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Timber for Today and Tomorrow: Sustainable Forest Management for Landowners
Apr
25
8:00 AM08:00

Timber for Today and Tomorrow: Sustainable Forest Management for Landowners

Are you a landowner in southeast Michigan with a hardwood forest facing the challenges of overgrowth? Join the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (SBWI) in partnership with Forestry Management Services INC (FMS) and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) for a one-day intensive course designed to empower you to make informed decisions about your valuable forest resource.

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 Finishing Touch: Wood Finishing Basics Workshop
Apr
26
10:00 AM10:00

Finishing Touch: Wood Finishing Basics Workshop

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Bring your woodworking project to completion in our Finishing Touch: Wood Finishing Basics Workshop. This hands-on course is designed to help you achieve that perfect finishing touch, whether it’s a nearly complete project or one you’re planning ahead. Join us as we demystify the wide range of wood finishes available, guiding you through how to select the ideal finish to enhance your project’s natural beauty.

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Upholstery Basics: Wrap and Staple Essentials - FULL
Apr
27
10:00 AM10:00

Upholstery Basics: Wrap and Staple Essentials - FULL

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Begin your upholstery journey with this entry level and versatile project - a wrapped and stapled seat cushion. Whether you want to reupholster old furniture or add upholstery to furniture you build, this class will teach you the basic tools and techniques. The wrap and staple upholstery method can be used on a variety of furniture pieces such as dining chairs, bar stools, ottomans, head boards and more.

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Advanced Technique: Learn Dovetail Joinery - FULL
May
10
to May 11

Advanced Technique: Learn Dovetail Joinery - FULL

  • Sam Beauford Woodshop (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

This class is geared toward people who have beginner woodworking skills and want to learn more advanced techniques, but students new to the woodshop are also welcome to join! Students will learn the skill of hand cut dovetails while using layout tools, chisels and handsaws. At the end of the class, you will take home a Shaker-style step stool that is practical yet beautiful enough to leave out on display.

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Intro to Woodworking - FULL
Jun
2
to Jun 8

Intro to Woodworking - FULL

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

This course will cover the fundamentals of woodworking with an emphasis on machine techniques. Students start by making a long grain cutting board to learn how to properly mill wood. Then, you will learn and practice a variety of joinery techniques. Finally, you will design your own step stool and learn how to make and execute thorough project plans.

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Hanging Wall Cabinet
Jun
9
to Jun 13

Hanging Wall Cabinet

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Over 5 days, you will use a combination of machines and hand tools to build an elegant wall cabinet that will quickly warm up your home. Dovetails and through wedged tenons will be the main focal point on the cabinet. We will also fit dividers in some stopped grooves and learn the artistry of drawer making.

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Funky Footstool Workshop - FULL
Jun
14
to Jun 15

Funky Footstool Workshop - FULL

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Dive into the world of Mid Century Modern design with our Mid Century Marvel: Funky Footstool Workshop. In this two-day course, you'll learn the foundational skills of woodworking and upholstery by constructing a stylish and functional footstool. This project is perfect for beginners looking to gain hands-on experience in both crafts.

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Intro to Bench Joinery
Jun
16
to Jun 20

Intro to Bench Joinery

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

We will learn a variety of joints, their strengths and weaknesses and how to implement them into furniture making and design. We will first construct a simple box to store all of our new sample joints then get right into the art and technique of wood joinery. This will be a combination of hand tool and machine joinery techniques.

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Post & Rung Side Chair
Jun
23
to Jun 29

Post & Rung Side Chair

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Craft an Ash Post & Rung Side Chair with expert guidance from Zack Fealk in this comprehensive chairmaking course. Over the span of the course, students will be taken step-by-step through the intricate process of handcrafting a chair. Starting with the selection of lumber, students will progress through each stage of the chairmaking journey, culminating in the final assembly using traditional hide glue.

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Wharton Esherick Music Stand
Jun
23
to Jun 27

Wharton Esherick Music Stand

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Step into the world of studio furniture by drawing inspiration from the works of Wharton Esherick, an iconic American artist renowned for his avant-garde designs and organic forms. Over this 5-day course, students will be guided on a journey to craft a Wharton Esherick Inspired Music Stand.

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Learn Dovetail Joinery
Jun
28
to Jun 29

Learn Dovetail Joinery

  • Sam Beauford Woodshop (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

This class is geared toward women and non-binary students who have beginner woodworking skills and want to learn more advanced techniques, but students new to the woodshop are also welcome to join! Students will learn the skill of hand cut dovetails while using layout tools, chisels and handsaws. At the end of the class, you will take home a Shaker-style step stool that is practical yet beautiful enough to leave out on display.

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Mastering Upholstery: From Side Chairs to Armchairs
Jul
14
to Jul 18

Mastering Upholstery: From Side Chairs to Armchairs

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Unlock the art of reupholstery with our Mastering Upholstery: From Side Chairs to Armchairs course. Whether you’re a passionate furniture flipper or have a cherished family heirloom in need of some TLC, this 5-day class will equip you with all the skills necessary to breathe new life into your furniture at home.

