Make a cutting board while learning how to use power tools. We will cover using the electric planer, ripping on the table saw, cross cutting on the miter saw, curved cuts on the bandsaw, and finishing. This is a great chance to get to know, or brush up on the most powerful tools in the shop. Take home your very own cherry or maple cutting board at the end.
The materials fee for this class is $20 and is included in the admission cost.
* We do require masking indoors, whatever your vaccination status *
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Taught by Meena Mangalvedhekar.
Join instructor Theoren Keenan for a walk on West River Road learning about common tree species to the Twin Cities. This course will cover winter identification features including buds, bark, and branch pattern, as well as uses and characteristics of the wood for craftspeople.
This class will be held outdoors despite rain, snow, or cold at the discretion of the instructor. If conditions become unsafe the class may be rescheduled.
----------------------Taught by Theoren Keenan.
Come learn how to turn your own bowl on the lathe! We will start with a freshly cut bowl blank and take it all the way to its finished shape. You will be learning parts of the lathe, how to mount your blank, and how to use bowl gouges, scrapers, and different chuck attachments. We will also cover how you will later on dry, sand, and finish the bowl. In this 4 hour class we will go at a pace at which everyone is comfortable, leaving plenty of room for demonstration, questions, and hands-on time.
The materials fee for this class is $30 and is included in the admission cost.
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Taught by Abbey Dickhudt
It can be hard to find just the right picture frame--especially for one-of-a-kind art--and custom frames are expensive. Solve that problem by learning how to build your own! We'll use the table saw, miter saw, and v-nailer to construct basic frames out of oak, maple, or cherry. Students should come to class with dimensions of the piece they want to frame, and we'll take it from there!
The materials fee for this class is $15 and is included in the class admission cost.
Taught by Julie Arnold
~Power tools 101 is a prerequisite for this course~
Learn how to transform rough lumber into finished sizes while making a mitered box. This class will cover how to use the tools to create parallel sides and perpendicular corners before building the box. Through box-making, we will learn how to make several forms of joinery including miters, splines, and dados. This class is open to students of all levels of ability, and we will make accommodations for anyone with a disability.
The materials fee for this class is $25 and is included in the admission cost
Taught by Aria Kampfer
This craft hang is gathering in the hand tools classroom at Fireweed Woodshop.
6:30-8:30pm Registration is free or give what you can without pressure!
Bring your own hand-carving project to the shop for some company, community, and sharing tips and tricks. This is NOT A CLASS, just a hangout.
This is a FREE event, open to all. If you like/are able to contribute, we have some different donation levels at registration, or you can choose "FREE!" registration. Thank you!
What to bring:
a mask (fireweed masks up indoors; extra masks are always available too)
-your project (all handcrafts welcome!)
- your carving tools (we usually have some spoon blanks for sale)
Learn how to carve a spoon from a fresh cut tree using traditional Nordic carving techniques. We cover tree anatomy, axing out a blank (roughed out spoon shape), knife holds for the hook & sloyd knife, drying, and finishing. This class is great for the beginner or the person wanting to learn Sloyd style carving. The class fee includes tool rental, materials, a finishing kit, and safety gloves. Please wear pants and close toed-shoes, as we are going to make some wood chips!
The materials fee for this class is $25 and is included in the admission cost.
Taught by Katie Speckman
In this 2-day course students will use the bandsaw to create a box that can be used in countless ways! Working from a solid piece of wood salvaged from lumberyard offcuts, you will learn to design, layout, cut, sand, and reassemble the pieces to form a functional box and lid. Once you learn the basic process, the possibilities are endless! You will learn and use the following tools during class: bandsaw, spindle sander, orbital sanders, clamps.
A 30 minute meal slot will be set aside for all, you are invited to bring something to eat and drink each day.
The materials fee for this class is $43 and is included in the admission cost.
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Taught by Gwen Comings
In this class we’ll make a simple single slat chair using traditional and modern tools with fresh black ash and woven with cotton Shaker tape. Beginners are welcome, but some basic woodworking experience will make the learning curve with the tools shorter. This class will require some hand strength to grip tools and some extended periods of standing. Being able to open a sealed jar is an example of hand strength.
The materials cost of this class is $65 and is included in the admission cost.
Taught by Mary Tripoli
Learn to make two functional and beautiful whisk brooms. This half day introduction class will cover traditional shaker and modern designs of the Turkey Wing and Sparrow tail hand brooms with wrapped handles. Bonus, you'll also use broomcorn remnants to make a cake tester, burnisher, or pot scrubber! Leave feeling confident and inspired to explore the world of broom making.
Please wear closed toed shoes.
The materials fee for this class is $22 and is included in the admission cost.
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Taught by Tina Green Krause.
Open shop is a time for you to bring in any projects or crafts you are working on and have access to the tools and the space. While we will have an instructor on staff to help open shop run smoothly and make sure tools are being used safely, this is a self-directed work time NOT class time. Open shop is capped at 8 participants and needs 6 participants to run.
Registrants of open shop MUST have taken power tools 101 or be comfortable and experienced using power tools. Every attendee of open shop must register. Please no guests without registration!
Please email fireweedwoodshop@gmail.com if you have any questions about open shop or what tools are available to use.
* We do require masking indoors, whatever your vaccination status * _________________________________
Facilitated by Aria Kampfer
In this 5-day class geared towards the newer woodworkers, students will construct a unique side table while learning the basics of solid wood construction, exposed-dowel joinery, pattern routing and finishing. Kelly loves to teach people how to use power tools and safety will be her focus as the students learn how to use many common shop tools, including the bandsaw, miter saw, table saw, jointer, planer, drill press and router table. Students will learn to use several types of jigs throughout the project.
