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Discover your own talents for furniture design and construction. Join the Online Mastery Study Program and learn the traditions and the skills of design and fine furniture making. Find your singular path to mastery.
The Mastery Program has been a part of The Northwest Woodworking Studio for over 20 years. We now offer this two year part-time program as an Online course. Our next group starts in Fall of 2022. Enrollment is limited to 15 plus two scholarship students.
June 2022 – Thank you Gary for sharing your knowledge and experiences. The learning of the past 18 months has been very high.
Perhaps the three areas I’ve benefited the most are
– concept to design- visioning skills; modelling; prototypes; the practice of designing and then having to build- all have has resulted in considerable improvement in my ability to design for aesthetics and build-ability.
– tool skill – while I still need practice I think nothing of doing dovetails or mortises- my chisel work and sharpening practices are 100-fold improved- power tool proficiency is way up
– shop techniques – so much better equipped to set up for cuts, glue-ups and other assembly work – so much better at problem solving, thinking the build process through and optimizing steps.
Overall I’m most pleased with the program. It’s worked out well. Perhaps some of the value, more hidden than overt, is that over the period and numerous pieces I’m developing a style and finding my true lane in the shop. My aim for years now has been to make small tables. Now I will do so with the opportunity for more creativity and build excellence.
Again, much thanks for delivering a most enjoyable, challenging and practice learning experience.
Student Work from recent classes. Visit the Online Mastery Student Gallery.
The Craftmanship Initative Podcast – Craft and the Art of Change with Gary Rogowski
In today’s automated world, why bother toiling with hand tools and sawdust? In his new book, Gary Rogowski—a master furniture maker in Portland, Oregon—ruminates about lessons he’s learned “at the bench,” and the quest for mastery and creative focus, no matter what your calling.
Getting Work to Work Podcast – Craft and the Art of Change with Gary Rogowski
“Not a day goes by lately where I’m not thinking about reinventing myself and the work I do. I find myself working more with my hands, which lead me to reach out to Gary Rogowski and invite him back on the show for another conversation about craft, failure, practice, process, and constant improvement. Gary is a furniture maker, writer, and teacher. In this conversation, he shares how he reinvented his work over the past year, along with his curiosity for geometry, storytelling, and bird watching. He also has a lot to say about problem-solving, the secret to focusing, finding success with the small things, and how teaching truly impacts a craftsperson.”
Join us for another great Build Along Session to make this Craft Style Mirror Frame. Over 8 weeks on Saturdays I will demonstrate techniques and go over design issues. Alternating weeks we will have Q&A’s to clear up any problems that might have arisen for you. This is a lovely project with loads of possible design treatments. Plus it’s a great opportunity to get instruction from a Master Woodworker.
Learn more and sign up for the Build Along Session: Craft Style Mirror Frame
Notes from previous BAS students:
April 6, 2022 – Hi Gary, I finished the Jasmine jewelry box and wanted to thank you for an enjoyable and educational experience. I’m rather pleased with the result. John G.
May 17, 2021 – Thanks again for everything – this has been a really great experience for me so far, and my wife is actually delighted with the table I’m building (and letting me spend some money on woodworking!) R.C.
Online Mastery Program
Please take a moment to listen the current podcast of It’s Wood with Daniel Carter. In it Gary and Daniel discuss the new Online Mastery Program starting this January. Here’s the link to It’s Wood.
And don’t forget to check out the Modern Woodworkers Association podcast. Another discussion with Gary and the fellas about a variety of topics.
A few comments about our Online Lectures and Workshops.
“I just wanted to drop a quick note to say thank you for the class this week. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot! Hoping to sign up for another one soon. This morning I threw a Hock blade and breaker in my Bailey #4. Wow, you weren’t kidding about the difference. It’s a whole new tool now.” Zach
” I loved the inlay class, and was amazed how quickly those skills could be learned in the online format.” Colin R.
” I appreciated the “close up” photos that you showed a couple times during the 5 machines episode. I especially like your insights and tips. Keep them up!” John K.
“This was my first virtual Woodworking class and I had my doubts as to how it would work out. I was pleasantly surprised that the class was interesting and useful, well worth the time and 25 bucks. Also, good to have a look inside your shop.” Dale T.
“I wanted to give a personal thank you to Gary and everyone involved in the hand planes webinar. I was learning and smiling the whole way through. Truly an amazing job!” Casey T.
“Thank you Gary for the fine session. I really enjoyed it. I thought the online training via Zoom really went well, like I had a front row seat. I love hand planes and learned some good tips last night. Your use of props was good and like I said, I found it very informative and organized. You know your stuff.” Rick W.
Gary answers a reader and student’s question about taming tear out by changing the angle on a chip breaker. Sometimes you have to also adjust your hand plane to accommodate this modification. Change your plane’s frog position, file a wider mouth opening or file the chip breaker to adjust to the blade better.
