~Power tools 101 is a prerequisite for this course~
Learn how to transform rough lumber into finished sizes while making a mitered box with splines. This class will cover how to use the jointer, planer, table saw, and miter saw to create parallel sides and perpendicular corners before building the box. Through box-making, we will learn how to make mitered corners and spline inserts with the table saw and dados with the router. There will also be a demonstration on how to make a homemade veneer press. 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
* If you require an accommodation to take this class, please indicate so in the registration form. Read about our accommodations policy here. *
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Taught by Aria Kampfer
This craft hang is a gathering in the hand tools classroom at Fireweed Woodshop. The purpose is for carvers and crafters to get together around making and crafting, share skills and chit chat, get to know each other, enjoy the woodshop's space, build community, and belonging. It's also perfect for anyone who started a spoon in class and would like to use Fireweed's carving knives to finish it.
Other handcrafting projects could include woodblock carving, figure carving, Kolrosing, chip carving, hand sanding, knitting, crochet, etc....
6:30-8:30pm Registration is free or give what you can without pressure!
Bring your own project to the shop for some company, community, and sharing tips and tricks. This is NOT A CLASS, just a hangout.
What to bring:
-your project (all handcrafts welcome!) Spoon blanks and dala horse blanks available for purchase
- your carving tools (we can loan fireweed's carving tools if you do not have your own)
This class is beginner friendly and rooted in traditional techniques, offering an introduction to the rhythm and skill of working with natural materials. Each student will leave with two finished brooms and a working understanding of the core practices used in traditional broom making. Basic hand eye coordination helpful.
The materials fee is $55 and is included in the admission cost.
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Taught by Pamela Meiners
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The materials fee is {insert materials fee} and included in the admission cost.
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* We do require masking indoors, whatever your vaccination status *
Taught by {Insert Instructor name here}
The materials fee is $15 and is included in the admission cost.
Taught by Triple Moon Handy Services
Join us for a special BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) centered class to practice the basics of Power Tools
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.
This class is intended for BIPOC students.
Email hello@fireweedwoodshop.org to request ASL interpretation for this course.
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Taught by Meena Mangalvedhekar (@meenanew) Bio 1. Bio 2.
The purpose of this class is to provide a supportive learning environment for those identifying as women, transgender, agender, or non-binary to work with their hands, using traditional and modern tools to learn the craft of timber frame building.
Timber framing is the craft of joining wooden timbers together without the use of nails or metal fasteners to create a free-standing, self-supporting structure. Timber frames range in size from sawhorses to cathedrals and can be made using hand tools and locally-sourced materials. Timber frames are simple, strong, and elegant, and have stood for centuries around the world. In this class, students will learn the fundamentals of timber framing, from the use of hand and power tools to the layout and cutting of mortise and tenon joinery. At the end of the class, students will work together to raise the frame they have built and will go home with the knowledge and skills to continue their timber framing practice.
In this class, we will be supporting Shepherd Moon Farm by creating the frame for a sauna. The timbers will be ash and oak sourced from the farmland. We are hosting this class twice, and each class will build a portion of the sauna.
Location
This class takes place at Fireweed Woodshop (the second class will be held on location at Shepherd Moon Farm in Lindstrom, MN).
Class Outline
Day 1: Introduction to timber framing, project design, and square rule layout.
Day 2: Cutting mortises and tenons with hand tools.
Day 3: Designing for strength - learning to cut wind braces, and continue working on individual timbers.
Day 4: Introduction to power tool use in timber framing. Students finalize their individual pieces. Discussion of raising day logistics and preparation.
Sunday, Nov. 1: Both classes come together at Shepherd Moon Farm (16987 260th St, Lindstrom, MN 55045) to assemble the timbers they have cut and raise the final frame. The raising will be followed by a celebratory potluck.
NOTE: If you would like to attend this course, but have any hesitancy around the logistics, please reach out to us at hello@fireweedwoodshop.org. We would be happy to talk through alternative options and accommodations.
The cost of materials for this class is $65 and is included in the cost of admission.
Taught by Jenna Pollard with assistance from Julie Arnold and Aria Kampfer.
Jenna Pollard (she/her) has been timber framing since 2010, and has taught timber framing courses throughout Minnesota, Arizona, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington. She built her own timber frame cabin in South Dakota in 2015, and has been passionately sharing timber framing skills with others since then. Her passion for teaching has led her to offer timber framing courses for FLINTA-identifying folks. She is excited to teach this timber framing class and provide mentorship for students to learn and build their skills in a safe and supportive environment.
In this class, we will be supporting Shepherd Moon Farm by creating the frame for a sauna. The timbers will be ash and oak sourced from the farmland. We are hosting this class twice, and each class will build a portion of the sauna frame.
This class will take place at Shepherd Moon Farm: 16987 260th St, Lindstrom, MN 55045.
Students will have three options for attending: camp on site, carpool from Fireweed, drive yourself each day.
1. CAMP There will be ample space to spread out and access to an outdoor stove, bathroom and shower. There is a grocery store less than ten minutes away, and students will have access to a fridge. While the facilities are outside, there will be an indoor space available to warm up as needed. If you plan to camp, we will share more information about arrival, food options, and lodging after registration. Please reach out to hello@fireweedwoodshop.org with any questions prior to registration.
2. CARPOOL Meet at Fireweed at 8am to carpool to the farm. Class wraps up at 5pm and we will return to the woodshop by 6pm.
3. You could drive yourself individually to the farm. Class begins at 9am and ends at 5pm.
Day 1: Introduction to timber framing, project design, and square rule layout, hands-on practice with the tools.
Sunday, Nov. 1: Both classes come together at Shepherd Moon Farm in Lindstrom, MN to assemble the timbers they have cut and raise the final frame. The raising will be followed by a celebratory potluck.
Join herbalist Emily Pearson Ryan and printmaking instructor Jessie Merriam for an exploration of garlic, our tasty and powerful friend for cardiovascular, immune, respiratory ailments and more. Students will spend time with Emily learning about the botany, harvesting practice, and traditional and medicinal uses of this plant (did you know, garlic was found in the tomb of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankamen?). Students will have the opportunity to check out various preparations over a tea and snack break, and then will learn the process of woodblock printmaking by carving a garlic 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. Templates are provided or you can bring your own. Check out
https://www.jessiemerriam.com/blog-1 for design tips and printmaking supplies should you catch the bug! Jessiemerriam@gmail.com for design questions.
This woodblock image is from the Gerard Herbal, 1597– you can see an original publication of this and other wonderful plant illustrations at the Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine.
https://hsl.lib.umn.edu/wangensteen (The public can visit with appointment!)
The materials fee for this class is $35 and is included in the admission cost
Taught by Jessie Merriam (@wheelbugs) and Emily Pearson Ryan
*Spooky Season Special*
Give bats a safe place to roost while supporting a healthy local ecosystem. In this hands-on workshop, participants will build their own bat house and learn about the important role bats play as natural insect controllers and pollinators. You'll practice using the table router, bench vise, and drill as you prepare and assemble your bat house. Participants can personalize the exterior of their bat houses with paint, stencils, and creative designs. Participants will leave with:
- A completed bat house ready for installation
- Experience using a table router, bench vise, and drill
- Basic woodworking and assembly skills
- Knowledge of local bat ecology and conservation
- A checklist for identifying suitable locations for bat house installation
- A customized bat house decorated to their personal style This class is perfect for nature enthusiasts, aspiring makers, and anyone interested in combining woodworking, art, and environmental stewardship.
The materials fee for this class is $25 and is included in the admission cost.
* this class has a relaxed pace, get to know classmates and/or enroll with a pal, bring a snack, cider sippin' break time provided midway through*
Taught by Jules Bunch
A tongue drum is a melodic percussion instrument made up of different sized "tongues" that resonate different tones when tapped. The tones are changeable depending on the type of wood used, size of the box, and shape of the tongues!
In this class, students will get to choose between 2 and 8 tongues and create their own unique shapes. They will also get to choose the size of the box, with a maximum size of 8 inches by 16 inches.
Learn how to use a coping saw to cut out the tongues, and rabbet and dado joinery to build the box. Rabbet and dado joinery is a common form of box joinery, often used in the making of drawers.
Come and explore the musical capabilities of wood while creating your own one-of-a-kind instrument!
The materials fee for this class is $35 and is included in the cost of admission.
Taught by EB Barnard and Aria Kampfer
This class was formerly called "Power Tools 101." Make a cutting board while learning how to use woodshop 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. Standing is required to use the power tools, but seating is available in between tool use. There is a scheduled ten minute noise break halfway through class.
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.
Taught by Meena Mangalvedhekar
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 crafting your own!
You will learn in this class:
- How to use the table saw to make a rabbet
- How to cut miters with a miter saw
-How to reinforce corners with a brad nailer and glue
Students are provided with one-inch wide hardwood.
Come to class with dimensions of the piece you want to frame, and we'll take it from there!
