Woodshop @ UC

A semester of hands-on shaker furniture studies. These projects emphasize safe woodworking practices, foundational techniques, and independent craftsmanship.

Who are the Shakers?

Shaker furniture comes from a religious group called the Shakers. Their furniture is known for its simplicity, functionality, and craftsmanship.

Designed around the belief that everyday objects should be useful, durable, and thoughtfully made. Simple forms, honest materials, and minimal ornamentation became defining characteristics of the style, creating furniture that remains influential in modern design today.

Shaker Table

During the Spring of 2025, I took a once-a-week furniture construction course that was hands-on and instructor-led, focusing on safe woodworking practices and developing foundational skills through the process of building a Shaker-style end table.

Shaker Cabinet

This Shaker-style cabinet was originally part of a subsequent furniture course offered through a certificate program at UC. Although the program is no longer offered, instructors were able to provide me with the plans so I could build the cabinet on my own and make my own design modifications.

Material Selection

Poplar- Table

Poplar is a hard wood great for furniture making as it is easy to work with and stain. It is typically a whitish or yellowish color, but sometimes contains streaks of green and purple which makes for some aesthetically pleasing pieces of furniture.
Cherry- Cabinet

Cherry is a common choice for furniture making as it is easy to work with, highly durable, contains a smooth grain, and rich color that ages beautifully.