Courses

Aims

I would like to encourage a wide variety of people to come to my purpose-built studio and have a go at working with wood.

My aim will be to tailor-make the time you spend in my studio to your level of knowledge and practical experience.

For the beginner, this will mean learning the basics like how to use hand tools (chisels, drills, saws, hammers,etc), about wood (varieties, uses, solid, veneer boards, etc), different fixings (hot animal glues, modern glues, screw fixings, dowelling, etc), and practicing different finishes (raw timber stains, wax stains, wax polishes, shellac polishes, varnishes, etc).

Once you are confident you have the basics, you can choose from a variety of individual or linked projects.

Examples

  1. Fix a wobbly chair - joint cleaning, rejointing, joint making, finishing.
  2. Re-upholster a drop-in seat - joint fixing, webbing, internal upholstery, finishing fabric and trim.
  3. Clean and re-polish a table-top - remove old finish, sand, reseal, wax finish.
  4. Replace a section of veneer and/or inlay - remove damaged area of veneer/inlay, clean, glue-in new veneer/inlay, sand and seal.
  5. Stain and seal a new piece of furniture - stain, sand, seal and wax.

AND A LOT MORE

Those of you with some previous experience of working with tools and wood may come with a specific project in mind, or a specific skill/technique you wish to learn. You may work on a piece of your own furniture, or practice a newly-learned technique on a specially prepared test timber section.

I use, and will teach you to use, only materials and methods appropriate to the age and style of a particular piece of furniture. If you contact me beforehand with a specific project in mind we can discuss what materials you will be using and whether you may need to purchase (or have me purchase on your behalf) any special materials over and above the basic materials I provide.

Courses will generally be limited to a maximum of two people at a time, therefore I will be able to work with you on a one-to-one basis when necessary.

Cost

Intensive 4-day course (Monday - Thursday)
*Price including all basic materials - £320

(non-refundable deposit of £50 on booking, balance due one month before start of course)

Weekend Course (Friday evening to midday Sunday)
*Price including all basic materials - £180
(non-refundable deposit of £50 on booking, balance due one month before start of course)

*Contact me beforehand to discuss the materials you will need. Most will be covered in the basic materials I provide, but I can advise you on anything out of the ordinary you need to purchase for a special project. I can put you in touch with my suppliers, or purchase extra materials for you (charged to you at cost) if you wish. 

Availability

To fit in with my freelance work, I set aside the 3rd and 4th weekend of every month, and the week between, for courses. Please contact me by phone or email to check availability prior to booking.

Booking

Phone or email to check availability, and reserve the dates you require. Then download and print the booking form, complete it and send it off with your £50 deposit to confirm your booking.