowledge back to their homes and communities themselves. Rose is also a singer and loves to encourage people to sing in their gardens. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $95 – $35\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $95: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $65: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $35: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/herbal-gardening-for-your-healthcare-w-deanna-rose LOCATION:near Candler\, NC\, Candler\, North Carolina CATEGORIES:Farmsteading,Naturalist Walks,Perennial Workshop,Wild Foods ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Gardening.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250510T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250510T160000 DTSTAMP:20250509T141950Z CREATED:20250217T192757Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T141950Z UID:10000081-1746882000-1746892800@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Woodslore\, Weeds\, and Wildwoods Wisdom Walk w/ Doug Elliott DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Woodslore\, Weeds\, and Wildwoods Wisdom Walk\n\n\n\nJoin beloved elder and naturalist Doug Elliott\, as he parts the green veil\, inviting us to step deeper into the wild and discover the extraordinary stories hidden in plain sight! Whether he’s spinning stupendous snake stories\, pontificating on possums\, hammering on the harmonica\, or delighting in the details of dandelions\, Doug Elliott knows how to captivate and inspire. \n\n\n\nThis isn’t just a nature walk; it’s a journey into the heart of the natural world\, led by a master storyteller whose wit\, wisdom\, and wonder will leave you enchanted. \n\n\n\nOn this fun and educational ramble\, you’ll: \n\n\n\n\n🌿 Learn to identify fascinating wild plants and their practical uses.\n\n\n\n🦅 Encounter birds\, insects\, and critters\, hearing their stories through local cultural and scientific lore.\n\n\n\n🎵 Laugh out loud with lively harmonica tunes\, regional dialects\, and tales stranger than fiction.\n\n\n\n📚 Gain unique insights from Doug’s decades of experience as a naturalist.\n\n\n\n\nExpect belly laughs\, fascinating facts\, soulful songs\, and a deeper connection to the ecosystems that surround us. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience nature through Doug’s eyes—and leave with a new appreciation for the “wild” in your own backyard. \n\n\n\nCome ready to learn\, laugh\, and leave inspired! 🌟 \n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors on Saturday\, May 10th\, 2025 (Mother’s Day Weekend)\, from 1:00pm – 4:00pm near Weaverville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis walk is for everyone! The minimum age is 10. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Doug Elliott\nDoug Elliott (he/him) is a naturalist\, herbalist\, storyteller\, basket maker\, backcountry guide\, philosopher\, and harmonica virtuoso. For years\, he made his living as a traveling herbalist\, gathering and selling herbs\, teas\, and remedies while immersing himself in the wisdom of traditional country folk and Indigenous communities. Through these experiences\, he learned their stories\, folklore\, and time-honored ways of connecting with the natural world. \n\n\n\nDoug’s work has taken him around the globe\, performing and presenting at festivals\, museums\, botanical gardens\, nature centers\, and schools. He has led ranger training sessions for the National Park Service\, guided wilderness adventures across the U.S.\, and earned the title of harmonica champion at the prestigious Fiddler’s Grove Festival. An accomplished author\, Doug has written five books\, contributed numerous articles to regional and national publications\, and created award-winning albums of stories and songs. His talents have also been featured on PBS-TV\, the History Channel\, and the National Geographic Channel. \n\n\n\nDoug’s dedication to his craft has earned him widespread recognition. The National Storytelling Network inducted him into their Circle of Excellence for his “exceptional commitment and exemplary contribution to the art of storytelling.” The International Herb Association honored him with the Otto Richter Award for his pioneering work with herbs and wild plants\, while the National Association for Interpretation bestowed on him the Master Front Line Interpreter Award for his “mastery of interpretive techniques\, program development\, and creative projects” that celebrate the natural world and humanity’s connection to it. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $65 – $25\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $65: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $45: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $25: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/woodslore-weeds-and-wildwoods-wisdom-walk-w-doug-elliott LOCATION:near Weaverville\, NC CATEGORIES:Naturalist Walks,Perennial Workshop,Wild Foods ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Doug-Elliott-walk.