Charleston Woodworking School

Congratulations to the Class of ‘24! What a great year! Everyone did a fantastic job on their projects and learned a ton. I am very proud of each of you for challenging yourselves, thinking critically, and working so hard. The future is bright for this crew!

What a great week with Angee ( ) teaching us caning and then Peter from PG Fine Finishes dropping science on lacquer finishes!

We are beyond grateful for the wonderful gifts the students gave us today to welcome the newest addition to the CWS team! Thank you so much!

We just added a Box Workshop for June 22 & 23 at Charleston Woodworking School. Come join us to learn and make a fun weekend project! https://www.jwtwoodworks.com/shop/p/box-workshop

Our great friend and instructor, Joseph Thompson is teaching a class on Japanese hand tool making, specifically, the kanna, or hand plane. From Joseph:

In recent years I have really enjoyed getting to understand and work with Japanese hand tools. This June I’m teaching a small one-day class out of my shop on Kanna or Japanese Hand Plane Making. Come spend the day, eat good food and learn how to use your new plane to create a superior finish.
https://www.jwtwoodworks.com/shop/p/kanna-japanese-hand-plane-workshop-saturday-june-15. I know this link won’t work, but go to Joeseph’s page or copy the link to get more details.

Anyone interested in Japanese tools, especially Kanna (hand planes), would learn a TON from Joseph Thompson Woodworks’s knowledge about this subject. Space is limited, but well worth it. Reach out to Joseph for details.

In recent years I have really enjoyed getting to understand and work with Japanese hand tools. This June I'm teaching a small one-day class out of my shop on Kanna or Japanese Hand Plane Making. Come spend the day, eat good food and learn how to use your new plane to create a superior finish.
https://www.jwtwoodworks.com/shop/p/kanna-japanese-hand-plane-workshop-saturday-june-15

Carving with this week! Everyone did an amazing job! Mary is such a wonderful person and teacher. Look for her article in this April’s !
It was also great to have in the shop again! It is so awesome when instructors become students again!

A lot of good things happening at the shop! Solid wood projects are in full swing. All of the students are learning and progressing! We couldn’t be happier.

Stools, shavings, new restoration projects…always something going on at the shop.

It’s been a fun filled few weeks! Cross lap, half lap, bridle, mortise and tenon, dovetails, Krenov inspired saw horses, surface joinery, floating splines, tongue and groove, butterfly keys, tapered dovetailed splines, and more! A lot has happened! All of the students are doing a great job! by

The calm before the storm! is just as crazy as I am right now. The new school year starts tomorrow. Gotta love those first day jitters! This is going to be a great year with lots of talented students!

Another year in the books. What a wonderful year we had! We learned a lot. We laughed a lot. We made beautiful furniture.

Want to learn more about woodworking and make handmade gifts this year? We still have lots of great courses this fall with perfect opportunities to make a gift they can't get anywhere else! Build a handcrafted picture frame or a box in one of our weekend short courses at Woodworking School. Gift certificates are also available! Sign up here: https://josephthompsonwoodworks.bigcartel.com/product/workshops

Scraps? More like potential future projects. Check this out…

Let’s get scrapping! Come hang with yours truly, Joseph Thompson Woodworks] and The Furniture Society] Sept. 22!

Repost The Furniture Society] with .repost
・・・
Show Us Your…Scraps!
Thursday, September 22, 4-5pm EDT
Joseph Thompson Woodworks]

Looking for the perfect use for that small offcut piece of wood you just can't bring yourself to throw away? Got a whole bucket of those tiny pieces? You're in good company!

Join furniture maker and designers Joseph and Katie Thompson for a fun conversation about conservation and how they make the most out of their vast "collection" of shop scraps. Be sure to bring your favorite scraps to share with the group. We want to see what treasures you’ve created with them!

Register on our website!

Learn from one of the best in some short course formats!! Give Joseph Thompson Woodworks a call!

