In-Person Classes   

Class Overview

Gain the knowledge and skills needed to do basic repairs and maintenance on your house. You'll feel good learning how to do home projects yourself and you will probably save money as well! 

In this beginning level class, learn how to select and safely use common household tools. Participate in a variety of projects that you can learn to do yourself to keep your house in good repair. Gain knowledge about topics such as basic plumbing, wall repair, electrical work, and weatherization. You will get some hands-on experience to boost your confidence and familiarity with these projects. Explore materials and methods for remodeling, whether that means hiring others with some first-hand knowledge, or possibly deciding to do parts of the work yourself.

By the end of class, you will be able to perform some of your own home repairs with confidence or be able to communicate knowledgably with tradespeople. 

Please Bring These Items to Class

Safety equipment can be purchased from hardware stores and some drug stores. Purchase what seems comfortable for you to use and wear. Please bring and use your safety equipment for all sessions. See the instructor's detailed message about the class.

• Supplies: tape measure, pen & paper
• Respiratory protection: dust mask, cloth mask, N95 mask, or respirator
• Hearing protection: ear plugs or ear-muff style
• Eye protection: safety glasses or goggles
• Feet: wear sturdy shoes; no open-toe shoes

Learning Objectives

• Learn how to effectively use home power tools
• Gain some hands-on practical experience with common home repairs
• Become familiar with basic materials for home repairs
• Get tips for completing common home repairs yourself or when hiring others to do the work

Who Might Enjoy this Class?

• Homeowners that would like to learn how to handle common basic repairs themselves
• Anyone who wishes to be more handy around the house
• People with no experience and would like a basic introduction to home repair projects
• This class requires a minimum age of 18 years old

Class Overview

Demand is high for workers with residential building skills in the Seattle area. Construction jobs can be rewarding and paid well. This certificate program provides hands-on career training in "whole building" residential construction.

The first of three parts, this class is designed to help you develop skills that can be directly put to work in the real world. This program is open to people with no experience, as well as anyone currently working in construction who would like to take their career to the next level.

Gain foundational construction skills including experience with tools and materials, carpentry skills, and jobsite safety. Enjoy lecture, discussion, and written materials, along with hands-on experience, to prepare you to take the Carpentry Basic Certification exam (optional).

Gain the knowledge and experience for gainful employment and advancement in residential construction, or for personal benefit. 

See an overview of the Residential Construction program.

Learning Objectives

• Week 1: Introduction
• Week 2: Hand Tools
• Week 3: Hand Power Tools (plus a Saturday Session - Hand Tools: Framed Square)
• Week 4: Stationary Power Tools
• Week 5: Wood and Wood Products
• Week 6: Fasteners (plus a Saturday Session - Power Tools: Push Stick and Cutting Board)
• Week 7: Shop - Roof Framing
• Week 8: Jobsite Safety and Construction Aids
• Week 9: Building Layout or Site Visit (plus a Saturday Session - Built Walls)
• Week 10: Building Layout or Site Visit

*** Fall 2026 Schedule Notes: This class meets in person on ten Thursday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., between October 1 and December 10, with no class on Thursday, November 26. In addition, there are three Saturday sessions from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on October 17, November 7, and December 5.

Recommended Textbook

Residential Construction Academy Carpentry, 5th Edition. ISBN13: 9781337918503 and ISBN10: 1337918504. Available as a hardcover book or e-book. You can find this book at your favorite bookstore or online.

Who Might Enjoy This Class

Note: There is an age requirement for this class of 18 years of age or older.

• People interested in entering the workforce in residential construction - no experience required!
• Anyone currently working in construction who would like to take their career to the next level
• Homeowners interested in doing home remodel or repair

Class Overview

Have you ever been enchanted by colorful stained glass illuminated with light shining through it? Learn how to create your own beautiful small pieces of stained glass art in this hands-on class.

