Furniture Craftsmanship Schools..

I am a "08" grad of the North Bennet St. School's Cabinet and Furniture Program. I am also a 2 time winner of "Best in Show" At the Providence Fine Furniture Show. Winning the first time in "07" as a student, then again 2yrs. later as a Profesional. I did not have the fine skills required for great furniture prior to taking the 2 year program. North Bennet gives you the knowledge required to build quality, lasting furniture. Believe me 2yrs. is not barely enough time to aquire the skills of fine furniture making. Running a business is another matter, I dont ask my plumber for legal advise and I didnt go to a furniture school to get a business degree.

What they did give me is an overall knowledge of the use of hand tools, how to design furniture around sound construction methods, templating from full size plans, An understanding of the 'science of wood" and how to design around its limitations. And a gradual escalation of required projects that tested my abilities, and gave me the confidence to reach further.

This cant be underestimated. Put 20 people in a room, all of similar minds and tell them to create. I learned the most from osmosis( seeing other classmates work in progress). I made around 9 pieces in 2 yrs. but watched a HUNDRED or more pieces be created by others doing the same thing ( reaching for their limits.)

The 2 yrs at North Bennet was a Fast Forward button for me, I felt good about what I could build when I graduated, and that I could sell it.. I have been working as a carpenter for 20 yrs. prior to going to school, I have worked for myself several times during that period.I can run a business and I have no problem promoting my work. What I didnt have was the skills to make the quality of furniture that would allow me to make a living at it. I have been fully self employed as furniture maker since gradutaion. Im not getting rich… but I can pay my bills. I also enjoy every minute of it.

My furniture has begun to evolve from strictly reproductions to my own designs and interpretations of classic designs. What is constant is I use the same skill gained making a Chippendale Chair, as I do making a modern desk or an art deco display cabinet.

I graduated from NBSS last year and I'm way better than "mack" (hi, Kevin). This whole "graduates are slow" issue seems strange to me. Did you guys call the school they graduated from to ask about them? Did you look at their portfolio? Some people build 3 pieces at school; some build 10.

At NBSS, you get out what you put in. They'll teach you everything you want to know, but you have to ask. If you don't make the effort, it's your loss. The "curriculum" is very open, so what you learn depends on what you build. What mack said about having all those people around is true. I learned as much watching others as I did building myself. NBSS also has a great reputation among clients and employers.

The school has a reputation for being stuck in the past regarding style and technique, but it's not the case. The program is strictly focused on technique and quality. Students regularly come through with their own styles, but they can't just be high concept. They have to have solid construction. The four instructors each have their own approach to problems and have no problem using machines when appropriate. They just don't want students to be relient on machinery because it's limiting.

I could go on all day about the school. Oh, I guess I should answer your questions. In short, yes to everything. The amount they taught me in 2 years is astounding. Also, the school helps you find jobs and commissions after you graduate. The school has started offering courses in business and marketing, too. Not to mention, Boston is a really cool city.

I'm familiar with the CFC in Maine and they have a really interesting program. It's much more structured than NBSS but has different foci. If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to answer them. In case you haven't noticed, I loved my experience there.

Eli

why is that younger men think this way.

I had a young man walk in for a job. His English literacy skills sucked but his Russian literacy skills were awesome but mine sucked. I looked at his portfolio and it got my interest but upon looking at his shabby rusted cheap tools I was suspect but I could his desperation in needing a job so we hired him for "one" day. In the first hour I knew that this young man was indeed worth his salt as much salt as any other man in the shop.

15 years later he now owns his own shop, employs about ten people and he is now a good friend. He never went to college, never took any courses but he did spend the first ten years of his adult life learning and mastering the use of hand tools for slaves wages in the former USSR. I can say the same for many European joiners but sadly I cannot say the same for the majority of fresh graduates on this side of the pond. Their egos are always much bigger then their performance.

Woodworking schools and colleges that teach do one thing. They get your foot into the door where if you had no school, no experince, that would be much more difficult. Some graduates are good and are worth the investment into a continuing career but it would be extremely rare for a fresh young grad., to make an employer money right from the word "go" and it would also be extremely naive, for an employer to expect it.

No offence but just my experience.

The older I get, the more I realize how little I know, suffice to say that the "little" I do know is significant enough to know that it is impossible to put an old mans head on the top of a young mans shoulders.

"Experience" is the hardest, toughest, cruelest teacher out there, the lessons always come after the test.

So many decades ago my wise friend, my very kind and educated mentor, my father told me I might be a fool to "study" woodworking. Wise beyond his years, he warned me of the pitfalls, the income, the government regulations, the betrayel of false patrons, the very difficult journey I was choosing at the time and when I finally graduated with an engineering ticket and a woodworking "official document" with my straight "A" average I went to work. Two weeks later and looking down at my poverty paycheque, children to feed, I realized how pathetically useless I was. Education opened the door to a journey I was not prepared for. Life went from "simple" to "super complicated" in a NewYork minute.

I often think that 2 easiest ways to reach bankruptcy and marital distress beyond repair, is to open a restaurant or a cabinet shop before you have the money and experience to make it happen. Even then it's a tough go. Ignorance is bliss.

Passion, talent and skill will only go so far, $$$$$$$ and lots of it….............does the rest.I am a believer in hard work and sacrifice and I believe that if one works hard enough, sacrifices enough,that dreams and goals can and will come true but I am not quite convinced that its always worth it. I always wonder that when I die, will my last thoughts be about my work, my craft?......I think not but rather hoping that I spent enough time with those I love to have made a difference in their lives. I'm just glad I have lived long enough to make it up to some of those who also sacrificed, their time, for my dream.

It's Sunday and I have to go back to work.