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250426T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250426T160000 DTSTAMP:20250424T213223Z CREATED:20250217T192455Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250424T213223Z UID:10000080-1745672400-1745683200@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Intro to Fruit Tree Grafting w/ Cailen Campbell DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Intro to Fruit Tree Grafting\n\n\n\nJoin renowned horticulturist and farmsteader Cailen Campbell\, who has been nurturing Appalachia’s orchards for over 30 years\, for an unforgettable journey into the art and science of grafting! This interactive workshop will dive into the fascinating history of grafting\, explain why it’s a cornerstone of horticulture\, and uncover the science behind what makes this technique so effective. \n\n\n\nCailen will share tips and tricks in sourcing and using the tools and materials essential for grafting\, selecting and growing the perfect rootstock and scion\, and hands-on demonstrations of tried-and-true grafting techniques. Best of all\, you’ll get to roll up your sleeves and practice grafting on live plants! Each attendee will receive their very own grafting knife to use during the workshop and to take home—a valuable tool for future grafting projects. By the end of the day\, you’ll also create your very own apple tree graft to plant at home—a living\, growing reminder of the skills you’ve learned. \n\n\n\nWhether you’re a gardening enthusiast or a beginner\, this workshop will give you the tools and confidence to expand your edible landscape horizons and grow your own orchard dreams. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a true expert and bring a piece of Appalachia’s rich horticultural tradition home with you! \n\n\n\nKnowledge and Tools You’ll Gain:\n\n\n\n\nThe fascinating tradition and science behind grafting\n\n\n\nHow to select and prepare plant materials for grafting\n\n\n\nStep-by-step grafting techniques through hands-on practice\n\n\n\nA grafting knife to use during the workshop and take home for future projects\n\n\n\nYour very own apple tree graft to nurture and grow\n\n\n\nExperience and confidence to apply grafting techniques in your own garden or orchard\n\n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors on Saturday\, April 26th\, 2025\, from 1:00pm – 4:00pm near Weaverville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis class is suitable both for beginners and folks with some experience! Some knife competency and hand strength is helpful\, as well as the ability to stand the entire time. All ages are welcome! \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Cailen Campbell\nCailen Campbell of Bittersweet Farm and Nursery\, located near the headwaters of Sugar Creek between Weaverville and Barnardsville has been propagating and planting fruit and nut trees in Appalachia for over 30 years. Bittersweet specializes in fruit and nut trees uniquely adapted to our region under low-input/no-spray conditions and suitable for backyard permaculture food forests and commercial scale orchards alike. They currently have over 500 cultivars in their trial plantings in a multi-generational effort to find and then propagate uncommon and rare fruit and nut varieties proven to produce in our area. All plants are grafted and propagated on-site using only the most sustainable and ecologically benevolent practices (beyond organic). Cailen also offers on-site consultation\, soil analysis\, orchard design\, pruning\, educational\, and custom grafting services. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $105 – $65\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $105: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $85: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $65: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\nMaterials include: grafting knife & apple tree root stock \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/intro-to-fruit-tree-grafting-w-cailen-campbell LOCATION:near Weaverville\, NC CATEGORIES:Farmsteading,Perennial Workshop,Wild Foods ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/apple-hanging-tree.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250412T093000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250412T153000 DTSTAMP:20250217T192111Z CREATED:20250217T192111Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250217T192111Z UID:10000079-1744450200-1744471800@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Spring Wildflowers of the Southern Appalachians w/ Luke Cannon DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Spring Wildflowers of the Southern Appalachians\n\n\n\nJoin naturalist Luke Cannon for a full-day adventure into the heart of the Southern Appalachian wilderness\, where wildflowers are more than just beautiful—they are storytellers\, healers\, and companions in the landscape. \n\n\n\nAs we hike through lush forests and meadows\, you’ll learn to identify native plants\, explore their medicinal and edible uses\, and discover their roles in crafts\, survival skills\, and the delicate web of nature. But beyond their practical gifts\, these plants have their own stories to share—offering us a deeper connection to the land and a greater sense of belonging. \n\n\n\nThrough engaging stories\, hands-on exploration\, and shared discovery\, this workshop will transform the way you see and interact with the natural world. Come meet the wildflowers—and leave with new friends among the flora! \n\n\n\nWhat You’ll Gain from This Experience:\n\n\n\n\nA deeper appreciation for the simple beauty of the natural world\n\n\n\nConfidence in identifying native wildflowers and their unique characteristics\n\n\n\nKnowledge of edible and medicinal uses of local plants\n\n\n\nInsights into traditional craft and survival applications\n\n\n\nA deeper understanding of the ecological roles and relationships of these plants\n\n\n\nA renewed sense of connection and belonging in the natural world\n\n\n\nUnforgettable stories and moments of awe in the company of fellow nature lovers\n\n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors\, rain or shine\, on Saturday\, April 12th\, 2025\, from 9:30am – 3:30pm near Asheville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis class is suitable both for intermediate plant people and beginners alike! The minimum age is 15. The ability to hike on a mountain trail for at least 2 miles is suggested. