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woodworking classes

May 13
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The first step

By decommission

Where to start when getting into woodworking?

That’s a tricky question because there is no correct answer.  There’s also no wrong answer.  That ambiguity is incredibly freeing, because it means you can start exactly where you are right now.

I frequently respond to the “where do I start” question by giving a list of great options.  Some may be a viable option for you, others not.

  • Clubs and Associations:  The Furniture Society is a great place to start, though there turning clubs, local woodworking chapters, virtual groups, and other specific interests to explore.
  • Monthly Publications: Fine Woodworking Magazine has been the industry standard for the past 25 years.
  • Books: I’m always excited for the new releases by Tauton Press, Blue Hill Press, and Lost Art Press (disclosure: I’m writing a book with Lost Art Press currently about Appalachain Backwoods Chairmaking).
  • YouTube: It’s a mixed bag.  There’s a mountain of good information available, as well as dangerous practices and unsound techniques.  I like knowing the video is produced by a sound source and/or a considerate, experienced maker.
  • Classes:  This is where we come in.  We offer opportunities to expand your skills but we’re not the only ones around.  Greg Pennington offers Windsor chair making classes in Hendersonville, TN.  The John C Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC, always has an impressive catalog of classes.  Arrowmont (Gatlinburg, TN) is an inspiring place to take a class at the base of the Smokey Mountains.  Then there’s the Little Miami Handworks in Southwest Ohio.

With regards to classes at Pine Croft, it’s my intention to offer a range of classes (both project and skills based) that both challenge and support our students.  I intend to continue scheduling renowned instructors and upcoming younger makers, in hopes of adding variety and interest.

These classes can seem intimidating, especially for beginners.  While it may seem scary to sign up to make your first chair or cut your first dovetail, our classes are designed to support your initial efforts.  The classes are designed to challenge a seasoned maker as well as a beginner, while providing everyone the space and support needed to acquire new skills.

Please consider any class we offer.  If it requires advanced skills, I will note it in the class description.  Start with a class that looks interesting to you and expand your skills from there.

I have added a “place to start” class into our offerings for those of you who want a broad woodworking education as your foundation.  It’s our “Introduction to Woodworking” class and I plan on running it again this October.  It’s a six day class, roughly broken into daily topics: hand tools (day 1), common power tools and machinery (day 2), sharpening (day 3), wood turning (day 4), and we finish the week making a dovetailed keepsake box.

Again, my advice is to start with something that interests you.  Maybe I’ll see you in October at Pine Croft if the “Intro” class sounds interesting.

As always, please send me thoughts and questions about our classes.  I am excited to talk woodworking.  My email: glenna@berea.edu

Warmly, Andy Glenn

Nov 29
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2022 Classes

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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

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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

May 05
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Other “local” offerings

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We’re excited to offer our four October classes and hope you’ll join us in Berea.  It’s been a long time coming.

But if the timing or content doesn’t work out for this fall, please check out a couple other places offering great woodworking workshops in our area.

  • Greg Pennington is hosting chair making courses in his Hendersonville, TN shop.  I believe Travis Curtis is planning a ladderback class there for this summer as well.  Greg and Travis make beautiful chairs and I hear great things about their classes.
  • Lost Art Press is opening the storefront for a couple of classes this fall as well.  Megan Fitzpatrick (who is joining us at Pine Croft in October) is teaching a couple of tool box classes.  Peter Follansbee visit’s LAP in October for a weeklong class.

 

 

Feb 09
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Update on Spring 2021 Class Openings

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We’re getting nearer to our spring season at Pine Croft.  I want to share a quick update on the openings within our four classes:

  • Wooden Carrier class with Andy Glenn (April 10&11): full class, wait list started
  • Intro to Carving with Aspen Golann (April 16, 17 & 18): two spots remain
  • Greenwood Stool with Andy Glenn (April 30, May 1 & 2): two spots remain
  • Dutch Tool Chest with Megan Fitzpatrick (May 14, 15 & 16): two spots remain

We’re using a smaller deposit and are being flexible this season.  We know things can change quickly.  We’re hopeful that conditions will allow for our classes but will continue to reevaluate as we get nearer.  Send me a question if you have questions or concerns about a class or our plans for Pine Croft.

 

–andy glenn (glenna@berea.edu)

Jul 09
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Pinecroft!

Pine Croft Class Update

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Our plan is to open class registration for the 2021 season on October 15th.  We’ll announce the schedule and guest instructors ahead of that date.  I’m working on lining up our guest instructors at this time… the schedule will be similar to 2020, but not exactly the same.  You can expect a full range of furniture classes – cases and chairs, skills based classes and project based ones.  There will be offerings that cover a range of interests and skills.  We plan on having Tuesday evening presentations from our guest instructors, free and open to  anyone interested.

We’ll release the schedule in October so that everyone can plan for the upcoming year.  We will take a cautious approach.  That will mean our registration and cancellation policy will change, making it easier for everyone involved to adapt if the conditions call for it.

If you are interested in receiving communication about the upcoming schedule and events at the school, please register here (we’ll keep your info private and you’ll receive minimal notifications from us – just enough to keep you updated on the happenings at Pine Croft).

Questions or thoughts? Please contact us.  Our email and phone numbers are on the contact page.  We’d like to hear from you.

All that said, we’re excited and optimistic for the 2021 season.  Hope to see you in the spring!

-andy glenn

Jul 10
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About Pine Croft

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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.