This five-day session will be divided into two parts. The first days will focus on inlay. Discussion and demonstrations will cover all of the steps required to create inlays out of a variety of shell and stone. Students will learn the basics of how to adjust thickness, cut, file and accurately inset these semi-precious materials into ebony. Day three begins with an ongoing discussion of inlay design, outlining Grit’s approach, and how to create your own designs. The latter part of the week will focus on hand engraving, the technique that has traditionally brought detail and dimension to inlay. Students will learn how, with just a simple had tool, they can achieve an unprecedented degree of realism. Though Grit inlays and engraves semi-precious materials on the guitars that he builds, he reminds students that these techniques can be applied to any wooden object.