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Luke Cannon\nMore than a botanist\, Luke Cannon is a long time pursuer and teacher of our astounding natural world. Over the last twenty five years\, Luke has instructed numerous nature connection programs and led hundreds of classes\, walks and workshops. An avid naturalist and storyteller\, Luke blends his studies of deep-ecology with permaculture\, animism\, survival skills\, homesteading\, and experiential education. He has taught for the North Carolina Arboretum\, Blue Ridge Audubon Society\, Organic Growers School\, Finger Lakes Native Plant Society\, Asheville Mushroom Club\, Wild Abundance\, and Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine to name a few. In 2011 he founded Astounding Earth – dedicated to helping people deepen their relationships with our living planet\, and he co-founded the Sacred Naturalist School in 2020. Luke currently lives in the mountains of North Carolina studying and teaching Appalachian Ecology and leading nature connection focused courses and backpacking expeditions. He offers regular public walks and classes to share his knowledge and love of local plants\, birds\, mammals\, mushrooms\, soils and ecology. Find his niche in the web at: www.AstoundingEarth.com \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $110 – $40\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $110: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $75: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $40: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/spring-wildflowers-of-the-southern-appalachians-w-luke-cannon LOCATION:near Asheville\, NC CATEGORIES:Naturalist Walks,Perennial Workshop,Wild Foods ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/lady-slipper.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250329T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250329T160000 DTSTAMP:20250108T200926Z CREATED:20250108T055439Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250108T200926Z UID:10000077-1743242400-1743264000@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Wet Felting a Wool Pouch w/ Colleen Hewlett DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Wet Felting a Wool Pouch\n\n\n\nImmerse yourself  in the wonderful world of wet felting and discover the magic of turning fluffy wool fibers into a beautifully crafted\, seamless felted wool pouch. In this hands-on class\, you’ll explore the ancient art of felting\, a skill rooted in tradition that predates the technology of spinning and weaving. Join beloved expert instructor Colleen Hewlett\, renowned fiber artist and basket weaver\, as you learn how to wrap wool roving around a resist and use friction to form your pouch\, embellish it with flair\, and finish it with practical and decorative touches like a button closure and leather strap. \n\n\n\nOnce you’ve mastered the fundamentals on this small-scale project\, you’ll have the confidence to tackle larger\, more complex creations like hats\, bags\, mittens\, and even slippers! \n\n\n\nHighlights of What You’ll Learn:\n\n\n\n\nExplore the history and cultural significance of felt as an ancestral craft.\n\n\n\nUnderstand fiber basics\, including which types of wool will felt and why.\n\n\n\nTransform loose wool into fabric using hot water\, soap\, and agitation.\n\n\n\nMaster troubleshooting techniques to handle challenges during the felting process.\n\n\n\nAdd finishing touches\, like sewing on buttons or decorative elements.\n\n\n\nIncorporate leather straps using rivets for added function and style.\n\n\n\nTake home a completed\, ready-to-use felted wool pouch you’ll be proud to show off!\n\n\n\n\nWhether you’re new to crafting or looking to expand your skills\, this class is the perfect blend of tradition and creativity. Reserve your spot now and start your journey into the fascinating world of felting! \n\n\n\nThis class will primarily be held outdoors under a covered shelter with indoor facilities used for portions of the workshop on Saturday\, March 29\, 2025\, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm near Asheville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis class is suitable for beginners! The minimum age is 15. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Colleen Hewlett\nColleen Hewlett has been working with wool for nearly thirty years. She moved to her farm twenty years ago with the dream of having her own fiber animals. Currently\, she has a small flock of predominantly Shetland sheep whose wool she dyes\, spins\, knits\, and felts into many different products from hats to three dimensional sculptures. She sells at regional art and craft shows\, and has been teaching at earthskills gatherings for nearly 10 years. