Mark Evans

2009-02-18T07:40:00.000-08:00

Mark brings his years of woodworking experience to the school in many of our class offerings, including Architectural Carving, Furniture Design and the Steamer Trunk class.

Skip Gillespie - Owner/Instructor

2008-02-18T09:10:00.000-08:00

Skip Gillespie started the Coeur d'Alene Woodworking School in May, 2005. Skip has been a teacher and woodworker for over 30 years. He holds advanced degrees in Industrial/Technical Education and Wood Technology.

His first teaching assignment was at the Jr. High level beginning in 1965. He then taught 8 yrs at the high school level before transferring to the college level. Skip has spent the last 10 years teaching Architectural Drafting at North Idaho College. Beginning in January, 2007 Skip will be devoting all his time and energies toward the betterment of the CDA School of Woodworking. His plan is to offer more classes throughout the day to serve woodworkers of all ages and skill levels.

Mary Nickol

2008-02-06T15:02:00.001-08:00

Mary was one of our first students. Her enthusiaum for working with wood is contagious. She has become a very fine woodworker in her own right and she is particularly interested in using as many hand tools as possible.

Dave Cox

2008-02-06T14:45:00.001-08:00

Dave has been a woodworker and instructor for many years.

He discovered bent wood boxes a few years ago and has developing many new procedures and box designs.

He works mostly with the Norwegian style of box called a tine' (pronounced "tina").

You will find Dave is very supportive of the new woodworker and eager to share his knowledge of box making.

STUDENT FEEDBACK

2008-02-05T10:14:00.000-08:00

During my high school years, young men either took autoshop or woodshop. I took woodshop thinking it was an easy way to get credits. I got through it with the very basics of skills. In the fall of 2008 I decided I wanted to learn more and found Skip Gillespie and his CDA School of Woodworking. Two classes later I can say it was the best decision I have made in years. The first class was woodworking 101, a class that included tool saftey, application and maintenance. The second was cabinet building. I built a base kitchen cabinet and a wall mounted kitchen cabinet. Before I took these classes I didn't feel confident enough in my abilities to build something like this. Skip's hands-on instruction was easy to understand and apply. With my new knowledge, I now feel that I can start and finish any woodworking project I choose to tackle, knowing that it will be the best when I finish it. To anyone contemplating learning the basics or advanced woodworking, you could not find a more pleasant or rewarding place than the CDA School of Woodworking.

Brice P.
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
2-10-09

Why did I choose this school from the large selection of web hits? They are located in a beautiful area, answered my email request quickly, picked up the phone when I called, were flexible in schedule and course content, and the price was right.

I would give woodworking wannabes a bit of advice, if you haven't bought your tools yet, DON'T, until you take a class from Skip. I purchased my major power tools a year ago with the specific intent of making cabinets for my remodel. If I'd taken Skip's class first I'd have bought different tools and I'd have saved ~ $3000 - $4000 and ended up with tools that would be better for the job. As it is I'll end up spending another $1000 for tools that somewhat duplicate those I have but are better for the purpose.

Lastly, if you are looking for a school with pre-printed lesson plans, a pristine workshop, book-trained young instructors, go somewhere else. If you want to learn form two people that are doing it, take commissions, do top quality work, are down-to-earth, and care about their students by giving a quality learning experience, run, don't walk to take a class from Skip & Mary.
David G. 4-19-08

Friendly, courteous staff. Lots of fun as well as educational. As a first time user of some of the equipment, I found the instructions easily understood. The instructor (Dave Cox) was very patient and helpful.
Deane N. 3-9-08

Thanks for a terrific learning experience. Really appreciate Skip's patient manner in teaching ( and Mary's chili ! ). Look forward to taking more classes.
Mike N. 3-30-08

I really enjoyed this class (Bentwood Box). It was great to go home with a beautiful, completed project after just two classes.
Aaron T. 3-19-08

Very informative, well-organized, fun, great project. Dave Cox is very knowledgeable. Great class for both sexes. ( Bentwood Box )
Larry C. 3-9-08

Lots of great tips ! (Table Saw class) 1-17-08

Excellent knowledge. Just what I needed and was looking for. Will be back. Greg 1-17-08

Very good class (Bowl turning) . Lots of information on tools, woods and curing. Look forward to another class. Dan R. 1-9-08

It is a joy to be with you - thank you for your insights, teaching and patience. Dan W. 1-9-08

Excellent class, knowledgeable (Router Workshop). Jim D. 1-22-08

I enjoyed the atmosphere put forth by the people, both students and instructor. It was laid back and welcoming, while maintaining a concrete focus ( Introduction to Woodworking ). Martin N. 1-24-08

Since the class size was so small we were able to cover far more than the basic box joints and sliding dovetail, etc., -Skip provided lots of great advice on buying good tools, proper size for a workbench, and supplied the peanuts as well. Thanks Skip !! Skye C. Jan. 2007

Instructors

Mark Evans

Skip Gillespie - Owner/Instructor

Mary Nickol

Dave Cox

STUDENT FEEDBACK