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North Bennet Street School



Our Classes

Bookbinding 101

$300

with Amy Lapidow BB '95

Calendar Oct 25, 2025 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, October 25th & Sunday, October 26th (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. 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. 

Full Course

Danish Modern Plant Stand

$225

with Rachel Prentki CF '18

Calendar Oct 25, 2025 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Date: Saturday, October 25th

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Rachel Prentki CF '18

This one-day class introduces students to mortise & tenon joinery and the lap joint, which are traditional furniture making techniques. This class is a great way to familiarize yourself with woodworking and is perfect for those who are curious about the craft. The students will use the table saw, mortiser, and router to construct the plant stand and learn basic skills. The plant stand is designed to fit a 10-inch diameter by 10-inch high planter. The plastic planter and wood will be supplied in class.

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

Introduction to Bowl Turning on an Electric Lathe

$490

with Eric Goodson

Calendar Oct 25, 2025 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, October 25th & Sunday, October 26th (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 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

Jewelry Making 101

$270

with Danielle Robichaud JM '05

Calendar Oct 26, 2025 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Date: Sunday, October 26th

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Danielle Robichaud JM '05

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 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

18th Century Trade Binding

$450

with Jeff Altepeter BB '99

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

Dates: Saturday, November 1st & Sunday, November 2nd (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructors: Jeff Altepeter BB '99 & Todd Pattison

In this workshop, students will create a model of a typical 18th-century style full calf binding. We will examine and discuss a variety of French, English, and American traditions using 18th-century bindings and historic models with a goal of deciphering the working methods and construction of 18th-century leather bindings based on the visible elements in surviving examples. 18th-century descriptions of bookbinding will be discussed, but the majority of the information presented will be derived from the record of existing bindings.

This is an excellent opportunity to delve into laced-board binding structures, sewing on raised cords, and leather binding techniques while at the same time exploring the most common binding style in the 18th century and the variations in technique between France, England, and America.

Tools & Supplies: Students should bring a leather paring knife only if they already own one, and their favorite hand tools. 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: Previous bookbinding experience is helpful but not 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. 

Full Course

Bellflower Inlay

$225

with Kevin Hopkins CF '18

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

Date: Saturday, November 1st

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Kevin Hopkins CF '18

The bellflower inlay is a common decorative motif found in furniture of the Federal period (roughly 1780 - 1820).  In this class, students will learn how to sand shade and inlay a traditional bellflower. 

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: Students should feel comfortable using sharp tools. 

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

Introduction to Chairmaking: Make a Milking Stool

$400

with Charles Thompson

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

Dates: Saturday, November 1st & Sunday, November 2nd (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Charles Thompson

Teaching Assistant: Haniel Wides CF'24

Participants will learn the basics of staked furniture by way of making their own three-legged stool with hand tools. We’ll learn how to make tapered chair legs, either by hand plane or draw knife. Then, we’ll figure out seat layout, splay angles, and discuss what those mean in relation to design and function. Lastly, we’ll saddle a seat and join it to the legs with a tapered mortise and tenon joint.

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. 

Wax Carving & Casting Clean Up

$335

with Colleen Matthews JM '12

Calendar Nov 4, 2025 at 6 pm, runs for 3 weeks

Dates: Tuesdays, November 4-18 (2 meetings)

*Skips a week in between classes

Hours: 6:00 - 9:30 pm

Instructor: Colleen Matthews JM '12

Learn how to produce original pieces of jewelry from start to finish when working with a professional casting service. In this class, you will learn wax carving techniques and carve your own ring on day one. In the second class, you will receive your work back, professionally cast in silver, and learn how to clean it and create a finished piece of jewelry. This class is great for beginner-level jewelers or jewelers looking to learn production techniques. Some prior experience with jewelry making is required. Please note that the casting itself will not be done in class, but the process will be explained.

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. 





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