Dates: Saturday, September 12th & Sunday, September 13th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Amy Lapidow BB '95

In this two-day workshop, students will get a quick introduction to various bookbinding techniques by exploring three different book structures. The class will begin with a simple pamphlet and continue with constructing two multi-signature books, known as flatback case binding and link stitch binding. Finally, students will construct a box to house all of their creations. Bookbinding 101 is a great way to familiarize yourself with bookbinding and is perfect for those who are curious about the craft. 

Tools & Supplies: *Please bring a notebook and a pencil. All other tools and supplies will be provided for this class. 

Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions.

• Closed-toe, comfortable, and protective footwear (sneakers or boots)
• No loose clothing
• Long pants suggested
• No loose jewelry
• Long hair must be tied back

Prerequisite: None

Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ by the class start date to attend adult CE classes. No one under 18 years old is permitted to register for an adult class, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Dates: Saturday, September 12th & Sunday, September 13th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Bill Hanscom

This two-day workshop will begin with a presentation detailing the traditional methods and materials of the Ethiopian scribe and bookbinder. Students will then construct two historical models. The first will be a basic binding with bare wooden boards demonstrating the fundamentals of the unsupported link stitch, board attachment and repair, and the construction of a ləbas (a protective cloth over-cover). The second will be a full leather binding with inlays of patterned cloth and traditional endbands of interwoven leather strips. Basic tooling techniques as well as common designs and motifs will be discussed and demonstrated. Students will be given the opportunity to decorate their bindings as time allows.

Tools & Supplies: *There is an additional $50.00 materials fee due to the instructor on the first day of class. The instructor accepts cash, checks, or Venmo. All other tools and supplies will be provided for this class

Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions.

• Closed-toe, comfortable, and protective footwear (sneakers or boots)
• No loose clothing
• Long pants suggested
• No loose jewelry
• Long hair must be tied back

Prerequisite: Bookbinding 101, Fundamentals of Bookbinding I, or equivalent experience. If you have any questions about your experience, please contact ce@nbss.edu.

Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ to attend adult CE classes. No one under 18 years old is permitted to register for an adult class, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Dates: Saturday, September 12th & Sunday, September 13th (2 meetings)

Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Eric Goodson

This two-day class will introduce students to bowl turning on a western-style electric lathe. Students will learn how to turn a finished bowl straight from a freshly felled tree (once-turned), and how to create bowl blanks that can be dried and turned again (twice-turned). Topics like wood selection, blank preparation, tool sharpening, methods of attaching the bowl to the lathe, ways to dry your bowl/blank, and various finishes will also be covered. Each student will have a dedicated lathe and will produce two or three bowls.

Tools & Supplies: All tools and supplies will be provided for this class.

Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions. 

• Closed-toe, comfortable, and protective footwear (sneakers or boots)
• No loose clothing
• Long pants suggested
• No loose jewelry
• Long hair must be tied back

Prerequisite: None

Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ to attend adult CE classes. No one under 18 years old is permitted to register for an adult class, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Dates: Monday, September 14 - Friday, December 11, 2026
*Monday - Friday schedule / Class does not meet on holidays, at night, or on weekends
No Class: September 21, October 12, November 11, 26th, and 27

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Eli Cleveland CF '09
*With additional guest instructors

Overview: Build a solid foundation in the most essential woodworking skills with this in-depth, comprehensive furniture-making course designed for both beginners and those looking to build expertise. This intensive class will guide you from basic hand and machine skills to advanced techniques in furniture making. Through a series of demonstrations and exercises, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to build most tables and case pieces. Complete a number of small projects before moving on to building a shaker nightstand and a cabinet on stand. This class is suitable for beginners to lifelong, enthusiastic hobbyists and everyone in between. For those who wish to apply to one of our Career Training programs and who don’t have much prior woodworking experience, this course provides prerequisite skill-building. 

These major topics are covered throughout the course: 

• ​Tool sharpening (flat-edge tools)
• Hand tool skills and development
• Joinery (various mortise and tenon & dovetail joints as well as compound joinery)
• Machine room safety, machine set-up, and procedures
• Lumberyard trip (measuring for and selecting the correct lumber for a project)
• Turning (spindle and faceplate)
• Veneering
• Case and table construction
• Finishing

Tools & Supplies: Please bring the items on this supply list to the first day of class. Need an item? Our NBSS Store/Gallery carries dozens of tools and supplies in addition to NBSS branded items and handmade goods. You may make purchases online, in person (Monday- Thursday 7:30 am - 2:00 pm), or via email at store@nbss.edu. Tool orders must be made via email or over the phone.

Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions.

• Closed-toe, comfortable, and protective footwear (sneakers or boots)
• No loose clothing
• Long pants suggested
• No loose jewelry
• Long hair must be tied back

Technical Standards: Though this is an introductory course, the nature and length of the instruction require that students meet the Technical Standards shared at the bottom of the Three-Month Furniture Making Intensive webpage. For any questions about your ability to meet these standards, please contact ce@nbss.edu. 

Prerequisite:  None

Veterans: Qualifying veterans may use VA benefits, including the Post 9/11 GI Bill® or Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) benefits, to cover the tuition for this course. Withdrawal from the course may impact VA housing benefits for those receiving them. To express interest in using VA benefits for the Three-Month Furniture Making Intensive, please send an email to ce@nbss.edu including the following information. 

• Full Name
• Address
• Phone #
• Email Address
• A current Certificate of Eligibility / Apply for your benefits here: https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/

Price: $9,725 is the full cost of the class. A $950 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is due at the time of registration. Students will have the option to pay in full or pay over time with a payment plan when registering for the program. The payment plan available will be listed at the bottom of the class listing. 

