Congrats to our amazing January 2026 grads! We celebrated a small but incredibly talented group of students in Jewelry Making & Repair, Cabinet & Furniture Making, and Locksmithing & Security Technology. Proud of all your hard work!

Join us next year for a series of free talks for emerging craft & trade professionals on starting and growing a creative business! Our series #IntheMaking returns Jan-May 2026 with an 8-episode series on supporting the transition from student to professional. All events: nbss.edu/news-events/...

The #WinterMarket vendor list is stacked this year! We've got 30+ students and alumni selling handmade goods in the Market, which happens during Open House December 5 & 6. You won't want to miss it! See the full vendor list: nbss.edu/news-events/...

Curious about attending an NBSS Career Training program or taking a Community Education class? Join us for Open House on Friday and Saturday 12/5 & 12/6, from 10am - 2pm both days! It's the best opportunity all year to learn what we offer. Free and open to all, RSVP here: hubs.la/Q03PbWRq0

It’s #pumpkincarving time once again! Last week we had a great crop of entries into the contest. (Carving skills are always on display here!) Which one would you vote for?

This week the Jewelry Making & Repair students had a lesson on engraving from #NBSSalumni Gretchen Wilkinson JM ’96. They've loved getting to learn from such an experienced teacher. Learn more about our professional bench jeweler program: nbss.edu/full-time-pr...

Join the Nichols House Museum this Saturday, October 4 for their Community Day - Cabinet & Furniture Making Instructor Ellen Kaspern CF ’03 will be there doing woodworking demonstrations! Event details: t.co/ix4zfmIENO

Violin Making & Repair Department Head Roman Barnas was a guest on the most recent episode of OMO Podcast, which covers the lives of violin makers. They interviewed him along with Lisbeth Butler of the Redwing Repair program. Listen here: www.omopod.com/82

In the spring as the #Bookbinders near the end of their first year, they create a set of sample books: 10 books, two boxes, one slipcase, and one four-flap. Many of them chose a theme for their series too. Check out some the lovely results from last May! Learn more: nbss.edu/full-time-pr...

First Mitch from the Huntington and now Linnea at the LoC! I love seeing @nbssboston.bsky.social bookbinding grads share their knowledge.

Announcing a new set of Teen Craft & Trade Intensives! We're offering bookbinding and woodworking sessions during the 2026 February and April school vacation weeks. Learn more and apply (early application deadline is Oct 27): nbss.edu/community-ed...

The Advanced #PianoTechnology students have hit the ground running: they're completing tasks for three pianos nearly fully restored by last year's class. They're working on the dampers, which means the pianos are almost playable! Learn more about our program: nbss.edu/full-time-pr...

All School photo day was today! We always love getting everyone together for this annual tradition. #nbssboston #northbennetstreetschool

Our final Teen Craft & Trade Intensive this summer was #Bookbinding. The students jumped in right away making marbled paper and paste paper, then spent the rest of the week folding, cutting, gluing, sewing, and foil stamping a series of books. Learn more about the programs: nbss.edu/community-ed...

Today was Orientation for new students, including some opportunities to get to know our North End neighborhood. Looking forward to the first full day of classes tomorrow! #backtoschool #BackToSchool2025 #tradeschool #vocationaltraining #VocationalEducation

#backtoschool We're ready for new students to arrive tomorrow! #BackToSchool2025 #tradeschool #vocationaltraining #vocationaleducation

Our 4th Teen Craft & Trade Intensive this summer was Preservation Carpentry. This talented group of students built a full timber frame structure during their week with us, and learned a lot about traditional building methods w/instructor Sophie Linnell PC ’21. Learn more: nbss.edu/community-ed...

We had a great student and alumni get together on Spectacle Island today! Gorgeous weather and a great opportunity to get to know our new and returning students. Thanks to Boston Harbor Islands NPS, Boston Harbor Now, and Mass DCR for supporting this event.