Using the power tools involves standing, bending, and light lifting. Students are able to sit when they are not using the tools.
The materials fee for this class is $15 and is included in the class admission cost.
Taught by Lars James
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 7 participants and needs 5 participants to run.
Open Shop Schedule:
9:30 - 10 AM Ask Aria anything! If you need help making a plan, want to talk through process, or have questions about design, come in between 5:30 and 6 PM to talk.
10AM - 12:20 PM Open use of the shop.
12:20 - 12:30 PM Clean up: put away all hand tools and vacuum around power tools and work benches.
Open Shop Rules:
Please email aria@fireweedwoodshop.org if you have any questions about open shop or what tools are available to use.
* If you require an accommodation to take this class, please indicate so in the registration form. Read about our accommodations policy here. * _________________________________
Facilitated by Aria Kampfer
Stop in to tour the woodshop space, pick up online purchases, check the lost&found, browse the art gallery, admire the online auction items, have a neighborly visit! Also available: in person purchases of merch, gift certificates, tools and wood goods. (SPOILER - there's an online auction planned for December with items on display in the gallery starting mid-October)
This is an excellent opportunity to drop off tools and materials you want to donate, ask questions about classes, make suggestions, share ideas. We want to meet you and hear from you.
Leah Van Tassel, Director of Finance and Operations hosts these Office Hours
*no registration needed, just stop in or drop in*
Back entrance will likely be locked; please use front entrance or gallery side door. Sidewalk sign will be out to help direct folks.
December Office Hours: Friday, 12/4 same time 1:00-6pm
Join staff members Leah and Aria at Fireweed to help clean, refresh, and organize the woodshop! There are specific registration types that correspond to time slots and task pairings. There might be some shifts or adaptations to needs that might be time sensitive or feel like priorities, but generally, the first hour is designated as vacuum time - it will be noisy and we will each be operating vacuums to collect dust and clean the entire space to prep for activities that come after the vacuuming. Recommended to sign up for specific time slots.
9:00 vacuuming- each volunteer operates a vacuum. WARNING- noisy the whole time.
10:00 gather as a group, select tasks to tackle in pairs: some options include painting kitchenette, applying leather grips to shave horses, sorting scrap lumber, cutting/sizing scraps for specific uses, get craft and make firestarters from shavings/scraps, get physical and split firewood (outdoor activity), label items on shelving (could include some sorting and organizing).
11:00 check in on progress, tea and coffee break
12:00 regroup, progress updates, take on final tasks/ assignments, snack break
1:00 Finished!
* If you require an accommodation to participate, please indicate so in the registration form. Read about our accommodations policy here. *
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Facilitated by Leah Van Tassel and Aria Kampfer
~Fixing a leaky faucet and replacing a sink aerator. ~Removing and replacing door knobs and locks. ~Patching holes in drywall and properly using anchors. ~Safely replacing electrical outlets and light fixtures. ~Using common tools like drills, stud finders, and more. Why Choose This Course? Hands-on learning: You’ll practice every repair yourself.
Practical skills: Focused on the most common repair issues.
Empowering environment: Supportive and beginner-friendly small group.
What to Bring: Just yourself and a snack and water bottle! We’ll provide all tools and materials.
Tune in to your body and dive in to hand tools skills as we build a beautiful art display shelf. We'll go in-depth on pull saw techniques and use chisels and planes to clean tenons for joint fitting. During this class, we will also improve body awareness to tap into a greater sense of joy, control, and focus while using these hand tools.
The class will start with some silly and challenging coordination and observation exercises, followed by a discussion on techniques for pull saws, chisels, and planes, and then spend the majority of time immersed in the process of cutting and cleaning a tenon to fit into a mortice. Finally, we'll cut the remaining recess to house your favorite decorations.
Whether you're at the start of your woodworking journey, or already in love with hand-cut joinery, this class will provide a relaxing space to improve your skills!
The materials fee is $10 and is included in the admission cost.
Taught by Matte Segal
In this hands‑on class, we’ll take small pieces of hardwood and turn them into unique earrings and pendants. Your instructor will walk you through bandsaw skills for safely cutting small shapes, and we’ll spend time on sanding techniques that help your creations feel smooth, intentional, and ready for finishing. You’ll also learn how to drill clean, accurate holes sized just right for jewelry hardware. We’ll look at a few different finishing methods — oil, wax, and soft‑sheen options — to bring out the natural color and grain of the wood while keeping everything feeling warm and organic. To complete your pieces, we’ll go over the basics of attaching jewelry hardware so you can turn your shapes into earrings or pendant necklaces. You can choose from several different metal colors to fit your style. Optional Add-on Class: Pyrography Wood Jewelry! If you want to keep going, this class pairs beautifully with the pyrography workshop taught by the same instructor next Thursday, Nov. 19 from 6-9 PM. In the pyrography workshop, you’ll learn how to use wood-burning tools to add patterns, textures, and detailed illustrations — either on the pieces you made earlier in the day or on the wood materials provided in the pyrography class. It’s a relaxed, creative way to deepen your skills, explore surface decoration, and leave with even more custom work you’re proud of.
Open shop but for turning! This open shop is only for students with previous turning experience or those who've taken a turning class with Fireweed. Bowl blanks will be available for purchase but feel free to bring your own prepped wood if you've got a project you are working on. Instructor Abbey Dickhudt will be at the shop to make sure everyone is staying safe. This IS NOT a class. This is a time for self-directed work to make shavings, make mistakes, and ask questions. *Woodshop lathes accommodate limited size blanks. If you have any questions about the wood you want to bring or the lathes, please reach out in advance.
Registrants of open shop MUST have taken Bowl Turning or be comfortable and experienced using turning tools and the lathe. Every attendee of open shop must register. Please no guests without registration!
Please email hello@fireweedwoodshop.org if you have any questions about open turning or what tools are available to use.
* We do require masking indoors for this class, whatever your vaccination status * _________________________________
Facilitated by Bozena Scheidel
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 4 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
Learn how to carve a spoon from a fresh cut tree using traditional Nordic carving techniques. We cover tree anatomy, 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!
Taught by Katie Speckman
What to Bring: Just yourself! We’ll provide all tools and materials.
*Support for this daytime course comes from the Prospect Park Co-op Legacy Fund. Thank you PPCLF!
This hands-on class will have you leaving with your own custom jewelry and the skills to keep creating.
In this 2.5 day course, each student will build a post-and-rung stool out of oak or ash and weave a seat from cotton Shaker tape. This class will focus on hand tools, using spokeshaves and drawknives to shape the posts and rungs. We will go over several methods of cutting the tenons on the rungs, and bore matching mortises in the posts. Our final step will be weaving the tops with a cushion filled with the wood shavings we make over the course of the project. The finished stool will be a beautiful and functional piece of furniture that will last for generations, and the skills learned in this class can be carried forward into future chair-making projects. Chair-making is a complex process, so come prepared for a weekend full of hard work and new knowledge! Please notice that this class is two full days 11/21 and 11/22 and then a shorter session on 11/29 to weave the top and complete any loose ends.
The materials fee is $100 and included in the admission cost.
Taught by Jeanette Torkelson
The materials fee for this class is $15 and is included in the admission cost.
Taught by Julie Arnold
5:30 - 6 PM Ask Aria anything! If you need help making a plan, want to talk through process, or have questions about design, come in between 5:30 and 6 PM to talk.
6 - 8:20 PM Open use of the shop.
8:20 - 8:30 PM Clean up: put away all hand tools and vacuum around power tools and work benches.
* Masking is required in this class * _________________________________
This craft hang is a gathering in the hand tools classroom at Fireweed Woodshop. The purpose is for carvers and crafters to get together around making and crafting, share skills, get to know each other, enjoy the woodshop's space, build community and belonging, and inspire each other in our creative endeavors. It's also perfect for anyone who started a spoon during a class and would like to use Fireweed's carving knives to finish it.
Other handcrafting projects could include woodblock carving, figure carving, kolrosing, chip carving, knitting, crochet, etc....
Bring your own project to the shop for some company, community, and sharing tips and tricks. This is NOT A CLASS, it's an art hangout.
*Please use the accommodation request field during registration if you need other participants to mask during this event - we do it for community as needed!
Join us for a special BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) centered class to practice the basics of Woodshop Power Tools
This class was formerly called "Power Tools 101." Make a cutting board while learning how to use woodshop 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.
Elderberry is a powerful ally for cold and flu and Covid season, and an easy herb to love to take! In this class, herbalist Emily Pearson Ryan will introduce students to the many uses of Elder-berry (and blossom!) - most famously the plant's immune-boosting power. Then we will craft a delicious warming syrup together.
Students will take home one 8-ounce (or two 4-ounce) bottles of fresh syrup and recipes to make more.
Taught by Emily Pearson Ryan
Calling all bakers, chefs and hobbyists! Novices and pros alike!
