Workshops
April - June
Furniture Drafting Foundations
Saturday, May 17, 2025 - Sunday, May 18, 2025
Fee: $425.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (on your own)
This workshop is currently full - Email Dan to join the waiting list!
This 2-day workshop is designed to develop and enhance the essential drafting skills for furnituremakers. The exercises and discussions will focus on the technical aspects of furniture making, with an emphasis on joinery, construction details, material choices, and basic design.
Topics will include: drafting tools and equipment; drafting processes; joinery options and details; creating patterns; project development and procedures; and scaling from a photograph.
Drafting boards will be available for each student to use on-site. However, students must provide their own drafting tools.
A required tool list will be provided upon registration, and students should plan accordingly in advance in order to be prepared.
Letter Carving
Saturday, May 31, 2025 - Sunday, June 1, 2025
Fee: $425.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (on your own)
One space left! - Email Dan to inquire about registration.
This 2-day workshop is designed to cover the foundational skills for letter carving in wood. Students will develop knowledge through introductory exercises and practice. Using Roman style lettering as the guide, students will learn how to carve straight, curved, and combined letters and numbers with serifs. Topics and discussions will include: layout and design; tool selection; wood grain orientation; and the foundational techniques of letter carving. In addition to the practice exercises, students will create a “Welcome” sign.
Project completion will vary by student, and take-home work following the workshop may be expected. Wood selection may vary.
Finishing supplies/instruction are not included.
Approx. Dimensions: 18”L x 5 ½”W
Advanced Hand Tool Joinery
Friday, June 6, 2025 - Sunday, June 8, 2025
Fee: $695.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (on your own)
Spaces are available - Email Dan to inquire about registration.
This 3-day workshop is designed to tackle the more complex joinery of traditional furniture making. Students will learn practical strategies for layout and execution of housed tapered dovetails, tenons with angled shoulders, simple angled tenons, compound angled tenons, simple angled dovetails, and compound angled dovetails. Some brief review of the foundational skills will be covered as students explore the new challenges. Sharp tools and basic joinery knowledge are a must.
Rohlfs-inspired Trefoil Table
Friday, June 20, 2025 - Sunday, June 22, 2025
Fee: $895.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (on your own)
Two spaces left! - Email Dan to inquire about registration.
This workshop model was inspired by an original Charles Rohlfs table (circa 1888). His innovative designs are a fusion of the Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau styles. In this 3-day workshop, students will create a trefoil table with shaped and profiled legs and stretchers, mortise and tenon joints, 3-way miters, and a shaped and carved top.
Project completion will vary by student, and take-home work following the workshop may be expected. Wood selection may vary.
Finishing supplies/instruction are not included.
Approx. Dimensions: 22”H x 19”W x 19”D
July - September
Chippendale Dressing Box
Thursday, July 10, 2025 - Sunday, July 13, 2025
Fee: $1195.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (on your own)
This workshop is currently full - Email Dan to join the waiting list!
This workshop model was inspired by a rare Chippendale dressing box (circa 1760-1780). The overall design is an ideal project to learn the methods and processes for serpentine and blocked furniture. The rectangular case has ogee bracket feet and a serpentine molded front edge with a single serpentine/blocked drawer. Topics and discussions during this 4-day workshop will include: project layout and procedure; cutting joinery; layout of case and drawer blocking; cutting, shaping, and fairing drawer and case; building and fitting a drawer; small bracket feet; and construction/design variations.
Project completion will vary by student, and take-home work following the workshop should be expected. Wood selection may vary.
Hardware and finishing supplies/instruction are not included.
Approx. Dimensions: 4 ¾”H x 16 ½”W x 8 ¾”D
Demilune Table
Thursday, July 24, 2025 - Sunday, July 27, 2025
Fee: $1195.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (on your own)
Spaces are available - Email Dan to inquire about registration.
The classic design of the demilune table is light, graceful, and elegant. The form lends itself to both contemporary and modern interpretations. In this 4-day workshop, students will create an elliptical demilune table with a bricked and veneered apron, graceful legs (students may opt for either curved saber legs or straight tapered legs), molded rim bead, and a molded beaded top.
