Simple Wooden Stools
Toolbox for Intuition by Teresa Audet, 2023. Basswood, poplar, mahogany, handmade paper, bricklay, hand tool shaping, bookbinding, 10" x 16" x 10". Photo by John Carlano, Museum for Art in Wood.
In this introduction to the woodshop, participants will design and build their own simple wooden stool. We will cover the fundamentals of woodworking using both machine and hand tools, starting with understanding wood movement, breaking down lumber into chair parts, and using hand tools to shape the legs and seat. Participants will explore carved textures and decorative elements, and learn how to layer milk paint to create dynamic finishes. Key skills covered will include turning and milling lumber, drilling complex angles, and cutting wedged mortise-and-tenon joinery. These processes are forgiving, and the experience will focus on intuition and material empathy rather than exacting measurements and perfection. Participants should be willing to work hard and have a lot of fun! Exclusive for beginners.
Teresa Audet (she/her) is an artist and educator based in Pittsburgh, PA, originally from Minneapolis, MN. Audet combines woodworking and basketry in her studio and social practice. Her work focuses on play, resilience, and the transformative power of craft. Audet received a BFA in Furniture Design from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and has studied at the Mount Fuji School of Fine Woodworking in Yamanashi, Japan. She received an MFA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2023. Audet teaches furniture making and art nationwide, including at Anderson Ranch, Pocosin Arts, and Penland. She is represented by Chaos Contemporary Gallery in Columbus, OH.