Winter 2025 Classes & Shop Hours

At Heartmoor, tuitions are all inclusive- general shop materials, use of tools, storage of projects, and beautiful wood. Salvage and reclamation of resources is a central focus of our design and build philosophy. Classes are designed to support the individual student in their pursuit of skills combined with the theory of practice. We understand that a missed class due to work or family conflicts is natural. We will do the best we can to find convenient make-up times for each individual student through priority placement in Wednesday Open Shop or special weekend Shop Time (dates TBD). 

At Heartmoor, students are encouraged and supported to reach and exceed their personal expectations and explore new methods of work.  As one student recently commented: the classes “…made the humbling experience of learning a new skill as an adult totally delightful.” -H.D.

Basic Carpentry 

January 6- February 10  (6 Classes) Mondays  6:00–8:30 p.m. $295.
This class is designed for the individual who is looking to take on home remodeling and improvements. Learn about basic tool use, safety equipment, wood applications, code issues, structural fastening, as well as some fundamentals of framing.  Both hand and power tools will be taught and used to complete a simple individual project integrating big concepts in small pieces. Students are encouraged to bring drawings, photographs, and questions about their own maintenance and repair issues or building dreams.

This class is FULL

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“Heartmoor has become my home away from home, where I go to escape the day-to-day and focus down on one thing, in great detail, and walk away saying “I did that!”. Robert provides the perfect balance of guided and independent learning, you always feel like you are being stretched the right amount to grow but not break. Heartmoor feels like a family. We celebrate each other’s successes and lend a hand when needed.” -M.B.

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Woodworking 101

January 9- February 13 (6 Classes) Thursdays 6-8:30pm $295

Especially for beginners, we will begin with a simple and attractive project emphasizing qualities of different types of wood and styles of joinery. Individual projects are completed over the course of the 6 classes for the student to take home and use. Types of finishes and trim options as well as hardware decisions result from learning to answer the first question: What’s the use?

This class is full

Woodworking for Women

**WEEKEND CLASS** Jan 25 & 26 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. $350

Join the long history of women making a difference in the trade industry and start on the path of building your dream shed, house, studio, or anything you can think of, at any time, for years to come.  Gain a basic overview of terms, tools, and techniques used in the field of carpentry. Learn how to safely use a wide range of hand and power tools.

 We’ll go over house framing and layout while looking at the anatomy of a structure. Whether you’re planning on building a house or just want some basic skills, this course will help you gain the confidence you need.

Woodworking 102

February 27- April 4 Thursdays 6-8:30pm $325 

Picking up where Woodworking 101 left off, students will design, build, and assemble a unique seating accessory to challenge their new skills. Learning how to use the tools you need to work with wood is just one of the aspects of continued exploration. Students will be introduced to more hand tools, power tools and taught how to take care of tools.

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“I started taking classes at Heartmoor in the Spring of 2019 and haven’t looked back. Robert has been a patient, encouraging, and knowledgeable mentor who has guided me through many projects from ideation to execution, ranging from a simple mallet to matching mid century modern nightstands (and even a pottery wheel!). In addition to the fundamental skills of woodworking, I have also honed my ability to think spatially and consider proportions through the lens of both function and aesthetics. I couldn’t be more pleased with my experience!” -India

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Technique Focus: Hand Cut Dovetails & Sharpening Basics

*WEEKEND CLASS* February 8 Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. $275.

In this combination class to refine skills, you will learn the fundamentals of sharpening your own hand tools using diamond and oil stones in successive stages. Bring your hand planes or chisels, or simply come to learn the nuances. Refine your relationship with your tools and discover a new, safer way to work in wood making dovetails. Dovetails are a simple skill often replaced by expensive, fancy jigs for routers but you can learn the ins and outs of full and half blind dovetails in less than a day.

Intermediate Carpentry

February 24- March 31, Mondays 6:00–8:30 p.m. (6 Classes) $325

Continue the work begun in Basic Carpentry designing and building a small project. Topics include hand and power tool use, safety and measurement skills. Fastening, joinery techniques as well as a focus on individual’s current projects will also be discussed. This is an intermediate class with the goal of completing a self designed individual project following the introductory group projects (as applicable).

Wood Anatomy and Identification 

**WEEKEND CLASS** March 8 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. $115

Whether you are working with wood as a hobby or are an industry professional, knowing more about your material for yourself or your client can be very helpful. Wood identification starts with a general understanding of tree anatomy, how trees become lumber, where certain lumber comes from, and the variety of wood’s uses. Then we dive deeper into the structure of the material, finding clues and sorting out species. With a collection of over 50 verified and forensic identified local native specimens, the collection at Heartmoor will set you in the right direction by not only knowing more of what you need for your specific uses but also giving you the tools to begin your own disciplined study. Each participant will be given a loupe (10x magnifier) to further their personal identification skills.

*NEW CLASS* Power Tool Joinery

April 17- May 22, Thursdays 6:00–8:30 p.m. (6 Classes) $375

Quick and accurate are the ideal and can be achieved with planning, proper setups, jigs, and tenacity. Finger joints and dovetail joints make excellent compliments to standard laps and the ubiquitous mortise and tenon in your skill set. Learn to execute and repeat consistent and ‘nail tight’ mechanical bonds in hardwood species. This class is for the mathematically driven (or aspiring) woodworker. Dado setups, router table configurations including stacked or custom profiles, and dovetail jigs will be utilized in your single personal project. NOTE: The first class meeting will be a design session and is an extra half hour longer.

Generations: Working together

**Weekend Class**  April 26 & 27, 9am-4pm $175 per person, maximum enrollment 6

Join together with a member of your family to build something practical and a lasting memory. An introduction to safety, hand tools, and how to recognize types of wood leads directly into a hands- on project completed during the weekend Open to grandparents/grandchildren, mothers/sons, fathers/ daughters, aunts/nieces, etc…

Open Shop Wednesdays

Current and former students are invited to sign up for Open Shop days to initiate larger, elaborate projects or create one-session crafts at their discretion.

Rate includes access to shop equipment and reasonable supplies in addition to personal instruction in methods and skills.

Students are recommended to purchase bulk hours ahead of time. A sign-up sheet for future dates and sign-out sheet for students are located on post C4 in the shop.

Open Shop is limited to 6 personsRegister through text/ email: 917-822-7230, seeyou@heartmoorfarm.org

Wednesday Shop Hours are 6pm – 8:30pm;

Open Shop rates:

Tinkerer $20/hr Drop-In Rate

Busy Bee $150/ 8hrs

Beaver $275/ 16hrs

Apprentice $480/ 32 hrsPlease contact us if you have any questions about the classes. seeyou@heartmoorfarm.com

Sawdust Scholarships

We have received so much support over the years from current and former students wanting to give a little extra and help other, younger members of our classes continue their enrollment in subsequent classes.

Because of this we have decided that 2024 is the time to formalize a ‘Sawdust Scholarship’ fund

These gifts, which have often been anonymously given to directly support a particular student, can also now become a general fund.

If you are interested in contributing to this direct action or would like to support a particular young person’s interest in attending classes, send us an email or reach out in any other way. Thank You.