"I have wanted to "get into" woodworking for years but did not have the confidence or skills. I was afraid that I would get into a project and find myself over my head early and not have any way out. All that changed in one week with Gregory!  I took the Woodworking Fundamentals class in the spring of 2011. I went in with some basic mechanical skills and a very small amount of knowledge of woodworking. After 5 short days, not only did I greatly increase my knowledge but my confidence level went through the roof. With Gregory's encouragement and instruction, I found that not only can I produce good furniture but I can reason through problems that I encounter. As a former teacher I can also attest to Gregory's teaching skills. He keeps a brisk pace while allowing time to accomplish the parts of the task at hand. His instructions are clear and concise. I seldom found myself "scratching my head" at something he said. When I did quiz him on a confusing item, he clarified in a form that I could understand. I plan to take more classes with Gregory  in the future. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to begin or increase their woodworking skills!"

Andy Cotton :: Albemarle, NC

"Wow, what a week!  My experience building my Arts and Craft sideboard exceeded my expectations. Gregory has the unique gift of being an excellent craftsman who can design and create beautiful furniture AND teach craftsmanship effectively to others. Calm, patient, confident, encouraging, effective and productive teaching techniques allowed me to enjoy learning new skills each and every day.  Safety was a top concern as I am a Surgeon and I quickly developed confidence in his approach and techniques. As the week passed, I came to realize that Gregory truly enjoys observing his students accomplishing their goals, watching the light bulb come on, seeing the smile grow on their face. My skills grew dramatically under his direction.  Not only will I have a beautiful piece of furniture, my skill set expanded, great memories working in a idyllic setting but most importantly, a new friend. I would encourage anyone to seize the opportunity to learn and work along side Gregory as you will be rewarded beyond your expectations!!!"

Bill Marr :: College Station, TX

"Gregory is a master craftsman and a very good teacher.  I spent a career evaluating instruction as a high school principal and would have been excited about this quality of instruction in my school. My wife and I enjoyed our week building Morris Chairs.  The resulting chairs looked great and they proved to be wonderful projects on which to learn new woodworking skills. Waynesville, NC, home to Gregory's studio, was a delightful place for us to enjoy the evenings after a day of work on our chairs."

Don and Karen Stewart ::  Harris Neck Island, GA

Custom Class  :: One on One instruction

"Recently I completed two of Greg's woodworking classes---one class on hand planes and the other on building a slot mortiser that Greg designed. What a tremendously rewarding experience!  When it comes to tuning, sharpening, and using hand planes, Greg gave me the knowledge and confidence I needed. I never imagined I could produce .001-inch thick, full-width shaving from hard maple!  It was a real treat to work side by side with Greg to build a slot mortiser for my home shop. I look forward to putting it in use soon.  My success in the classes could not have been achieved without Greg's great teaching skills, professional attitude, and his superb command of subject knowledge and skills.

Thanks, Greg! I'll be returning."

John Dougherty :: Borrego Springs, CA

"I would highly recommend Gregory's instruction for anyone interested in honing their skills or learning new ones to enhance their woodworking skills.  He is very patient and helpful in explaining new concepts and has a great attribute towards increasing my understanding of fine woodworking techniques. I am very pleased with the two cherry end tables we built and am looking forward to create new projects."

David :: Louisville, KY

Hand planes, scrapers, sharpening  :: One on One instruction

"Greg,

Thank you so much for the outstanding hand tool instruction this past week.  The fact that we were able to pack in hand planes, sharpening and scrapers all into one long day is a testament to your knowledge of each subject and your organization as a truly a gifted teacher.  You were insistent that we set goals (on a white dry-erase board)  and expectations for each segment and we did not move on until all goals were achieved.  At the end of the day, as I surveyed this list I thought, I learned way more that that white board could ever hold!  I look forward to returning soon to your comfortable workshop in its idyllic setting to further hone my woodworking skills under your expert tutelage.  

Thanks again,"

Ron Howes :: St. Augustine, FL

"Wow! After the first three hours in Gregory Paolini's week long woodworking class I was saying, "I already have gotten my money's worth." Every single day just piled on information and techniques that I will use for the rest of my life. There were innumerable moments where Gregory illuminated the reasons why things were not working for me and showed me how to easily correct them to work cleaner, safer, and faster. My favorite part of the class was when he showed me how to take a rough board and get it finished to a surface that was as smooth as glass without any complicated work. The beauty is the simple and methodical approach that Gregory takes to get the most out of your skill set. Taking this class has helped take my woodworking to an entirely new level. Gregory is a patient and very accomplished teacher with an easy personality that makes learning fun. It was an honor to take the class and get instruction from such a master craftsman. I can recommend Gregory's course without reservation to anyone who wants to build their skill set."

