05/07/2026
Our apprentices have officially started this month’s apprenticeship project: steam-bent catch-all trays.
This project has been on our “someday” list for a long time, and we finally decided to dive in headfirst — learning right alongside our apprentices as we design, shape, steam, bend, and build these beautiful walnut trays from scratch.
Over the next few weeks they’ll: • glue up tray bottoms
• mill and shape the forms
• cut thin strips for the steam-bent rims
• build and use a steam chamber
• bend the sides and assemble everything into finished heirloom-quality trays
Last month’s project was collapsible cedar camp chairs, and they turned out AWESOME. Every month brings a completely different woodworking challenge, and honestly, the apprenticeship has become our favorite thing we offer at Sawdust Studios.
There’s something really special about consistently showing up, learning new skills, and building things you never thought you could make with your own hands. It genuinely becomes life-changing for a lot of people.
If you’ve ever thought about making woodworking part of your life, this is a really good month to jump in.
Ask about our apprenticeship program.
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