Filter by Category
Our Classes
Danish Cord Footstool
with Ellen Kaspern CF '03
Dates: Saturday, July 25th & Sunday, July 26th (2 meetings)
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Instructor: Ellen Kaspern CF '03
Teaching Assistant: TBA
In this hands-on woodworking class, students will work with white ash to build a Danish cord footstool. Students will start off by building the bench base and learn about mortise & tenon joinery and domino construction. Students will use both machines and hand tools to build the base. From there, they will learn about different types of cords and methods that can be used to weave the seat. They will then apply what they learned to weave the seat of their bench. The basic furniture-making techniques learned in this class can be applied to building stools and tables. If you have prior experience, this class will help you refresh and refine your woodworking skills. Students will leave with a 16-inch-long, 12-inch-deep, and 12 1/4 inch tall Danish cord footstool.
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.
Introduction to Chairmaking: Make a Milking Stool
with Charles Thompson
Dates: Saturday, July 25th & Sunday, July 26th (2 meetings)
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Instructor: Charles Thompson
Teaching Assistant: TBA
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, and splay angles, and discuss what those mean in relation to design and function. Lastly, we’ll saddle a seat and join them to the legs with a tapered mortise and tenon joint.
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.
Introduction to Sand Casting
with Kylie Weinzierl
Dates: Saturday, July 25th & Sunday, July 26th (2 meetings)
Hours: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Instructor: Kylie Weinzierl
In this 2-day workshop, students will learn about sand casting, one of the earliest forms of casting that involves pouring liquid metal into a cavity made in firmly packed sand. The instructor will cover carving a model out of wax and using pre-existing objects to make molds, creating an impression in sand, and casting a piece out of molten metal. Day one will consist of learning about the process, as well as carving our wax models, with some casting, and day two will focus on refining the casting and finishing process. Students who do not wish to wax carve are welcome to use ready-made models supplied by the instructor, or bring objects from home, keeping in mind that any model needs to be easily castable in a two part mold, and sturdy enough to withstand heavily packed sand.
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.
American Scaleboard Bindings
with Bill Hanscom
Dates: Saturday, August 1st & Sunday, August 2nd (2 meetings)
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Instructor: Bill Hanscom
Scaleboard is a thin wood that was used in some American bindings (particularly around Boston) as early as the 1680s through the 1840s. It was used even as paste or pulp board materials became widely available in America. In this two-day workshop, students will learn the variations found in wonderfully simple American bindings through examination of historical examples and discussion. The workshop will culminate in the hands-on creation of two models: a full leather scaleboard binding and quarter leather binding.
Tools & Supplies: *There is an additional $40.00 materials fee due to the instructor on the first day of class. The instructor accepts cash, checks, or Venmo. 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: Bookbinding 101, or equivalent experience. 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.
Danish Modern Plant Stand
with Rachel Prentki CF '18
Date: Saturday, August 1st (1 meeting)
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 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.
Bellflower Inlay
with Kevin Hopkins CF '18
Date: Sunday, August 2nd (1 meeting)
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 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: Students should feel comfortable using sharp tools.
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.
Fundamentals of Bookbinding II
with Jennifer Pellecchia BB '19
Dates: Monday, August 3 - Friday, August 7 (5 meetings)
Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Instructor: Jennifer Pellecchia BB '19
This course will focus on hardcover structures. Students will continue with rounded back case bindings and end the course with a book with words. Throughout the course, students will fine-tune their skills through repetition and develop a focus on details such as endpaper structures and headband variations. Topics of discussion will include an overview of bindery equipment, such as stamping on the Kwikprint and trimming with the plough.
Tools & Supplies: *Please bring a notebook and a pencil. All other tools and supplies will be provided for this class.
Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Bookbinding I or equivalent experience. If you have questions about your experience, please contact ce@nbss.edu.
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 clothingLong pants suggested
- No loose jewelry
- Long hair must be tied back
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.
Box Making: Clamshell Box
with Amy Lapidow BB '95
Dates: Saturday, August 8th & Sunday, August 9th (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+ 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.