Sloyd Skills Workshop Guidelines

 

We appreciate that you are interested in teaching at the Sloyd Skills Gathering.Please read this entire document to gain a better understanding of what we are looking for in our instructors.

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What is SSG?

 

The Sloyd Skills Gathering is a gathering of craftspeople, teachers, and learners brought together by a shared interest in traditional handcraft and practical skills. Rooted in the Scandinavian tradition of Sloyd, which centers on everyday handcrafts and learning through making, we believe in the value of empowering individuals and communities with simple tools and basic knowledge to shape the world around us.

 

We bring people together to cultivate traditional skills, reaffirm our connection to the natural world, and build relationships through craft. We aim to create a welcoming, inclusive, and sustainably minded environment rooted in community and place.

 

We are dedicated to teaching craft deeply; carrying forward traditional skills, honoring natural materials, and cultivating an appreciation for the cultures and landscapes that inform our work.

 

Our workshops are high-quality, hands-on experiences led by people who have spent years honing both their craft and their teaching. We keep class sizes small and hold high standards for our instructors with the goal of creating thoughtful, welcoming spaces for meaningful exploration and learning.

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Schedule and Workshop Details

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Sloyd 2027: June 25–27 (Friday–Sunday)

Our schedule includes:

• Friday afternoon: Demos

• Saturday: Two workshop blocks (3 hours in the morning, 4 hours in the afternoon)

• Sunday: Two 3-hour workshop blocks

Workshops may span one, two, three, or all four blocks.

 

 

Proposing a Workshop

 

Sloyd workshops focus on practical, hands-on skills that can be taught within the available time frame, with students leaving with a finished project. Adult workshops are capped at 11 participants. Demos are open to all. Attendance at demos is informal, with people often coming and going throughout the presentation.

 

We are grateful for the knowledge, skill and generosity our instructors bring to Sloyd. We have high expectations for both craft expertise and teaching experience, but these are not the only factors in selecting workshops. We also consider variety, available time and space and the limitations of our infrastructure. Priority is given to proposals that bring something new to the gathering or expand disciplines where we currently have fewer offerings. We also value the time honored workshops that have become part of Sloyd and welcome proposals for both new and returning workshops.

 

Please don't take it personally if your proposal isn't a fit for a particular year. We hope you'll still join us in other ways and consider proposing a workshop or demo in the future.

 

To propose a workshop or demo please fill out the form on the website with as much detail as possible.

We recognize that sourcing, harvesting and preparing materials for a workshop can take considerable time and effort. We encourage instructors to charge a materials fee that fairly reflects the cost of materials as well as the time and work involved in preparing them. We want instructors to feel that this work is valued and adequately compensated.

 

 

Children's Workshops

 

Children's workshops may be designed for ages 6–9, 10–12, or all ages. Workshops should focus on developing meaningful handwork skills at an age-appropriate level, with a thoughtful balance of instruction, hands-on projects and fun.

 

Workshop content and skill level should be appropriate for the ages of the children attending. Class size will vary depending on the age range and nature of the workshop. SSG will provide an assistant for any workshop with more than 10 children. 

 

We value workshops that give children the opportunity to work with their hands, learn to use tools and materials, develop patience and problem-solving skills, and experience the satisfaction of making something with their own hands. The goal is to offer more than a one-time craft activity. We want children to leave with new skills, a sense of accomplishment, and an appreciation for the possibilities of handwork. The kids at SSG often come with more handwork experience than average. Engaging them with progressively deeper learning is always appreciated. Teaching safety skills (with tools etc) for kids of all skill levels always comes first. 

 

We ask that children's workshops be offered without a materials fee. We understand that materials still come at a cost, and SSG can help source and cover some of the materials needed for these workshops. Please discuss your materials needs with us when proposing your class so we can plan accordingly.

 

Schedule and Workshop Details

Sloyd 2027: June 25–27 (Friday–Sunday)

Our schedule includes:

• Friday afternoon: Demos

• Saturday: Two workshop blocks (3 hours in the morning, 4 hours in the afternoon)

• Sunday: Two 3-hour workshop blocks

Workshops may span one, two, three, or all four blocks.

Instructor Conduct

 

We are committed to creating a welcoming, safe, family-friendly environment. We ask instructors to help foster a respectful, inclusive, creative, and fun atmosphere, in addition to following the general participant guidelines (i.e. sheathing sharp tools and leaving drugs and alcohol at home). All instructors are expected to review and uphold the standards and expectations outlined in the Sloyd Instructor Handout, which will be provided at check-in.

Tool Use

Instructors are responsible for teaching the safe and appropriate use of all tools used in their workshops. Occasional use of power tools is acceptable, but please refrain from allowing anyone to use your power tools outside of your supervised workshop setting. 

 

Community and Preparation

 

A big part of what makes Sloyd special is the community of people who share a dedication to craftsmanship. We encourage instructors to join us for the whole weekend, take part in workshops, and spend time around the fire sharing skills, conversation, and craft. We understand that not everyone will be able to stay for the entire gathering.

All instructors should arrive well in advance of their workshop to get familiar with their teaching space and get set up. This is especially important for those new to teaching at Sloyd. Upon arrival, or at least 30 min prior to your workshop, please check in with Luke, Prin or Penny.

 

 

Instructor Agreement

 

 

SSG agrees to:

• Pay $100 per workshop block taught.

• Provide free pizza Saturday evening for the instructor and a guest.

• Reserve one space in a workshop, at no charge beyond the materials fee, for the instructor or their guest. Only one workshop space is available to instructors, so a first choice cannot be guaranteed.

• Extend an invitation to the instructor and their guest to participate in the weekend's festivities.

• Give as much notice as possible if a workshop must be canceled due to low registration, catastrophic weather or other circumstances beyond our control.

Instructors agree to:

• Accommodate up to 11 participants in their workshop.

• Check in with organizers (Penny, Prin or Luke) a minimum of 30 minutes prior to their workshop to get oriented and set up.  If you are instructing at Sloyd for the first time, you will likely need more time to get oriented. 

• Read and uphold the standards and expectations outlined in the Sloyd Instructor Handout. 

• Provide all materials and tools necessary for their workshop.

• Give as much notice as possible if they must cancel due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control.