Project completion will vary by student, and take-home work following the workshop should be expected. Wood/veneer selection may vary.
Finishing supplies/instruction are not included.
Approx. Dimensions: 29”H x 32”W x 14”D
Carved Codfish
Saturday, August 2, 2025 - Sunday, August 3, 2025
Fee: $450.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (on your own)
This workshop is currently full - Email Dan to join the waiting list!
The codfish is a regional symbol that celebrates the history and prosperity of the early fishing industry in New England. In this 2-day workshop, students will create a carved codfish wall decoration. Topics and discussions will include: layout and design; methods to secure the work; shaping and modeling the profile; and fine detailing techniques.
Project completion will vary by student, and take-home work following the workshop may be expected. Wood selection may vary.
Finishing supplies/instruction are not included.
Approx. Dimensions: 28”L x 9 ½”W
Contemporary Side Chair
Monday, August 11, 2025 - Saturday, August 16, 2025
Fee: $1795.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (on your own)
Two spaces left! - Email Dan to inquire about registration.
Chair making provides an opportunity for creativity through the blending of design and form. The workshop model is a fusion of modern and classic styling using traditional joinery. This contemporary side chair has an X-frame seat rail system, curved posts, a curved and shaped crest rail and splat, and a solid shaped seat. Topics and discussions during this 6-day workshop will include: design and patterns; construction details; cutting and fitting joinery; cutting, fairing, and shaping curved elements; and shaping and sculpting the seat.
Project completion will vary by student, and take-home work following the workshop should be expected. Wood selection may vary.
Finishing supplies/instruction are not included.
Traditional Furniture Elements
Friday, August 22, 2025 - Sunday, August 24, 2025
Fee: $695.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (on your own)
Spaces are available - Email Dan to inquire about registration.
This 3-day workshop is a historical carving journey through some of the major periods of classical furniture. Each student will create a sample carving from each featured furniture period based on historic examples from 1640 to 1840. Topics and discussions will include: 17th Century strap work and patterns; William and Mary crestrails; concave Queen Anne fan; Federal waterleaf; and regional specific/design variations. Level of progress will vary by student, and take-home work following the workshop may be expected. Wood selection may vary.
Hand Tool Woodworking Foundations
Thursday, September 4, 2025 - Sunday, September 7, 2025
Fee: $895.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (on your own)
Spaces are available - Email Dan to inquire about registration.
This 4-day workshop is designed to build a strong foundation of essential skills for furniture making. Hand tool woodworking is a satisfying craft that can easily be integrated into a machine efficient shop. Students will develop skills and knowledge as they chisel, plane, and shave through the projects and exercises. Topics and discussions will include: tuning and sharpening the basic tools of the furnituremaker; wood technology; stock preparation and reference surfaces; layout and cutting of traditional joinery (lap joints, mortise and tenon joints, dovetails); and construction design for furniture.
Woodcarving Foundations
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - Sunday, September 14, 2025
Fee: $895.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (on your own)
Spaces are available - Email Dan to inquire about registration.
This 4-day workshop is designed to build a strong foundation of essential skills for woodcarving. Students will take a deep dive into many of the techniques and processes of decorative woodcarving. Students will carve traditional designs and complete exercises such as incised carving, carved moldings, relief carving, and applique carvings. These projects were developed to build knowledge, confidence, and good work habits for successful woodcarving. Topics and discussions will include: properties of wood technology; tool selection; care and sharpening of carving tools; proper stance and technique; and design and layout of woodcarving styles.
Furniture Drafting Foundations
Saturday, September 20, 2025 - Sunday, September 21, 2025
Fee: $425.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (on your own)
This workshop is tentatively full - registration pending!
This 2-day workshop is designed to develop and enhance the essential drafting skills for furnituremakers. The exercises and discussions will focus on the technical aspects of furniture making, with an emphasis on joinery, construction details, material choices, and basic design.
Topics will include: drafting tools and equipment; drafting processes; joinery options and details; creating patterns; project development and procedures; and scaling from a photograph.
Drafting boards will be available for each student to use on-site. However, students must provide their own drafting tools.
A required tool list will be provided upon registration, and students should plan accordingly in advance in order to be prepared.
