Make a BookShelf: Hand Tool Foundations

Saturday, 4/11: 9 AM - 5 PM (includes 1 hour for lunch)

In this class, you’ll learn how to make a small bookshelf using a set of simple hand tools. While the tools we’ll be using are relatively modern (in that they’re only a few hundred years old), the techniques used in this project date back millennia to some of the earliest examples of furniture. There’s a reason these types of techniques have been so popular for so long–the process is pleasing and the results are great! Once you’ve seen how accessible this kind of woodworking can be, you’ll walk out with the ability to apply these skills to any number of other projects.

  • Tuition: $165 per participant

  • Materials Fee: $45 to be paid to instructor.

  • Optional Tools to Bring: See ‘What To Expect’ section below.

  • Age / Ability Level: This class is open to all levels of woodworking experience. Minimum age 18; 16 with an adult.

  • This class will cover a number of foundational hand tool woodworking skills: how to cut dados by hand, how to fit shelves to a dado, how/when/why to use nails in a project, and how to make and use your own soft wax finish.

    All of these tools are optional, but if you have any to bring it’ll help ensure we don’t have any slowdowns in the class.

    • Eye protection

    • Hearing protection (ear plugs are usually sufficient)

    • Crosscut saw

    • 1/2" or smaller chisel

    • Wooden mallet to hit the chisel

    • Block plane, jack plane, or spokeshave

    • Coping saw or fret saw

    • Router plane

    Bring your lunch. Microwave and toaster oven available.

  • Hand tool woodworking requires a moderate level of hand dexterity.

    CENTER FOR PEOPLE AND CRAFT is committed to building a diverse, inclusive learning community where people of all backgrounds feel welcome and able to participate. As we launch our first workshop series, we are dedicating space in each class for reduced-tuition scholarships to support anyone facing financial barriers. As we build a more robust scholarship program, we hope this initial launch will remove barriers and expand access to hands-on learning for all.

    Anyone with financial need is encouraged to apply for a half-tuition scholarship. To be considered, please submit a brief online application. Please note that CENTER FOR PEOPLE AND CRAFT is operating with limited financial resources and an entirely volunteer staff. Therefore, we cannot guarantee a spot for every applicant. Each class has one scholarship slot available. Applicants who are not selected in this current round are welcome to reapply.  Apply here

  • CPC is able to provide refunds up to two weeks before the start date of the class for which the registration was submitted, though we do retain a $20 fee for return payment processing. If you need to cancel your class within the two week window, a refund is not guaranteed, but will be considered based on several factors.

    If CPC needs to cancel a class due to low enrollment, teacher illness, or other factors, you will receive a full refund. Read our full set of policies.

meet your instructor

Jacob Mathioudis-Goudey is a woodworker and furniture maker located here in Minneapolis. His work focuses on vernacular furniture forms - furniture made by regular people throughout history as a means to bring comfort and beauty into their lives and communities.