Dates: Thursday, August 14th & Friday, August 15th (2 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 layout 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 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: Experience with dovetails or other hand cut joinery preferred. Students should feel comfortable using chisels, saws, and combination squares. If you have questions about your experience, please contact ce@nbss.edu.

Dates: Saturday, August 16th & Sunday, August 17th (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 handcraft. 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. The instructor will supply all tools and materials, though if students already have carving knives and axes, they should bring them along.

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, August 16th & Sunday, August 17th (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Mark DeVeber CF '21

This two-day workshop provides an introductory foundation to machine woodworking techniques, focusing on the creation of a functional and beautiful cutting board. Students will gain hands-on experience with various woodworking machines, learning essential skills and safe tool usage through practical demonstrations. 

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: Monday, August 18 - Friday, August 22 (5 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Ellen Kaspern CF '03

Teaching Assistant: Juliana Heck CF '24

In this hands-on woodworking class, students will explore traditional furniture construction while building a hardwood side table. Students will work with both machines and hand tools to construct their tables. They will start by building the base of their table using traditional mortise & tenon construction. Then, they will learn how to work off a pattern to shape the table legs. 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: All levels are welcome.

Dates: Saturday, August 30th & Sunday, August 31st (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, 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 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, August 30th & Sunday, August 31st (2 meetings)

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Dan Weissman CF '20

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

Dates: Monday, September 15 - Tuesday, December 16
*Monday - Friday schedule / Class does not meet on holidays, at night, or on weekends
No Class: September 23rd, October 2nd and 13th, November 11th, 27th, and 28th

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Eli Cleveland CF '09
*With additional guest instructors

Overview: Build a solid foundation in the most essential woodworking skills with this in-depth, comprehensive furniture-making course designed for both beginners and those looking to build expertise. This intensive class will guide you from basic hand and machine skills to advanced techniques in furniture making. Through a series of demonstrations and exercises, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to build most tables and case pieces. Complete a number of small projects before moving on to building a shaker nightstand and a cabinet on stand. This class is suitable for beginners to lifelong, enthusiastic hobbyists and everyone in between. For those who wish to apply to one of our Career Training programs and who don’t have much prior woodworking experience, this course provides prerequisite skill-building. 

These major topics are covered throughout the course: 

• ​Tool sharpening (flat-edge tools)
• Hand tools skills and development
• Joinery (various mortise and tenon & dovetail joints as well as compound joinery)
• Machine room safety, machine set-up, and procedures
• Lumberyard trip (measuring for and selecting the correct lumber for a project)
• Turning (spindle and faceplate)
• Veneering
• Case and table construction
• Finishing

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

Technical Standards:  Though this is an introductory course, the nature and length of the instruction require that students meet these Technical Standards. For any questions about your ability to meet these standards, please contact ce@nbss.edu.

Prerequisite:  None

Veterans: Qualifying veterans may use VA benefits, including the Post 9/11 GI Bill® or Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) benefits, to cover the tuition for this course. Withdrawal from the course may impact VA housing benefits for those receiving them. To express interest in using VA benefits for the Three-Month Furniture Making Intensive please send an email to ce@nbss.edu including the following information. 

• Full Name
• Address
• Phone #
• Email Address
• A current Certificate of Eligibility / Apply for your benefits here: https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/

Price: $9,612 is the full cost of the class. A $950 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is due at the time of registration. Students will have the option to pay in full or pay over time with a payment plan when registering for the program. The payment plan available will be listed at the bottom of the class listing. Note: General Registration and Cancellation Policies do not apply to this class. View more details on our CE FAQs page.

Dates: Monday, January 12 - Wednesday, April 8
*Monday - Friday schedule / Class does not meet on holidays, at night, or on weekends
No Class: January 19th, February 16th, and March 17th

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Instructor: Eli Cleveland CF '09
*With additional guest instructors

Overview: Build a solid foundation in the most essential woodworking skills with this in-depth, comprehensive furniture-making course designed for both beginners and those looking to build expertise. This intensive class will guide you from basic hand and machine skills to advanced techniques in furniture making. Through a series of demonstrations and exercises, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to build most tables and case pieces. Complete a number of small projects before moving on to building a shaker nightstand and a cabinet on stand. This class is suitable for beginners to lifelong, enthusiastic hobbyists and everyone in between. For those who wish to apply to one of our Career Training programs and who don’t have much prior woodworking experience, this course provides prerequisite skill-building. 

These major topics are covered throughout the course: 

• ​Tool sharpening (flat-edge tools)
• Hand tools skills and development
• Joinery (various mortise and tenon & dovetail joints as well as compound joinery)
• Machine room safety, machine set-up, and procedures
• Lumberyard trip (measuring for and selecting the correct lumber for a project)
• Turning (spindle and faceplate)
• Veneering
• Case and table construction
• Finishing

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

Technical Standards:  Though this is an introductory course, the nature and length of the instruction require that students meet these Technical Standards. For any questions about your ability to meet these standards, please contact ce@nbss.edu.

Prerequisite:  None

Veterans: Qualifying veterans may use VA benefits, including the Post 9/11 GI Bill® or Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) benefits, to cover the tuition for this course. Withdrawal from the course may impact VA housing benefits for those receiving them. To express interest in using VA benefits for the Three-Month Furniture Making Intensive please send an email to ce@nbss.edu including the following information. 

• Full Name
• Address
• Phone #
• Email Address
• A current Certificate of Eligibility / Apply for your benefits here:  https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/

Price: $9,612 is the full cost of the class. A $950 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is due at the time of registration. Students will have the option to pay in full or pay over time with a payment plan when registering for the program. The payment plan available will be listed at the bottom of the class listing. Note: General Registration and Cancellation Policies do not apply to this class. View more details on our CE FAQs page.