BASE LAYER EARTHEN PLASTER WORKSHOP with Placecraft Collective
Gathering Ways is hosting local Placecraft Collective in this four day clay plaster workshop!
Join us in the lush rainforest of western Washington to learn the art of natural plasters from start to finish. If you have ever wanted to work with non toxic, beautiful, local, sustainable materials, this workshop is for you! Even if you have a conventional house, you can use still these techniques to bring earthen finishes into your home.
We will be working together to plaster the interior and exterior our monolithic cob house. As working animists, we approach the building of our home in ways that are deeply rooted in ancestral and land based traditions.
What will these courses cover?
-Why clay plasters? - The benefits, beauty, and magick of clay in the home!
-Sourcing local materials from the land around you
-How to process, mix, and apply natural plasters
-Using key, creating base coats and discussion of finish layers
-Plastering on different materials
-Tools and techniques for different finished textures
-lots of hands on experience working with plaster!
Tuition includes lunch and dinner for all four days, made from local organic produce and grass fed beyond organic personally harvested meat.
AMENITIES
We are located 4 minutes away from the Quilcene Village Store and several farmstands that have organic produce, good quality meat, yummy snacks, and hot food ready to go.
Lodging in the town of Quilcene is a 5 minute drive.
There is a beautiful swimming hole in the Quilcene river 6 minutes away, and a salt water tidal beach with oysters and clams 8 minutes away.
On site rustic camping is included in tuition. Car camping spots are limited, and there are plenty of walk in tent sites.
We provide simple composting toilets, a handwashing station, and fresh spring water for drinking.
Please read our FAQs if you have any questions.
Sliding Scale Pricing
$570-625 Early Bird Rate (register by April 20th)
$630-760 Regular Rate
10% off if registering for more than one workshop
EARLY BIRD WHOLE SERIES PACKAGE: Register for all four of the cob house series by May 1 and only pay $1100!
We require a non-refundable deposit of half the cost to hold your spot.
Payable through Venmo to @x_sonikspike_x
*Saturday is a big community plaster party day - where everyone can join in for free if you bring a potluck item!
Placecraft Collective is Cai Bierwirth, Sam Chonko, and Chonkush "Tusa" dePalatine - a group of artists and builders based on the Olympic Peninsula. They are invested in sharing community oriented regenerative building practices through hands-on workshops. For some past project photos: https://www.facebook.com/placecraft/photos_albums
FINISH LAYER EARTHEN PLASTER WORKSHOP with Placecraft Collective
Join Placecraft Collective to learn how to finish clay plasters
Join us to finish what we started by applying the final finishing plaster layer to our cob house. We will finish the exterior with a BLACK pigmented clay plaster, and we will create a smooth, white professional interior.
As working animists, we approach the building of our home in ways that are deeply rooted in ancestral and land based traditions.
What will these courses cover?
-What separates finish plaster from base plaster?
-Sourcing local materials from the land around you
-How to process, mix, and apply natural finish plasters
-Using pigments to create different colors
-lots of hands on experience!
-Plastering on different materials
-How to achieve your desired final design
Tuition includes lunch and dinner for all three days, made from local organic produce and grass fed beyond organic personally harvested meat.
AMENITIES
We are located 4 minutes away from the Quilcene Village Store and several farmstands that have organic produce, good quality meat, yummy snacks, and hot food ready to go.
Lodging in the town of Quilcene is a 5 minute drive.
There is a beautiful swimming hole in the Quilcene river 6 minutes away, and a salt water tidal beach with oysters and clams 8 minutes away.
On site rustic camping is included in tuition. Car camping spots are limited, and there are plenty of walk in tent sites.
We provide simple composting toilets, a handwashing station, and fresh spring water for drinking.
Please read our FAQs if you have any questions.
Sliding Scale Pricing
$290-340 Early Bird Rate (register by May 1st)
$350-550 Regular Rate
10% off if registering for more than one workshop
EARLY BIRD WHOLE SERIES PACKAGE: Register for all four of the cob house series by May 1 and only pay $1100!
We require a non-refundable deposit of half the cost to hold your spot.
Payable through Venmo to @x_sonikspike_x
Placecraft Collective is Cai Bierwirth, Sam Chonko, and Chonkush "Tusa" dePalatine - a group of artists and builders based on the Olympic Peninsula. They are invested in sharing community oriented regenerative building practices through hands-on workshops. For some past project photos: https://www.facebook.com/placecraft/photos_albums
BASE LAYER EARTHEN FLOORS
Gathering Ways is hosting local Placecraft Collective in this two day earthen floor workshop!