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $135 – $70\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $135: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $105: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $70: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/wet-felting-a-wool-pouch-w-colleen-hewlett LOCATION:Asheville\, NC (specific location to be shared later)\, NC\, United States CATEGORIES:Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/WorkshopXFeaturedXWetXFelting.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250308T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250308T160000 DTSTAMP:20250116T155606Z CREATED:20250115T225224Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250116T155606Z UID:10000078-1741428000-1741449600@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Blacksmithed Spoons and Ladles w/ Tod Kershaw DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Blacksmithed Spoons and Ladles\n\n\n\nBack by popular demand\, and led by our always entertaining Tod Kershaw\, engineer turned off-grid dumpster diver extraordinaire! In this Blacksmithing class\, Todd will walk us through the ins and outs of DIY Blacksmithing\, how to forage for metal in the scrap heaps\, and so much more! This class will empower students to find metal\, tools & fuel\, and teach you what to do with it. All of the materials in the class will be 100% found\, foraged\, reclaimed & reused…even the coal. \n\n\n\nIn this class\, students will create a beautiful and functional steel serving spoon or ladle through the process of Blacksmithing. We’ll start by blacksmithing the handle out of the thick wire ties used to bundle rebar; next we’ll cut out the bowl of the spoon from reclaimed pieces of sheet metal\, then swage it into a form. Finally\, students will make rivets (copper from salvaged electrical wire or aluminum from transmission wire brought down by hurricane Helene–there’s a lot of that!)\, then join the bowl to the handle\, completing their masterpiece!  \n\n\n\nParticipants will: \n\n\n\n\nidentify useful materials including types of metals and fuels\n\n\n\nlearn how to extract and process these materials \n\n\n\nlearn basic Blacksmithing techniques including metalworking and coal fire tending\n\n\n\nlearn basic cold swaging techniques\n\n\n\nlearn basic riveting \n\n\n\nlearn to use various hand tools\n\n\n\ncomplete a beautiful and functioning serving spoon or ladle to be proud of!\n\n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors on Saturday\, March 8th\, 2025\, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm near Barnardsville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis class is suitable for both intermediate blacksmiths and beginners alike! The minimum age is 14. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Tod Kershaw\nMy father told me that when I was very young he took me to a craft gathering and I spent the entire time hanging around and pestering the blacksmith. Years later I worked as a professional welder and enjoyed working with hot metal. Then\, around 35 years old I went to a gathering like Firefly and hung around the blacksmith the whole time. Then I started doing it myself. \n\n\n\nOne thing that draws me to this craft is that it can be done almost entirely with scavenged materials. I like scavenging. And with relatively little experience or money one can create beautiful and useful things. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $130 – $55\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $130: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $90: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $55: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/blacksmithed-spoons-and-ladles-w-tod-kershaw LOCATION:near Barnardsville\, NC\, Barnardsville\, North Carolina\, United States CATEGORIES:Knives & Blades,Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/image0000-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250215T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250215T160000 DTSTAMP:20250214T171357Z CREATED:20241210T222314Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250214T171357Z UID:10000076-1739622600-1739635200@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Winter Botany & Wild Foraged Tea w/ Marc Williams DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Winter Botany & Wild Foraged Tea \n\n\n\nGrow your foraging skills with this immersive Winter Botany and Wild Foraging Workshop and garden walk designed to awaken your senses and deepen your relationship with the natural world. Led by ethnobotanist and long-time Firefly instructor and friend\, Marc Williams\, participants will explore the art of plant identification during one of the most challenging and rewarding times of the year – when flowers\, fruits\, and leaves have mostly disappeared\, leaving subtle clues in their place. \n\n\n\nThis workshop is perfect for anyone looking to expand their knowledge of botany and practical Asheville-area foraging during the winter dormant phase. \n\n\n\nDuring this class\, we will: \n\n\n\n\nEmbark on a garden walk to meet and identify local plants \n\n\n\nEngage in dialogue about off-season plant characteristics and ethnobotanical applications\n\n\n\nDiscuss various resources for further study\n\n\n\nDeepen our relationship with some plant friends as we connect with them in their dormant state\n\n\n\nFinish the afternoon with wild foraged tea and connection\n\n\n\n\nSkills that will be learned and practiced include: basic and winter botany\, foraging/ethnobotany\, and wild tea preparation. \n\n\n\nThis class will be held on Saturday\, February 15\, 2025\, from 12:30 – 4:00 pm near Asheville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis class is suitable everyone! The minimum age is 10 with an adult. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Marc Williams\nEthnobiologist Marc Williams has studied the people\, plant\, mushroom and microbe interconnection intensively while learning to employ botanicals and other life forms for food\, medicine\, and beauty in a regenerative manner. His training includes a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies concentrating in Sustainable Agriculture with a minor in Business from Warren Wilson College and a Master’s degree in Appalachian Studies concentrating in Sustainable Development with a minor in Geography and Planning from Appalachian State University. He has spent over two decades working at a multitude of restaurants and various farms and has traveled throughout 30 countries in Central/North/South America and Europe as well as all 50 states of the USA. Marc has visited over 200 botanical gardens and research institutions during this process while taking tens of thousands of pictures of representative plants and other entities. He has taught hundreds of classes to thousands of students about the marvelous world of people and their interface with other organisms while working with over 100 organizations and particularly as a Board of Directors member of United Plant Savers\, Plants and Healers International\, and online at the website www.botanyeveryday.com. Marc’s greatest hope is that this effort may help improve our current challenging global ecological situation. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $75 – $25\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $75: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $50: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $25: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/winter-botany-amp-wild-foraged-tea-w-marc-williams LOCATION:Asheville Area (within an hours drive)\, Asheville\, North Carolina\, United States CATEGORIES:Naturalist Walks,Perennial Workshop,Wild Foods ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Workshop-Featured-Winter-Botany.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250125T093000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250125T130000 DTSTAMP:20250124T234350Z CREATED:20240905T175702Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250124T234350Z UID:10000071-1737797400-1737810000@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Buckskin Sewing: Tiny Treasures Bag w/ Rain Hall DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Buckskin Sewing- Tiny Treasures Bag\n\n\n\nThe little things in life can bring us some of the greatest joys. If you find yourself collecting lucky dice\, coins\, buttons\, rocks\, crystals\, or other special trinkets with a passion\, why not take your collection to the next level? Join practical crafting and hide-tanning expert Rain Hall to design and sew your very own buckskin drawstring bag to keep your especially small somethings somewhere truly special!  \n\n\n\nBuckskin is a specific type of natural hide tanning process. The finished material is softer and has more stretchy tendencies than true leather\, making it perfect for such a small\, soft design. Buckskin also has a distinct campfire-like smell from the process of “smoking the hide”\, which will give your treasures a truly beautiful and unique home. By using our hands and working with tanned animal skins to craft something useful and beautiful\, we grow our connection to the natural world that sustains us. Deer hides and other animal skins and hides are often seen as byproducts and discarded. In celebrating the potential of hides tanned and all their uses\, we can see past this waste culture and offer a different narrative – even in the smallest things.  \n\n\n\nGet ready to learn all about crafting with buckskin\, practice creating your own design\, and sew your new pouch alongside a group of fellow tiny-treasure enthusiasts! In this workshop\, we will: \n\n\n\n\nGet to know buckskin. What is it? How is it made\, and how do we use it to make cool crafty things?\n\n\n\nLearn basic patterning skills and how they apply to the unique fiber of hides- Patterns provided\, or design your own!\n\n\n\nCut thong for buckskin lacing\n\n\n\nLearn hows and whys of awl use\n\n\n\nCover the applications of various stitches\, including: running stitch\, whip stitch\, and X stitch\n\n\n\n\nAll Buckskin used for class is deer skin\, brain tan style and processed by the instructor. \n\n\n\nThis class will be held indoors on Saturday\, January 25\, 2025\, from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm near Asheville\, NC. \n\n\n\nAll skill levels welcome! Some strength and dexterity of the hands is needed for this class. The minimum age is 16 with an accompanying paid adult. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Rain Hall\nRain Hall (she/they) is a radical parent with passions for camp life\, subsistence food gathering/preserving\, and freedom of creative expression for practical crafts. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $115 – $65\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $115: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $90: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $65: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/buckskin-sewing-tiny-treasures-bag-w-rain-hall CATEGORIES:Hide Tanning,Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/wp-Perennial-workshops.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241221T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241221T180000 DTSTAMP:20240916T211541Z CREATED:20240912T212122Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240916T211541Z UID:10000073-1734793200-1734804000@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Hand-Dipped Beeswax Candle Making with Jessica Kaufman DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Hand-Dipped Beeswax Candle Making\n\n\n\nThis year\, shine brightly on the shortest day of the year by creating your own beautiful\, sustainable light! Dipping tapered beeswax candles is a craft as old as time\, and with recycled beeswax\, you can feel even better about utilizing this precious resource for your own cozy comfort. So\, come celebrate Solstice in style with a group of friends old and new. We will circle around the fire (well\, stovetop!) and dive into this soothing\, meditative activity. Workshop participants will walk away with two pairs of twinned dip candles (4 candles total) – as well as the know-how to make your own at home!   \n\n\n\nIn this class\, students will:  \n\n\n\n\nMake two pairs of hand dipped candles (or more\, with cost adjusted accordingly!)\n\n\n\nLearn about wick size & shape selection\n\n\n\nUnderstand the process of recycling and reclaiming used beeswax\n\n\n\nBecome proficient in tapering (slowly growing) the candle shape\n\n\n\nAcquire skill in trimming bottom drips for a candle that stands on its own\n\n\n\nMaster the cooling/heating control required for candle making\n\n\n\n\nThis class will be held indoors on Saturday December 21\, 2024\, from 3pm – 6pm in Asheville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis class is suitable all levels! The minimum age is 10\, participants under age 16 need to be accompanied by an adult. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Jessica Kaufman\nJessica Kaufman (she/her) has an MA in crafts education and is the owner of WAXON Batik & Dye Studio in Asheville\, NC.  With over 22 years of teaching experience\, Jess has taught a wide variety of fiber and textile arts to summer campers\, school children\, high schoolers\, and adult workshops up and down the East Coast.  Her enthusiasm for teaching is apparent in every class she leads.  Jess maintains over 80 free knitting videos at HappyGoCrafty.com. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $75 – $35\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $75: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $55: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $35: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/hand-dipped-beeswax-candle-making-with-jessica-kaufman-2 CATEGORIES:Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Copy-of-WP-Featured-Image-Candles.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241207T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241207T153000 DTSTAMP:20241111T003721Z CREATED:20240829T193837Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241111T003721Z UID:10000069-1733565600-1733585400@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Our Magnificent Trees: Identification\, Uses\, Folklore\, and More w/ Luke Cannon DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: Our Magnificent Trees\n\n\n\nJoin us for a wonderful time learning about the magnificent trees of our region and their incredible uses and folklore. Beyond being beautiful and inspiring\, trees are foundational to the life and ecology of our forests and the wellbeing of our planet. As leaf mass and bramble fall into dormancy\, we are offered a clear and up-close look at tree growth patterns\, bark colors and textures\, and more!  \n\n\n\nJoin longtime Firefly Gathering instructor Luke Cannon for a guided walk in the wilds. In this all-day workshop\, beginner to intermediate tree enthusiasts will: \n\n\n\n\nExplore Tree Identification-even when they are bare  (i.e.\, no leaves\, which is tricky) \n\n\n\nGain a naturalist’s perspective on Habitats and Forest Ecology\n\n\n\nLearn Edible\, Medicinal and Utilitarian Uses of Various Trees\n\n\n\nHear Interesting History\, Folklore and More in this Magnificent Tree Walk \n\n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors on Saturday\, December 7\, 2024\, from 10 am – 3:30 pm in Asheville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis class is suitable for beginner and intermediate tree enthusiasts! The minimum age is 15 with an accompanying paid adult. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Luke Cannon\nMore than a botanist\, Luke Cannon is a long time pursuer and teacher of our astounding natural world.  