Our third exciting Community Education Teen Intensive was Jewelry Making, with six super creative students. Over the course of the week they sawed, hammered, filed, & soldered an incredible array of rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, & pins. Learn more about the programs: lnkd.in/e9W3iTFp

Fall Community Education classes are now available! We're excited to share our lineup of 50+ CE classes for September through December. With a mix of returning favorites and exciting new offerings, there's something for everyone. View all classes: t.co/Br63ubYHDY

Meet six #NBSSalumni who have carved unique careers as carpenters, piano technicians, bookbinders, locksmiths, and furniture makers—from Mansfield, Massachusetts to Bogota, Colombia: t.co/TK7GeMFd7c

In just a few years, #CommunityEducation at NBSS has transformed from a post-pandemic reboot to a thriving, high-impact part of the institution. With record-setting enrollment, a wave of new classes, & expanding partnerships, CE is engaging more learners than ever. Read the story: t.co/Wqd3ZbOFPr

The latest issue of our #Benchmarks magazine is now out! TIncludes profiles of recent graduates & alumni further afield, exhibitions and upcoming events, a celebration of Community Education growth, details for Open House, & much more. Read the full issue: t.co/RolSeo7NvR

We've still got space in our upcoming 2-day #WindowSash Restoration class! Learn to restore wooden sash windows including paint removal, wood repairs, glazing, & more. Two Saturdays, July 19 & 26 with Tom Eldridge PC '21 Register: t.co/v0iNKPchuq

Futures Found: Meet New NBSS Grads Discover how seven of our recent graduates followed their passions to North Bennet Street School and embraced our enduring philosophy of "a good life, built by hand." Read all the profiles: t.co/dHpx03nanD

I hate the commute, but I never get tired of the destination. Enjoying Boston and passing by @nbssboston.bsky.social on the way to Mike's Pastries 👌🏽

Our week-long Historic #TimberFraming class was a big success! Thanks to the Topsfield Historical Society for hosting us -- it was a great learning space. The frame raising took place during their annual Strawberry Festival. View more of our upcoming Community Education classes at nbss.edu/ce.

Our Partners in Craft program recognizes corporations and small businesses across industries that support the School and the trades. One of those partners is Holt & Bugbee, a family-owned lumber company that’s been in business for over 200 years: hubs.la/Q03tbzgY0

The 2025 Exhibition: Meaningful Work is only open for a couple more weeks! See beautifully-crafted furniture, stunning jewelry, hand-bound books, gorgeous instruments & more, made by our students & alumni. Open thru Thurs, 7/3 M-F 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm t.co/jxlHN632nz

Join us tomorrow at the Topsfield Strawberry Festival for a #timberframeraising! Our Historic Timber Framing class was held at Topsfield Historical Society this year, & the class will show off what they've been building all week. Sat 6/14, 10am-4pm Topsfield Historical Society, 1 Howlett Street

One of the classes that kicked off our summer session of Community Education classes was Trestle Tables with instructor Ellen Kaspern CF ’03. By the end of just one week, students each made a beautiful table to take home! View our upcoming short courses: nbss.edu/community-ed...

Congratulations, class of 2025! On May 30, nearly 100 students graduated from our career training programs and embarked into their professional fields. It was a day full of joy, smiles, hugs, tears, and high-fives. #Graduation View more photos & watch the full ceremony: nbss.edu/news-events/...

Dive into early musical instrument maintenance this summer with our special short classes! #Harpsichord Voicing & Regulation w/Allan Winkler & Louis Del Bene, June 9-13 or June 23-27 #Fortepiano Maintenance, Regulation, & Repair w/Rod Regier, July 28-30 t.co/vJaguS0PI4

The Advanced #PianoTechnology students are nearing the end of their grand piano restorations. After they finished notching bridges, they are now stringing the pianos. Getting closer to playable! Learn more about our Piano Technology programs: nbss.edu/full-time-pr...

Yesterday the Student Veteran Organization held a graduation celebration to honor grads and connect with fellow #veteran students and alumni across programs. Thanks to all who came! Learn more about veterans at NBSS: nbss.edu/admissions/v...

