Create a one of a kind butcher block table for your kitchen! Interested in woodworking and looking for a way to get started? This introductory course is designed to give beginner students the basics in using hand tools and shop machinery to design and make a beautiful one of a kind project. Did you know that the Shelburne Craft School began as a woodshop in the basement of a church rectory over 70 years ago? Today, our woodshop is housed in a warm, historic, natural light-filled building in the heart of Shelburne Village. Our instructors are professional woodworkers who offer expert guidance and begin each session with a demonstration and a run through of how to safely use each machine. Each session includes one on one support to help students gain confidence with creative decision making. This course offers a different project each season designed to further develop the beginner woodworker's skill set.

This course offers painters with a practice to improve their skill through critique and insight. Each week begins with a critique that focuses on light, composition and color and then opens to painting with deep, thoughtful feedback from Stephanie. This course can be taken again and again.

Students bring their own supplies.

This course is located in our cheerful, yellow historic bunkhouse which once housed the individuals who built the railroad tracks.

Have you ever wanted to see what film can do when you break all the rules? In this 8 week class we will be experimenting with a variety of photographic, development and darkroom techniques that push (and pull) the limits of what is possible in film photography. Learn about cross-processing, redscaling, film soup, alternative darkroom chemistry, using expired film, double exposure, camera hacking, and more! This class is open to everyone from beginners and seasoned pros; cameras and film will be provided, but students are welcome to bring their own materials.

In this workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of coil basketry by creating a small hand-stitched basket. We’ll cover how to start a base, shape the sides, and use simple stitching techniques to build structure and pattern. This class is suitable for beginners and anyone who enjoys working with their hands. All materials are provided, but if you have special yarns or fabric you’d like to incorporate, feel free to bring them along.

Learn macra-weave, a combination of macramé and weaving. In this beginner-friendly workshop, we’ll cover basic knots, how to build a rope-based warp and simple weaving techniques to create a textured and colorful wall hanging.Students will leave with a finished piece and the skills to continue exploring this versatile fiber art form. All materials are provided, but if you have special yarns or fabric you’d like to incorporate, feel free to bring them along.

This course will focus on the skills required to make a lead free stained glass window. Students will learn how to design their own glass patterns and will each create a 12”x12” window to take home. Students will learn the use of different glass tools, studio safety, and how to cut and grind glass along with the use of copper foil and solder. Students will learn the basic principles of sandblasting, completing a few sandblasted pieces for their windows. Students will leave with their windows mounted inside a beautiful wooden frame. (Taking this class will make students eligible to take class 201: Independent Project)

All levels are welcome.

 Students must wear closed-toed shoes, sneakers recommended.

In this 4 week introductory class we will create a chair pad or pillow using the Oxford Punch Needle and colorful yarn! No experience is necessary! You can choose to create your own pillow or follow a pattern from an Oxford Punch Needle kit. In class we will explore various punch needle techniques along with options for finishing your piece.

Pictured: personal design example

The materials fee will include yarn and monks cloth. Tools, such as Oxford punch Needles and Frame are provided to use during the sessions with an option to buy at the end of class.

Over the course of three weeks, students will learn how to turn a chunk of tree trunk into a wooden bowl or vessel. Students will learn about shop and machine safety while practicing wood turning with blank starts on a lathe. This class assumes no prior wood turning experience but may be repeated for more challenging projects and instructor guidance.

We source our wood for bowl turning predominately from Shelburne Farms.

This course takes place in our beautiful, light filled woodshop at the very back of our campus. 

All materials for the creation of your bowl(s) are provided.