Explore traditional tools, techniques and practices of a sustainable historic economy.

This time with Eustace Conway is an adventure in time travel. The workshop will be held on Turtle Island's horse drawn farm; a real working farm abounding with rich Appalachian tradition.

This will be a spontaneous interaction with crafts and lore that Eustace practices daily. Philosophy and real life anecdotes will weave into the day's pursuit. A small group intimately sharing like this will glean insightful, inspiring involvement with real live cultural engagement and interpretation. Get as involved as you dare or simply watch the intriguing activities that develop.

Activities may include spoon carving, plant gathering and usage, blacksmithing tools, horse and buggy rides, garden harvesting, cooking with wood, using a log builder's tool kit and much more. The possibilities are endless. Eustace has been practicing these skills full time in a non-electrical alternative lifestyle for over twenty years.

Bits and Pieces from our Lifestyles Workshop

Eustace demonstrates the art of blacksmithing to Maria Montes, Rhett Taylor, 9, and his mom, Julie Taylor.

Nacho Mama's Cafe, our outdoor kitchen, is a big hit with workshop participants. Today's gourment fare includes broccoli almond soup with lemon butter, fresh spinach salad garnished with strawberries and served with poppyseed dressing, and homemade whole grain bread with tarragon herb butter. Everyone looks forward to dessert...lemon squares, carob brownies, and fresh raspberries.

Lara Lustig, a UNC-A student, Julie Taylor and Louann Kitchell watch Eustace carve a wooden serving spoon from a cherry tree log he took from a nearby stream.

Eustace, and his champion horses Curly and Hasty demonstrate one of the oldest forms of transportation in the Southern Appalachians - a horse-drawn sled. As you can see everyone is having a terrible time!

A drawknife; a traditional woodworking tool, and a finished product; a cherry spoon, completed at the workshop.

Rhett Taylor learns the fine art of splitting wood. Brawn isn't necessary. Anyone can chop wood easily if they know the proper technique.