Upcoming Events
2 Day Stonewall Building Class
Saturday and Sunday, August 18 and 19
Class will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m., with a 30 minute break for lunch. (Please bring your own bag lunch.)
Taught by a DSWA Certified Instructor
Class size is limited to 8 participants
Cost: Non-member: $550; Member: $495
This is the perfect workshop for anyone to start learning about how to build dry stone walls! Over the course of the class, each participant will build about 25 square feet of wall using local field stone. Participants will learn all the basic rules of structural walling that can be applied to any type of stone and project. This workshop is suited to both beginners and those with previous experience; all that is required is enthusiasm for stone walls!
The workshop will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a 30 minute lunch break. We ask folks to bring their own lunch. There is a lunchroom facility on site with a sink, refrigerator, stove top and microwave. All students are welcome to use this shared space.
Class will be held rain or shine; tents will cover the workspace to protect from sun or rain, but we remind participants to dress appropriately for the weather.
All tools will be provided; in addition, all participants will receive printed hand-outs, a tee-shirt, and a certificate upon completion of the course.
The goals of the course include:
- To learn the basis of building structurally sound dry wall construction
- To learn techniques to improve building speed and efficency
- The ability to identify properly built walls and structural flaws
- To understand site set-up and layout methods
- Introduction stone shaping techniques and tool care for increased efficiency.
Looking for a place to stay over the weekend?
There are lots of places to stay in the area, but book early! August is a busy month.
Check out Frost Mountain Yurts in Brownfield:
http://frostmountainyurts.com/index.htm
Airbnb and many other rental agencies have lots of places in Hiram and the surrounding towns.
About Us
Tear Cap Workshops
Tear Cap Workshops is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Hiram, Maine. Our aim is to enhance traditional Maine skills and craft, concentrating on using local materials and developing rural skills. We were founded in 2016 by a father and daughter team, together with a five member board of directors.
Our mission
Tear Cap Workshops' mission to unleash creativity through hands-on learning. We will offer classes, workshops, apprenticeships, and volunteer opportunities. We also have some rental space for artisans and small creative businesses. We are so lucky to live an area with such a wealth of creative talent and natural beauty. Historically, Western Maine is immersed in a tradition of craft, extending from boat building, timber framing, forestry practices, and logging to skills as varied as fiber arts, making maple syrup, pottery and blacksmithing. We aim to celebrate this local knowledge with a truly original, Maine-made educational experience.
The Works
Our campus, a.k.a., "The Works" is a former sawmill with eleven buildings and ten acres of cleared land. We currently have four creative tenants on site, and we're looking for more. Think you might be a good fit? Contact us for more information. Have a big event planned? The open, rustic setting might just have the unique touch for your big day.
Thank you for taking part in our Open House Celebration!