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Mid-Century Modern Ottoman Workshop
Jul
19
to Jul 20

Mid-Century Modern Ottoman Workshop

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Step into the world of iconic design with our Timeless Craft: Mid-Century Modern Ottoman Workshop. This immersive two-day workshop is your gateway to mastering the techniques and skills needed to create a stunning mid-century modern ottoman that will serve as a perfect complement to your Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair.

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Bending Light
Jul
21
to Jul 25

Bending Light

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Step into the world of innovative design with our Bent Lamination Class, where you’ll take the lead in creating a one-of-a-kind lamp. This course invites you to push the boundaries of traditional woodworking by designing and crafting a lamp that is as much a work of art as it is a functional piece. Using the versatile technique of bent lamination, you’ll learn to bend wood into dynamic, flowing shapes that reflect your unique artistic vision.

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Wharton Esherick Stools
Jul
21
to Jul 25

Wharton Esherick Stools

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Immerse yourself in the world of studio furniture, drawing from the innovative designs of Wharton Esherick, a pioneering figure in the American studio furniture movement. This 5-day course offers students a unique opportunity to craft two distinct Wharton Esherick inspired stools, showcasing the blend of artistic form and functionality.

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Turning Plates & Platters
Jul
27
9:00 AM09:00

Turning Plates & Platters

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

This class offers a comprehensive exploration of platter turning on the lathe. Students will learn about the platter as a functional utility piece, a work of art, and a wooden canvas ready for further creative embellishment. The class will cover the basic mechanics of turning a platter and various design aspects for functional use.

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Angled Liquor Cabinet
Jul
28
to Aug 1

Angled Liquor Cabinet

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Elevate your woodworking skills with our Crafting Precision: Angled Liquor Cabinet course. In this 5-day intensive workshop, you’ll embark on building a sophisticated case-on-stand project that will challenge and refine your abilities.

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Finefolk Chair (Modern Stick Chair)
Jul
28
to Aug 1

Finefolk Chair (Modern Stick Chair)

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Spend a week with maker and designer Katrina Tompkins building her Finefolk Chair. This class is a mix of traditional and contemporary chair making techniques that will give you speedy and strong results. This 3 legged vernacular-inspired chair has a unique style backrest and some hidden joinery to attach the back post.

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Funky Footstool Workshop
Aug
2
to Aug 3

Funky Footstool Workshop

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Dive into the world of Mid Century Modern design with our Mid Century Marvel: Funky Footstool Workshop. In this two-day course, you'll learn the foundational skills of woodworking and upholstery by constructing a stylish and functional footstool. This project is perfect for beginners looking to gain hands-on experience in both crafts.

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Wood Bending: Bend & Form
Aug
4
to Aug 8

Wood Bending: Bend & Form

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Using a combination of instructor demonstration and hands-on practice, students in this class will experience the many ways to bend wood. Students will also learn how to make different types of forms, how to build a simple steam box, and will build a trammel for their routers. We will discuss clamping, shaping, and joining curved parts. Students are encouraged to bring ideas or specific components they’d like to create during class, ensuring a personalized, project-focused experience. With a maximum of 8 students, you'll receive individualized instruction in a fully equipped woodworking college.

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Mid-Century Modern Ottoman Workshop
Aug
9
to Aug 10

Mid-Century Modern Ottoman Workshop

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Step into the world of iconic design with our Timeless Craft: Mid-Century Modern Ottoman Workshop. This immersive two-day workshop is your gateway to mastering the techniques and skills needed to create a stunning mid-century modern ottoman that will serve as a perfect complement to your Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair.

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19th-Century Windows & Doors – Construction & Repair
Aug
11
to Aug 15

19th-Century Windows & Doors – Construction & Repair

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Step back in time and learn the art of 19th-century window and door construction in this immersive 5-day course. As part of the Thoreau’s Cabin Series, this class will guide students through the transformation of rough sawn boards into simple, historically accurate window sash and doors, while also exploring the repair and restoration of old sash and glazing techniques.

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Arts & Crafts Upholstered Bench
Aug
11
to Aug 15

Arts & Crafts Upholstered Bench

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Create a timeless piece of furniture in our Crafting Comfort: Arts & Crafts Upholstered Bench course. In this hands-on class, you’ll build a traditional Arts & Crafts style bench that’s both beautiful and functional—a versatile addition to any room in your home. This project serves as an excellent introduction to essential woodworking techniques, focusing on basic joinery skills and upholstery.

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Intro to Woodworking
Aug
18
to Aug 24

Intro to Woodworking

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

This course will cover the fundamentals of woodworking with an emphasis on machine techniques. Students start by making a long grain cutting board to learn how to properly mill wood. Then, you will learn and practice a variety of joinery techniques. Finally, you will design your own step stool and learn how to make and execute thorough project plans.

