DIY Plant Shelf and Other Signs of Spring
Hi Hammerstone friends,
Spring joy is in the air! The waterfalls and creeks in Ithaca are rushing forth fully thawed, crocuses and snowdrops have burst through the soil, and local parks are full of people soaking up sunshine. It's finally warm enough to work in my uninsulated wood shop, so I spent last Sunday afternoon building a plant shelf, pictured above. I made sure to keep the design SUPER simple so that I could finish it in an afternoon. So satisfying!
What are you dreaming of building this spring? Any small but satisfying woodworking projects on the mind? Or are you thinking BIG and planning to join us in the Tiny House build? Whatever it is, I hope you decide to jump right in and enjoy it as it evolves - in the spirit of spring!
Read on for a special event announcement, Christina's thoughts on tinkering, and more!
Happy Hammering!
Kimberly and The Hammerstone Team
two months ‘til tiny!
It's almost time! Big thanks to everyone who has registered early for courses in our tiny house series. Remember that we're offering a limited number of 10% off discounts on the following modules of courses. Register for all courses in the module and the discount will appear in your cart. Discounted seats are limited, so register early if you're interested!
rough carpentry module
In the Rough Carpentry module, students dive deep into home construction basics. Techniques can be applied to small structures (garden sheds, chicken coops, etc.) as well as standard size homes. Through extensive hands-on practice, students gain the skills and confidence to construct a weatherproof, structurally-sound building.
finish carpentry module
In the Finish Carpentry module, students learn to work with precision and apply important detailed elements to the build. Both form and function are emphasized during trim and siding application. Students receive invaluable expert guidance on the tricky aspects of this stage of construction.
special event!
Join us for an inspiring evening with a panel of women builders, moderated by Hammerstone Lead Instructor Christina Alario. Hear their stories, share your own, and connect with others building homes, furniture, tiny houses, garden structures, and more. All skill levels welcome—come talk shop and build community!
Tinkering
The Heart of How We Build Classes
Real time problem solving in Rough Framing: Build a Tiny House
Tinkering is at the core of what we do. Whether it’s designing a class or figuring out how to teach a skill, the process is never a straight line. It’s a messy, trial-and-error mix of brainstorming, researching, testing, failing, rethinking, and trying again. Sometimes it’s sketching ideas on scrap wood, sometimes it’s standing in the shop staring into space, and sometimes it’s completely reworking how we explain something so it actually clicks.
Creation is iteration. A class, a new tool for the shop, a tiny house design—they all take rounds of testing and tweaking before they start to feel right.
I recently spent some time designing a compact bench-top clamping table for our new tutorial, Demystify the Dovetail. Our work tables don't have vises, so we needed a custom solution to hold workpieces to make precise cuts.
I went down a research rabbit hole, adapted a few ideas, built a prototype...and then immediately discovered all the ways it didn’t work.
That same cycle happens with every class we create. It’s not just about designing the projects or picking the materials—it’s about figuring out how to teach something in a way that makes sense to real people with real brains and to different people with different brains!
Sometimes we tweak how we scaffold a lesson. Other times we adjust how we physically set up the space. Sometimes, we scrap a class idea entirely and start fresh. Even once a class is up and running, we’re still carefully listening, watching, and iterating based on what works best for our students.
So if you’ve ever wondered what happens between classes—this is a big part of it! A lot of staring at things, a lot of rethinking and refining, a lot of small, ongoing adjustments. Teaching and learning are evolving processes, just like woodworking itself. And honestly? That’s what makes it fun.
-Christina
Join us this spring!
Intro to Electric *filling fast!*
March 31 - April 1
Imagine you had the power to…update a light fixture, fix a broken lamp, or repair a power tool. Fear of electricity can lead to ignorance about how it works, putting you in danger, but knowledge always makes you safer. In this class, we teach electricity fundamentals, including when to hire a pro.
Table Saw Fundamentals
Saturday April 26
Over half full!
Learn to use the most powerful tool in the shop in a one-day course! We cover safety principles and procedures in depth, and give students as much time as possible to practice using the saw under supervision. We only use SawStop brand table saws with patented technology to stop the blade on contact with flesh.
upcoming classes
March 27-28 · Intro to Woodworking: Build a Serving Tray
March 31 - April 1 · Intro to Electric filling fast!
April 2 · Two Hour Tutorial: Rewire a Lamp over half full!
April 5-6 · Basic Carpentry Skills 101 FULL
April 8 · Two Hour Tutorial: Natural Finishes w/ Leah Houghtaling FULL
April 10-11 · Basic Carpentry Skills 102: Elevated Planter Box FULL
April 22 · Forge a Hook w/ The British Blacksmith FULL
April 26 · Table Saw Fundamentals *Saturday* over half full!
April 28-30 · Stair Construction over half full!
May 3-4 · Build an Adirondack Chair *Sat-Sun* only a FEW spots left!
May 9-10 · Basic Carpentry Skills 101 FULL
May 12-16 · Rough Framing: Build a Tiny House over half full!
May 16-17 · Basic Carpentry Skills 101
May 19-20 · Roof Framing
May 28-30 · Tiny House Sheathing
June 4-6 · Tiny House Window & Door Installation
June 6-7 · Basic Carpentry Skills 101
June 12 · Two Hour Tutorial: Big Box Cheese & Lumber
June 13-14 · Build an Adirondack Chair
June 21-22 · Genderqueer & Non-binary Basic Skills FULL
it’s women’s history month!
To celebrate, we're offering $10 off any Hammerstone class registration in March! Use the coupon code: WOMENSHISTORY25
Have fun tinkering!
Hammer On!
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