Enjoy step-by-step guidance from an instructor who was trained by a master stained glass artist at a stained glass museum in Poland. To get started on your journey, we will explore materials and safety procedures, and become familiar with the history of the art. Through demonstration and practice, learn about cutting and soldering. As the weeks progress, so will your skills. You can add drawing and painting techniques to your glass. Different shapes will be explored and encouraged.

The class will go on a stained glass art field trip to see examples in a museum and cathedral. Get ready to be inspired and learn from seeing impressive art works.

By the end of class, you will have gained basic skills in stained glass art and go home with mini pieces of stained glass art of your own creation to display in your home, office, or to give as gifts.

Supplies Needed

Please purchase the following supplies and bring them with you on the first day of the class. A stained glass art kit can be purchased online, at a craft or art store.

You may want to print out some patterns for your first class. Please see the instructor's Welcome Letter for details.

• Liquid solder flux
• Stained glass
• Soldering iron -- for safety reasons, it is strongly recommended to purchase a new soldering iron with an adjustable temperature setting and a wide tip (not very thin), as unsuitable soldering irons may need to be returned
• Soldering iron stand
• Breaker grozer pliers
• Running pliers
• Glass cutter
• Copper foil with a width of seven thirty-seconds of an inch 
• Solder made of 60 percent tin and 40 percent lead
• Fid and burnisher
• Novacan Black Patina for Solder/Lead Patina
• Two small 2-inch paint brushes for stained glass
• Heat resistance surface for stained glass
• Plastic eye goggles (can get them at a hardware store or Dollar Tree)
• Surgical gloves
• Heat resistant gloves
• Four sheets of 220-grit sandpaper, suitable for wet or dry use
• Carborundum stone (optional)

Learning Objectives

• Learn safety procedures for making stained glass art. 
• Become familiar with the history of stained glass art.
• Understand the step-by-step process of creating small pieces of stained glass, including basic techniques, and how to use color, balance and symmetry.
• See examples of stained glass art in Seattle.
• Create your own unique pieces of stained glass art.

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

Anyone who is interested in learning how to work safely with stained glass to make finished art.
People interested in developing their stained glass techniques and learning some of the history of this art.

Class Overview

Learn all about the basics of woodworking in this rewarding hands-on class!

You will learn how to use the main hand tools and power tools in the shop, as well as the important safety rules when using the equipment. Then you will practice on the equipment and build a small project, such as a three-legged stool, with guidance at each step of designing, constructing, and finishing your project.

Discover joinery techniques, the importance of sharp tools, when to use different kinds of fasteners and adhesives and basic methods of wood finishing.

The goal of the class is for students to gain confidence on the equipment so that they can work independently in the shop. This class is a prerequisite for Woodworking - Level 2. This class requires a minimum age of 18.

In this class, you will learn:

• shop safety, including personal protection in the wood shop
• the properties of wood and how that informs the selection and milling of lumber
• how to properly use hand tools (hand saw, block plane, chisel, and hammer) and power tools (hand drill, router, drill press jointer, planer, and table, miter, and band saws).
• We'll also focus on joinery techniques, the importance of sharp tools when using different kinds of fasteners and adhesives, and basic methods of wood finishing.

Please Bring These Items to Class

Safety equipment can be purchased from hardware stores or some drug stores. Choose what feels most comfortable for you to use and wear, and please bring it to all sessions. 

• Supplies: pen & paper/notebook 
• Respiratory protection: dust mask, cloth mask, N95 mask, or respirator
• Hearing protection: ear plugs or ear-muff style
• Eye protection: safety glasses or goggles
• Feet: wear sturdy shoes; no open-toe shoes

Learning Objectives

• Learn about the basics of woodworking
• Explore the different tools used and learn how to use them safely
• Create a class project 

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Students must be 18 or older to take this class.
• Students who would like to learn the basics of woodworking
• Anyone interested in gaining experience with woodworking tools

For related classes, check out our Wood Craft class series.