Build a wooden hand plane

Saturday February 5th. 10-4
Tuition $115 + $60 Material Fee
Instructor: Steve Butler

This is a great class for any one who wants to learn the basics of woodworking and who has a love of hand tools. There is nothing more gratifying than making your own tools. Of all the tools used to shaped wood, the hand plane is the one that has come to symbolize craftsmanship. It's no surprise. Here's a cutting tool that is designed to create truth: dead straight and flat surfaces ready for finishing and precise joinery. Tuning up one and mastering its use are two of the greatest thrills of woodworking. There is a genuine pleasure in using a finely tuned hand plane. Making your own out of wood is truly rewarding because you can create something that that fits your hands and suits your needs. In this workshop we will learn how to make, tune up and use a Krenov style wooden hand plane.
Skill Level: Beginner-Advanced
For more information email: blackstonevalleyschoolofcraft@gmail.com
or call 413-717-5062

As a furniture maker, Steve Butler has been creating artwork for over twenty years. Born in Toronto, Canada, he began his woodworking career serving a formal apprenticeship. After his apprenticeship training he worked in various furniture studios in the Toronto area. As his passion for art and craft grew he pursued formal training at Sheridan College of Art and Design, majoring in furniture design. Graduating with honors, Steve then went to Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario where he studied education. Steve is the former Department Head of the wood studio at Peters Valley Craft Center in Layton, NJ and the Worcester Center for Crafts in Worcester, MA. Steve is currently the director of the newly formed Blackstone Valley School of Crafts in Grafton, MA. He exhibits his work throughout the US and has been featured in various publications such as Lark Book’s 500 Chairs and 500 Tables.

Blacksmith Demonstration

Sunday was a chilly, breezy day but that didn't stop people from coming out to see blacksmith Dick Sargent show them how to make a mini forge out of a household mailbox and a plumbers torch.  Dick treated the crowd to a great demonstration and answered all of their questions.  Dick has been a blacksmith for over forty years.  Dick used the forge to make a gouge out of an old file.  The forge was donated to the Central New England Woodturners who can use the forge too make small turning tools. The four hour demonstration was followed by a small BBQ.  It was a great day of blacksmithing.

Heritage Starlight Celebration

Last evening the school was represented at the Blackstone Valley Heritage Starlight Celebration at the Riverdale Mills in Northbridge.  We had a small table where we had a few pieces of work from different mediums.  We handed out a lot of brochures.

It was fun and we had a good response

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Artist of the Valley

Come out and visit us at our booth at the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce " Artist of the Valley" 2010 Heritage Starlight Celebration.  We will have brochures describing what we have to offer and some samples of work by some of our faculty. Below is more information about the chamber and the Heritage festival.


Blackstone Valley Heritage Starlight Celebration
Date: Friday, October 22, 2010
Time: 07:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Riverdale Mills
130 Riverdale Street
Northbridge MA 01588

The 2010 Blackstone Valley Heritage Starlight Celebration will be held Friday October 22, 2010 at Riverdale Mills in Northbridge, MA. This is one of the premier events and will feature a "Taste of the Valley" and "Artists of the Valley" as well as being held in a converted historic mill in Northbridge, MA.

BBQ and Blacksmithing Demonstration

We are really excited to have Dick Sargent, the department head of the blacksmiths studio at Peters Valley Craft Center in Layton, NJ visit us and host a wonderful demonstration and workshop.

Please join us on Sunday November 7th at 10 AM as Dick will demonstrate how to build a mini forge out of a common household mailbox.  

Celebrate the hand made by spending a fantastic Autumn day outdoors learning how to construct your own forge at home.  Dick will provide you with the knowledge and a materials list to build a mini forge perfect for making tools such as skews, gouges and small carving and sculpting tools. We'll be firing up the grill as well as serving plenty of coffee and cider.  Dick has been a professional full time blacksmith for over forty years so bring your questions and curiosity and join us on Sunday, November 7th for what is sure too be a great day of blacksmithing.

Demonstration Location: 7 Depot St Graton, MA Off of Rte 122

All proceeds of this demonstration go to the development of curriculum and facilities. 

Tuition: $25 

Please contact the school at www.blackstonevalleyschoolofcraft@gmail.com 

Vessls

Here a few vessels that Harvey creates using his router jigs on the lathe.  Harvey incorporates other materials such as glass, cast silver, copper and wire into his work.

Harvey Fein

 Harvey Fein uses his router jig to carve a profile in a bowl. Harvey has a video of his process on YouTube and his work is featured in Terry Martins book " New Masters in Woodturning"

The Wood Shop

Here are a few images of the wood shop at 7 Depot St.  The School hosted a wood turning demonstration this past weekend with guest artist Harvey Fein.

Who's Who's

Please come out and see what we have to offer. The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts is hosting a wood turning demonstration by renowned wood turner Harvey Fein.  Harvey supports our mission and has agreed to do a demo for us, offering us a rare opportunity to see exquisite wood turning up close - and for just $10.  This demo is on Saturday September 11th at 10 AM.  All proceeds of this demonstration go to the development of programs at the school.  Any kind donations can be made out to the school.  If you have any questions please email blackstonevalleyschoolofcraft@gmail.com
To learn more about Harvey and too view some of his exquiste work please visit his web site at http://www.harveyfein.net/

Steve Butler is a studio furniture maker who maintains a studio practice in Mendon, MA.  His work has been featured in various magazines and books such as Lark books 500 Tables and 500 Chairs.  He has taught and developed woodworking programs at the Worcester Center for Crafts and at Peters Valley Craft Center in Layton , NJ.

Richard Chiros brings years of experience as a contemporary commercial cabinetmaker, owner and operator of Woodhaus, a commercial cabinet business in South Grafton, MA.

Jeff Hollis is owner and operator of Eagle Eye Antiques.  Jeff is a furniture finisher, restorer and woodworker and has years of experience in the antique business.  All of us are passionate craft educators and want your support.  Please come out and help craft in your community, join us on Saturday September 11th.  We look forward to meeting our craft community.

About

The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts is in its very early stage. We feel it is important to be a part of the community.  We will put the emphasis in woodworking and wood turning workshops, offering general interest night and day classes and weekend workshop intensives, as well as offering classes in other mediums such as stained glass, jewelry making, ceramics and others.  We are located in an historic theatre in South Grafton, Massachusetts off of Rte 122, easily accessible from Providence, RI, Worcester, MA and Boston, MA.

Welcome

Please allow us to introduce ourselves.  Steve Butler, Richard Chiros and Jeff Hollis are three professional woodworkers, artist and educators.  We believe that preserving craft is preserving something that is inherent to us all.  We all love to make things.  We love what craft has done for our lives and we want too share our passion with you.  We want too make sure that craft remains a part of our community.  So - we invite you to the beginning of our next creation, " The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts."