Woodworking Class / Studio Space
I’ve seen 3rd Ward, Makeville and Treehouse mentioned on here. Does anyone have experience with these and recommend one over the others? Or any other local classes / studios? I was a studio art major with focus in sculpture 10 yrs ago and looking to get back into it, so have some experience, but could…
I’ve seen 3rd Ward, Makeville and Treehouse mentioned on here. Does anyone have experience with these and recommend one over the others? Or any other local classes / studios? I was a studio art major with focus in sculpture 10 yrs ago and looking to get back into it, so have some experience, but could use a refresher course and then need space outfitted with tools to work in. Any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks everyone for your responses! It looks like everyone loves makeville, so, I’ll definitely check them out.
I took classes with Kate Hawes – the woman cited in the first response – at the (now defunct) Craft Students League a few years ago and she is AWESOME. She’s a great and patient instructor and her skills as a woodworker are astounding. Her own work is unbelievably beautiful and tasteful. Check out her website at katehawes.com and see for yourself.
I wish I’d known about this class before it sold out- even though I’m sure it’s essentially the same thing I learned from her at CSL, I would have signed up in a heartbeat!
Robyn at Makeville is very nice, very helpful, but the one class that I took to get certified was a bit simplistic. I understand the logic, but unless you’re a complete beginner, to me it felt a little basic. That being said, I second everything else that Frudo said about the space. I’m hoping that as she branches out with classes, the skill level required goes up accordingly.
I’ve tried 3rd Ward and Makeville. I would whole heartedly recommend Makeville over 3rd Ward. Robyn at Makeville is a really, really nice person and the place is kept really clean, everything is maintained well, there’s lots of extra things (lots of router bits, lots of jigs for random things, even glue) and Robyn, as I understand it, is always there when you rent time, so you can always ask for her help. She is really very helpful.
The last time I was at 3rd Ward was probably a year ago, and I know they were renovating, so maybe they have changed. I can just tell you what I know when I was there. Firstly, there was no one there to ask for help, which is a little scary when you’re rusty (like – how do I change this blade again? and do you think it can saw through my 12″ thick piece of walnut? what is that strange noise? etc, etc) and there is minimal upkeep. The blades are kind of dull, and things are generally dirtier. Also, you don’t get any extras – there’s no biscuit jointer. There’s a router, but no bits, etc, etc.
I’ve never tried Treehouse. There’s also Beagle and Potts, but I haven’t tried them either.
Good luck.
i only have experience with makeville personally and i thought it was great. they have new classes all the time and are starting to do real furniture making oriented courses (led by a woman trained at the north bennet street school).