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North Bennet Street School



Our Classes

Introduction to Linoleum Block Printing

$365

with Martha Kearsley BB '95

Calendar Mar 21, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, March 21st & Sunday, March 22nd (2 meetings)

Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Martha Kearsley BB '95

Teaching Assistant: India Patel BB '24

This two-day workshop is a comprehensive introduction to designing, carving, and printing with linoleum blocks, and methods for printing on paper. Students will learn to transfer their designs and carve linoleum surfaces, and will learn methods of registration for printing multiple blocks and colors. Students will use a traditional platen press, as well as learn methods for printing without a press at all.

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. 

Bookbinding 101

$300

with Ariana Rutledge BB '22

Calendar Mar 28, 2026 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, March 28th & Sunday, March 29th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Ariana Rutledge BB'22

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

Shaker Oval Boxes

$290

with Kolin Schmidt CF '21

Calendar Mar 28, 2026 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, March 28th & Sunday, March 29th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Kolin Schmidt CF '21

In this class, students will learn to make oval bent-band boxes using basic hand tools and steam bending. These boxes are of a traditional style often called "shaker" boxes. * Working with prepared box bands, students learn to bevel, steam, and bend bands; then fit and tack them to lids and bottoms. Students will make 3 different-sized nested boxes, and some techniques for finishing them will be covered as well. All skill levels are welcome!

*The term "Shakers" refers to the people of The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, a religious group that separated from the Religious Society of Friends (also known as "Quakers") during the 18th Century. While the group itself is no longer active, their aesthetics of simplicity and utility were highly influential to the history of American furniture making in what has come to be known as the "Shaker style." They were also known for their communal culture, pacifism, abstinence, and equality of the sexes at a time when this was well outside of the mainstream. Both "Shaker" and "Quaker" are terms, originally pejorative in nature, that were given to these groups by outsiders.

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

Spoon Carving - Green Wood

$345

with Eric Goodson

Calendar Mar 28, 2026 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, March 28th & Sunday, March 29th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Eric Goodson

Spoon carving is a wonderful introduction to the world of Slöjd, or Scandinavian handicraft.  Using fresh wood and just a few hand tools, students will learn to carve convex and concave shapes and address changing grain direction.  Special attention is paid to teaching safe and efficient ax technique, along with about a dozen different knife “grasps” commonly used in all sorts of carving projects. We will also explore topics like wood selection, grain orientation, the subtleties of spoon design, finishing oils and paints, and decorative techniques like chip carving and kolrosing.  No experience is required, and so long as you can open a jar of spaghetti sauce, you have sufficient hand strength.

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. 

Jewelry Making 101

$270

with Danielle Robichaud JM '05

Calendar Mar 29, 2026 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Date: Sunday, March 29th

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

Bezel Ring Fabrication

$335

with Colleen Matthews JM '12

Calendar Apr 7, 2026 at 6 pm, runs for 2 weeks

Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays, April 7-16 (4 meetings)

Hours: 6:00 - 9:30 pm

Instructor: Colleen Matthews JM '12

Learn how to fabricate a Bezel Ring and set an oval cabochon stone. Students will work with a 10x8 mm stone and learn how to make, solder, and set a stone in a handmade bezel for a finished 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 Rachel Prentki CF '18

Calendar Apr 7, 2026 at 6 pm, runs for 2 weeks

Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays, April 7-16 (4 meetings)

Hours: 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Instructor: Rachel Prentki CF '18

Teaching Assistant: TBA

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. 

Full Course

Box Making: Clamshell Box

$365

with Amy Lapidow BB '95

Calendar Apr 11, 2026 at 8:30 am, runs for 1 week

Dates: Saturday, April 11th & Sunday, April 12th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Amy Lapidow BB '95

The clamshell box is a fundamental structure for bookbinders and is suitable for the presentation and storage of items such as books, drawings, photographs, or prints. This class will focus on the basic techniques of measuring, cutting, and gluing to create a beautiful 2-tray enclosure. 

Tools & Supplies: Students should bring two books with them that measure no more than 6” x 9” inches in size. 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: No experience necessary. Previous Bookbinding 101, or Fundamentals of Bookbinding I, experience a plus. 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

Full Course




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