28 courses. Harvest read no subject for these courses. That is a gap in our reading of the catalog, not in the college's catalog; each course is shown as we hold it until the reading is fixed.
Teen Craft & Trade Intensives
Class Description: In this week-long intensive course, students will work independently and in collaboration to explore construction methods of pre-20th-century New England dwellings, specifically in the reconstruction of the historic Holten House Privy (ca. 1750). Through hands-on fieldwork and live demonstrations, students will work together to cut and raise this timber frame while learning traditional building methods such as mortise and tenon construction, historic sheathing, riven lathe, and lime plaster application. Besides learning important hand-building skills, students will also learn about architectural history and ideas. This knowledge will help them understand how to carefully preserve old buildings and their stories.
In this class, students will learn how to construct two styles of boxes: the slipcase, a compact, 3-sided container for a book with many decorative possibilities, and a French box, a 4-sided container that can easily be made at home. Students will learn to measure so that the box will fit their books, discuss appropriate materials, assemble, and cover their boxes.
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.
Decorative Paste Paper
Used to decorate books since the 16th century, paste paper is made by manipulating a mixture of paste and paint on paper. This workshop will cover the fundamental aspects of making paste paper, from making paste and mixing paints, to preparing paper and creating patterns. We will focus on two key techniques: making and using jigs to create regular patterns and modifying rollers for repeated patterns. We will reference contemporary paste papers, as well as historic examples found on book covers and endpapers.
This workshop will focus on techniques for sympathetically conserving cloth bindings of artifactual value, with an emphasis on bindings from the 19th century. We will focus on two different types of repairs, one where most of the cloth spine is present and the second where the spine is missing. Both can be used on volumes with or without detached boards or a combination of one board attached and one loose. The goal of both techniques is to save as much of the original binding materials as possible while creating a sympathetic repair in a minimal amount of time.
In this two-day workshop, students will get a quick introduction to various bookbinding techniques by exploring three different book structures. The class will begin with a simple pamphlet and continue with constructing two multi-signature books, known as flatback case binding and link stitch binding. Finally, students will construct a box to house all of their creations. Bookbinding 101 is a great way to familiarize yourself with bookbinding and is perfect for those who are curious about the craft.
Endbands are a classic way to add another creative flourish to a multi-signature book. In this one-day class, students will learn to make two types of endbands: the simple and functional stuck-on endband and the challenging single-core endband.
Bookbinding 101, Fundamentals of Bookbinding I, or equivalent experience. Students will need some experience making multi-signature books and good manual dexterity to get the most out of this class. If you have questions about your experience, please contact ce@nbss.edu .
Medieval Long and Link Stitch Bindings
In this two-day workshop, students will learn the history and construction of European long- and linkstitch bookbinding structures. After examining and discussing models and images of historical bindings, participants will create two structures employing traditional techniques and features such as fore-edge flaps and string-and-button closures.
Bookbinding 101 or equivalent experience. If you have questions about your experience, please contact ce@nbss.edu .
Machine Woodworking: Building a Cutting Board
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.
In this class students will learn the basics of using Japanese tissue and wheat starch paste to back fabric and make their own bookcloth. We’ll cover topics including the types of fabrics best suited for making bookcloth, choosing an appropriate weight of tissue for backing, and techniques for successfully adhering tissue. Each student will practice with a piece of quilting-weight cotton, and then make a second piece of bookcloth with fabric supplied by the instructor. Students may bring their own fabric if they wish and consult about options for backing. Students will leave class with the knowledge and supplies to make their own bookcloth at home.
Explore the history and use of inexpensive paper-covered book structures beginning at the advent of the printed book in Europe and continuing through the Industrial Revolution of the nineteenth century. During this one-day workshop, participants will create two models of bindings commonly used in the Italian region: a plain paper wrapper and a laced paper case. Models will incorporate handmade papers as well as historically employed sewing techniques and end-sheet constructions. Structural variations and decoration will be examined through images and historical examples from the instructor's collection.
Bookbinding 101, Fundamentals of Bookbinding I, or equivalent experience. If you have any questions about your experience, please contact ce@nbss.edu.
Build a Windsor Bench
Students will build a rectangular Windsor-style bench, perfect for an entryway or beside the kitchen table. This class covers the basic joinery and shaping techniques used in Windsor chairmaking, and will teach you everything you need to start making benches, stools, and chairs at home! We will use kiln-dried wood, simple hand tools, and tapered mortise and tenon joinery to build a rock-solid bench that will last a lifetime.
This class will introduce students to end-grain cup turning. Unlike most bowl turning, which orients the grain perpendicular to the lathe bed, end-grain turning orients the grain parallel to the lathe bed, like spindle turning. Students will learn to use both traditional bowl gouges and ring tools, as well as explore the advantages of turning with the machine running in reverse and once-turned versus twice-turned vessels. Each student will have a dedicated lathe and will create two or three cups or bowls.
This comprehensive course builds foundational hand skills that are essential to completing many fine woodworking projects. The class is suitable for both beginners looking to jump-start a hobby in woodworking and intermediate/advanced students looking to refresh their skills. Topics include sharpening, tuning, and the use of basic hand tools, including paring chisels, hand planes, dovetail saws, card scrapers, and marking gauges; characteristics of wood and wood movement in furniture making; and cutting dovetails and mortise and tenon joinery using flat and square reference surfaces. Demonstrations and exercises develop skills such as chopping and paring with a chisel and hand planning. Traditional cabinet-making practices are explained throughout the course, and instructors emphasize how these methods can be used systematically in any woodworking project. Each student will complete a box with a sliding lid. This course focuses on handwork at the bench. Check out our Fundamentals of Machine Woodworking class if you are looking to learn more about machines. Many students take both classes. If you are just looking to get your feet wet in the shop, check out our Woodworking 101 class.
Learn to cut crisp and accurate dovetails. Dovetails are one of the strongest and oldest types of joinery; they are useful for building boxes and furniture. Students will learn to cut both through and Half-Blind Dovetails by hand. They will learn to use chisels, marking gauges, saws, and mallets to cut the joinery. It's helpful for students to have some woodworking experience, but not necessary. Good dexterity and a good eye will help those without much woodworking experience.
This two-day class introduces students to faceplate and bowl turning, which is very different from spindle turning. In bowl turning, the grain of the wood is typically perpendicular to the bed of the lathe; in spindle turning, the grain is parallel to the bed of the lathe. Various methods of attaching the wood to the lathe and an overview of sharpening the appropriate tools for bowl turning are covered. Each student has a dedicated lathe and completes an incomplete practice bowl and one finished cherry bowl.
We will practice multiple router setups with both handheld routers and router tables. We will discuss different router features, bit types, and discuss best practices for the safe and efficient use of the tool.
In this class students will build a hanging wall cabinet out of pine. The piece includes hand-cut dovetails, a profiled molding, a frame-and-panel door, and shiplap back. Students will use a combination of hand and machine tools to achieve the highest quality build with efficiency in mind. This piece will look good in most any contemporary or traditional home setting.
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.
Students should feel comfortable using sharp tools.
Introduction to Cabinets
The cabinet class will cover the planning, designing, building, and installation of standard kitchen inset-style cabinets. This course will provide the understanding needed to build various other types of cabinets. Students will break down and mill the plywood needed to assemble the cabinet boxes. Using pre-milled stock, students will assemble the face frame and doors and install door and drawer hardware for these lower cabinets before scribing and installation.
A previous woodworking or carpentry class at NBSS or equivalent experience with permission from the instructor. If you have questions about your experience, please contact ce@nbss.edu.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Learn how to fabricate a Bezel Ring and set an oval cabochon stone. Students will work with a 10x8 mm stone and learn how to make, solder, and set a stone in a handmade bezel for a finished ring.
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 .
Fundamentals of Jewelry Making I: Essential Skills
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. Students will work toward completing a geometric pendant and a pair of domed earrings. Depending on individual progress, there may be opportunities to explore additional projects during the class.
Age Requirement: Students must be 18+ 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.
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 .
Decorative Bezel Set Pendants
In this one day workshop, students will learn basic fabrication techniques to set their own bezel cabochon pendant with a decorative twist or beaded border. We will go over sawing, filing, twisting wire, fitting a bezel setting to a stone, and proper finishing techniques to create beautiful pendants, which are perfect for a gift, or to keep for yourself!