Additionally, they will learn how to fabricate simple dowel jigs that will allow them to create joints that are both functional and decorative. Spontaneous learning opportunities will ensure that students learn basic problem-solving skills that will be useful as they work on future projects. As time allows, each student will be encouraged to embellish their project with pyrography (wood burning), carved textures, ebonizing, application of color, etc., so that the table created is reflective of each student’s personal aesthetic.
The class will also include strategies for successful glue-ups and discuss simple finishing techniques. By the end of the class each person will have a unique table and a new-found confidence in their woodworking skills!
The materials fee for this class is $100 and is included in the admission cost.
Taught by Kelly Parker
Join us for a special BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) centered class to practice the basics of Power Tools
This class is intended for BIPOC students.
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Taught by Meena Mangalvedhekar (@meenanew) Bio 1. Bio 2.
The materials fee for this class is $60 for pine and $175 for cedar and is included in the class admission cost.
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Taught by Leah Van Tassel and Aria Kampfer
What is that, you might ask? Make a musical box with bars that produce a pleasing tone when struck with a mallet. Boxes might have two, four, or several bars that produce a variety of sounds. You will use a table saw, band saw, scroll saw, and hand tools to create a sound box. It’s possible to tune the bars to specific tones, but it’s also beautiful just to see what emerges.
The materials fee for this course is $55 and is included in the admissions cost.
Taught by EB
Design and build your very own wooden clock! This three-session class will take you through the process of choosing the shape and wood species for your clock face to deciding on the appearance and finish of your product. Practice a variety of woodworking skills, including planing, sawing, carving, woodburning, and finishing. These clocks are designed to hang from a wall, though the instructor is open to exploring free-standing clocks for excited learners.
The materials fee for this class is $45 and is included in the admission cost.
Taught by Anaïs Boyd
Make a handmade toy for your little one or a little one in your life! You can design your own or use one of the patterns available. This class will teach a few basic woodworking skills, and you will leave with a finished toy. You will be using a bandsaw, drill press, belt sander, laminate router (optional), hammer, and sandpaper.
--------------------------------------------This class is taught by Kate Schiffler(@bbfurnituremn)
Learn about the ins and outs of installing trim. Cut with a miter and coping saw the base, face, and trim and practice installing it with an airnailer. Learn what's behind the wall so your trim is secured properly. This course is designed for beginners. All skill levels welcome.
Please wear closed toed shoes and avoid dangly clothing. During this 3 hour class, students will be standing for the majority of the time. If you have questions about accommodations during class please reach out to fireweedwoodshop@gmail.com
The materials fee for this class is $10 and is included in the admission cost.
Taught by Melinde Madsen
Join herbalist Emily Pearson Ryan and printmaking instructor Jessie Merriam for an exploration of dandelion as a remedy, ingredient, and spring delight. Students will spend time with Emily learning about the history and practice of harvesting and using this wild plant material. Students will have the opportunity to sample dandelion in various forms, then learn the process of woodblock printmaking by carving a design and printing it on different papers. Students will use sharp tools to carve 4x6" blocks and use water-based inks for printing, using methods easy to replicate at home.
There will be space for conversation about these intertwined crafts—the healing arts of plants—during the tea and carving time.
This course is beginner friendly. A short walk plant walk is an option, dandelion emergence and weather permitting.
To bring with you: a notebook for notes if you like, questions about dandelion use and herbalism, and a 4x6” design for your woodblock (spend some time looking at images and the plant if you can, and think about chunkier/more symbolic designs or designs taking advantage of woodblock texture).
There will only be about an hour of carving time before proofing, printing and cleanup, so don’t make your design too intricate especially if new to carving. There will be a template for anyone who prefers to use that or if you don’t have time to prepare a design.
The class is 3 hours and 15 minutes long to allow for a short break. Students are welcome to arrive 5 minutes early to settle in. Email jessiemerriam@gmail.com with any questions. The materials fee for this class is $35 and is included in the admission cost
Taught by Jessie Merriam (@wheelbugs) and Emily Pearson Ryan
Want to learn the wonders of steambending and milk paint while making a beautiful box? This is the class for you! Make a cherry wood 7" shaker style box. On the first day learn to cut the fingers, bend the wood, and secure it. While the bands steam we will demonstrate milk painting. Day two we will fit the bottom and lid while discussing finishing techniques.
The materials fee for this class is $40 and is included in the admission cost.
Taught by Tina Green Krause and Jeanette Torkelson
***This class is for students have previous broom making experience***
Learn to make two functional and beautiful Rooster Tail brooms with wrapped handles. This 3 hour class. Leave feeling confident and inspired to keep exploring the world of broom making.
The materials fee for this class is $15 and is included in the admission cost.
* Intended for students who have taken our Sharpening Basics class or have previous sharpening experience *
Bring your dull tools for some shop sharpening time. Open sharpening is a time to practice and focus on keeping our tools wicked sharp.
Registrants are required to bring tools to sharpen such as: straight knives, hook (spoon) knives, gouges, chisels, plane blades, spokeshave blades, drawknife or carving axes.
Fireweed will have diamond stones, water stones, and a Tormek available for sharpening use.
Open Sharpening time is self-directed and IS NOT a class.
Facilitated by Jeanette Torkelson and Andrew Austin-Petersen.
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