Woodworking Classes in Chicago, IL

Natural willow furniture is the ideal rustic accent when you need a seat for that perfect spot in your garden or porch. Learn the basic techniques of making bent willow furniture. You will select one project to complete during the workshop.  Projects are large, so bring a vehicle that can accommodate them. Bring a hammer, hand pruners, and work...

Natural willow furniture is the ideal rustic accent when you need a seat for that perfect spot in your garden or porch. Learn the basic techniques of making bent willow furniture. You will select one project to complete during the workshop.  Projects are large, so bring a vehicle that can accommodate them. Bring a hammer, hand pruners, and work...

Van Gogh Paintologist will teach a hands-on class that will introduce you to the unique qualities of Van Gogh Fossil Paint and Beeswax Finishes.  This is for the DIY-er out there who wants to take a tired piece of furniture and turn it into the star of the show. There is no sanding or prep work involved in Van Gogh, just wipe down your piece...

Make an attractive, one-of-a-kind bird house using mid-century lumber reclaimed from Chicago buildings. In this hands-on workshop, you will: Learn how materials are reclaimed from demolition sites and the positive impact that sustainable demolition has on our resources and environment. Understand which species of woods are best for woodworking,...

NEW!!  Bring in a small piece of furniture to paint.  This class will give a brief introduction to the Rethunk Junk by Laura Paint Line & then we'll jump right in and start painting a small piece of furniture you bring in with you.  A Wood Chair, Small Accent Table or End Table are perfect choices. You should be able to lift it yourself...

NEW!!  Bring in a small piece of furniture to paint.  This class will give a brief introduction to the Van Gogh Fossil Paint Collection, a chance to get started by painting a sample board and then we'll jump right in and start painting a small piece of furniture that you bring in.  Please make sure it's small enough to paint in one class. ...

Van Gogh Paintologist will teach a hands-on class that will introduce you to the unique qualities of Van Gogh Fossil Paint and Beeswax Finishes. This is for the DIY-er out there who wants to take a tired piece of furniture and turn it into the star of the show. There is no sanding or prep work involved in Van Gogh, just wipe down your piece and start...

Introduction to Woodworking is a nine week course that serves as the preliminary class in our three course furniture making series. Here you will have an opportunity to learn about the characteristics of wood and the basic principals of woodworking through lectures, demonstrations, and most importantly, practical application. Focusing primarily...

Learn the fundamental techniques of wood construction used to create any functional, decorative, or sculptural object. Explore a variety of methods to cut, shape, join, and finish wood, and gain an understanding of the functional and aesthetic reasons to choose. New students will learn safety, tool use, material properties, and construction processes...

Bit Space offers engaging workshops that can be completed in about 3 hours. Similar to our Design + Build Studio, kids will learn various skills in design, construction, electronics, and computers all in a half-day workshop. At the end, they’ll have a cool project they can take home. We also offer some introductory classes to new students at no...

Techniques of Machining Wood carries on the learning process of safely and effectively building furniture.  This course focuses primarily on power tools and machines. As part of the milling process, you will use the jointer, planer and table saws. In addition to dimensioning the wood for your project, instruction on the table saw will include...

Methods of Mortise and Tenon Joinery introduces the student to one of the most basic and universal of woodworking joints. In this course you will learn multiple methods of making mortise and tenon joints. These methods will include use of router and router table, mortising machine, tenoning jig and “Domino”. You will also learn to...

Bit Space offers engaging workshops that can be completed in about 3 hours. Similar to our Design + Build Studio, kids will learn various skills in design, construction, electronics, and computers all in a half-day workshop. At the end, they’ll have a cool project they can take home. We also offer some introductory classes to new students at no...

The first 5 weeks of Introduction to Cabinet Making takes the student through the steps of designing and making a basic cabinet from plywood.  The student will complete a small bedside table or entertainment stand using the same techniques that would be used to build kitchen face-frame cabinets or bathroom vanities. This cabinet will have finished...

Woodturning offers a lifetime of possibilities.  This craft is as useful to artists as it is to furniture makers.  It’s a compelling craft full of as many challenges as it has rewards.  A good start is to have a guide early on who can teach you the best ways to approach woodturning.  What to avoid is as important as what...