HOME SHOP: TALKING THROUGH TOOLS with Ellie Richards

This is the class for you if:

• You are looking to purchase tools for the first time, or
• You are looking to get more out of the tools you own, or
  
• You are looking to refine your work flow in the shop.

TALKING THROUGH TOOLS is a lecture and demonstration that will give an overview of a typical work flow of a home shop, provide tips and tricks for processing material, and help you create a greater sense of autonomy in the workshop.

This class is geared toward guiding individuals to becoming more self-sufficient in home and furniture repairs as well as pursuing personal studio work.

The class is divided into the following categories directed at streamlining your workflow:

• Essential Tools - what tools are best and most versatile for working at home; suggestions for first time tools buyers and those looking to expand their shop.
  
• Material Use - what material is best for your needs and how to narrow those choices down. Ex. Hardwood, softwoods, sheet goods, composites, etc.
• Material Acquisition - how to navigate the big box home improvement stores, the roadside garage sales, the lumberyards, and the surplus shops.
• Measuring - up close and personal with a tape measure, speed square, and various other implements for measuring.
• Processing Material (wood) Using Tools - drills/drivers, screws types, circular saw, jig saw, tablesaw, and handsaw.
  

Materials Needed: Questions about tools/machines!

WOO is a non-profit safe space for training underrepresented genders in our field. As such, enrollment is limited to women, non-binary, and trans folks over the age of 18.

Ellie Richards is an artist living and working in Penland, North Carolina.  She is currently a 3 year Resident Artist at Penland School of Craft. Following an MFA in Wood/Sculpture from Arizona State University, Ellie pursued teaching, residencies, and studio manager positions at renowned craft schools throughout the country.  

She spends most of her time designing and building furniture and sculpture using wood as her primary medium.  Her studio practice looks at the intersection of work and play and she strongly believes that tools, when understood and used safely, can provide empowerment, freedom, and a sense of play throughout many aspects of life.   She is very excited to bring this philosophy to WOO’s virtual instruction team!