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This two-day course is aimed at beginners, introducing them to basic leather work techniques and skills which they can then apply to a choice of small projects which can be made over the two days, including belts, keyrings, and card wallets.

During the course we will cover

• Tanning, leather, and uses.

• Equipment and suppliers.

• Choosing leather for your projects.

• Using hardware – poppers, buckles, and rivets.

• Introducing basic pattern making, marking leather, and cutting leather.

• Finishing processes including creasing, bevelling, burnishing, and dying.

• Aftercare and cleaning.

All the tools and materials you will need for the course are supplied by the teacher. You will also receive a set of course notes, including equipment lists and suppliers, to help you continue your leatherworking journey at home. In class, we will cover the essential items you will need to create your leather working tool kit. Please be warned that leather working can be addictive.

The idea of making pictures with coloured glass, balanced with shapes and rhythm has fascinated generations. This course will introduce students to this amazing craft. Students learn the handling of tools and materials. Developing confidence from straight lines to curves on coloured glass. Projects will introduce the students to the basic techniques such as to score (cut) glass safely, copperfoil and traditional leadwork. This is a hands on practical course, with aspects of design and soldering. As with the Applique technique the students will be able to develop their own design once they have mastered the basics. No previous experience in either art or stained glass is needed for this introduction – just a sense of play and adventure!

Advanced students are also welcome. Lilly will guide and facilitate the creative direction that they want to pursue.

Class Dates (every OTHER Sunday except during school holidays):
September: 24
October: 8, 22
November: 5, 19

Class Times: All classes start at 9:30 and end at 16:30

Price: £275 (Deposit: £100)
Note: Students are also expected to pay a material cost of  approximately £25

If you are new to jewellery making, coming back after a break or a confident jeweller, this course is suitable for you. Over the six weeks you will be guided by Jude in making silver jewellery by using traditional silversmithing techniques such as sawing, filing, soldering, forming and polishing. You can choose to make rings, necklaces, bangles, cufflinks and earrings.  You will be introduced to the design element of jewellery making as well as top tips and advice on the best place to source your materials.

As this course if for all abilities and experience levels, you will work on your individual design projects and Jude will be on hand to demo each stage of making the pieces you choose. As well as your own projects, there is an opportunity to work on a group project which will look at particular techniques in more detail such as sandcasting, cuttlefish casting, gem setting, keum boo and etching.

The course fee includes the use of all tools and consumable materials. Additional costs will be for the metal for your designs and gemstones.

Please bring a sketchbook, an apron to protect your clothes and if needed, a hair tie and glasses for close-up work. As each session is 10-4pm, please bring your lunch. Tea and coffee are available at the Centre.

Classes will run from  Monday the 30th of October to the 27th of November.  All classes will start at 10 am and run unti 4:00 pm with one hour for lunch.  Note all prices include tools, incidental costs (consumables such as sawblades, polishing compounds, solder, gas, borax, pickle etc.) however the price of the metals is not included)

Beginner students will learn the craft of Wood Carving using traditional tools through a couple of challenging exercises, talks and demonstrations. Those new to Wood Carving will learn all the basics and will develop the basic skills to successfully carve objects in wood. They will develop an understanding of wood, how to use the basic tools, then how to conceptualise a final Wood Carving goal and how to reach that goal. More advanced students will continue to improve their skills by carving more advanced pieces.

Class Dates (every Thursday):
September: 14, 21, 28
October: 5, 12, 19
November: 9, 16, 23, 30

Class Times: All classes start at 18:00 and end at 21:00

Price: £275 (Deposit: £100)

Please note:  no refunds will be given if canceled 2 weeks or less before the class are scheduled to start.

This club is for advanced carvers who shares experience and work on their own piece.

Class Dates (every Tuesday):
September: 5, 12, 19, 26
October: 3, 10, 17, 31
November: 7, 14, 21

Class Times: All classes start at 9:30 and end at 13:30

Price: £10 per hour

In this course, Ernest will help students of all levels from complete novices to experienced restorers. All types of projects are possible (We do suggest you send a picture of the object if this is your first class with the school). All materials can be provided by the school (although a charge may apply). Ernest will carefully walk the student through every step of  the entire process of restoring their selected project.  Imagine the great feeling one gets from developing the hand skills needed to turn a warn piece of furniture into a thing of beauty.

With over 15 years experience running a very successful restoration business, Ernest is active with ICON (International Conservation) and he has a PhD centered around 18th Century  English and French Furniture.  This means that Ernest has proven himself to meet their very high standards in the restoration of antiques.

