2 Session Class

Spaces Available: 9

Instructor:  John Manthei

Dates of the class: Saturday and Sunday, February 7 & 8, 2026

Time of the class: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Location: Pioneer Park – Workshop (Click on the link for accessibility information.)

In this class, students will make airtight, durable, birch bark boxes that are perfect for storage of coffee, tea, spices, or any number of other dry goods. Natural oils in the bark actually work to prevent spoilage, while the dark, air-locked environment inside the canister keeps things from going stale. 

These beautiful and functional containers are held together without glues. Precision fitted parts, tension, and small wooden pegs are all that is needed to make these incredibly tough boxes.

In days past these containers held snoose (chewing tobacco) and things like matches and fire starter. Sometimes they were made as double- or triple-deckers, in which case you could store coffee, sugar, and tobacco all in one container.

Students will need the following: Please bring a lunch.

Maximum number of students: 10

Age range: 16 to adult (ages 12 – 15 welcome with a co-learning adult also registered in the class)

Prerequisites: None

Materials (in addition to the class fee below): $25

Class Fee: Sliding Scale:

• True Cost: $384
• Community Supported: $192
• Extra Support: $96
• Pay-It-Forward: $480

Why am I seeing different prices?
We offer different tuition pricing options so everyone can participate at The Folk School and be part of this community, and we trust you to choose the tier that fits your financial situation. Learn more about our sliding scale and how to choose the right tier for you.

Contact: John Manthei: john@folk.school

Pre-registration: This class is pre-registration only. Please register by 2 days before the class begins. Registration will be closed after this time.