Meet Our Featured Makers

Cooper Ternes

For Cooper Ternes, woodworking is a way to connect with traditional craft, Scandinavian heritage, and the natural beauty of wood. Drawing inspiration from traditional forms and the simple, every day objects that have long been part of everyday life- Cooper's work celebrates the character of wood and marks of the maker, giving each piece a sense of history and individuality. 

Based in Grand Marais, Cooper has been a part of the North House community for a long time. Getting his start as a North House Intern in 2010, Cooper recently returned to his craft full time as part of our Artisan Development Program. Inspired by Norwegian heritage and generations of traditional makers, he creates objects that are meant to be used, enjoyed, and passed along.

Whether it’s a bowl for gathering around the table, a rolling pin for the kitchen, or a wooden top made for play, Cooper’s work reminds us that everyday objects can carry stories, connect us to tradition, and bring lasting beauty to ordinary moments.

Discover Cooper’s handcrafted work at the North House School Store.

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Elizabeth Belz

Elizabeth Belz is a blacksmith, artist, and educator whose work explores the fascinating forms of the natural world through metal. Originally from Stillwater, Minnesota, Elizabeth first came to North House Folk School as a craft education intern in 2016, helping to reestablish the school’s blacksmithing shop and program.

Working with steel, Elizabeth creates a range of handcrafted pieces, from intricately detailed insect sculptures to functional everyday objects like forged spoons, hooks, and other blacksmith-made goods. Her work celebrates both the artistry of metal and the beauty of useful objects made by hand.

Elizabeth’s craft has taken her to folk schools, museums, and studios across the country and internationally. She is the owner of Black Widow Forge and serves as the Blacksmithing and Metals Coordinator at John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina, where she continues to share her knowledge and passion for hands-on learning. 

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