Dates:
Mondays and Wednesdays, April 27, 29, May 4, 6, and 11, 2026
Time: 6 pm to 9 pm
Instructor: Payam Alinasab
Audience: Age: 16+ - Parent or Gradian need to sign a waiver on the first day!
Level: Intermediate to Advance
Cost: $600 + HST
Description:
Discover the art of creating elegant, finely crafted wooden boxes through careful
design and expert joinery. Though small in scale, these projects offer a rewarding
challenge for those seeking to elevate their woodworking skills.
In this hands-on workshop, students will design and build a wooden box suitable for
jewelry, keepsakes, or personal storage. Step by step, participants will be guided
through preparing materials, cutting clean joinery, constructing well-fitted corners,
and creating a precisely fitted lid, finished with an elegant Japanese-style handle.
With demonstrations, guided instruction, and individual feedback, students will leave
with a finished box and a deeper understanding of the techniques that make small scale woodworking projects both precise and refine.
What You'll Learn:
Students will begin by building an elegant mitered box, learning how to plan a
continuous grain pattern so the wood flows seamlessly around the piece. The course
will cover key joinery techniques used in fine box making, including:
- Mitered corners, reinforced with keyed or splined joints for strength and subtle
decorative detail - Through-wedged round tenons for the handle’s joinery
- Rabbets, designed to securely capture the box’s bottom and lid
- Splines, used for both structural reinforcement and visual refinement
Participants will also develop methods for safely and accurately working with small
parts, including careful material preparation, precise layout, and tight assembly of all
components. The workshop concludes with instruction on applying a traditional
shellac finish, which enhances the wood’s natural beauty while providing protection
and depth.
Instructor Bio:
Payam Alinasab is a furniture designer and maker with a background in engineering and years of experience in the architecture and construction industry, where he was first introduced to design. After years of building furniture as a personal passion, he officially founded Payam Alinasab Design in 2019, focusing on traditional joinery techniques and timeless woodworking methods.
His work centers on creating sustainable, handcrafted pieces that bring natural materials into everyday life. Payam is passionate about the slow, intentional process of making and values the deep connection between materials, craftsmanship, and the people who use his work.
Alongside his practice, he enjoys teaching and is dedicated to sharing his knowledge to help preserve these long-standing techniques. He aims to empower others to create meaningful, lasting pieces of their own. Payam is also a photographer, bringing a strong visual perspective to his work.
* Material fees included.
Age: 16+ - Parent or Gradian need to sign a waiver on the first day!
Location: