Saratoga Joinery

Bring your favorite memories to life with handcrafted elegance! In this supportive, hands-on workshop designed specifically for women, participants will build a custom hardwood picture frame featuring striking, contrasting wooden inlay details.

You’ll craft a stunning frame from rich, solid wood, complete with precise mitered corners, a routed rabbet to hold glass and artwork, and clean, geometric inlay accents along the frame’s border. It’s the perfect project to combine foundational joinery with fine decorative woodworking techniques, leaving you with a timeless heirloom piece to display in your home or gift to someone special!

What You'll Learn

This project introduces key woodworking skills and fine detailing in a welcoming, empowering environment. Here are just a few of the things we'll cover in our session:

• How to accurately measure and layout mitered corners for seamless frame joinery
• Methods for cutting narrow channels (grooves) to accommodate decorative inlay strips
• Selecting, fitting, and gluing contrasting wood inlay materials
• Routing rabbets on the back of the frame to hold artwork, matting, glass, and backing boards
• Safe operation of stationary and handheld power tools
• Clamping techniques for picture frames to ensure perfect square alignment
• Surface preparation, flush-trimming inlays, and sanding techniques for a smooth finish
• Applying clear finishes to bring out the natural wood grain

Take these fundamental skills home to tackle future custom framing, furniture detailing, and home decor projects!

Tools Used

We've got a shop full of great tools we're excited to share with you. You'll learn to safely use the following tools during our class:

• Miter saw
• Table saw with rip fence
• Table saw with frame jig
• Random orbit sander
• Strap clamps and corner assembly jigs
• Chisels and card scrapers

While we're excited to have you learn to use these tools, safety and comfort are our top priorities. Instructors will provide close, hands-on supervision at all times, and assistance is always available whenever requested!

Skill Level & Prerequisites

Beginner to Intermediate

You’re a woman or gender non-conforming. These classes are designed to bring women together through woodworking - fostering creativity, confidence, and connection. We provide an inclusive, hands-on environment where participants of all skill levels can learn, share, and build both projects and lasting community.

You are interested in the craft, but haven’t been in the shop yet. You’ve made a few things before, but want to up your game with a new project and some additional skills. No prior knowledge or experience necessary!

Ages 16+; minors are required to be accompanied by an adult.

Schedule

2 day class; 2 hours each day. Make sure you're available for both dates!

Safety

PPE: We provide safety glasses, hearing protection, and dust masks if requested. Safety glasses are required in the shop at all times.

Dress: We’re probably going to get a little dusty! Make sure to wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes. Avoid loose clothing and jewelry. Anything that may get caught in machinery, like long hair, must be tied back and secured.

Accommodations: While we’ll be moving about the shop for most of our time together, we aim to make the craft as accessible as possible for everyone. Please reach out if you have any questions about our space or may need accommodations of any kind.

What to Bring

A water bottle to stay hydrated.

All tools, materials, safety gear, and supplies are provided!

Instructor Bio

Karen Cavotta is a dedicated Technology Education teacher at Saratoga Springs High School with a passion for empowering the next generation of makers, engineers, and craftspeople. With extensive experience teaching hands-on engineering, architecture, and woodworking courses, Karen specializes in breaking down technical skills into fun, approachable, and confidence-building projects for students of all ages.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Karen serves as a board member at The Saratoga Joinery, where she actively helps guide educational programming and community outreach. She is also a long-time member of the Design Review Board for the City of Saratoga Springs. When she isn't teaching or working in the shop, she enjoys continuing her learning and pursuing her passion for design, architecture, summer gardening, and spending time with her family.