Workshops Join us for one of our exciting woodworking workshops! There are many topics available for all skill levels and interests. Group classes are taught...

Some more short courses are coming soon!

We still have some fun workshops coming up this fall at Charleston Woodworking School, including Build a Stool, Picture Frame, and more. Sign up today, private classes also available: https://josephthompsonwoodworks.bigcartel.com/product/workshops

LAST CALL for aspiring furniture makers to join the 2022-2023 Professional Course! This course starts on September 12.

We have a couple of last minute openings for the full time Professional Course. Learn a career in just one year. M-F 9-4 September 12-June 3. GI Bill and Voc Rehab accepted. Payment plans for non-Veterans available.

Can I tell you for just a minute how proud I am of my nephew, Clay. He is at Philmont right now. For non-scouts, he is trekking across some of the craziest terrain that a scout can traverse. I went to Philmont when I was in high school. I know how hard it is. Clay is not only kicking ass, but he is also making sure he and his crew mates are in good spirits. Definitely the signs of a great leader. (+2 bonus points for the old school CWS hat.)

If you’re looking to get into woodworking or have always wanted to learn this Intro class is great for beginners. Join us at Charleston Woodworking School Saturday, July 23, sign up by email or online here: https://josephthompsonwoodworks.bigcartel.com/product/workshops

Want to build a box or a table? Learn how to spoon carve or even just the basics of woodworking? I’ll be teaching workshops at Charleston Woodworking School every weekend throughout the rest of the summer. Sign up and get more details here: https://josephthompsonwoodworks.bigcartel.com/product/workshops

Joseph Thompson of is offering group and 1 on 1 instruction this summer. Joseph is a very accomplished woodworker and instructor. His furniture has been featured in museums and his private collection pieces are in some of the finest homes in the Southeast. His joinery and attention to detail are some of the best I have ever seen. I think he possibly might be a part time wood ninja. The classes will fill up fast, especially the 1 on 1 instruction. Please reach out to Joseph if you, or someone you know, may be interested in learning from him.

We have had a lot of interest in 1 on 1 and group classes. Joseph Thompson is offering classes this summer in July and August. He is an excellent instructor.

I am positive that the 1 on 1 classes will fill up very fast. Please reach out to Joseph if you, or someone you may know, is interested in taking classes to get more information.

I’ve been teaching some one-on-one woodworking classes again at Charleston Woodworking School and figured I’d spread the word. I’m now taking students and small groups for July and August, just DM or email me directly to get something set up. We can cover a specific topic or whatever you’re particularly interested in learning. I’m excited to be doing these again, and thanks to Sam for providing the space.

Well, another year is in the books! This was a very talented crew and I know that they will have lots of success in the future. Congratulations to the class of 2022!

Gilding classes with Candace were amazing as always. There is just something amazing about the gilding process. We covered water, oil, and glass gilding. Candace is an amazing conservator, gilder, creative person, and artist, but she is an even better person. Thank you for helping us out! We learned so much!

A lot has been happening in the past few weeks! Solid wood projects are finishing up and veneering projects are starting to come together. I’m really happy with all the work the students are putting in. Even the Blue Angels swung by for a visit last week. They didn’t stay long, but if they would like to attend school, we do accept the GI Bill and Voc Rehab.

What is that saying about the apple and the tree?

While we aren’t exactly sure of this beast’s birthday, we do know he is about to turn two “sometime around now.” We adopted him from the Grand Strand Humane Society on Mother’s Day, so about eight-ish weeks prior would be around now. Woody has been a great friend, companion, and counselor for so many of us at CWS. He will be a certified Therapy Dog in the next few weeks. Just like me, C’s get degrees. He may not be the best therapy dog in the world, but he helps me and our students beyond measure. He is always here for us us and he is one of us. Cheers to Woody! An avid snuggler, hater of birds, protector of his people, and a true friend. Happy Birthday, whenever that may be.