Workshops
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Overview
We know how different life can be for different women. Whether you’re currently juggling an endless list of responsibilities, needing a new experience, looking to learn a new skill, or simply wanting to be part of a group of like-minded women, we offer different workshops to suit a range of life-stages, interests and commitments.
If you work full-time, our evening or weekend workshops will probably suit you. If you’re a MUM (Multi-skilled Unpaid Miracle worker), are travelling, have flexible work hours, or are a lucky retiree, maybe our weekday workshops will be better.
Either way, not only do we have small group sizes to create the space for personal interactions and support between both teachers and attendees, our pace of instruction and support aims to give everyone the confidence needed to use a wide range of woodworking hand-tools, power-tools and machinery to make, create, fix and repair.
Testimonials
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 5 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.
Anonymous
Workshop attendee
Can't speak highly enough of how great Nikki was and the content of the course. Wish there were more of these across Aotearoa!
Anonymous
Workshop attendee
I bought tools with the intention of having my dad teach me how to use them but he passed away before we had the opportunity. I was looking around at courses I could take and when I saw there was a women's course it just was perfect.
Anonymous
Workshop attendee
Nikki was an excellent teacher. I liked the class size. I'm coming back for Practice and Progress [now called Building 'Shelf-Esteem'] as soon as I can! Thank you Nikki and all involved. I'm telling lots of people about this opportunity you have created.
Anonymous
Workshop attendee
I have completed the introduction session in 2022. It is definitely the best workshop I have ever had. It helped me to be more confident with basic tools and also intrigues me to learn more about woodworking. Although I made a lot of mistakes during the processes, the face-to-face learning experience is so rewarding (many skills and details that you couldn't get from "Youtube University"!) Nikki is a very good teacher. She is very patient and supportive, giving a lot of detailed instructions that a brand-new beginner needs to know. I will recommend womenzshed to all my friends who want to make something by themselves. BTW I've already booked the next advanced session in 2023 although it would take me one hour driving from Hamilton. Looking forward to meeting all the SHEddies again!
Anonymous
Workshop attendee
Being so supported by Nikki and the other women in the workshop is what I enjoyed the most. That made me feel so confident and we all stepped up to the new challenges. And making something for the Urban Ark, so there was a useful purpose.
Anonymous
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.
Louise
Workshop attendee
I thoroughly enjoyed working with the facilitators and learned so much about correct use of tools. Now I understand grinders, routers and the different saws. Many useful measuring tips, etc, along the way. I can now sharpen my plane blades correctly and set the blade on the skill saw. All hit and miss before. Thank you for a fun, valuable course. Look forward to further courses.
Annie
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
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
