1.10 Introductory Workshop Overview:
A chance to learn from the women in North America who are DSWA Certified Instructors! At The Stone Trust, all of our women’s only workshops are taught by women wallers.
Some women are nervous about trying out dry stone walling which is often a male dominated field. Dry stone walling is a field in which women can excel. At The Stone Trust we actively encourage women to try out dry stone walling and become professional wallers. The indoor training facility and women’s only environment make for a spectacular learning environment.
This workshop is perfect for the homeowner or enthusiast looking to start learning about how to build dry stone walls. If you are looking to learn more before starting to build a wall at home or trying to educate yourself before hiring someone else to build a wall. This is the workshop for you. It is also great introduction for gardeners, landscapers and mason’s who are looking to get into dry stone walling. This workshop is suited to beginners as well as those with some previous stone working experience.
Over the course of the day each participant will build about 25 sq. ft. of wall (one side). Most commonly these workshops are taught using round field stone stone. If you learn to build with round stone you can build with anything. Participants will learn all the basic rules of structural dry stone walling that can be applied to any type of stone and project.
This workshop will feature hands on experience with a free standing wall, like those traditionally used as livestock fences and property boundaries. The information learned is directly applicable to all types of dry stone walls, including retaining walls, seat walls, and more.
This workshop will feature hands on experience with a free standing wall, like those traditionally used as livestock fences and property boundaries. The information learned is directly applicable to all types of dry stone walls, including retaining walls, seat walls, and more.
Certified DSWA-GB Instructors will guide participants through the process of building a dry stone wall. There will be no more than 8 students per instructor, so there is plenty of direct interaction with the instructors. Most workshops have 2 instructors with up to 16 participants.
This course is commonly taught at:
- Stone Trust Training Center in Dummerston, VT (Indoors)
- Broadview Farm, Mont Vernon, NH (Outdoors)
- Occasional offerings at other locations.
Details:
The day will begin with a brief introductory discussion. Participants will select their area to work, and start by dismantling the existing wall. During this process, stone sorting techniques will be taught, and correct and incorrect aspects of the existing wall will be discussed. Once the walls are dismantled, the foundation will be discussed and prepared, and the all important string-line guides will be introduced. Participants will then be guided through placing foundation stones, and beginning to build the wall. Principles of walling are discussed, demonstrated, and practiced as the 1st few courses are built by the participants.
During lunch, participants will have the opportunity to ask the instructors questions about their own projects, and purchase a wide variety of tools, books and other supplies.
After lunch, building will continue. Throughstones will be introduced, discussed, and placed. The 2nd lift of the wall will be built, and participants will learn some techniques for handling smaller stones. Cope stones will be introduced and placed on the wall. The day will finish with brief clean up and review of the wall(s) built that day.
A brief guided tour of the other walls and stone features at the location where the workshop is taught is also a common part of the workshop.
At the end of the workshop participants will receive a certificate of workshop completion, t-shirt, and a packet full of walling information. There is also time to purchase tools, books and supplies, as well as ask additional questions.
Critical Information:
- The workshop will run 9:00am-5:00pm with 1/2 hour lunch break.
- Participants should wear boots and work clothes (have plenty of layers for cool weather)
- What to bring: gloves, safety glasses, water, and lunch. (There is no where close enough to buy lunch with in the lunch break)
- All tools needed are provided.
Detailed info will be emailed to you once you register including what to bring and directions.
Licensed Landscape Architects can receive 7.5 LA CES credits for participating in this workshop.
Workshop quick guide:
- All women environment
- Instructors are women
- Great 1st workshop, equivalent to 1.10
- 1-day: 9am-5pm
- Learn the basics
- Offered two times per year
Judy Rand shares what stonework means to her
Judy Rand is now one of 3 women DSWA-GB Level 2 Certified waller and instructors in the US. She now instructs many of our workshops including this course.
Photos from 1.11 workshops
1.11 1-Day Women’s Introductory Workshop – Pennsylvania
The Stone Trust PA, South Fork, Pennsylvania
1.11 1-Day Women’s Introductory Workshop – Vermont
The Stone Trust Center VT, Scott Farm, Dummerston, Vermont
1.11 1-Day Women’s Introductory Workshop – Vermont
The Stone Trust Center VT, Scott Farm, Dummerston, Vermont