Events

Day 1: Saturday, Sept. 20th, 10 am–12 pm (2 hrs)

Day 2: Saturday, Sept. 27th, 9 am – 1 pm (4 hrs)

Capacity: 10 ppl

Instructor: Steve Der-Garabedian

Want to build your own custom street deck? Exotic Woods and Steve Der-Garabedian have you covered. We’ll use several layers of Canadian hard maple veneer, a one-sided foam mould, and some help from mother nature to get it all done. We’ll press your deck using vacuum bags and then clean it up with basic woodworking tools like surforms and sandpaper.

Once it’s ready, you can apply your own custom graphics at home. No woodworking experience is needed. Wheels and trucks are not included in the kit.

Fun and engaging for teens and adults alike!

What people are saying about Steven and his Seminars: “Excellent, expert, friendly and enthusiastic!, “Terrific, very down-to-earth and practical”, “Fantastic! Very Knowledgeable, balanced presentation”, “10/10.  Enjoyable throughout”, “Renewed my enthusiasm for veneering!”.

JOIN US SATURDAY, September 13th for a Marquetry Demo provided by The Marquetry Society of Canada.

This is fascinating wood art form is enjoyed by many. Made using wood veneer, small craft knives, a jigsaw and some glue.

Ask Graham from the Marquetry Society all of your questions about Marquetry! You just might discover a new passion.

Find the demo in our Veneer section across from the Guitar Room!

Saturday: 9:30 am – 1:30 pm

October 4, 2025

10 am – 12 pm (2 hours)

Capacity: 15 ppl

Instructor: Vic Tesolin

A flawless finish starts long before you open the can of varnish. In this 2-hour demo, Vic Tesolin will guide you through the essential steps to prepare your woodworking projects for a professional-grade finish. From smoothing surfaces with hand planes and scrapers to efficient sanding techniques, Vic will show you how to choose and use the right tools for the job.

You’ll learn how to deal with tricky grain, remove tool marks, and avoid common mistakes that can ruin a finish before it begins. He’ll also cover tips for filling gaps, easing edges, and creating a surface that’s ready to take stain, oil, or topcoat beautifully.

Whether you’re building fine furniture or practical shop projects, proper surface prep is the foundation for success. Come ready to see, learn, and take away practical techniques you can put to use in your own shop right away.

October 18, 2025

10 am – 12 pm 

Capacity: 20 ppl

Instructor: Robbie Jaster

Join us for a seminar focused on two essential parts of guitar building: installing frets and finishing the body and neck using wipe-on polyurethane.

We’ll cover everything from prepping and slotting the fretboard, selecting and installing fret wire, to leveling, crowning, and polishing frets. Then we’ll move onto finishing: covering sanding, staining, sealing, and applying wipe-on poly.

Perfect for beginner to intermediate builders looking to improve their skills and get pro-level results at home.

October 25, 2025

9 am – 12 pm (3 hours)

Capacity: 16 ppl

Instructor: Kristin Lia

Whether you’re a beginner looking to breathe new life into an old piece of furniture or an experienced DIYer aiming to refine your skills, this seminar has something for you. Kristin, a seasoned expert in the art of furniture restoration, will guide you through every step of the process, from choosing the right tools and materials to mastering various finishing techniques featuring Osmo products that deliver stunning results.

The session is designed to give you hands-on experience, so you can practice your new skills on sample boards. You’ll discover how to prepare surfaces for refinishing, including expert tips on repairing minor damages, achieving smooth, even finishes, and ensuring long-lasting durability. Kristin’s approachable teaching style makes even the most complex techniques feel simple and achievable.

By the end of the seminar, you’ll walk away with the confidence to tackle your own furniture projects at home, transforming worn-out pieces into beautiful, functional works of art.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the best and unlock your creativity with Kristin Lia’s Furniture Refinishing Made Simple seminar!

A portion of all ticket sales will be donated to Animal Angel Rescue Foundation AARF.