Over the last two decades\, Luke has instructed numerous wilderness awareness programs and led hundreds of classes\, walks and workshops. An avid naturalist\, he blends biological studies with ecology\, animism\, permaculture\, survival skills\, rural homesteading\, and experiential education. He has taught for the North Carolina Arboretum\, the Blue Ridge Audubon Society\, Organic Growers School\, the Finger Lakes Native Plant Society\, the Asheville Mushroom Club\, Wild Abundance\, and the Appalachian School of Holistic Herbalism to name a few. In 2011 he founded Astounding Earth – dedicated to helping people deepen their relationships with our living planet. Luke currently lives in the mountains of North Carolina studying\, teaching and living Appalachian Ecology and Animism. He offers regular public walks and workshops to share his knowledge and love of local plants\, birds\, mammals\, mushrooms and ecology. Find out more at: www.AstoundingEarth.com   \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $100 – $35\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $100: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $70: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $35: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\nHurricane Helene: For this workshop only\, we are extending the Equity Discount to those significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene. If you were impacted by Helene and still find yourself in a place of financial security or abundance\, your purchase of a Standard or Sponsor Price ticket is greatly appreciated.\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/our-magnificent-trees CATEGORIES:Naturalist Walks,Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/LukeCannon-e1658867010817.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240920T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240922T130000 DTSTAMP:20240910T185057Z CREATED:20240613T160727Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240910T185057Z UID:10000063-1726826400-1727010000@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:Basket Weaving: Willow Carry-All Baskets w/ Tyler Lavenburg DESCRIPTION:Registration Closure: Thursday\, September 12\, 2024 at 11:30pm\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout the Workshop: Willow Basket Weaving\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nWelcome to the wonderful world of willow! Willow basket weaving is a traditional craft historically practiced throughout much of the world. Archeological evidence shows Native American pack baskets dating back to 900 BC\, while they also tout themselves as one of the most common crafts throughout all of Europe.  Willow is incredibly strong\, beautiful\, and rich in ethnobotanical relationship to human history that can still be touched today. \n\n\n\nIn this three-day willow basket weaving immersion\, instructor Tyler Lavenburg will show you how to weave up a mighty-fine carry-all basket\, using the “stake and strand” method. By the end of this class\, you’ll walk away with your very own beautiful and functional messenger bag style baskets with shoulder straps or handles of your choosing.  These baskets can be used for just about anything\, from harvesting food to carrying your computer! \n\n\n\nClass Schedule Overview: \n\n\n\n\nFriday (10:00 am – 6:00 pm): Settle in\, prepare materials\, make the base of your basket and add in the spokes.\n\n\n\nSaturday (9:00 am – 6:00 pm): Weave up the body of the basket and turn down the rim. \n\n\n\nSunday (9:00 am – 1:00 pm): Choose between leather or cotton webbing to make and attach straps to your basket.  Leave with a beautiful\, one-of-a-kind basket ready for any adventure! \n\n\n\n\nTyler will teach a variety of weaves\, explore propagation and harvesting of willow for basketry\, and celebrate the rich history of weaving this amazing plant into our lives. \n\n\n\nThis class requires a good bit of hand strength and determination; be prepared to stay focused and work long hours. Please bring a sharp knife\, a pair of garden pruners\, and a blanket or chair to sit on. \n\n\n\nThis class will be held indoors if needed\, outdoors if the weather is conducive from Friday September 20 to Sunday September 22\, 2024 in Weaverville\, NC. \n\n\n\nThis class is suitable both for experienced weavers and beginners alike! The minimum age is 16. \n\n\n\nAmenities/Camping Information\nThis is a special class offering that will be held at Shelterwood Cove in Weaverville\, NC–which is the home of lead instructor\, Tyler Lavenburg\, and several others. He and his partner own 45 acres of beautiful mountain land\, abounding with lush forest\, clean springs\, and abundant gardens. \n\n\n\nSome students choose to rent a nearby airbnb\, rent a hotel room\, or commute if they are local. You are also welcome to camp on-site for a small fee. All campsites are within a few minutes walking distance of where you will park.  More details about lodging options will be provided in your registration confirmation email. \n\n\n\nFood is not provided as part of the class. Everyone is responsible for their own meals throughout the weekend. We also strongly recommend that you bring snacks since we’ll be working hard. Students will have access to an outdoor kitchen with propane stoves. Please bring your own cook pots\, pan\, and utensils. \n\n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Tyler Lavenburg\nTyler and his family align their life with the cycles of the seasons and the bounty of the wild. They harvest and utilize as much as they can from the gardens and forests around them.  \n\n\n\nTyler first fell in love with Southern Appalachian ecology as a student at Warren Wilson College\, where he received a degree in Environmental Education. The children’s novel My Side of the Mountain sparked Tyler’s passion for traditional skills and wild foods. Since then\, he’s been blessed with teachers and mentors who continue to draw his attention into deeper layers of mystery and the possibilities around crafting a handmade\, wild life. \n\n\n\nOver the years\, Tyler has studied\, apprenticed and taught at many traditional skills schools and events\, including Wild Abundance\, The Roots School\, Living Earth School\, Earthskills Rendezvous\, The Firefly Gathering\, Florida Earthskills\, Whippoorwill\, and others. He’s worked with hundreds of children and adults through public and private schools\, homeschool cooperatives\, and special events.  \n\n\n\nTyler has experience in many traditional crafts and skills\, with a special passion for willow basketry. He tends around 30 species of European basket willow and plans to provide basket material and live cuttings to the Asheville community in the near future. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $475 – $225\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $475: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $350: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $225: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/basket-weaving-willow-carry-all-baskets-with-tyler-lavenburg-2 LOCATION:Weaverville\, NC (specific location shared later)\, Weaverville\, North Carolina\, United States CATEGORIES:Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/willow-basket-wp.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240831T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240831T160000 DTSTAMP:20240625T200015Z CREATED:20240614T172130Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240625T200015Z UID:10000061-1725098400-1725120000@www.fireflygathering.org SUMMARY:DIY Blacksmithing w/ Tod Kershaw DESCRIPTION:About the Workshop: DIY Blacksmithing\n\n\n\nWhat can I make with a  piece of scrap metal?  Is this something that can be worked in the forge?  Will it make a good knife or chisel? Join instructor Tod Kershaw as he guides us through these questions!  \n\n\n\nAn expert at blacksmithing functional metalwork from found and scavenged steel\, Tod will share know-how about blacksmithing basics and how to sustainably source quality materials.  This class will empower students to find metal\, tools and fuel and teach you what to do with it. All of the materials in the class will be 100% found\, foraged\, reclaimed & reused…even the coal!  This workshop prioritizes process over products\, but everyone should go home with something they made. \n\n\n\nIn this workshop\, participants will: \n\n\n\n\nLook over a pile of metal\, discuss what the pieces are\, and talk about what can be done with them\n\n\n\nChoose a piece of steel from the scrap pile and make something from it\n\n\n\nLearn the basics of blacksmithing\, including tool use and safety\n\n\n\nLearn how to identify useful scrap steel and appropriate uses for different qualities of metal\n\n\n\n\nThis class will be held outdoors under a shelter on Saturday\, August 31\, 2024\, from 10 am – 4pm near Barnardsville\, NC. This class is suitable for Beginners to those with moderate experience. The minimum age is 12 with adult / guardian supervision. \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor: Tod Kershaw\nTod Kershaw (he/him) has been a Firefly Gathering instructor since its beginnings\, in addition to teaching at Forest Floor Wilderness Programs and various earthskills gatherings throughout the southeast.  An engineer turned dumpster-diving fringe dweller\, Tod left the mainstream\, but kept his cleverness. \n\n\n\n\nEquitable Pricing Model $125 – $50\n\n\n\n* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once!\nIn order to make our workshops more accessible\, we offer two price options for each class\, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout. \n\n\n\n\nSponsor Price $125: For those who have enough to share\, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.\n\n\n\nStandard Price $85: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.\n\n\n\nEquity Discount $50: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:\n\nIndigenous or Native American\, Black\, Latino/a/x\n\n\n\nOther peoples of the global majority\, or racialized communities\n\n\n\nEthnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance\, resilience\, and opportunity for all. \n\n\n\nWhich Price Option is Right for You?*\n\n\n\n\nFind your Pricing Option\n\n\n\n\n*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events\, so you only need to do it once! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClass Price includes all Materials for the Class\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Equity Fund Donation – Sliding Scale\n \n \n \n Choose price\n \n \n \n \n Friend of Firefly ($5/month)\n \n \n \n Add to cart\n \n \n \n \n Donation – Choose your amount\n \n \n \n Choose price URL:https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/scrap-metal-blacksmithing-w-tod-kershaw LOCATION:Barnardsville (specific location shared later)\, Barnardsville\, NC\, United States CATEGORIES:Perennial Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.fireflygathering.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/WP-Blacksmithing-photo.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR