Make small brooches, pendants, and earrings while playing with some tried and true methods of inlay. Discover a colorful cast of characters that includes wood, metal, and shell, and create elegant pieces that draw from sources of profound creativity. Jewelry makers, luthiers, and woodworkers alike will find that both inspiration and technical resourcefulness abound in this approach to inlay work.

Gain a thorough introduction to the art of steam bending wood while making a handsome firewood carrier or two. Discover the benefits of steaming wood, green woodworking, and post and rung joinery. Refine your approach to hand tools and machine woodworking, and learn the process behind designing and building wood bending forms. Return home with a foundation in steam bending, hand tool work, and wet/dry joinery that can be used to build chairs and furniture from green wood.

Learn century-proven techniques for carving wood in relief or carving ornamentation out of a (usually) flat surface. Develop a deeper understanding of wood as an art medium and explore the many applications of this unique art form. Bring your own simple design to carve or choose from provided patterns. Return home with at least one finished piece to display and admire.

Learn traditional woodcarving techniques for making fine, classic furniture. Start with discussions and demonstrations about various carved motifs such as a ball and claw foot, acanthus leaves, and various shell forms. Then, carve a mahogany, Newport-style, shell mirror crest on a provided frame (glass mirror not included). An ideal class for woodworkers who want to add hand carved embellishments to their furniture.

Build a coffee table, end table, or console table using a special twisted wood technique to set your piece apart. Incorporate non-traditional elements into your project using various techniques to “make wood do what it doesn’t want to.” Learn techniques you can repeat at home on future projects. Each student’s piece will be different. Previous woodworking experience not required, but recommended. $

According to James Krenov, the plane is the cabinetmaker's violin. Easier to handle than a violin, it sure has its mysteries and magical properties. Used for making boards flat and square, adjusting joinery, and even finishing, planes offer an efficient and intimate connection to the wood. Examine what makes a plane work well, from construction to setup and sharpening to dealing with difficult grain. Leave with two planes made by yourself to fit your hands! All Levels welcome. $

Coopering is the ancient art of making wooden vessels such as barrels, butter churns, buckets, canteens, pitchers, and piggins using only wood for staves and white oak bands with no nails or glue. Learn how to use the traditional tools and techniques the instructors’ family has used for six generations. Also, discuss how to select proper woods, such as cedar for staves and white oak for bands, to complete your vessel. All levels welcome.

Weekend + Week. Make your own split-cane rod that incorporates heritage, tradition, and craftsmanship. Learn how to select top-quality Tonkin cane and heat treat, taper, and assemble a one-tip, two-piece fly rod. Through hands-on demonstrations, learn your options for completion, including various finishes, wrapping techniques, dipping methods, and more. Basic woodworking skills are helpful. $

The “democratic chair” was specifically designed by Curtis Buchanan to be made with just a few hand tools, allowing more people access to the craft. Build this handsome, Windsor-style, chair as you practice basic chairmaking techniques, use a small kit of hand tools to split parts from a log, shape legs and spindles, drill mortises, and carve the seat. This project is intended to build skills and confidence in using affordable hand tools to produce refined furniture with a handcrafted look. $

The ukulele is a fun introduction to lutherie and an excellent first instrument to learn to play. Build a tenor-size uke, in a style based on a Martin ukulele with a dovetail neck. We'll cover wood selection, bending, shaping, and fretting. Your ukulele should be assembled and playable at the end of class, though some finishing may need to be done at home. All levels–including new woodworkers–welcome; some evening hours may be required. $

Build a professional-level, open-back banjo with a goat skin head. Goat skin creates a warmer, plunky sound when playing compared to synthetic. Learn the entire construction process from beginning to end–neck assembly, shaping, fingerboard glue up, peghead profiling, inserting frets, truss rod adjustment, banjo pot construction and more. Return home with a beautiful, heirloom instrument you can enjoy for years to come. All levels welcome. $

Complete a beautiful set of–at least five–nesting Shaker oval boxes using traditional materials just like those used by the Shakers. Use hand and power tools to construct your boxes, then finish them with paints, stains or oils, and waxes. Optionally, students may construct a small open round box. Returning Shaker box students may craft larger pieces or trays. All levels welcome; no woodworking experience required. $

Explore the process of hand crafting an Appalachian rocking chair in small, manageable steps. Spend time refining pre-milled chair parts such as shaping the curved rear legs and slats, mortising for slats and rungs, shaping the arms and runners, assembly, and installing and balancing the runners. Finally, choose between hickory bark, Shaker tape, or Danish Cord to weave a beautiful seat for your new chair. Intermediate levels welcome.

Make a jack-o-lantern box with interchangeable faces designed to add a ghostly-glow to your Halloween decorations. Construct the box and adorn it with your own designs or choose from the designs provided. Learn to safely operate common hand and power tools. Return home with one or more uniquely crafted lantern boxes, ready to illuminate your next spooky celebration! All levels welcome.

WEEKEND + WEEK. This class continues through October 31. Build your very own 000 style parlor guitar with Sitka spruce top, Honduran mahogany body, and herringbone purfling. Learn all the skills to build a great sounding instrument. Class will cover complete construction, top tuning, scalloped bracing, neck shaping, installing and dressing frets, guitar set-up, and inlay. No woodworking experience is needed; all levels welcome. $

Design and build a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture that matches your personal aesthetic. Discuss particular characteristics of wood and have a quick sketch and design session. Receive demonstrations and lectures on tools needed to dimension and shape rough lumber. Focus on floating mortis and tenons joinery. Also, explore the endless possibilities of using routers to get unique edge treatments. Finishes explored include milk paint and woodburning. $

Coopering is the ancient art of making wooden vessels such as barrels, butter churns, buckets, canteens, pitchers, and piggins using only wood for staves and white oak bands with no nails or glue. Learn how to use the traditional tools and techniques the instructors’ family has used for six generations. Also, discuss how to select proper woods, such as cedar for staves and white oak for bands, to complete your vessel. All levels welcome.