Description
In addition to our workshops in Cambridgeshire, we will be opening a woodcraft school in North Wales. A stunning location and within easy access from many locations. The craft school is appropriately set in a former primary school, built in 1908. The beautiful main school hall with high vaulted roof, parquet flooring and huge arched windows being the main inspiring workspace. The site overlooks the beautiful Welsh countryside, is close to Corwen and is surrounded by many tourist attractions and accommodation options. There will be a relaxation area for breaks and a kitchen for attendees to use. There is also a summerhouse with views across the fields should you wish to take a break and relax. More dates and courses will be added as the opening time gets closer. These will include Furniture Making, Welsh Stick chair course, Traditional Tool chest, Joint Skills and a 2-week Summer School. I will also be inviting in guest tutors throughout the year to teach a variety of skills and crafts. Please get in touch via the 'message the tutor' button to register your interest or to ask any questions. Join a one day furniture restoration. This course suits beginners and more experienced attendees. You can learn a new skill, meet new people and relax by doing something different from your day job. We have facilities for all aspects of furniture restoration and decorative arts. This includes subjects like general restoration, cabinetmaking, upholstery, surface finishing, wood turning and marquetry, to name but a few. The course is run by a qualified tutor in a safe and friendly atmosphere. The workshop is well equipped and Bill aims to make the course days enjoyable and rewarding. He is fully qualified from City & Guilds through to Masters Degree. We will discuss the approach to ethical restoration, how to plan what to do and in what order, common materials and tools. We also look at testing to identify surface finishes and what this then means to your plan. We will also discuss timber identification and some furniture history. The day goes quickly and the questions raised also shape the content - your input is important, thank you in advance. We encourage you to bring an item to support your learning, this can be agreed with Bill in advance. The item is to support the day, not the day run around the object. There is limited time but examining your item, testing the surface and often starting some work is really useful. The maximum number of students on any course is 6 as we want to ensure you get a good level of tuition and advice. We are also happy to provide 1 to 1 tuition so please contact us to discuss the options. For those who have completed the Introductory Day or are more experienced, we offer two day project based courses (see other listings), where you can bring an item to work on. The two days provides an overnight for glues and lacquers to dry/cure.
What's included in the price?
The daily fee stated includes materials for 'Introductory Courses'. (For two day project based courses and where significant materials required, this would be extra, however please contact us via the 'message the tutor' button for details) We provide PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Students should bring food/a packed lunch. There is a kitchen for attendees to use, with fridge, microwave and drink making facilities.
Duration
7½ hours
Cancellation policy
Easy - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts
Maker
Welcome to 'Learn-Make-Restore'. I am an experienced cabinet maker, furniture maker and furniture restorer. I am qualified from various City & Guilds through to a Masters Degree in the Conservation of Historic Objects . I have a passion for traditional crafts and teach various aspects of making & restoring. I have also written for a number of woodwork magazines, for example, 'Quercus', 'Woodland Heritage Journal' and 'Furniture & Cabinetmaking'. You will also find my regular workshop posts on Instagram. I am a Brand Ambassador for a few woodwork related companies and this provides great opportunities for course attendees to try new tools and materials. I teach from my workshops near Ely, Cambridgeshire and will also be opening a new site in North Wales in late 2025. I believe strongly that our health & quality of life is enhanced by working practically, being creative, making and learning new skills. We can all be highly creative and practical when we get the opportunity. At a time in society, when consumerism has taken hold, we throw too many things away and do not always appreciate materials or nature. Both my workshops are chosen for their location, surrounded by nature and inspiration. We must make better and restore more. We need more relaxing workbench time and less screen time.
Suitable for
- Adults
- Seniors
- Wheelchair users
- Suitable for beginners
- Intermediate level
- Parking provided
- Corporate days out & team building