Learn the basics of spindle turning in this fun, beginner-friendly course. Class will introduce the anatomy of the lathe and students will learn the techniques to turn a maple or walnut rolling pin. Course will also cover sanding and food-safe finishes.
The materials fee for this course is $20 and is included in the admissions cost.
Taught by Elle Curran
Leah Van Tassel, Director of Finance and Operations hosts Office Hours
From colorful or clean to elegant or playful, design and build a shelf while practicing foundational woodworking skills. Folk Art shelves often turn a simple, useful object into something expressive through shape, proportion, repetition, and ornament. In this class, we’ll explore these ideas through curves, silhouettes, and simple motifs as we design our own three-shelf piece either to sit on a desk or hang on the wall. We’ll begin with the same materials and structural framework, then make choices within those parameters to create a unique piece. Using handsaws and chisels, we’ll cut and fit mortise and tenon joinery, secured with a wedge that draws the shelves tightly into the uprights. This variation, called a tusk tenon, is a traditional joint found in furniture ranging from cabinets to dining tables. The finished shelf will be approximately 18” wide and 24” tall, with three shelves 6” deep. Come explore how traditional joinery can provide a sturdy framework for playful and personal design.
There will be a 30-minute lunch break each day and you are encouraged to bring food. There is a fridge and microwave onsite.
The materials fee is $97 and is included in the admission cost.
Taught by Lauren Newby
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. Standing is required to use the power tools, but seating is available in between tool use. There is a scheduled ten minute noise break halfway through class.
This special edition craft hang is hosted by Alyssa. The purpose of the figure carving theme is for carvers and crafters to get together around making and crafting, learn from Alyssa's wealth of experience and creativity, share skills, get to know each other, enjoy the woodshop's space, build community and belonging, and inspire each other in our creative endeavors. Practice materials will be provided and the Woodshop's carving tools available to use.
6:30-9:00pm Registration is free or give what you can without pressure!
Bring your own project to the shop or just bring yourself for some company, community, and sharing tips and tricks. This is NOT A CLASS, it's an art hangout.
- your project (all handcrafts welcome!) figure carving blanks available during this hang out
Make a handmade toy for your little one, a little one in your life, or yourself! (You deserve it!) 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)
- How to reinforce corners with a brad nailer and glue
Open shop but for turning! This open shop is only for students with previous turning experience or those who've taken a turning class with Fireweed. Bowl blanks will be available for purchase but feel free to bring your own prepped wood if you've got a project you are working on. Instructor Elle Curran will be at the shop to make sure everyone is staying safe. This IS NOT a class. This is a time for self-directed work to make shavings, make mistakes, and ask questions. *Woodshop lathes accommodate limited size blanks. If you have any questions about the wood you want to bring or the lathes, please reach out in advance.
Registrants of open shop MUST have taken Bowl Turning or Spindle Turning and be comfortable and experienced using turning tools and the lathe. Every attendee of open shop must register. Please no guests without registration!
Facilitated by Elle Curran
Want to make custom hair accessories? This class will allow you to make a hair pin of your own design while getting familiar with using the bandsaw, combo sander, vice, hand sanding techniques, and wood grain. Come with an idea of how many tines your dream hair pin holds and fun shapes! Design considerations will be discussed. We will have a selection of woods to choose from.
Please wear closed toed shoes and avoid dangly clothing. During this 2 hour class, students will be standing for the majority of the time, if you require reading glasses, you will want to bring them to class, fine motor skills and dexterity needed for hairpins with intricate designs, less dexterity and vision required for sleeker designs.
Taught by Leah Van Tassel
Learn the basics of spindle turning in this fun, beginner-friendly course! You will learn how to operate the lathe, properly use a spindle gouge, explore form, and turn wood. This class will cover all the steps to make a candlestick holder. You will leave with your own turned, sanded, and oiled candlestick holder and the foundations of spindle turning!
The materials fee is $35 and is included in the cost of admission.
Measure, mark, cut, and attach! This class introduces basic handheld power tools: drill, impact driver, circular saw, jigsaw, oscillating multitool, and sawzall. Class will also cover tape measures and proper marking tequiniques to set your power tool usage up for success. Students will leave with new tool skills, as well as basics on different types of screws, bits, and blades to make you confident in your next home project (and during all the hardware store trips along the way). We will spend time with each tool, where you will have an opportunity to learn and practice and combine methods throughout class. This is a beginner class- we expect little to no prior expecience with any tools.
The materials fee is $10 and is included in the cost of admission.
Taught by Kate Hill
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