Cancellation & Refund Policy

• Cancellation requests received at least 60 days before the program start date will receive a full refund minus the non-refundable deposit and a 5.5% cancellation fee

• Cancellation requests received 31-59 days before the program start date will receive a 75% refund minus the non-refundable deposit and a 5.5% cancellation fee

• Cancellation requests received less than 30 days before the program start date will receive a 50% refund minus the non-refundable deposit and a 5.5% cancellation fee. 

• Once class is in session, NBSS does not offer refunds or make-up class sessions for missed classes due to student circumstances, including illness, travel, and family or work commitments.

• NBSS reserves the right to withdraw a student from the class due to attendance or interpersonal issues.

• If enrollment does not meet 50% capacity by one month before the class starts, NBSS may choose to cancel the session. In this case, students who are registered will receive full tuition refunds (only), including their deposits. Note: NBSS is not responsible for any charges related to tools, travel, accommodations, or other non-tuition expenses.

Dates: Saturdays, September 19 - October 17 (5 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Jennifer Pellecchia BB '19

Price: $1,095 is the full cost of the class. A $150 deposit is due at the time of registration. Students will have the option to pay in full or pay over time with a weekly payment plan when registering for the class. The payment plan details will be shared during the registration process. 

This course will focus on hardcover structures. Students will continue with rounded back case bindings and end the course with a book with words. Throughout the course, students will fine-tune their skills through repetition and develop a focus on details such as endpaper structures and headband variations. Topics of discussion will include an overview of bindery equipment, such as stamping on the Kwikprint and trimming with the plough.

Tools & Supplies: *Please bring a notebook and a pencil. All other tools and supplies will be provided for this class.

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Bookbinding I or equivalent experience. If you have questions about your experience, please contact ce@nbss.edu.

Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions.

• Closed-toe, comfortable, and protective footwear (sneakers or boots)
• No loose clothing
• Long pants suggested
• No loose jewelry
• Long hair must be tied back

Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ by the class start date to attend adult CE classes. No one under 18 years old is permitted to register for an adult class, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian.  

Dates: Saturday, September 19th & Sunday, September 20th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Mark DeVeber CF '21

This two-day workshop provides an introductory foundation to machine woodworking techniques, focusing on the creation of a functional and beautiful cutting board. Students will gain hands-on experience with various woodworking machines, learning essential skills and safe tool usage through practical demonstrations. 

Tools & Supplies: All tools and supplies will be provided for this class.

Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions.

• Closed-toe, comfortable, and protective footwear (sneakers or boots)
• No loose clothing
• Long pants suggested
• No loose jewelry
• Long hair must be tied back

Prerequisite: None

Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ to attend adult CE classes. No one under 18 years old is permitted to register for an adult class, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Dates: Saturday, September 19th & Sunday, September 20th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Rick Angus

Turn bowls from wet local hardwoods recently cut and provided by the instructor. The bowls are first prepared from a log with oversized walls, allowed to dry, and turned a second time to finished dimensions. Students will receive a refresher in the fundamental gouge and scraper cutting techniques and review all procedures used in the Fundamentals course. We start with a bowl blank freshly cut from a log. Before cutting it, we examine the grain lines and visualize the “bowl within the wood” and make a plan to reveal it. Blanks of wood will be mounted between centers, and the grain pattern will be planned. We shape the outside of the bowl, remount the blank in a chuck, and cut the inside, leaving slightly thick walls. This bowl is allowed to dry (for three to six months) and distort to an oval shape (approximately). Next, students receive a similar but dried bowl prepared by the instructor. We examine our once-turned bowls and find the grain pattern planned when it first was turned. It is remounted on the lathe, and the final shape is revealed through a process of removing the “high” spots of the oval until it is round again. This is based on visualizing the grain pattern and truing the spigot so that the dry oval bowl spins on nearly the original axis. The remainder of the process is cutting the outside while between centers, remounting in a chuck and cutting the rim and inside, and finally mounting in a jam chuck to finish the foot.

Tools & Supplies: *There is an additional $50.00 material fee due to the instructor on the first day of class. The instructor accepts cash or checks. All other tools and supplies will be provided for this class.

Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions.

• Closed-toe, comfortable, and protective footwear (sneakers or boots)
• No loose clothing
• Long pants suggested
• No loose jewelry
• Long hair must be tied back

Prerequisite: Fundamental Techniques in Bowl Turning or equivalent experience (at instructor's discretion). If you have questions about prerequisite requirements, please email ce@nbss.edu.

Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ to attend adult CE classes. No one under 18 years old is permitted to register for an adult class, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Dates: Saturday, September 19th & Sunday, September 20th (2 meetings)

Hours: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Instructor: Kylie Weinzierl 

In this 2-day workshop, students will learn about sand casting, one of the earliest forms of casting that involves pouring liquid metal into a cavity made in firmly packed sand. The instructor will cover carving a model out of wax and using pre-existing objects to make molds, creating an impression in sand, and casting a piece out of molten metal. Day one will consist of learning about the process, as well as carving our wax models, with some casting, and day two will focus on refining the casting and finishing process. Students who do not wish to wax carve are welcome to use ready-made models supplied by the instructor, or bring objects from home, keeping in mind that any model needs to be easily castable in a two part mold, and sturdy enough to withstand heavily packed sand. 

Tools & Supplies: All tools and supplies will be provided for this class.

Attire: This is a general list of how to dress for the shop environment, please contact ce@nbss.edu if you have any questions.

• Closed-toe, comfortable, and protective footwear (sneakers or boots)     
• No loose clothing
• Long pants suggested
• No loose jewelry
• Long hair must be tied back

Prerequisite: None

Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ by the class start date to attend adult CE classes. No one under 18 years old is permitted to register for an adult class, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian.