The following courses are currently scheduled. Courses
are listed alphabetically by title. Join the North House E-Newsletter
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Bury Yourself In Your Work - Build Your Own Casket
Randy Schnobrich
Session Options:
. . . 12/5/2008 - 12/7/2008
None of us are getting out of this alive, so you might as well bury yourself in your work. Join a growing number of independent-minded people looking for a more meaningful alternative to today’s burial arrangements.  This course covers a range of important details such as:  proper sizing, joinery, handle construction, hardware and design options.  The finished casket need not wait for a final departure before being put to use.  Above-ground applications include use as bookshelves, coffee tables, storage containers and entertainment centers.  The course presentation will be broad enough to include beginning woodworkers while also providing ample opportunity for more advanced participants to apply their talents.  Bring a partner to work on this memorable project.

The casket materials include cabinet-grade pine, birch for handles and bronze fastenings.
Note: Individuals registering for this course should contact their local municipality and the cemetery offices at the planned place of internment to determine any requirements or restrictions that may apply.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $620 per casket      
. . . Materials Fee: Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: n/a
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: All levels

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Early American-Style Workbench
John Beltman
Session Options:
. . . 4/11/2008 - 4/13/2008
A fine workbench is an essential fixture in the home workshop.  In this class students will build a sturdy workbench based on early American designs using simple, but classic, mortise and tenon joinery.  The finished bench is held together with wedges and can easily be disassembled.  Portable, knock-down features of this workbench make it a versatile addition to your workspace.  The bench's clean and classic lines may inspire some students to use it as a dining room table. Options for vises and hold down clamps will be discussed. Dimensions: 38"H x 72"L x 30"W (with some variations possible).  The bench is made using white pine timbers for the legs and top and oak for the wedges.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $195      
. . . Materials Fee: $185
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner

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Japanese Toolbox
Fred Livesay
Session Options:
. . . 9/20/2008 - 9/21/2008
Replace that plastic toolbox with a wooden one that reflects your appreciation for craftsmanship.  The Japanese are known for their ability to meld simplicity and elegance in design.  This traditional Japanese carpenter’s tool box demonstrates these qualities as does the ease of its construction.  Traditionally, the toolbox held the basic handtools with specific spaces for hammer, pull saw and plane.  The toolbox roughly measures 24" X 10" X 6" deep and will be customized to meet your needs.  Students will complete the toolbox in  two-days using simple hand tools.  Skills learned will include layout, joinery and proper use of saw and plane. This is an excellent class for those with few or no woodworking skills, and parent/grandparent and child partnerships.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150       
. . . Materials Fee: $25
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner

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Rustic Stick Furniture
Keith Anderson
Session Options:
. . . 8/29/2008 - 8/31/2008
Just right for the cabin - handcrafted rustic furniture made from natural materials at the cabin doorstep.  Unlock the construction techniques of using mortise and tenon joinery to assemble rustic furniture of your very own design from greenwood 'sticks.' Depending on size and details, potential projects to select from  include such things as chairs and benches, trellises, tables, and lamps. If you ever enjoyed working with “Tinker-Toys” as a kid,  you will enjoy building rustic stick furniture in full scale. At the completion of the course, you will go home with some handsome additions to your home and/or garden.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225      
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($10-$30)
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Shaving Horse - Build Your Own
Fred Livesay
Session Options:
. . . 11/1/2008 - 11/3/2008
The shaving horse is a 'must have' shop tool for any woodworker with handtools and a passion for green woodworking.  In its simplest form, the shaving horse is a low bench that you straddle, with a foot-operated swinging clamp.  Compared to a standard workbench with a conventional wood vise, the shaving horse allows for quick adjustments and leverage that ultimately suits drawknife and spokeshave work.  Students will learn basic mortise and tenon joinery to complete a custom-sized shaving horse.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $195      
. . . Materials Fee: $70
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Swedish Classic - 18th Century Style Lyre-Base Trestle Table
Fred Livesay
Session Options:
. . . to be scheduled
Dining will never be so rewarding or more elegant than when you and your guests sit at a substantial pine trestle table with classic lyre-shaped legs.  Using power and hand tools, students will build a trestle table that measures approximately 72 inches long, 40 inches wide and 32 inches high and will comfortably seat eight. The class begins with the preparation of rough sawn lumber and continues to gluing up tops and legs, layout and cutting of parts, chopping of mortises, and ends with the final assembly, detailing, and finishing.  You will leave knowing how to sharpen and properly use hand tools for  furniture making, lay out and chop mortises with matching tenons, and to drawbore joints for tight fits and understand the basics of wood movement.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 5
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $325      
. . . Materials Fee: $175
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Swedish Style Green Woodworking
Jon Strom
Session Options:
. . . 10/11/2008 - 10/12/2008
Boiled down to the elements of axe and knife, green woodworking in the Swedish tradition has inspired a new generation of woodcarvers to revisit old-world patterns and styles.   Participants in this course will be introduced to the traditions of ‘köksredskap’, or carving traditional Swedish butter knives, small spoons or bread boards by starting with a green log, splitting it, and use simple hand tools to carve their desired project.  No trips to Ikea here, just innovative designs following the folk art traditions of Sweden. No experience necessary!  You'll leave with two to three new projects... enough to cut, slice and butter your bread.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150      
. . . Materials Fee: $12
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Windsor Chair Making  
Jeff Trapp
Session Options:
. . . 9/19/2008 - 9/22/2008
Discover the elegance, function and beauty of Windsor chair making.  In this course, students make a rod back Windsor chair using traditional hand tools such as scorps, drawknives, travishers and spokeshaves.  Students become familiar with sight lines, taper sockets, steam bending and riving.  The emphasis is on traditional and time-honored techniques; the only modern improvement that will be used is Elmers white glue.  Topics addressed during the course include: back rail riving and steam bending, seat shaping, seat drilling and reaming for legs, stretcher and leg assembly, spindle whittling and back assembly. Legs and stretchers are pre-turned but lathes and turning are demonstrated.

Extend your learning experience and enroll for the one-day spokeshave making course, the essential chairmaking tool.  See 'Toolmaking' for details.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 4
. . . Hours: 9am-4:30pm
. . . Tuition: $395      
. . . Materials Fee: $110
. . . Intergenerational Age: n/a
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Wooden Bowl Turning - Norwegian Ale Bowls
Roger Abrahamson
Session Options:
. . . 11/14/2008 - 11/16/2008
Wooden ale bowls are an excellent example of functional Scandinavian folk art.  These ceremonial drinking vessels were used both for serving on special occasions and in the brewing process.  In this class, students begin with a green birch log. Using axes, knives, hook tools and a foot-powered spring pole lathe (plus lots of vigorous work), you'll create an ale bowl to take home and use. Tool sharpening and proper cutting techniques will be taught.  There will also be lively discussions on the design, function and culture surrounding these objects, as well as the history of woodturning. The instructor will have available several antique bowls from his collection for study and inspiration.  Skills taught in this class will also be very useful to modern bowl turners.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $195      
. . . Materials Fee: $35
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: All Levels