This class is truly about the basics of carpentry. It’s about learning to use tools and getting comfortable with them by working on some large and small projects. No prior experience is required.

That said, if you have experience, but don’t have a mastery over safe and ergonomic use of the table saw, chop saw, circular saw, and hand tools, this is also the class for you. If you’re interested in bigger projects, especially structural building, we offer an Advanced Women’s Carpentry Class for graduates of the basic class. Anyone who has completed the basic carpentry class will be well prepared for the advanced class. Plus, when you sign up for this more advanced class at the same time as the basic class, you get a discount!

During this four-day course, we will cover basic carpentry skills through lectures, demonstrations, and lots of hands-on practice. 

Topics covered include:

• Safe and effective tool use (including hand and power tools)
• Choosing the right tools for different kinds of jobs
• Accurate measuring and cutting
• Small project design and planning
• Lumber (wood) selection and purchasing
• Implementation of your own project

This wealth of information will be specifically tailored for women’s learning styles and women’s bodies. There will be ample time to dialogue with instructors and get clear about the subject matter. We firmly believe that there are no “dumb questions.”

Our theme of day one is women’s empowerment. To begin, we’ll have an orientation and overview of the class. Then we’ll move into the bulk of the day: Tools! We’ll cover tool choices, their ergonomic use, and safety. Each tool will be introduced and demonstrated in detail, then you’ll get a chance to try it yourself (with plenty of guidance and support). Whether you’re building a birdhouse, bathroom shelves, a bike shed or a log cabin, having the right tools, and using them properly, makes all the difference. 

Tools we’ll cover on day one include:

• Hammer
• Impact driver
• Drill
• Circular saw
• Table saw
• Chop saw
• Miter saw and sliding miter saw
• Carpenter’s pencil
• Measuring tape
• Speed square
• Framing square
• Level
• Chalk line

On day two, we’ll finish up with tools and work in small groups on simple, real-world projects. Some of these will be on Wild Abundance infrastructure, others may be for neighbors, community members, or local non-profits.

These projects vary, based on our infrastructure and community needs at the time of class.

However, they’re always something real; you won’t just be cutting and screwing scrap wood, you’ll be building something. We choose group projects so that students get an opportunity to practice the basic carpentry skills that are the foundation of this class. Some examples of past group projects are:

• Siding on a building
• Deck 
• Picnic table
• Children’s play structure
• Fence
• Rafters and purlins on a roof (only for students who feel at ease with heights)
• Garden tool hanging structure
• Shelves

Your Personal Project

On day two, you’ll also choose and design your own small personal project (to be built on day four). Of course, you’ll get plenty of support and guidance from the instructors. In order to ensure every student’s success within a specific timeframe, we limit personal projects to a selection of simple objects. You can choose to build a bookshelf, spice shelf, birdhouse, planter boxes, stool, bench/shoe shelf, or a set of saw horses. Many of our students come from afar, and therefore choose to build a spice shelf or another small project that can easily be packed in luggage. If you’re excited about a simple, specialized project that’s not on this list, you may be able to do it, just check in with the instructors.

On day three, we’ll head to the lumber yard to learn about wood and fasteners, plus pick out materials for everyone’s personal projects. While we’re there, we’ll explore lumber selection, including what kinds of wood are appropriate for different projects, and how to choose a straight board (surprise, not all boards are straight!). Additionally, we’ll check out multitudes of screws and other fasteners, learning how to choose what’s right for specific projects. Everyone will buy what they need for their personal projects, which we’ll tackle on day four. After we return from the lumber yard, we’ll spend the rest of the day continuing to get comfortable with tools and woodworking through our group projects.

On day four, everyone will get to complete a woodworking project of their very own (with lots of support, if they want it)! To do this, we’ll reference the designs we solidified on day two, and utilize the materials we gathered on day three.Throughout the process, instructors will circulate to answer questions, provide guidance, and avert disaster. Students will work semi-independently, making use of all the skills and confidence they’ve been building over the past three days. 

Note on Day 4 End Time:

On day 4, we’ll close up the woodshop at 4pm (earlier than days 1-3). Individuals will be done with the class when they complete their personal projects (any time between noon and 4pm). If you have time constraints, we advise you to choose a simple project like sawhorses or a small bookshelf.

You might be asking yourself, can I really learn to build on my own in a weekend woodworking class? And we’re here to tell you that, yes, it’s absolutely possible! In one long weekend you can get comfortable with tools, understand how to work with wood, and learn how to plan out and design your own simple carpentry projects. We’ve seen it happen time and again, with hundreds of satisfied students.

