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Dec 09
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Class: Green Wood Chair Making

By decommission

Date(s): March 13-17. 9am – 5pm. Five class days

Instructor: Andy Glenn

Price: $1,500

Description: In this class, we will begin the week with the log to collect knock out parts and end the week with a completed chair. Green wood chair making starts with moisture content; the wetter wood of the posts shrinks around the dry rungs. That’s what holds the chair together, as these chairs were traditionally made without the use of nails or glue (though we’ll use a little glue, it’s nice to use for the peace of mind ).

We’ll use primarily hand tools in the class, to shave and shape our parts. We’ll split the log with a froe and maul. Then shave the posts and rungs at the shavehorse. We will steam and bend the back post, which both adds to the appearance and increases the comfort of the chair.

This class is ideal for someone making their first chair or their 20th. It is my hope that someone can take this class and feel confident returning home to make a chair in their shop. We’ll cover all the relevant topics: moisture content, materials, tools and techniques, form making, seat weaving, and finish.

The chair design is characteristic of a traditional Appalachian post-and-rung. Shaved with three slats, bent upper post, and a woven hickory back seat, this design is commonly found around the region.

Lunches provided.

Students: please bring your tool kit and seating material*

* A couple seating options (I’ve listed a few and there are plenty of others )

Tool List:

Needed:

  • Drawknife
  • Spokeshave (Flat or Round bottomed, flat will be a little easier)

Recommended: (please bring – especially the first eight on this list – but don’t run out to purchase if you don’t own one yet)

  • pencil
  • utility or pocket knife
  • tape measure
  • sliding bevel gauges
  • tenon or dovetail saw
  • sharp chisel
  • pocket knife or (small) straight carving knife
  • claw hammer
  • handsaw (smaller crosscut saw – ideally a tenon saw, though most anything will do)
  • framing square or 24″ straight edge
  • deadblow or lump hammer
  • block plane
  • compass (scribe)
  • card scraper

We’ll use/cover, but not needed (please bring if you have them):

  • froe, maul and wedges
  • hatchet
  • power tenon cutters
  • bevel setting gauge or protractor (a way to find angle for the sliding bevel gauge)
Dec 07
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Class: Sharpening: Chisels and Plane Irons

By decommission

Date(s): Saturday, April 30th. 9am – 5pm.

Cost: $180

Instructor: Andy Glenn

Class Description: Keeping tools sharp is a critical aspect to hand woodworking and one that effects the results we achieve with the cutting tools. Sharpening is a skill consistently put to use. Since tools dull as we use them, it is best to frequently sharpen them. The more tools are used, the more sharpening necessary.

In this one-day class, we will cover the most common methods and approaches to sharpening chisels and plane irons. You’ll leave this session with sharper tools and the knowledge and confidence to sharpen the tools in your kit going forward.

Lunch provided.

Tool Kit: Please bring your chisels and plane irons. We’ll discuss and diagnose older tools. Bring newer tools as well….they frequently need sharpening before use. If you do not have tools but would still like to attend, we will have extra tools around the shop to borrow and practice with for the day.

Nov 29
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2022 Classes

By decommission

Update: Registration is open! 

Registration for 2022 spring and summer classes will open Friday, December 17th, at 10am.  You can receive updates here or by signing up for our email list.  It’s found at the bottom of each webpage.  We send out a couple messages a year, giving updates on classes and any happenings at the school.

We’ll welcome three guest instructors next spring: Michael Puryear (spoon carving), Dawson Moore (chairmaking), and Megan Fitzpatrick (English Tool Chest).

I’ll teach a handful of classes as well, beginning with an introduction to woodworking class for anyone interested in getting started with machine and benchwork.  That will be followed up with classes on sharpening, a Shaker-style table and a greenwood chair (along with another class or two).

We hope you can join us.  Send me a message at glenna@berea.edu with any questions along the way.

–Andy Glenn

Oct 11
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October Session: Class Openings

By decommission

We’re in the middle of our Fall 2021 session and have a few open spots in our upcoming classes:

  • Megan Fitzpatrick’s Dutch Tool Chest: 10/15 – 10/17……one spot available (due to recent cancellation)
  • Andy Glenn’s Greenwood Stool: 10/18 – 10/20……two openings
  • Andy Glenn’s Wooden Carrier Class: 10/23 & 10/24……one spot

Please reach out if you’re interested.  Next session happens April 2022.  We’d love to see you in Berea.

 

-Andy Glenn

Apr 23
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October Classes

By decommission

Our spring classes, originally set for April and May, are all rescheduled for October.  We’re thankful the new dates work for Aspen Golann and Megan Fitzpatrick to join us in Berea.  The four autumn classes are open for registration:

  • Introduction to Carving: Traditional Techniques and Contemporary Applications.  October 8-10 with Aspen Golann
  • Dutch Tool Chest.  October 15-17 with Megan Fitzpatrick
  • Greenwood Stool. October 18-20 with Andy Glenn
  • Wooden Carrier. October 23 and 24 with Andy Glenn

As always, please send any questions or thoughts my way:  glenna@berea.edu

warmly, andy glenn

 

 

Nov 30
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Greenwood Stool

By decommission

October 18-20, 2021

Made of ash or oak, which will come directly from our Berea College forest. Much of traditional rural Appalachian furniture uses ornamentation and “extra” details sparingly.  Likewise with the stool.  The beads on the legs add visual interest, though the maker can omit them if they prefer a cleaner look.

The tool design was influenced by the work of Chester Cornett and other traditional Kentucky chairmakers.  In particular, a beautifully detailed tall stool by Cornett to a KY author sparked the desire to create something similar.

We will use greenwood techniques and joinery (dried rungs fit into a “wet” post).

Hickory bark provided with the class.

In this class we will:

  •         Split parts from a section of a log

  •         Shape parts at the shavehorse with drawknives and spokeshaves

  •         Make the seat rails – which will be heated/steamed and bent in a form

  •         Drill out the leg angles using sight lines

  •         Fit and assemble the stool

  •        Discuss weaving materials options and finish choices

Participants need to bring a small kit of tools for the class (list provided and we’ll have extras of tools if your kit isn’t complete).

Greenwood Stool Tool List:

Needed:

  • Drawknife
  • Spokeshave (Flat or Round bottomed, flat will be a little easier)

Recommended: (please bring – especially the first eight on this list – but don’t run out to purchase if you don’t own one yet)

  • pencil
  • utility or pocket knife
  • tape measure
  • sliding bevel guages
  • tenon or dovetail saw
  • sharp chisel
  • pocket knife or (small) straight carving knife
  • claw hammer
  • framing square or 24″ straight edge
  • deadblow or lump hammer
  • block plane
  • compass (scribe)
  • card scraper
  • flush cut saw

We’ll use/cover, but not needed:

  • froe, maul and wedges
  • hatchet
  • power tenon cutters
  • bevel setting gauge or protractor (a way to find angle for the sliding bevel gauge)

Andy Glenn

Greenwood Stool

October 18-20, 2021

$550

To Register: Call Aaron Beale at 859-985-3224 or email at bealeaa@berea.edu

Jul 22
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History and Hopes

By Front Page Post

Nancy Hiller (author, designer, cabinet maker, instructor – just to name a few) investigated the connection between the recent addition of Pine Croft to Berea College’s long history.  We’re grateful Nancy took the time and effort to research this piece and the connections between the college and the woodworking school.  There’s plenty of woodworking within it, but there’s also reference to societal  challenges and the work being done here at Berea to address it.  Please take a moment to read it, if you’re at all interested in the woodworking history here in Berea (or are just a fan of Nancy’s skillful writing).  Link to post at Lost Art Press.

[Note: Nancy died in the summer of 2022.  Her legacy is ever with us – through her writings, her woodwork, and the multitudes of people she encouraged and inspired.  If you haven’t before, I invite you to look through Nancy’s site for a glimpse of her courage, her willingness to share her wisdom with the woodworking community, and her enormous impact to the craft field.]

-andy glenn

Sep 30
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Instructor: Andy Glenn

By decommission

Andy Glenn

New Bio pic for Andy Glenn

Andy Glenn joined the team at Berea College Student Craft in the summer of 2017. Since Andy’s arrival, the Woodcraft program has begun a return to traditional joinery, hand tool instruction and use, and a re-commitment to the pursuit of excellence that made Berea synonymous with quality handcraft. Andy came to Berea after spending 14 years in the northeast (first in Boston, then Maine), where he trained at the North Bennet Street School (NBSS) before working in repair, cabinet and furniture shops. For ten years, he has taught continuing education classes at NBSS and as a guest instructor in the Cabinet and Furniture Making program. He is excited to help lead the school going forward: “Berea is a welcoming place with amazing creative energy and dedication to craft. We hope to embody those same traits in the school: genuine hospitality, sense of community, and high quality craft. It will be different than it was (it will have to be – there’s only one Kelly Mehler!), though I hope all who attend will find a similar essence in our efforts.” ~Andy Glenn

Jul 10
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About Pine Croft

By About

The Woodworking School at Pine Croft

Berea College re-opened the former Kelly Mehler School of Woodworking in 2019 under the leadership of Berea College former Head of Woodcraft Andy Glenn as The Woodworking School at Pine Croft. Both Andy and Berea College are dedicated to preserving the fundamental character the school has been known for as we move the school into its next phase.  The Woodworking School at Pine Croft further supports Berea College’s 120-year commitment to the preservation and promotion of craft.

Our Mission

While in some ways woodworking is an individual pursuit, there are common traits that connect across makers: a desire to expand our skills, furnish our homes, surround ourselves with the handmade, and join a community of dedicated craftspeople. We believe that craft can both preserve traditions and beauty – and that craft can act as a counterbalance to a disposable and consumer-reliant world. Making is essential to us. We are excited to share a place where students can grow in their skills and fulfill their creative pursuits. Providing opportunities to work with leading instructors who come from diverse backgrounds and have different woodworking perspectives. All are welcome to attend.