Group and Private Classes
We have various classes organized on a rolling basis throughout the year. Scroll down to see the list of upcoming and past classes. These classes are organized in small and engaging groups. If you would like to inquire about a past class that you wish was scheduled again, or about private instruction, feel free to contact us here.
Upcoming Classes
Lapstrake build: hands-on learning to keep old traditions alive
Lapstrake build: hands-on learning to keep old traditions alive
Lapstrake build: hands-on learning to keep old traditions alive
Our most anticipated class series: Join us in building a 13-foot traditional lapstrake skiff. You'll learn how to fit cedar planks around molds, plane a water-tight rolling bevel along each plank edge, alongside with: riveting, steambending, and fitting structural components accurately into a curved hull. This long-term project will be broken down into individual classes, working sessions, and workshops.
All levels are welcome!
Ongoing until May 17th
Thursdays and Saturdays
Build your own: Grow Shelf
Lapstrake build: hands-on learning to keep old traditions alive
Lapstrake build: hands-on learning to keep old traditions alive
Build your own 16"x16" cabinet to grow herbs or keep your favorite house plans alive in winter. A beginner-friendly one-day class.
Sunday April 19th
9:30 am-4:30 pm
$130 Instruction fee
$150 Douglas Fir kit or $200 Cedar Kit
Build your own: Shaker Style Oval Boxes
Lapstrake build: hands-on learning to keep old traditions alive
Lapstrake Norse Pram at North House Folk School
If you are looking to make unique gifts for your family and friends this holiday season - this class is for you! You will be making your own set of steam-bend Shaker Oval boxes. We will meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for instruction and have an open-shop day on Saturday when you can come to finish your projects at your own pace. Class size 4-6 people.
May 5th and 7th 6pm-9pm
Optional open shop on May 9th.
$220 Instruction fee
$40 Materials fee
Lapstrake Norse Pram at North House Folk School
Lapstrake Norse Pram at North House Folk School
Lapstrake Norse Pram at North House Folk School
Our instructor Phil Winger will be partnering up with an old friend and skilled craftsman Brian Thorkildson to teach boatbuilding class at North House Folk School in Grand Marais. You can see class description and sign up options here.
June 22nd - 28th
SOLD OUT
Beginner Woodworking: Kitchen Organization
Lapstrake Norse Pram at North House Folk School
MN Woodworkers’ Guild Hand-Tool Class Series
From drawer dividers, to spice racks and shelf risers - this class will offer a variety of fun woodworking projects for beginners. We will focus on learning the basics of joinery, wood species and movement, while working primarily with hand tools.
June 8th and 10th
Optional Open Shop June 13th
SIGN UP DETAILS COMING SOON
MN Woodworkers’ Guild Hand-Tool Class Series
Lapstrake Norse Pram at North House Folk School
MN Woodworkers’ Guild Hand-Tool Class Series
We collaborated with MN Woodworkers’ Guild on an exclusive class for members to become familiar with various aspects of using hand-tools. Building Roy Underhill's tool tote is an excellent way to learn a number of skills, and at the end of the journey, the take-away is a useful, attractive way to encourage further hand-tool use.
July 8th-22nd
Monday and Wednesday 6pm-9pm
SIGN UP DETAILS COMING SOON
Ultralight Skin-on-Frame Canoe: Group Class
Build Your Own: Traveling Carpenter’s Toolbox
Ultralight Skin-on-Frame Canoe: Group Class
In this class, you will be building a 15-foot ultralight skin-on frame canoe with a group of 4-6 people. The class will meet twice a week: Tuesdays 6:30pm to 9:30 pm and Saturdays 9:30 am to 4:30 pm for 7 total sessions.
July 14th - August 4th
$500 Instruction fee
The canoe will be raffled to students for the price of materials ($900)
Mortise and Tenon: a Hand Tool Intensive
Build Your Own: Traveling Carpenter’s Toolbox
Ultralight Skin-on-Frame Canoe: Group Class
The mortise and tenon joint is a foundation of quality woodwork. Learn to layout and cut various types of mortise and tenon joints with hand tools. Hone these skills while building a beautiful entryway bench collaboratively. We will meet for 3 Sundays. Small class size of 4 people.
August 9th, 16th, 23rd
$375 Instruction fee
$130 Bench materials (optional)
Build Your Own: Traveling Carpenter’s Toolbox
Build Your Own: Traveling Carpenter’s Toolbox
Build Your Own: Traveling Carpenter’s Toolbox
In the modern era, you can purchase hundreds of different (usually plastic) totes to transport and store your woodworking tools. This has always felt a bit incongruous to us here at Sheer Craft. One of our favorite alternatives was built and used by a local craftsman and friend Brian Thorkildson, and we’ve asked him to teach a class on how to build your own.
September 15th, 17th and 22nd
$300 instruction Fee
$150 Materials Fee
Paddle Carving on St. Croix River
Ultralight Skin-on-Frame Canoe: Private Class
Build Your Own: Traveling Carpenter’s Toolbox
Carve your own canoe paddle while camping on the bank of the beautiful Saint Croix river! Combine the pleasure of being in nature, learning, and shearing wooden fibers with a sharp plane. This two-day class will provide everything you need to carve your paddle. Bring camping gear and food, and be prepared to enjoy good company.
September 26-27
$300 Instruction fee
$60 Materials fee
Make your own Toboggan
Ultralight Skin-on-Frame Canoe: Private Class
Ultralight Skin-on-Frame Canoe: Private Class
What is a better reason to get out of the house in the winter but to sled down a hill in your hand-made toboggan? They are as entertaining to make as to ride! Join us for a couple of days of steam-bending fun. Sign up as an individual or make it a family activity.
November 10th and 14th
SIGN UP DETAILS COMING SOON
Ultralight Skin-on-Frame Canoe: Private Class
Ultralight Skin-on-Frame Canoe: Private Class
Ultralight Skin-on-Frame Canoe: Private Class
In this class, you will be building your own 15-foot ultralight skin-on frame canoe. We will meet a couple of times a week and complete the canoe in 7-8 sessions. At least two participants are required, up to 6 total participants.
Custom schedule
$2500
Past classes
Beer and Boats at Summit Brewing
Beer and Boats at Summit Brewing
Beer and Boats at Summit Brewing
August 2025
Instructors: Phil Winger and Maria Petrova
The only thing more exciting than building a boat is building it amongst friends at a brewery! This summer we partnered up with Summit Brewery to build our classic 15-foot canoe in their Ratskeller.
Build Your Own Grow Shelf
Beer and Boats at Summit Brewing
Beer and Boats at Summit Brewing
March 19, 2023
Instructor: Maria Petrova
Northern winters need not frustrate your green thumb anymore! In this one-day workshop each student built their own attractive cedar grow shelf. It integrates full-spectrum LED lights and a hinged front for easy access to your botanical babies. The shelf lends itself to hydroponics or soil-based planting. This beginner-friendly class incorporated some basic principles of woodworking and hand tools.
Lapstrake Skiff (Private Class)
Beer and Boats at Summit Brewing
Paddle Making on Saint Croix River
September 2022 - Jan 1st 2023
Blaine, MN
Instructor: Phil Winger
Our customer, a skilled woodworker in his own right, partnered with us to build a 13-foot lapstrake skiff from cedar, oak, and mahogany.
This traditional boat takes over 300 hours to build and trains advanced woodworking skills like cutting laps, rabbets, and rolling bevels.
Friends and family are a welcome addition to the effort!
Paddle Making on Saint Croix River
West Greenland Kayak at North House Folk School
Paddle Making on Saint Croix River
October 3-4 2025
September 10 - 11 2022
Near Marine on Saint Croix
Instructor: Phil Winger
Carve your own canoe paddle while camping on the bank of the beautiful Saint Croix river! Combine the pleasure of being in nature, learning, and shearing wooden fibers with a sharp plane. This two-day class will provide everything you need to carve your paddle. Bring camping gear and food, and be prepared to enjoy good company.
West Greenland Kayak at North House Folk School
West Greenland Kayak at North House Folk School
West Greenland Kayak at North House Folk School
June 20 - 26, 2022
North House Folk School
Instructors: Phil Winger, Brian Thorkildson
This course is for individuals with a strong interest in creating a seaworthy craft with their own hands. The Inuit kayak from Greenland is a fast and responsive craft designed for hunting but just as suitable for today’s more common recreational purposes.
Other Instruction
Schedule A Private Boat Build
Activities for Businesses and Events
Activities for Businesses and Events
Have you been dreaming of building your own boat, kayak, or canoe but didn't know where to start? Hire one of our instructors to help navigate the process. We tailor our instruction to what you need, bringing over 25 years of boatbuilding experience to your project.
Activities for Businesses and Events
Activities for Businesses and Events
Activities for Businesses and Events
Are you an Airbnb looking to host an activity? A summer camp or school looking for fresh engaging courses? Or a brewery looking for unique entertainment for your guests? We know how to make our classes an unforgettable experience and we can bring that experience right to your space!