Hey there, woodshop pals!

March is doing that classic upstate NY thing where one day you’re basking in the sun like a cat on a windowsill, and the next, you’re digging out your hat and gloves again. We're dreaming of real spring—longer days, less slush, watching the sawdust drift on a gentle breeze...

Here at the shop, we've been busy wrangling sheetrock in our new classroom space (check out Sophie's work above!) and getting our heads into tiny house mode for this year’s build. It’s like the season itself—everything’s shifting, getting ready for what’s next.

So if you’ve been hibernating, shaking off winter, or are just looking for a reason to pick up your tools again, consider this your friendly nudge! Spring is coming, the saws are humming, and we’d love to see you in the shop soon!

Stay warm(ish) and keep making cool stuff,
The Hammerstone Team

Sparks of Knowledge:

When to DIY and When to Call an Electrician

I recently found myself standing in my living room, staring at a dead outlet and wondering if I had just entered the first stage of an electrical crisis. The outlet had worked fine the day before, but now? Nothing. No phone charging, no lamp lighting—just silence.

I did what any determined DIYer would do: I took the appropriate safety precautions and started investigating. After turning off the breaker and removing the wall plate, I checked for current in each wire in the box using a voltage tester and then looked around.

The wires all looked fine, but I remembered from class that just because they look fine doesn’t mean they’re properly connected. So, I called an electrician friend who asked me a few questions:

Had I checked the breaker? - Yes.
Had I tried plugging something into another outlet on the same wall? - Also yes, and it was working.
Had I tested another device in the dead outlet? - Yep, still nothing.

They suggested I try gently wiggling the wires inside the outlet box to see if any were loose. Sure enough, one wire had barely any tension on it. Double checking for current to the wire, I pulled out the receptacle, tightened the connection, and when I flipped the power back on, the outlet worked again. Victory!

But here’s the thing—I also realized just how easily this could have gone the other way.

If I had opened the outlet and found a tangle of old, crumbling wires, or signs of scorching, I would have known to stop immediately and call a professional. That’s the kind of confidence that comes from knowing enough to troubleshoot safely and recognize when a job is out of my depth.

That’s exactly what we focus on in our Intro to Electric class. You don’t need to become a licensed electrician to understand how your home’s electrical system works. But having a foundation in electrical basics means you can approach problems with confidence—knowing when to tighten a connection and when to call in an expert.

In this class, you’ll get hands-on practice with wiring receptacles, light switches, and fixtures—so the next time a light doesn’t turn on or an outlet goes dead, you’ll know exactly where to start (and when to stop!)

Intro to Electric

Filling fast!
March 31 - April 1st
720 W Green St, Ithaca, NY

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Can't make it this spring? Sign up for our next session in September!

tiny house course discount

Rough Carpentry Module

1. Rough Framing: Build a Tiny House (May 12-16)
2. Roof Framing (May 19-20)
3. Tiny House Sheathing (May 28-30)
4. Tiny House Window & Door Installation (June 4-6)

Finish Carpentry Module

1. Rough Framing: Build a Tiny House (May 12-16)
2. Roof Framing (May 19-20)
3. Tiny House Sheathing (May 28-30)
4. Tiny House Window & Door Installation (June 4-6)

We can't wait to get building! Join us!

tiny house series

basic skills for immigrants and refugees

Big thanks to everyone who has donated to support our 7th annual FREE course for Immigrants and Refugees! We've opened registration and it's filling fast - we have just a few spots left!

sign up

We're still seeking donations to cover the cost of fees for students, free lunch and childcare, and paying instructors. Donate today and help us keep offering this empowering course to the community! DONATE

Upcoming Classes

Jump start spring with new skills and carpentry pals!

Raised beds, anyone? We just had 1 spot open up in Elevated Planter Box, open to anyone who has taken Basic Carpentry Skills 101!

March 13 · Two Hour Tutorial: Demystify the Dovetail FULL
March 20-21 · Intro to Parquetry 2 spots left!
March 27-28 · Intro to Woodworking: Build a Serving Tray
March 31 - April 1 · Intro to Electric

April 2 · Two Hour Tutorial: Rewire a Lamp
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 1 spot left!
April 22 · Forge a Hook w/ The British Blacksmith FULL
April 26 · Table Saw Fundamentals over half full!
April 28-30 · Stair Construction half full!

May 3-4 · Build an Adirondack Chair over half full!
May 9-10 · Basic Carpentry Skills 101 over half full!
May 12-16 · Rough Framing: Build a Tiny House
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 17 · Basic Skills for Immigrants and Refugees a few spots left!
June 21-22 · GQ/NB Basic Carpentry Skills 101 FULL