Eric Kimes ::  Mount Olive, NC

"Took a week long (short) class with Greg and came away with an extreme quality piece of furniture.  I was delighted with the skill level Greg led me to.  I have taken courses over the years with nationally and internationally known woodworkers whose names everyone knows and I state without reservation that Greg was prepared, shared techniques, showed how to make his shortcut jigs, kept his (and my) tools sharp and working well, and instructed in a manner that taught and entertained at the same time.  His knowledge and professionalism is on par with anyone I've worked with.  Without a single doubt this class was the most enjoyable I've ever taken and I look forward to more in the future."

Jerry Grant :: Asheville, NC

"That was a great experience. The mortiser is unique and has multiple uses. Loose tenons are the way to go and this jig helps achieve this easily.
 Thanks for your insight and patience. You definitely have a knack of explaining things in a way that made this program very enjoyable. Thanks again and I hope to sign up for more classes in the near future."

Regards,
Marty Poirier

"The 5 day instruction for building the chair was very relaxing, entertaining and well planned. Greg, thank you for your patience and encouragement while sharing your methods for safe operation using sound techniques with your shop equipment. A great learning experience for me."

J  Goodman ::  North Carolina

Cabinetry Comprehensive ::  One on One Instruction

"Thanks Greg for a great week learning about cabinetry. Your patience and knowledge led me to learn more than I expected. The class was great in that we were able to go down the different roads I needed to travel to get to my destination. What a great place to learn!"

Nils Ebbesson, Wilmington,NC.

Bow Arm Morris Chair ::  One on One Instruction

"I really enjoyed my week in Waynesville with you this last fall (2009). The instruction was great.
The one on one instruction was extraordinary and exceeded my previous classes of which I have taken many. I highly recommend your facility to anyone who desires to jumpstart their woodworking skills. Thanks again. I look forward to future sessions ."

David Hudson - Murfreesboro, Tennessee

"Dear Greg,
I wanted you to know that I feel I benefited greatly from an extended time under your tutelage and supervision. You assembled your years of knowledge into clear, step-by-step introductions. In the instruction on hand planing I was able to gain immediate practical knowledge -- enough to propel me into buying a new plane! I also appreciated your willingness to entertain extra questions. You proved once again that there is no substitute for hands-on learning under experienced professionals. Thank you, once again."

Bill Everett, Waynesville, NC

"The week class was wonderful, flowed smoothly,  and every minute was enjoyable.   The wood was great and I selected a piece out of the middle of a board!. Greg is patient, helpful, flexible and very knowledgeable.   He has a large number of helpful jigs.  His shop is well organized and worked well for three students.   I look forward to returning. "

Dave Sandridge - South Carolina

"I Built an awesome looking Morris chair out of cherry under the tutelage of Gregory.  Great one on one instruction and I experienced different techniques and jigs to add to my background.  Greg is patient, informative and extremely knowledgeable in his teaching.  I didn't want the course to end.  Gregory has a passion for his work and teachings that permeates throughout the course.  Looking forward to other courses in the future with Greg."

D. Steele - Waynesville, NC

"I've been in woodworking for several years but had never used hand planes. I spent a day with Greg learning how to tune and use them. I now have useable planes and a new skill to build on. Greg is a master with hand planes. I feel privileged to have spent time with him. Thanks Greg!"

B.S., Maggie Valley, NC

As a relative newcomer to woodworking, I have lots of information gaps, one of which was how to finish wood.  There's lots of info out there, but somehow it just didn't sink in (pardon the finishing pun).

I tried shellac, but only a little, and I didn't really understand what it was for.  I tried oil finishes, as many newbies do because they look simple, but they weren't giving me the results I saw in other people's work.  Alas.

Then I took Greg and John's one-day finishing class and saw finishes being mixed, applied, adjusted, etc.  It has begun to make sense for me.

Greg and John have an enormous amount of experience and knowledge between them.  They are approachable on all topics and freely share their skills.  For anyone with finishing problems, or just a lack of basic knowledge, I highly recommend spending a day with them in their course.  You'll come away with pages of notes on finishing "secrets" that will change your woodworking methods.  As a student, I give the teachers A+.

Michael H., Asheville, NC

"Hey Greg,

I just wanted to show you a picture of the bookcase you designed and published in Fine Woodworking Magazine. The plan was really straight forward and your detailed instructions were spot on.

After building your bookcase I was inspired to search out some other  A&C pieces...."

Dan Campbell, Asheville, NC.