Hammerhead Stoneworks offers a Do-It-Yourself class on creating flagstone paths and patios. Currently this class is offered through the North Carolina Arboretum. If you are interested in having a class, please contact me: marc (at) hammerheadstoneworks (dot) com.

JANUARY 2010 UPDATE: This spring Hammerhead Stoneworks will be leading two DIY Flagstone Classes on Saturday April 10th and Friday April 16th at the North Carolina Arboretum. See ya there!

This is a shortened version of the slideshow I created for the classroom portion of the DIY Flagstone class. We spend the first part of the day using the slideshow to guide a discussion on the basics of drystone flagging, necessary site prep, the principles of good structure and varying joinery styles. I have worked as a teacher and professional trainer and am very comfortable leading groups. My style is interactive and engaging. Small class size allows me to know what each participant is hoping to accomplish with their learning and lean the presentation material towards their needs.

After the slideshow and discussion portion of the class, we go outside. The North Carolina Arboretum built a stone classroom in a clearing in the woods with a gigantic sandbox just for this class. After some brief demonstrations of basic safety, stone-moving, and shaping techniques (shown at right) everyone gets to work. I usually have people work in teams of two, building a small flagstone patio area somewhere in the sandbox. More advanced techniques are demonstrated throughout this part of the class, as people get more familiar with the material and the fundamentals of the work. It’s fun and satisfying way to spend a day.

Photo by Mac Franklin of the NC Arboretum

SEE ALSO:

Hammerhead links
Flagstone Paths & Patios: Examples of my work.
The Daily Sledge: The September 2009 newsletter serves as the class handout.

External links
North Carolina Arboretum: Register for a class at the Adult Education page.