A perfect way to dive into simple, achievable earthen floors. Work together with us to lay the base of our earthen floor using local clay, manure, and water.
What will this course cover?
-soil assessment
-drainage
-vapor barriers
-gravel
-insulation
-mixing, consistency and application of clay
-hands on experience laying a floor
Tuition includes lunch and dinner for all days, made from local organic produce and grass fed meat.
AMENITIES
We are located 4 minutes away from the Quilcene Village Store and several farmstands that have organic produce, good quality meat, yummy snacks, and hot food ready to go.
Lodging in the town of Quilcene is a 5 minute drive.
There is a beautiful swimming hole in the Quilcene river 6 minutes away, and a salt water tidal beach with oysters and clams 8 minutes away.
On site rustic camping is included in tuition. Car camping spots are limited, and there are plenty of walk in tent sites.
We provide simple composting toilets, a handwashing station, and fresh spring water for drinking.
Please read our FAQs if you have any questions.
On site rustic camping provided. Car camping spots are limited, but there are plenty of walk in tent sites.
$290-350 Early Bird Rate (register by May 7)
$350-575 Regular Rate
10% off if registering for more than one workshop
EARLY BIRD WHOLE SERIES PACKAGE: Register for all four of the cob house series by May 1 and only pay $1100!
We require a non-refundable deposit of half the cost to hold your spot.
Payable through Venmo to @x_sonikspike_x
Placecraft Collective is Cai Bierwirth, Sam Chonko, and Chonkush "Tusa" dePalatine - a group of artists and builders based on the Olympic Peninsula. They are invested in sharing community oriented regenerative building practices through hands-on workshops. For some past project photos: https://www.facebook.com/placecraft/photos_albums
FINISH LAYER EARTHEN FLOORS
Gathering Ways is hosting local Placecraft Collective in this two day earthen floor workshop!
Work together with us to lay the base of our earthen floor using clay, manure, and water.
What will this course cover?
-finishing techniques
-disussion of oiling and waxing
-application techniques for different textures
-hands on experience
-ingredients, recipes, and trouble shooting
Tuition includes lunch and dinner for all days, made from local organic produce and grass fed meat.
AMENITIES
We are located 4 minutes away from the Quilcene Village Store and several farmstands that have organic produce, good quality meat, yummy snacks, and hot food ready to go.
Lodging in the town of Quilcene is a 5 minute drive.
There is a beautiful swimming hole in the Quilcene river 6 minutes away, and a salt water tidal beach with oysters and clams 8 minutes away.
On site rustic camping is included in tuition. Car camping spots are limited, and there are plenty of walk in tent sites.
We provide simple composting toilets, a handwashing station, and fresh spring water for drinking.
Please read our FAQs if you have any questions.
Sliding Scale Tuition
$290-$340 Early Bird Rate (register by May 1)
$350-$575 Regular Rate
10% off if registering for more than one workshop
EARLY BIRD WHOLE SERIES PACKAGE: Register for all four of the cob house series by May 1 and only pay $1100!
We require a non-refundable deposit of half the cost to hold your spot.
Payable through Venmo to @x_sonikspike_x
Placecraft Collective is Cai Bierwirth, Sam Chonko, and Chonkush "Tusa" dePalatine - a group of artists and builders based on the Olympic Peninsula. They are invested in sharing community oriented regenerative building practices through hands-on workshops. For some past project photos: https://www.facebook.com/placecraft/photos_albums
Beltane Rabbit Harvest
Two day introduction to slaughtering small animals with Harmony
Learn what it means to harvest an animal for your food
Easter Rabbit Harvest
One day introduction to slaughtering small animals with Harmony
Learn what it means to harvest an animal for your food
Full Animal Harvest Class (sheep or goat)
Three day animal slaughtering class with Harmony
This is a workshop for those yearning for a more magickal, spirited, mysterious, and mycelial approach to animal slaughter
Winter Camp (FULL)
Our winter camp is officially full! But you can signup to be put on a waitlist.
Pop-up winter village animal processing camp.
Can you feel the cold kiss on your skin? Do you hear the Raven’s cacophony and the sounds of camp livening up the valley? Do you see yourself there in the rugged Montana winter, amongst the wild elk, deer, buffalo, and wolves and all the gifts they give?
Good! Because Winter Camp 2026 is officially ON. So mark your calendars and get your thick wool and warmest fur outfits together.
Come join canvas camp in the snow speckled valley north of Yellowstone. We love that land, the roadkill, the river, the animals, the locals, and each other - and will gather in our popup village once more!
This five day immersion will be focused on winter camping and all things meaty.