#studentworkwednesday Chairs chairs chairs! Check out these beautiful and varied chairs by Cabinet & Furniture Making soon-to-be-grads. Side chair with inlay by Caroline Knight CF ’25 Side chair by Isaac Dias CA ’23, CF ’25 Side chair by Alana Schwartz CF ’25 Side chair by Shane Davis CF ’25

Erin Fletcher BB ’12 of Herringbone Bindery interviews each Bookbinding graduating class about their set book. This year's book was "The Poetical Vagaries of a Knight of the Folding-Stick" and the completed books are gorgeous. Read the full interviews: t.co/bw9IAMUiCC

Don't miss 2 great classes taught this summer by Cabinet & Furniture Making instructor Ellen Kaspern CF ’03. Walk away after a week w/skills & a brand new table! Trestle Table, Mon-Fri, 6/2-6: hubs.la/Q03mR9r40 Modern Side Table, Mon-Fri, 8/18-22: hubs.la/Q03mR9mp0

Thanks to all who joined us at our 2025 Exhibition Opening Party last week! Visit the exhibition, open until July 3: nbss.edu/news-events/...

Jewelry Making & Repair alumna Ja’Hari Ortega JM ’24 was commissioned to create a large-scale sculpture installation on the Rose Kennedy #Greenway! Stop by Atlantic Ave & Oliver St to view the golden bamboo hoop earring swings at a monumental scale. Learn more: t.co/v8X61Ligjt

Our 2025 Exhibition: Meaningful Work is officially open! The exhibition reflects on the transformative power of meaningful work that shapes lives, builds community, and reflects the values that guide us. Runs Fri, May 2 – Thurs, July 3 Learn more: nbss.edu/news-events/...

Back in March, we offered an exciting new Community Education class on printing historical endpapers. Taught by Bookbinding Instructor Martha Kearsley BB '95 & alum Mitchel Gundrum BB '21, students created reproductions of historical endpapers using linoleum blocks, printing with & without a press.

#studentworkwednesday Scenes from around the bindery... Our #Bookbinding students are working hard to fit in all their projects during the last few weeks of the school year! Learn more about our 2-year career training program: nbss.edu/full-time-pr...

Free event: "Craft in a time of Tariffs" on Tues, 5/6 from 2–3:30 pm CT Join American Craft Council in partnership with CERFplus and The Furniture Society for the virtual panel discussion “Craft in a time of tariffs: Implications and possibilities for American Makers.” Register: t.co/AvxZKeESKE

Great article from @forbes.com about the potential for skilled trades as older workers retire. We're helping rethink cultural attitudes about what kind of work is valued in the U.S. -- and that the trades are a fulfilling, lucrative, & secure vocational path. t.co/OD94CPwDoL

Preservation Carpentry instructor Michael Burrey was featured in #NantucketMagazine for his work on the #NotreDame cathedral rebuilding! Read how he got connected to the restoration, preservation projects on Nantucket, & importance of old-world trades. t.co/UlShnsUhsI

Happy Birthday to Lance Patterson CF ’79, Cabinet & Furniture Making Instructor!

As we start to get close to the end of the year, many Cabinet & #FurnitureMaking students have finished their #NBSStoolbox. Niall Shannon CF ’26 Taylor Landers CF ’26 Emma Wanstall CF ’26 Zachary Reynolds CF ’26 (+mini toolbox!) Photos by Lance Patterson CF ’79 Learn more: nbss.edu/full-time-pr...

Last week, we talked with Tom Furrier of Cambridge Typewriter, who recently retired after 45 years and closed the shop. Tom described what led him to fixing typewriters and what made it meaningful work for him. #IntheMaking Watch the full event: nbss.edu/news-events/...

On Tuesday we held a celebration for Debbie Cyr PA ’93, who is retiring this spring after 30 years(!) of working in the Piano Technology department. Debbie has taught and mentored hundreds of students during her time at NBSS, and we are incredibly grateful for her decades of dedication.