Saratoga Joinery

Add a touch of modern, handcrafted style to your kitchen or dining room! In this supportive, hands-on workshop designed specifically for women, participants will build an elegant slotted wooden trivet featuring contrasting hardwood slats and interlocking support rails.

You’ll craft a beautiful, heat-resistant table accent using rich, solid woods (such as walnut and maple), learning how to cut precision slots, mill uniform slats, and assemble a seamless grid structure. It’s a rewarding project that blends precise joinery techniques with functional kitchen design, sending you home with a practical piece you'll be proud to display or give as a gift!

What You'll Learn

This engaging project introduces foundational joinery and batch-cutting techniques in a welcoming, empowering environment. Here are just a few of the things we'll cover in our session:

• How to accurately measure, mark, and layout stock for precise spacing and alignment
• Methods for making repeated, uniform cuts safely and accurately using table saw jigs
• Cutting evenly spaced dadoes/slots to interlock contrasting hardwood components
• Use of the band saw to cut curves and shapes
• Safe operation of stationary and handheld power tools
• Shaping, chamfering, and rounding edges for a refined, modern aesthetic
• Clamping and glue-up techniques for multi-piece grid assemblies
• Surface preparation and progressive sanding techniques for smooth, flush joints
• Applying food-safe, heat-resistant linseed oil and beeswax finishes to bring out natural wood contrast

Take these fundamental skills home to tackle future kitchen accessories, decorative home projects, and joinery builds!

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 for: ripping ,with crosscut sled and dado setup
• Bandsaw
• Router table or edge treatment tools
• Orbital / Edge sander
• Clamps and square assembly jigs

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.