Skills covered:
off grid, long-term winter camp setup and systems
roadkill deer and elk processing (very likely) OR domestic sheep/goat processing
nose to tail: use of every part of the animal including bladders, heart bags, intestines, poop, testicles, eyeballs, spleen, and more!
Meat Magick - an animistic approach to everything meaty: practical butchery, off grid meat preservation, brining, salt curing, smoking, grinding, jerky making, family traditions
culture making through material skills
collaborative ritual song, story, and ceremony
hide tanning
sewing and craft projects using hides
running woodstoves/chopping wood
camp kitchen witchery
bone and stone tool use
knife sharpening techniques
Montana winter weather is beautiful and often unpredictable. It can plummet to 30 below one week, then warm up to the 50's the next week. We prepare for weather of every fashion (the gear list will help!)
THIS IS NOT GLAMPING. Be prepared for cold nights with potential wind gusts up to 40 mph that could pull the stove pipe out of the woodstove. Tents will be wood fire heated to keep warm, but canvas can only hold so much heat.
Class includes:
Five days of hands-on instruction with Harmony, Karissa, Epona, Fern, Matt, Erik, and more of the home crew
All meals provided (a great opportunity to learn our favorite recipes, tips, and tricks!)
Communal camping. Be ready to pack into bell tents to keep warm and share hearty meals and many stories
Sliding Scale $1500-1950
Non-refundable deposit of $500 required.
venmo: @erik-knudsen-30
Limited spots available.
Please email gatheringwaysschool@gmail.com for information or to register.
Rabbit Harvest
Two day introduction to slaughtering small animals with Harmony
Learn what it means to harvest an animal for your food
Chicken Harvest Class
Two day introduction to slaughtering small animals with Harmony
Learn what it means to harvest an animal for your food
Samhain Ancestor Feast Class
One day animal slaughter class
This is a workshop for those yearning for a more magickal, spirited, mysterious, and mycelial approach to animal slaughter
Full Animal Harvest Class (sheep or goat)
Three day animal slaughtering class with Harmony
This is a workshop for those yearning for a more magickal, spirited, mysterious, and mycelial approach to animal slaughter
Full Animal Harvest Class (sheep or goat)
Three day animal slaughtering class with Harmony
This is a workshop for those yearning for a more magickal, spirited, mysterious, and mycelial approach to animal slaughter
Animal Harvest, Handcrafting and Folk Magick Class (sheep or goat)
Three day animal slaughtering class with Harmony
This is a workshop for those yearning for a more magickal, spirited, mysterious, and mycelial approach to animal slaughter
Animal Harvest, Handcrafting and Folk Magick Class (sheep or goat)
Three day animal slaughtering class with Harmony
This is a workshop for those yearning for a more magickal, spirited, mysterious, and mycelial approach to animal slaughter
SOLD OUT Beltane Rabbit Harvest
Two day introduction to slaughtering small animals with Harmony
Learn what it means to harvest an animal for your food
Full Animal Harvest Class (sheep or goat)
Three day animal slaughtering class with Harmony
This is a workshop for those yearning for a more magickal, spirited, mysterious, and mycelial approach to animal slaughter
SOLD OUT Full Animal Harvest Class (sheep or goat)
Three day animal slaughtering class with Harmony
This is a workshop for those yearning for a more magickal, spirited, mysterious, and mycelial approach to animal slaughter
Animal Harvest Class (sheep or goat)
Three day animal slaughtering class with Harmony
This is a workshop for those yearning for a more magickal, spirited, mysterious, and mycelial approach to animal slaughter
Animal Slaughter Locals Only Discounted Class
Three day animal slaughtering class with Harmony
This is a workshop for those yearning for a more magickal, spirited, mysterious, and mycelial approach to animal slaughter
Rabbit Slaughter
Two day introduction to slaughtering small animals with Harmony
Learn what it means to harvest an animal for your food
ANIMAL ANCESTOR: PRACTICAL BLOOD RITES FOR REMEMBERING KINSHIP
Three day animal slaughtering class with Harmony
This is a workshop for those yearning for a more magickal, spirited, mysterious, and mycelial approach to animal slaughter
Animal Slaughter Class (sheep or goat)
Three day animal slaughtering class with Harmony
This is a workshop for those yearning for a more magickal, spirited, mysterious, and mycelial approach to animal slaughter
Whole Cow Processing Workshop
Three day animal slaughtering class with Harmony
This is a workshop for those yearning for a more magickal, spirited, mysterious, and mycelial approach to animal slaughter
Lamb Slaughter Class
Three day animal slaughtering class with Harmony
This is a workshop for those yearning for a more magickal, spirited, mysterious, and mycelial approach to animal slaughter