In January of 2024, we were thrilled to offer Sophie a position on our crew.  Initially she joined us part time, but ever since tiny house prep work ramped up in the late spring 2024, she has been a full time member of the crew, and now is indispensable!

When asked how she would have pursued becoming a carpenter were it not for Hammerstone, Sophie responded, “I would have found some classes to take, but they most likely would not have been for women only, and I would not have been as comfortable asking questions…

The mural, titled Rising Ahead, envisions a just and sustainable future where all people and environments thrive. At its center is a phoenix made of reclaimed materials, a powerful symbol of transformation rising from the hands of non-traditional tradespeople: women, non-binary folks, disabled workers, and people of mixed heritage. A construction-style sign reads “Rising Ahead,” a nod to the work it takes to build a future shaped by equity and sustainability.

If you’ve Googled beginner carpentry plans, you’ve surely seen this tool. First made by company Kreg, the Pocket Hole Jig is a tool that’s paired with a drill and driver to neatly and securely join two pieces of wood. It’s used commonly in exterior and interior trim work, cabinetry, and furniture making.

“But in the same way a carpentry class specifically for women is empowering and safe, a class for trans and non-binary students offers a space to become a part of the Hammerstone community in a way that not only respects the full gamut of gender identities—but also celebrates them.”

If you have had the chance to take a class with Maria then you know in carpentry, brain is just as important as brawn. She believes unabashedly in the empowerment that Hammerstone courses provide.

Recalling a recommendation years earlier from her college roommate, she looked up Hammerstone and was delighted to find that its Trumansburg campus (the only campus back in 2021) was just a short bike ride from her home. That summer she enrolled in Basic Carpentry Skills 101 and had an unforgettable experience…

Ali Malone was halfway across the country, mid-move from the West Coast back to her home in Vermont, when she took an intentional left turn off the interstate. She’d heard Maria from Hammerstone speak on a podcast and felt curiosity stir…

If you’ve taken a Hammerstone class, there’s a good chance you’ve crossed paths with Christina Alario. From porches to power tools, she’s done it all and brought her curiosity, care, and carpentry skills to everything she touches…

Spring projects, a SPECIAL EVENT announcement, and more!

When to DIY & when to call an electrician.

Did you know that Hammerstone partners every year with Open Doors English (ODE) to offer a free Basic Skills Carpentry class for Immigrant and Refugee women?

Your favorite TA said it first.

Can you believe we're just one week away from the first tiny house course of 2024?! Next Monday is Rough Framing: Build a Tiny House!

We've been a-moving and a-shaking these last couple of weeks, really gearing up for the summer ahead and getting into the thick of our teaching schedule. In this newsletter, check out our class recaps from April, Tiny House '24 updates and stories, Hammerstone in the Community, and .... a giant gourd?? Yep, a giant gourd! Read on to find out more!

Hey Hammerstone Fam! It's me, Christina, stepping in for Kimberly for the next couple editions of the Hammerstone Newsletter while she's on vacation. Topics covered today: Ladders!, Tiny House '24 Updates!, and Upcoming Classes!

Hello everyone, and happy April! Eclipse energy is in the air, native plants are starting to pop out of the soil...although it hailed last week, winter is in the rearview! Here at Hammerstone we've been hard at work preparing for our tiny house build and gearing up for a very busy late spring and summer schedule.

Learn about stereotype threat, the most versatile power tool, and all we have upcoming this spring.