Price: £275 (Deposit: £100)

Class Dates (every Friday except during school holidays):
September: 8, 15, 22, 29
October: 6, 13, 20
November: 10, 17, 24
December: 1

Class Times: All classes start at 9:30 and end at 12:30

Club is an informal group meeting monthly. We meet at the Wooburn Craft School on the first Friday of every month. Hours are flexible. Start when you want any time from 2.00 and finish when it suits.

We cover
• Chair caning in the well-known six-way standard pattern. Furniture suitable for this should have one or more panels with regularly spaced holes going all the way through the polished frame. A trapezium shaped bedroom chair is suitable for a beginner.
• More advanced chair caning. Recent projects have used patterns such as double Victoria, snowflake, or more unusual designs as well as more complex exercises such as different shaped panels, sunrise or medallion patterns, curved edges or curved surfaces.
• Blind caning where the holes are not drilled all the way through the frame.
• Double caning. This is usually worked on the arms or back of a chair or sofa. Both front and back of the panel are woven at the same time.
• Close caning. Usually done on the seat of a chair with unpolished rails drilled with widely spaced holes, and with raised corners.
• Rush seating using English rush in the ‘envelope’ pattern or a continental design. A small bedroom chair or stool is suitable for a beginner although a drop in seat is not recommended as a starter piece. For rushing, the piece should have solid unpolished rails around the seat with raised corners.
• Other materials. Projects using e.g. Danish cord or paper rush are also possible

In all cases students will need to bring their own furniture to work on, although it may be possible to purchase a suitable piece from the Wooburn Craft School. Any repairs should be complete before caning or rushing, as well as cleaning, painting or French polishing.

If you would like to join the group, please contact the Wooburn Craft School in advance to discuss your requirements and the suitability of your furniture.

Tutor: Christine Brewster

Class Dates (every Tuesday):
September: 5, 12, 19, 26
October: 3, 10, 17, 31
November: 7, 14, 21

Class Times: All classes start at 14:00 and ends at 18:00

Price:  £10 per hour

In this course, Ernest will help students of all levels from complete novices to experienced restorers. All types of projects are possible (We do suggest you send a picture of the object if this is your first class with the school). All materials can be provided by the school (although a charge may apply). Ernest will carefully walk the student through every step of  the entire process of restoring their selected project.  Imagine the great feeling one gets from developing the hand skills needed to turn a warn piece of furniture into a thing of beauty.

With over 15 years experience running a very successful restoration business, Ernest is active with ICON (International Conservation) and he has a PhD centered around 18th Century  English and French Furniture.  This means that Ernest has proven himself to meet their very high standards in the restoration of antiques.

Price: £275 (Deposit: £100)

Class Dates (every other Saturday except during school holidays):
September: 9
October: 7
November: 4, 18, 25

Class Times: All classes start at 9:30 and end at 16:30

This course starts with an overview of common furniture woods and their qualities as well as the basic hand tools and how to sharpen them. Students will then be introduced to basic Wood Working techniques while each making a beautiful wooden box with a few options to suite all skill levels. Some of the skills students will be introduced to include: using a plane, using chisels to produce dovetail joints, turning, using a cabinet scraper among others. Finally students will try out different finishing techniques before choosing one to apply to their box.

Note the price does not include a £25 materials cost which is payable to the instructor on the first day of classes.

Class Dates (every Tuesday):
September: 5, 12, 19, 26
October: 3, 10, 17, 31
November: 7, 14, 21

Class Times: All classes start at 18:00 and end at 21:00

Price: £275 (Deposit: £100)

Please note:  no refunds will be given if canceled 2 weeks or less before the class are scheduled to start, unless we are able to fill the slot with another student.

This course starts with an overview of common furniture woods and their qualities as well as the basic hand tools and how to sharpen them. Students will then be introduced to basic Wood Working techniques while each making a beautiful wooden box with a few options to suite all skill levels. Some of the skills students will be introduced to include: using a plane, using chisels to produce dovetail joints, turning, using a cabinet scraper among others. Finally students will try out different finishing techniques before choosing one to apply to their box.

Note the price does not include a £25 materials cost which is payable to the instructor on the first day of classes.

Class Dates (every Tuesday):
September: 5, 12, 19, 26
October: 3, 10, 17, 31
November: 7, 14, 21

Class Times: All classes start at 18:00 and end at 21:00

Price: £275 (Deposit: £100)

Please note:  no refunds will be given if canceled 2 weeks or less before the class are scheduled to start, unless we are able to fill the slot with another student.