October - December
Open-backed Bookcase
Thursday, October 2, 2025 - Sunday, October 5, 2025
Fee: $1195.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (on your own)
Spaces are available - Email Dan to inquire about registration.
In this 4-day workshop, students will create an open-backed bookcase with stylized piercings. The piercings are divided by contrasting vertical bars that are let-in to the case sides. The two-shelf design, with raised base, incorporates accent wood stretchers to enhance the details. The front of the case has two vertical angled stiles that receive the fitted accent wood edges of the shelves. Joinery techniques will include through dovetails, various tenons, slip joints, and dados.
Project completion will vary by student, and take-home work following the workshop may be expected. Wood selection may vary.
Finishing supplies/instruction are not included.
Approx. Dimensions: 42”T x 24”W x 12"D
McIntire-inspired Architectural Finial
Thursday, October 16, 2025 - Sunday, October 19, 2025
Fee: $950.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (on your own)
One space left! - Email Dan to inquire about registration.
This carving workshop model was inspired by an original Samuel McIntire architectural finial (circa 1800). It is a classic turned ornament in the Federal style, with a draped urn form, flame finial, and decorative detailing. The focus of this 4-day workshop is to learn techniques and procedures for carving on a turned element.
The turning will be provided for students.
Project completion will vary by student, and take-home work following the workshop may be expected. Wood selection may vary.
Finishing supplies/instruction are not included.
Approx. Dimensions: 24”T x 6 ¼” Diameter
Pie Crust Tray
Saturday, November 1, 2025 - Sunday, November 2, 2025
Fee: $450.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (on your own)
Spaces are available - Email Dan to inquire about registration.
The elegant carved rim of the well-known stately pie crust tables captures the eyes and hearts of collectors and furniture makers. In this 2-day workshop, students will learn the process to carve the pie crust edge as they create a small circular tray. Topics and discussions will include: layout and design; patterns; securing and holding the work while carving; and shaping/detailing techniques.
The turning will be provided for students.
Project completion will vary by student, and take-home work following the workshop may be expected. Wood selection may vary.
Finishing supplies/instruction are not included.
Approx. Size: 10” Diameter
Advanced Hand Tool Joinery
Friday, November 7, 2025 - Sunday, November 9, 2025
Fee: $695.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (on your own)
Spaces are available - Email Dan to inquire about registration.
This 3-day workshop is designed to tackle the more complex joinery of traditional furniture making. Students will learn practical strategies for layout and execution of housed tapered dovetails, tenons with angled shoulders, simple angled tenons, compound angled tenons, simple angled dovetails, and compound angled dovetails. Some brief review of the foundational skills will be covered as students explore the new challenges. Sharp tools and basic joinery knowledge are a must.
Inlaid Platter
Saturday, November 15, 2025 - Sunday, November 16, 2025
Fee: $450.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (on your own)
Spaces are available - Email Dan to inquire about registration.
The artful designs of inlay have decorated furniture for centuries.
In this 2-day workshop, students will gain the foundational skills and knowledge to produce a flat inlaid platter with a compass star focal point, banded perimeter detail, and accent handles. Topics and discussions will include: project layout; pattern designs;
installing/mitering banding; and compass star inlay.
The banding will be provided for students.
Project completion will vary by student, and take-home work following the workshop may be expected. Wood/banding selection may vary. Finishing supplies/instruction are not included.
Approx. Dimensions: 15 ¾”L x 10”W
Letter Carving
Saturday, December 6, 2025 - Sunday, December 7, 2025
Fee: $425.00
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch Break: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (on your own)
Two spaces left! - Email Dan to inquire about registration.
This 2-day workshop is designed to cover the foundational skills for letter carving in wood. Students will develop knowledge through introductory exercises and practice. Using Roman style lettering as the guide, students will learn how to carve straight, curved, and combined letters and numbers with serifs. Topics and discussions will include: layout and design; tool selection; wood grain orientation; and the foundational techniques of letter carving. In addition to the practice exercises, students will create a “Welcome” sign.
Project completion will vary by student, and take-home work following the workshop may be expected. Wood selection may vary.
Finishing supplies/instruction are not included.
Approx. Dimensions: 18”L x 5 ½”W