Dates: Saturday, August 22nd & Sunday, August 23rd (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Patrick Moore

In this hands-on workshop, participants will construct a scaled down high-top patio table (* ½ scale) based on the German National Carpentry Team’s design, incorporating a self-supporting X-brace structure. You will use practical stereotomy, known as Schiftung, to manually draw out the design full-size, ensuring accurate angles and lengths for precise layout. This traditional method, deeply rooted in German carpentry practices, will guide your construction process, allowing you to build a stable and visually striking table while mastering layout and joinery techniques.

The repetitive "Mandala" geometry in the design of this table creates an intricate, symmetrical pattern that is both visually captivating and structurally efficient. This geometric approach echoes traditional design principles, where each element interlocks with the others, forming a cohesive, self-supporting structure. By integrating this pattern with Schiftung, participants will not only refine their layout and angle skills but also experience the beauty of a design that balances aesthetics with functionality.

Key Highlights:

• Apply practical stereotomy (Schiftung) for ½ scale design layout
• Master accurate angle and length calculation techniques
• Build a self-supporting X-brace table
• Learn advanced layout and construction methods
• Hands-on experience with reciprocal design principles

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: Participants must be familiar with basic hand and power tools and have a working knowledge of basic drafting tools. If you have questions about your experience, please contact ce@nbss.edu.

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.

Please Note: North Bennet Street School will be undergoing exterior construction this summer, which may cause occasional noise or temporary changes to building access. 

Dates: Saturday, August 22nd & Sunday, August 23rd (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Todd Pattison

In this workshop each participant will be given a book in unbound folded signatures, Structure of the Visual Book by Keith Smith, (fourth edition - 432 pages and over 450 photographs of artists books) which they will then have two days to bind. Outside of a school or workshop setting, bookbinding is practiced in relative isolation and often involves specialized equipment that not everyone has. This class aims to address both those challenges by providing an opportunity to bind a book with others in the well-equipped bookbinding facilities at NBSS. Each student will have their own bench for the two days and access to equipment and basic materials, although they should bring covering and other materials for their binding design as needed. While there will be no formal instruction provided in this class, Todd Pattison will facilitate the workshop and will be available to offer advice, guidance and any information as needed. In addition, participants will be encouraged to collaborate, share ideas, seek inspiration and generally discuss their binding concept and approach with other participants as they see fit.

Tools & Supplies: 

Student Supply List -

• Participants should bring any covering materials they would like to use (leather, parchment, cloth, marbled/decorated paper, etc)
• Any other specialized materials you would want to use on your binding

NBSS Provided -

• Binders board
• Sewing thread and supports
• Several types of blank paper for endsheets
• Thread for endbands
• Adhesives

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: Participants should have some bookbinding experience in sewing signatures and constructing a binding, but otherwise the workshop is open to all levels. If you have any questions about your experience, please contact ce@nbss.edu.

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. 

Please Note: North Bennet Street School will be undergoing exterior construction this summer, which may cause occasional noise or temporary changes to building access.

Dates: Saturday, August 22nd & Sunday, August 23rd (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Dan Weissman CF '20

Teaching Assistant: Juliana Heck CF '24

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 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. 

Please Note: North Bennet Street School will be undergoing exterior construction this summer, which may cause occasional noise or temporary changes to building access.

Dates: Monday, August 24 - Sunday, August 30 (7 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Andy Glenn CF '08

Teaching Assistant: Alec Foresta CF '26

Price: $1,750 is the full cost of the class. A $225 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. 

Over seven days, we'll shape and create a greenwood rocking chair using hand tools. We'll shave our parts at the shave horse and bend red oak in the making of a comfortable rocker. We'll make 5- or 6- slats for the back, and on the final day, we'll weave in a flat reed seat. 

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: All levels are welcome; some familiarity with hand tools is helpful, but not necessary. If you have any questions about your experience, please contact ce@nbss.edu.

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. 

Please Note: North Bennet Street School will be undergoing exterior construction this summer, which may cause occasional noise or temporary changes to building access.

Dates: Tuesday, August 25th & Thursday, August 27th (2 meetings)

Hours: 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Instructor: Colleen Matthews JM'12

Teaching Assistant: Isabelle Schmit JM '26

Learn the basics of jewelry making and get to know your way around the bench. Move through a series of beginner-level projects to gain an understanding of basic fabrication and insight into more complex techniques.

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.

Please Note: North Bennet Street School will be undergoing exterior construction this summer, which may cause occasional noise or temporary changes to building access.

Dates: Saturday, August 29th & Sunday, August 30th (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. 

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.

Please Note: North Bennet Street School will be undergoing exterior construction this summer, which may cause occasional noise or temporary changes to building access. 

Dates: Saturday, August 29th - Monday, August 31st (3 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Rachel Prentki CF '18

Hone your chisel skills while making a stately dovetailed tray. In this class, students will learn how to lay out and cut dovetails accurately by hand. We will cover how to use marking gauges, chisels, saws, and mallets to create strong and beautiful joinery while also covering how to avoid or fix common mistakes. 

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: Experience with dovetails or other hand-cut joinery helpful but students at all experience levels are welcome. 

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. 

Please Note: North Bennet Street School will be undergoing exterior construction this summer, which may cause occasional noise or temporary changes to building access.

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.