Workshops
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Testimonials
Such a professional and supportive learning environment and teacher. I loved every class I attended and I learned so much.
Sabina D.
Workshop attendee
The WomenzShed is a fantastic place and Nikki is a terrific teacher! Even though I already know how to use a few tools, I was impressed with being taught better handling techniques and other very helpful and useful tips with a wide array of hand and power tools. The intro to wood workshop series was such a great learning experience and now I'm eager to do more!
Stacy H.
Workshop attendee
Had a fabulous workshop with Courtney this weekend! The team is so friendly and resourceful. I cannot recommend them enough! Thank you Womenzshed!
Twarita D.
Workshop attendee
LOVE LOVE LOVE!
I took the intro to the wood workshop class and I enjoyed every moment of it. We got to try so many different tools in a very safe and supportive environment. Everyone was so lovely there. This is a course I’d recommend for any women wanting to try something new or learn how to use the tools safely if you’ve already had some experience . I’ll be signing up for their other classes as well 🤩Sara W.
Workshop attendee
Such a fantastic workshop. The atmosphere was relaxed, welcoming and genuinely supportive. I went from feeling completely out of my depth (which I’m not used to!) to feeling capable and proud of what I created, thanks to Nikki’s calm expertise and kind, encouraging guidance.
We had the chance to try a range of hand and power tools in a space that felt safe and confidence-building. The ethos of creating supportive environments for women to learn practical skills many of us were never shown growing up is incredibly powerful.
I learned so much and left feeling both more skilled and more confident. Highly recommend.Jess D
Workshop attendee
I found this course absolutely brilliant. I have always been interested in carpentry, but had no idea how to go about it, or which tools to use when. I have gained so much knowledge in just 4 weeks, and given me confidence to give things a go. Being able to use all the different machines and tools was fantastic, and the tutors were brilliant in starting from basics for us. Thanks so much Nikki and the team, this is the best thing I have done in years.
Louise S.
Workshop attendee
The level and style of instruction - a really lovely way of teaching - it was detailed enough, and covered what it needed to in a short enough time that we could stay focused. The repetition was great so that I could get comfortable with tools that scared me. It was clever to give us basic wood to work with so that we could relax about trying things out. I appreciated that we were encouraged to take things apart and reassemble them, ie tools and changing out blades etc and trying new hand tools. Having a teacher and support teacher was great too.
Annie M.
Workshop attendee
This workshop delivered everything I hoped for, thanks to the energetic, supportive, fun and knowledgeable crew. It was delivered in a very down to earth way, with something for everyone. The small group learning was a perfect way to pick up skills and get to know people. I left every session smiling!
Justine A.
Workshop attendee
Our Workshop Range
Introduction to the Wood Workshop
New to woodwork? This very popular and empowering workshop series covers a range of equipment found in our wood workshop. Our small class sizes and experienced women teachers make it perfect for beginners, novices or anyone wishing to upskill, particularly in power-tools and machinery. Once completed, you can continue your woodworking journey into our carpentry or cabinetry classes.
Each session enables you to learn different skills, tools and machinery in a supportive, friendly setting including:
- timber basics, marking and measuring
- power tools including circular saws, jigsaws and mitre saws
- hand-tools including planes and Japanese saws
- chiselling techniques
- electric planers
- drills, bits and impact drivers
- working with metal including cutting and filing
- basic joints, assembling work,
- fixings (screws, nails, hinges)
- if time, rotary tools (Dremel)
You’ll create a project you can either take home or gift to the community, supporting kindergartens, schools, our WomenzShed Empowerment Fund and partners like Urban Ark – Manawa Taiao and Oke.
Introduction to Woodwork
This one-day version of our Introduction to the Wood Workshop still packs a punch with what you experience and learn. It is suitable for beginners, novices and women looking for confidence in power tools often used in the home environment.
Our small class sizes and supportive, friendly approach will enable you learn a range of common woodworking tools and equipment including:
- timber basics, marking and measuring
- power tools including circular saws, jigsaws and mitre saws
- drills and impact drivers
- electric planers
- fixings (screws, nails, hinges)
- basic joints, assembling work
As with our ‘Introduction to the Wood Workshop‘, you’ll create a project you can either take home or gift to the community, supporting kindergartens, schools, our WomenzShed Empowerment Fund and partners like Urban Ark – Manawa Taiao and Oke.
Once completed, you can continue your woodworking journey into our carpentry or cabinetry classes.
Introduction to Carpentry
This workshop is one of the next steps after completing either our Introduction to the Wood Workshop or Introduction to Woodwork. Alongside our Introduction to Cabinetry, it’s one of the two pathways we offer to continue building your skills.
Carpentry focuses on practical, around-the-home building and structural work so we’ve designed this workshop to give you hands-on experience with essential carpentry tools and techniques, enabling you to move beyond guesswork and gain skills you can confidently use at home.
You’ll construct a mock-up stud wall frame so you understand how to tackle basic repairs and modifications with confidence. You’ll also learn how to cut and install timber mouldings and securely hang pictures and shelves…level!
Learning includes:
- measuring, squaring, cutting and joining techniques
- working with plasterboard (GIB)
- how to safely and securely hang pictures and shelves
- different types of mouldings and practice installing
To finish, you’ll build a small planter box that you can take home, and depending on group ability we’ll also cover door hardware including handles and hinges.
There’s plenty of opportunity throughout the workshop to ask questions about your own projects and share your experiences with your fellow workshoppers.
This workshop is one of the next steps after completing our Introduction to the Wood Workshop series or Introduction to Woodwork. Alongside our Introduction to Carpentry, it’s one of the two pathways we offer to continue building your skills. Cabinetry focuses on designing and building interior fittings such as furniture.
In this workshop, you’ll learn to design and build a simple piece of furniture to take home and admire forever. Using basic cabinetry techniques and materials you will learn a design that can be adapted to create something for yourself such as a bedside table, a stool, a laptop table or a kid’s desk.
It is an opportunity to be creative whilst learning and embedding cutting, joining and assembling skills, in a supportive and friendly women-only environment at our exclusive Auckland workshop. Tools and machinery available to use include the track saw, dropsaw, benchsaw, jigsaw, drill press, electric and hand planes, sanders, etc.
If you have some previous experience with power-tools we still strongly recommend doing our Introduction to the Wood Workshop series or Introduction to Woodwork first to hone basic skills and confidence working with the power-tools and machinery used in this workshop.
This more advanced workshop is the next step in our cabinetry pathway, designed for women who have completed our Introduction to Cabinetry, or for those with woodworking experience who are ready to build more confidence and techniques in their existing skills.
You’ll take on a more detailed project by building a wall-hanging cabinet. It’s an opportunity to refine and deepen your understanding of joinery, learning skills you can apply to a wide range of future woodworking projects that involve more advanced woodworking methods.
Tools and machinery available to use include:
- hand tools such as chisels and hand planes
- track-, mitre- and bench saws
- trim and plunge routers
- jigsaws, electric planes,
- drill press
- sanders
