Woodworking for Kids

Enrolling in our Woodworking for Kids classes begins when children are 6 yrs old. We teach beginning woodwork with hand tools. The children build their own toys and practical projects which they get to take home with them. Over the series of classes, they build their hand skills and eventually graduate to slightly more advanced techniques and tools.

Age ranges: 6 – 8 years and 9 – 12 years  |  Private lessons are also available

We offer One-Day Camps, Spring Break, and Summer Camps

Woodworking for Teens

The Craft Collective Teens Program is similar to that of adults. Teens learn about wood as a creative medium, wood properties, and joinery. The level of difficulty is gradually increased as their skills grow. In each project they make, we encourage design skill practice and self expression. Enjoyment of the making process is also underscored. Students make projects that they can take home. We occasionally take on projects that benefit the community, which is a wonderful way for teenagers to gain experience in working collaboratively, cooperatively, and for the benefit of others. It also allows them to execute real-life projects that will live out in the community, offering a chance for them to show their workmanship to their family and friends.

Age ranges: 12 – 18 years  |  Private lessons are also available

Woodworking for Adults

The adult series of woodworking ranges from beginner level all the way up to professional works of museum quality furniture. What sets our program apart is the level of quality: professional instructors who are highly qualified; a clean, organized, well-maintained workshop and tools; and well-designed class projects.

Intro to the Woodshop is the perfect starting place for someone who wants to learn woodworking. This is an 8-hr intro-level workshop that teaches various beginner skills and machine safety. The next level would be a step up to intermediate-level courses, and from there, students can move on to more advanced coursework. Intermediate-level and advanced coursework are currently offered by way of private instruction. Email us for more information.

Woodworking for Women is one of our beginner-level courses. The difference between this class and Intro to the Woodshop is that it’s taught by women for women. Students learn the use of tools that are easily accessible for a home shop such as the compound miter saw, biscuit jointer, and router. The class contains less theory about wood technology, spanning 6 hours rather than 8. Taking both courses for someone who is serious about learning the craft of woodworking is recommended. The respective classes offer different projects, different skills, and are taught by different instructors.

Beverage Tray Workshop is a beginner level workshop that teaches how to cut ripped miters on the tablesaw, using a router jig, a circle cutting jig, and a different glue-up method than most other projects. Students learn how to achieve a hand-rubbed oil finish on beautiful wood in this class and go home with a serving tray that carries stemmed glasses and either a wine bottle or a carafe.

Custom Guitar Course is designed to walk students through the steps of making their own electric or bass guitar.  We’ll construct a guitar and all components are included.  Students will learn how to safely use the machinery and tools required to complete the project. We will show how to finish your guitar with a hand-rubbed oil finish, or a sprayed finish and install all components so it’s ready to play by the end of the workshop.

The Woven Stool mini-series is a 16-hour course taught over the span of 4 class meetings. This course introduces mortise and tenon joinery, how to cut tapers on the tablesaw, using a router, compound miter saw, and drill press. And of course, you also learn how to weave a traditional Danish cord seat and apply the traditional soap finish.

Traditional Nuristani Chip Carving is a 9-hour course taught over the span of 3 class meetings. Nuristani chip carving, a 5,000-year-old technique from Afghanistan, originates from the Nuristan province in Afghanistan and inlay designs each have their own meanings that you will learn more about in the class. This course is taught by master carver, Ahmad Khalid Rauofi. This class is ongoing and builds upon itself. Students start with the foundation design and learn to hone skills on a soft wood, and returning students will move on to more intricate and challenging designs.  

Spoon Carving is a 6-hour course taught over the span of 2 weeks. Afghani master wood carver Ahmad Khalid Rauofi will teach students how to craft their own carved wooden spoon. Open to all skill levels. Some of the topics covered are:

Woodshop Open Studio is a program that allows students who’ve successfully completed the Intro to the Woodshop course to purchase blocks of time in the woodshop to work on their own projects.  Open Studio is currently offered 2 days per month. It is not intended for students who need direction or instruction. There will be a knowledgeable person onsite to answer questions regarding machine safety, but students should come prepared with their project and design all ready to go. Note that construction-grade lumber, extremely hard woods such as ipe, and reclaimed lumber are not allowed. We work to keep a well-maintained shop, and those materials can cause machine disrepair.

Other woodworking class offerings:

Spoon Carving with Brian Newell | Adirondack Foraging Pack | Round Coffee Table Course | The Woven Stool | Private lessons are also available

*Note that links may give a 404 error message if the class is not currently up on our schedule. Check back or get on the interest list for the class to be notified when dates go live. You can email us to be added to the interest list.