Your browser is not optimized for viewing this website.

More information »

North Bennet Street School



Our Classes

Introduction to Dovetails

$300

with Rachel Prentki CF '18

Calendar Sep 9, 2025 at 6 pm, runs for 2 weeks

Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays, September 9 - 18 (4 meetings)

Hours: 6:00 - 9:30 pm

Instructor: Rachel Prentki CF '18

Learn to cut crisp and accurate dovetails. Dovetails are one of the strongest and oldest types of joinery; they are useful for building boxes and furniture. Students will learn to cut both through and Half-Blind Dovetails by hand. They will learn to use chisels, marking gauges, saws, and mallets to cut the joinery. It's helpful for students to have some woodworking experience, but not necessary. Good dexterity and a good eye will help those without much woodworking experience.

Tools & Supplies: All tools and supplies are 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. 

Full Course

Bookbinding 101

$300

with Jennifer Pellecchia BB '19

Calendar Sep 13, 2025 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, September 13th & Sunday, September 14th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Jennifer Pellecchia BB '19

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. All levels of experience are welcome to register.

Tools & Supplies: Please bring a notebook and a pencil. All other tools and supplies are 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. 

Woodworking 101

$300

with Dan Weissman CF '20

Calendar Sep 13, 2025 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, September 13th & Sunday, September 14th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Dan Weissman CF '20

Teaching Assistant: Stephen Thrasher

Interested in woodworking and looking for a way to get started? This introductory course is designed to give beginner students an overview of shop safety as well as some of the most common machines and hand tools used in woodworking. We work towards the completion of a small project while building basic skills and getting comfortable with machinery and working at the bench. This class is geared toward beginners looking to get a peek into woodworking. For more in-depth skill-building, check out our Fundamentals of Fine Woodworking and Fundamentals of Machine Woodworking classes. Many students choose to take Woodworking 101 before a Fundamentals class, but it is not required. 

Tools & Supplies: All tools and supplies are 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. 

Introduction to Copper Enameling

$225

with Heather Wang

Calendar Sep 14, 2025 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

Date: Sunday, September 14th

Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Heather Wang

Enameling is the art of fusing colorful glass onto metal. In this class, we'll cover the basics of kiln firing unleaded enamel onto copper. We'll stick to jewelry scale pieces for this workshop (no large bowls or vessels). 

Tools & Supplies: All tools and supplies are 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: Jewelry Making 101 or equivalent experience. If you have 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. 

Three-Month Furniture Making Intensive

$9,612

with Eli Cleveland CF ’09

Calendar Sep 15, 2025 at 8:30 am, runs for 13 weeks

Dates: Monday, September 15 - Tuesday, December 16
*Monday - Friday schedule / Class does not meet on holidays, at night, or on weekends
No Class: September 23rd, October 2nd and 13th, November 11th, 27th, and 28th

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 tools 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 these Technical Standards. 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. 

Price: $9,612 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. Note: General Registration and Cancellation Policies do not apply to this class. View more details on our CE FAQs page.

Full Course

Advanced Woodworking Technique: Making a Cabriole Leg

$375

with Ellen Kaspern CF '03

Calendar Sep 20, 2025 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, September 20th & Sunday, September 21st (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Ellen Kaspern CF '03

Teaching Assistant: Alana Schwartz CF '25

In this class, we discuss how to draw, make a template, and shape a cabriole leg. We will discuss the different grain patterns and placement of transition blocks for a leg. Students will lay out their legs from a template, then bandsaw out the shape. We will go over the 7-5 rule of shaping. Then, students will apply this technique to shape their legs using a 1-inch chisel, spokeshave, and rasps. We will discuss different types of feet, such as the slipper foot, pad foot, and trifid foot. Students will leave with 1-2 finished cabriole legs.

Tools & Supplies: All tools and supplies are 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: Fundamentals of Fine Woodworking or equivalent experience. If you have 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. 

Flush Setting

$270

with Colleen Matthews JM '12

Calendar Sep 23, 2025 at 6 pm, runs for 1 week

Dates: Tuesday & Thursday, September 23 & 25 (2 meetings)

Hours: 6:00 - 9:30 pm

Instructor: Colleen Matthews JM '12

Learn flush setting. Students will make their own flush setting burnisher, practice on flat plates, and then learn how to flush set on a fabricated ring.

Tools & Supplies: All tools and supplies are 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: Jewelry 101 or equivalent experience. Students should feel comfortable with sawing, filing, and using a flex shaft. Basic jewelry hand skills are required. If you have 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. 

Woodworking 101

$300

with Stephen Thrasher

Calendar Sep 23, 2025 at 6 pm, runs for 2 weeks

Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays, September 23 - October 2 (4 meetings)

Hours: 6:00 - 9:30 pm

Instructor: Stephen Thrasher

Teaching Assistant: TBD

Interested in woodworking and looking for a way to get started? This introductory course is designed to give beginner students an overview of shop safety as well as some of the most common machines and hand tools used in woodworking. We work towards the completion of a small project while building basic skills and getting comfortable with machinery and working at the bench. This class is geared toward beginners looking to get a peek into woodworking. For more in-depth skill-building, check out our Fundamentals of Fine Woodworking and Fundamentals of Machine Woodworking classes. Many students choose to take Woodworking 101 before a Fundamentals class, but it is not required. 

Tools & Supplies: All tools and supplies are 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. 





Forgot password?
Staff Log In