More Than Just Cat Shelves: Skill-Building in Basics 102
I grew-up watching Good Eats with my grandma. A reoccurring theme was, “the only tools that are unitaskers are the ones you haven't figured out a new use for yet."
At Hammerstone, we believe every project should serve more than one purpose. No unitaskers here! Our Basic Carpentry Skills 102: Cat Shelves (BCS 102) course is a perfect example.
Time for inspection by our certified shelf testers Bumblebee and Honeybee, who at the time of this post are available to adopt through Browncoat Cat Rescue
In BCS 102 you will build a beautiful set of shelves for your furry overlord. Don’t have a tiny lion roaming your halls? No problem! This class is also about gaining confidence with power tools, practicing essential carpentry techniques, and working with higher-quality materials often used in cabinetry and furniture-making.
If you’ve already dipped your toes into the world of carpentry by taking Basic Carpentry Skills 101 and are itching for more knowledge, then 102 is for you. Think of it as your chance to refresh and refine what you’ve learned. You’ll gain lots of hands-on practice and a useful and stylish final product to take home.
What You'll Learn
The class builds on the tools and techniques introduced in 101 including layout, cutting, and fastening. BCS 102 adds new tools like the router and table saw to your proverbial toolbelt. The shelves are built from high-quality finished plywood which is the same type of engineered wood you’ll find in custom furniture and cabinetry. Unlike most commercially available cat shelves made of particle board and susceptible to changes in humidity with a life span of 2-3 years with light use, the materials you’ll use in this class are both durable and attractive. They’ll hold up to real use, whether by your pet or your book collection.
Here you can see the floating box shelf and inner mounting skeleton.
Transferable Skills
What makes this course especially valuable is how transferable the skills are. Whether you’re dreaming of building a custom bookshelf, a floating console, or even tackling your first piece of furniture, the techniques and confidence you’ll gain in this class will serve you well. You'll leave knowing how to safely and efficiently use a range of hand and power tools, and how to choose and work with engineered sheet goods.
The Project: Cat Shelves (Or Book Shelves!)
Each student will leave with two finished cat shelves that are as functional as they are beautiful. The designs include one floating box shelf that fits over a sturdy skeleton attached to the wall, offering support and sleek design. The other is a modern, wave-like piece, with an industrial vibe thanks to the exposed edges and fastening style.
Our “cat shelves” on display in our downtown location have become a beautiful way to display some projects from upcoming classes like Kumiko and Build a Box.
I’m telling you as an avid thrifter (read: organized hoarder) that these shelves serve multiple purposes beyond a cat perch. So whether you’re like me and need to keep adding to your collection of vintage curios, or you’re an avid reader who has maxed out their book storage, this class is for you.
Instructor Christina Alario, a skilled carpenter, proud toe-bean enthusiast, and cat mom to Pearl, leads the class with humor, clarity, and a wealth of technical knowledge. From all of us at Hammerstone, we hope to see you in the workshop soon!
Register now and share your love of carpentry with your cat, or your knickknacks! Neither one will thank you, but you’ll know deep down they are grateful for your skill building.
