Dates: Monday, June 2 - Friday, June 6 (5 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Ellen Kaspern CF '03

Teaching Assistant: Alana Schwartz CF'25

In this hands-on woodworking class, students will explore traditional furniture construction while building a hardwood trestle table. Students will work with both machines and hand tools to construct their tables. The students will start by building their table bases using mortise and tenon joints. Students will finish their table by making the top. While making the top, they will learn about the milling process, gluing up boards, and wood movement. The basic furniture-making techniques learned in this class can be applied to building various projects. This class is suitable for all levels. If you have prior experience, this class will help you refresh & refine your woodworking skills and learn new tricks & techniques. Everyone will leave the class with many new skills and a brand-new table.

Tools & Supplies: Please bring a notebook. 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

Dates: Monday, June 2 - Friday, June 6 (5 meetings)

Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Elizabeth Arnold JM '18

Sawing, filing, measuring, drilling, and basic forming are essential skills in almost every jewelry project. Learning to get the most out of your mental energy, hands, tools, time, and materials is dependent on your understanding of how each component contributes to a project. Develop your skills and see marked improvement with each project by learning to analyze, problem-solve, and make corrections to your work. An introduction to torch soldering is also included.

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

Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays, June 3-12 (4 meetings)

Hours: 6:00 - 9:30 pm

Instructor: Stephen Thrasher

Teaching Assistant: Rachel Prentki CF '18

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

Dates: Saturday, June 7th & Sunday, June 8th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructors: Brad Wolcott CF '12

This two-day workshop covers the finishing of furniture in a manner that is consistent with the period of design, including proper coloring using various typed of stains, dyes and glazes. Different types of top coats are discussed, demonstrated and applied, including shellac, oils and varnish. Color theory and the layering of stains and dyes are used to bring out the depth and beauty of the piece. Students will leave with the ability to choose and apply the appropriate finish to complete the work they have made.

Tools & Supplies: Please bring a card scraper to the first day of class. 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

Dates: Saturday, June 7th & Sunday, June 8th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Juliana Heck CF '24

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.

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

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

Prerequisite: None

Date: Sunday, June 8th

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

Dates: Tuesday, June 10 - Saturday, June 13 (5 meetings)

Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Instructor: Sophie Linnell PC '21

Teaching Assistant: TBA

Construct a timber frame structure using traditional mortise and tenon joints, learning the layout and construction of historic New England timber framed structures, including barns and dwellings. Construction methods cover the use of traditional tools including framing chisels, hand saws, and marking gauges.

Location: Please note that this class will be held at the Topsfield Historical Society, 1 Howlett St, Topsfield, Massachusetts. 

• The class will be held in the Gould Barn while utilizing the lawn and grounds for portions of the classwork.
• The Gould Barn is wheelchair accessible with two single occupancy restrooms and a kitchenette available to students. 
• Parking is available in the Topsfield Historical Society's gravel lot. No parking is allowed in the church parking lot next door. 

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

Prerequisite: None

Dates: Tuesdays, June 10-24 (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.