Classes & Workshops

Make Good Traditional Handcrafts now offers classes and instruction for new woodworkers hoping to start their journey in the tradition.

Get Started Woodworking

( in a small space )

Our in-person classes are designed to help you begin woodworking in your own home, without noisy, dusty, and potentially dangerous machines. Enjoy the satisfaction of exercising your creative spirit, and truly make something with your hands.

When I wanted to start a hobby in woodworking, I was living in a small apartment. I assumed I would have to wait until I could find a studio space or garage that would allow for the large, loud, and expensive machines of the modern trade. I researched and familiarized myself with hand tools, especially those used in the Japanese tradition. I became inspired by their effectiveness and simplicity, and their small footprint let me work in my own apartment. I want to help others find their way to this alternative—a quiet, mindful practice of traditional hand-tool woodworking.

Become a Woodworker

“Build Your Toolbox”

This 3-session, 12-hour class offers participants a deep-dive introduction to the rudiments of hand-tool woodworking with Japanese tools, including saws, chisels, planes, and more. In this class, you will learn how to use, sharpen, and maintain these tools and develop good work methodology. The class will culminate in building your own toolbox for your new tools. Classes will meet in-person in Brooklyn.

Session One

After an overview of woodworking fundamentals, we’ll begin with basic technique with saws and chisels, followed by sharpening and tool maintenance.

Session Two

In this session, we’ll get familiar with the nuances of the Japanese hand plane, effective work methods for small spaces, and some basic joinery concepts.

Session Three

Here’s where we start putting it all together. We’ll look at project design and joinery in application, and then we’ll get started building your toolbox.

Course fee: $600, in-class materials included

Note: Students will also be expected to purchase tools beforehand and bring them to the first class. Once you register, you’ll receive a list of tools with suggestions for where to buy them online. The total cost of tools should fall in the range of $250-350. If you have any questions about the required tool set, please reach out anytime.

Next Class Meets October 1st, 8th, & 15th, 2023
Only One Space Available!

Additional Sessions Being Planned for November & December
Reach out for more info

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