View Event →
Intro to Bench Joinery
Aug
18
to Aug 22

Intro to Bench Joinery

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

We will learn a variety of joints, their strengths and weaknesses and how to implement them into furniture making and design. We will first construct a simple box to store all of our new sample joints then get right into the art and technique of wood joinery. This will be a combination of hand tool and machine joinery techniques.

View Event →
Learn Dovetail Joinery
Aug
30
to Aug 31

Learn Dovetail Joinery

  • Sam Beauford Woodshop (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

This class is geared toward people who have beginner woodworking skills and want to learn more advanced techniques, but students new to the woodshop are also welcome to join! Students will learn the skill of hand cut dovetails while using layout tools, chisels and handsaws. At the end of the class, you will take home a Shaker-style step stool that is practical yet beautiful enough to leave out on display.

View Event →
Sculpted Elegance: Crafting a Maloof-Inspired Rocker - FULL
Sep
1
to Sep 6

Sculpted Elegance: Crafting a Maloof-Inspired Rocker - FULL

  • Sam Beauford Woodshop (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join master woodworker Jeff Wyatt in our Sculpted Elegance: Crafting a Maloof-Inspired Rocker course, where you will design and build a beautiful, sculptured rocking chair inspired by the iconic style of Sam Maloof. Over the course of this workshop, you’ll dive deep into advanced woodworking techniques, blending both artistry and craftsmanship to create a functional piece of art.

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Design and Craft: Sea Shell Trays
Sep
13
to Sep 14

Design and Craft: Sea Shell Trays

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

In this two-day project, you will design and create a unique sculptural vessel by combining various types of wood and shapes. Following a structured procedure, you will learn essential woodworking techniques, including precise gluing, sculpting, and finishing.

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Introduction to Timber Frame Engineering: Design/Make/Break
Sep
19
to Sep 21

Introduction to Timber Frame Engineering: Design/Make/Break

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Starting with an overview on how to determine the forces and loads a traditional timber frame structure (or really any structure) will see over the course of its lifetime, the course focus will transition into sizing of beams, as well as a primer on basic joinery and connection design. In order to break up the class room portion, we will design a basic timber frame joint, calculate its allowable design strength, and then fabricate it out of timber. After the joints are fabricated, we will “bust” them by pulling them apart using a hydraulic load frame, with friendly bragging rights awarded for the best prediction of strength and best capacity.

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Upholstery Basics: Wrap and Staple Essentials
Sep
27
10:00 AM10:00

Upholstery Basics: Wrap and Staple Essentials

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Begin your upholstery journey with this entry level and versatile project - a wrapped and stapled seat cushion. Whether you want to reupholster old furniture or add upholstery to furniture you build, this class will teach you the basic tools and techniques. The wrap and staple upholstery method can be used on a variety of furniture pieces such as dining chairs, bar stools, ottomans, head boards and more.

View Event →
The Art & Craft of Axes
Oct
6
to Oct 11

The Art & Craft of Axes

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the art and craft of axe work in this 6-day immersive course. The Thoreau’s Cabin Series, Part 1: The Art & Craft of Axes is designed for anyone interested in learning the history, anatomy, and practical use of one of the most essential tools in woodworking and timber processing. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced woodsman, this hands-on course will equip you with the skills to handle an axe with confidence and precision.

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Hand Tool Timber Framing
Oct
13
to Oct 18

Hand Tool Timber Framing

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Step into the world of traditional craftsmanship in Thoreau’s Cabin Series, Part 2: Hand Tool Timber Framing. In this immersive 6-day course, students will build a full-scale replica of Henry David Thoreau’s famous cabin at Walden Pond, gaining firsthand experience in the fundamentals of timber framing—all using hand tools.

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Riving, Shingling, and Siding
Oct
20
to Oct 25

Riving, Shingling, and Siding

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The final phase of building Thoreau’s Cabin is ensuring its protection from the elements, and this 6-day immersive course will teach students how to split (rive) wood using traditional hand tools to create the materials needed for roofing, siding, and interior lath work.

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Learn Dovetail Joinery
Nov
22
to Nov 23

Learn Dovetail Joinery

  • Sam Beauford Woodshop (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

This class is geared toward people who have beginner woodworking skills and want to learn more advanced techniques, but students new to the woodshop are also welcome to join! Students will learn the skill of hand cut dovetails while using layout tools, chisels and handsaws. At the end of the class, you will take home a Shaker-style step stool that is practical yet beautiful enough to leave out on display.

View Event →
MCM Funky Footstool Workshop
Dec
13
to Dec 14

MCM Funky Footstool Workshop

  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Dive into the world of Mid Century Modern design with our Funky Footstool Workshop. In this two-day course, you'll learn the foundational skills of woodworking and upholstery by constructing a stylish and functional footstool. This project is perfect for beginners looking to gain hands-on experience in both crafts.

View Event →