New Sharpening Workshop for Women

I told you about how my Mom always said, "A woman may not have the strength to bash a beam into place, but she’ll find a way to get it there one way or another." Having the right tools and a creative mentality are key to making that happen.

Having SHARP tools is just as critical.

Shelter recently offered a Basic Tools Workshop just for women. It was a great success and we received a lot of positive feedback and comments on Facebook about how well received it was! (Don't worry—if you missed it—we'll offer it again this summer!)

Although I'm a woman and I've been in this field since before I could walk, I've forgotten how hard it is to get comfortable in the tool world when you are a woman. It shouldn't be. So we are going to make it easier by offering a series of workshops just for women.

Those of you who joined us for the Basic Tools Workshop requested the Sharpening Workshop and here it is! We will spend five hours teaching you how to sharpen everything from kitchen knives to chainsaws, axes and drill bits and how to understand the technique so that you feel comfortable sharpening nearly anything. You're welcome to bring an item that you find difficult to sharpen or one that you want to be able to sharpen on your own. We'll give you the skills to do it.

The workshop will be Saturday, March 17
(Happy St. Patrick's Day)
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Tuition is $95/person
Register online at shelterinstitute.com

Update on New Weekend Workshop Series

Shelter Institute has organized a new series of weekend workshops at the Shelter Institute Campus, starting this weekend.

This Saturday!
February 4, from 9:00-1:00: Blueberry Beeton is offering a four-hour workshop in Basic Tool Selection for Women. Patsy Hennin, co-founder of Shelter Institute, often said, “A woman may not have the strength to bash a beam into place, but she’ll find a way to get it there. Having the right tools and a creative mentality are the keys to making that happen.” Blueberry will discuss what hand tools and power tools to look for and how to evaluate them based on use, budget, and fit for a woman’s frame. She’ll list the tools everyone should have on-hand regardless of where one falls in the spectrum of house building, renovating, maintaining, or woodworking.
Tuition is $45 per person. Register online today to reserve your spot.

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New Class: Basic Tools Workshop for Women

By Blueberry Beeton, Shelter Staff—You know that piece of trim that needs to be replaced, or the door that sticks in the kitchen, or the light fixture you want to replace? You can do it yourself and many other much bigger projects with the right tools!

My Mom always said, "A woman may not have the strength to bash a beam into place, but she’ll find a way to get it there one way or another." Having the right tools and a creative mentality are key to making that happen. A few years ago I gave a tool talk to an audience of women at a library in Damariscotta—the enthusiasm and standing ovation made me want to offer a similar class at Shelter. A couple of months ago I read an article in one of my FAVORITE magazines about tool selection and it was such a disappointment. It didn’t feature any of the really cool tools available. I like to buy great tools like I buy great shoes, dresses or cooking tools. So this new class is my version of that article in real life. This workshop will be a comfortable space to learn about tools, get your feet on the ground, and an opportunity to bring your questions and have a discussion!

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Shelter at the New England Woodworking and DIY Show

Shelter will be one of the exhibitors at the New England Woodworking and D.I.Y. Show in West Springfield, MA, January 13-15. (Directions.)

Tickets are $12 for adults and can be purchased online. Children under 15, active duty police, fire, and military with ID get in free.

The list of exhibitors includes Fine Woodworking, Lee Valley, Veritas tools, Kreg, Delta, Bosch, Bessey Tools (more clamps!), and many more. There will be lots of free stuff, tools on display, and discount buying opportunities.

The show also offers an impressive list of educational seminars, including a seminar on tools offered by Shelter's very own Blueberry Beeton! Another seminar on making a hand plane and building cabinets is offered by Bob Settich, author of Built-Ins (in Taunton's Build Like a Pro series). He will talk about cabinetmaking details, plane techniques, and more. Maybe he'll get me motivated to start the built-in bookshelf/window seat I've promised my wife for years.

We're very happy to be part of such an impressive lineup. If you can make your way there, please stop by and see us.