Instructor: Helen Helfand and El Cook

Class Assistant: Mark Klein

Prerequisite: Core Tool Certification and some hand tool experience.

This eight-class series is designed to bring the woodworker from a beginner level of machine competence to designing and making a first piece of furniture: a four-sided tray with plenty of room for customizations.  We will include  important considerations when designing a new piece and prepare you to think like a woodworker and furniture designer. 

We will start by introducing the fundamentals of wood as a material, hand tools and hand-cut joinery. You will then spend time designing your piece, moving from drawing to model-making, before a class trip to the lumber yard where you will learn how to select the best wood for your project.  We will cover safe machine use, the milling process, machine-cut joints, basic shaping techniques, sanding, and glue-ups as you work on your individual project with the help of two professional furniture makers. 

PPE required: hearing protection, safety glasses, dust mask (as needed), closed-toed shoes.
Students should also bring: a Staedtler Lead Holder or a 4H pencil and sharpener and a tape measure. If you have your own combination square and marking knife, bring them, however, the Studio has plenty to use.

• Staying Home When Sick: Members are urged to prioritize their health and the health of others by refraining from attending guild events, workshops, or gatherings when experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness, especially those associated with COVID-19.  
• Follow CDC guidelines: If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you are expected to follow the current CDC guidelines.