Of course, people spend lifetimes perfecting their woodworking skills, especially those who build houses or do fine finish work like cabinetry or furniture making. It’s not realistic to learn to do these high-level kinds of projects in a long weekend workshop. However, you can take the first steps that every carpenter and fine woodworker once took. And you’ll leave with the ability to turn your basic ideas into reality, right away. 

“This was the best workshop I have ever participated in. I am planning on taking more at Wild abundance. I have much more confidence and the skills I learned are invaluable to me, as I live alone and hate to depend on someone for simple carpentry needs.”

Dannie Piped
Women’s Basic Carpentry Student

“I’ve always been drawn to building and carpentry, but I’ve never had the basics explained to me in a coherent, hands-on way. The Women’s Basic Carpentry Course at Wild Abundance was the perfect incubator for my skills and confidence. The teachers were genuine, enthusiastic, and so willing to share their hard-earned knowledge and wisdom. One of the most valuable things I learned was how to be realistic with my plan—how to slow down on the front end and invest a bit more time into planning my projects so I can be more efficient and productive as I begin to build. I highly recommend this course.”

Jocelyn Mosser, Marshall, NC
Professional Counselor
Women’s Basic Carpentry Student

“Thanks to you I now have an impact driver and drill kit, a skill saw, speed and carpenter squares. I’ve finished my first project! This was immensely gratifying. My dad and husband helped me on the roof but I did the rest myself. I hope you’re well and I can’t thank you enough. I love my scooter shed!”

Annie Sellick, TN
Nashville Jazz Singer
Women’s Basic Carpentry Student

“I recently finished the Basic Carpentry Course at Wild Abundance and was blown away. I’m not sure exactly what I had expected, but my expectations were exceeded.

We were trained how to use all the tools safely and were coached as we tried. In the course we were taught exactly how to measure, mark, and cut with the appropriate tool.

I was surprised by the age spread of the participants. We had students from 14 to 70, and I enjoyed all the camaraderie. Everyone was willing to help others, so each person’s skill level just added to the learning process. The days were intense, but each person could work at her own pace.

The instructors were very hands-on and patient. Some students arrived concerned that they didn’t know as much as others, but no one left feeling intimidated. The students and teachers alike were encouraging and kind, and everyone finished the course feeling more confident and skilled. Overall, it was a great experience, and I recommend this course to anyone who wants to be more capable of handling projects and skilled at preparing for and executing them.”

Patty Rhodes, Greenville SC
CEO of manufacturing company
Women’s Basic Carpentry Student

“I took both the Basic & Advanced Women’s Carpentry workshops in the summer of 2019 and am so glad I did! I had spent some time going through the motions of buying my first home, and after lots of searching, it was clear that I’d either have to settle for something I didn’t even really like a whole lot or build it myself! And with that realization, I got a real bad itch to build my own home that all at once, became equal parts exciting and overwhelming. Basic carpentry seemed like the most logical place to start. 🙂 

I didn’t realize how much I was going to enjoy the fact that the workshops were just for women. I felt that it created a softer, more supportive, open, and uniquely empowering learning environment. Our instructors Natalie, Barron, and Ella were all incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. Their diverse experiences and styles only added to the wealth of information being shared and made for a very well-rounded learning experience. I felt the projects tackled were also diverse enough to serve different skill & comfort levels. (I was even given several opportunities to challenge a wee fear of heights. Bonus!) And overall, there was an incredibly refreshing and rewarding balance of hands-on instruction and space to figure it out on your own, which I believe is one of the best ways to learn. The campus is so beautiful, the food is especially delicious, and the learning is so good! I’m so excited to be one step closer to building my own home someday! Thank you!”

Sass Ayres, Asheville NC
Restaurant General Manager
Women’s Combined Carpentry Student

“I was really surprised and pleased at HOW MUCH I enjoyed this class. I expected it to be Darned Good and for me to learn a bunch. What I experienced was that it was really really well planned, well orchestrated, and I left having both had a fantastic time (loads of laughter) and feeling deeply empowered . The setting of just being with women freed me up to ask “stupid questions” and feel anything but stupid. Within a few moments of getting parked and starting class, Natalie handed us balanced and thoughtful schedule, which I really need to feel relaxed (to know when I can rest and settle in and the like). The meals were nourishing and beautiful. The facility was inspiring and well-kept. And perhaps best of all, the teachers were patient, skilled and supportive. I loved it so much that I would do it again in a heartbeat, both to brush up on my skills and solidify them more deeply, as well as to enjoy the beautiful space and camaraderie.”

Karen
Women’s Basic Carpentry Student