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Class Schedule

We currently offer weekend classes for  Wood Carving, Stained Glass and Jewellery Making,  weekday classes in Restoration and Upholstry and evening classes in Wood Carving (Tuesdays and Thursdays) and Wood Working (Mondays and Wednesdays).

All of those classes cost £275, with a £100 deposit and the remaining of the tuition due on the first day of class. Payments can be made in cash, cheques or debit cards.  Tools are supplied for all courses, materials will be charged separately for Upholstery, Wood Working, Jewellery Making and Furniture Restoration.  We also host clubs in Wood Carving and Chair Seat Caning/Rushing.

We are planning on classes in French Upholstery, Traditional Finishes, Colouring Techniques, Using Machines in Wood Carving, and Seat Caning and Rushing. Please write and we will keep you informed of the future classes. Also, watch this space!!!!



Chair Seating Club

Every Tuesday from 13:30 to 17:30 (except during school holidays) 3 September to 17 December

The Chair Seating 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):

Class Times: All classes start at 13:30 and ends at 17:30

Price:  £10 per hour

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Furniture Restoration Friday – Autumn 2024

Every OTHER Friday from 9:30 to 16:30 (except during school holidays) - 27 September to 22 November

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: £295 (Deposit: £100)

Class Dates (every other Friday except during school holidays):
September:  27
October: 11, 25
November: 15, 22

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





Furniture Restoration Saturday with Ernest Riall – Autumn 2024

Every OTHER Saturday from 9:30 to 16:30 (except during school holidays) - 28 September to 7 Dec

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: £295 (Deposit: £100)

Class Dates (every other Saturday except during school holidays):
September:  28

October: 12

November: 30

December 7

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

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Jewellery Making – Autumn 2024

Every OTHER Friday from 9:30 to 16:30 (except during school holidays) - 20 September to 29 November

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)

Class Dates (every other Friday except during school holidays):
September: 20
October: 4, 18
November: 8, 29

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

Costs: £295 + materials (depend on selected material)

deposit: £100

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Stained Glass – Autumn 2024

Saturdays from 9:30 to 16:30 (except during school holidays) - 27-Oct to 8-Dec

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:

October: 27
November: 3, 10, 17
December: 8

 

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

Price: £295 (Deposit: £100)
Students are also expected to pay a material cost of  approximately £25

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Wood Carving Saturday – Autumn 2024

Every OTHER Saturday from 9:30 to 16:30 (except during school holidays) - 5-oct to 7-Dec

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 with careful guidance from the tutor.

 

Class Dates (every OTHER Saturday except during school holidays):
October: 5, 19
November: 9
December: 7, 14

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

Price: £295 (Deposit: £100)

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

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Wood Carving Thursday Evening – Autumn 2024

Every Thursday from 18:30 to 21:30 (except during school holidays) - 26 September to 5 Dec

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.

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

Class Dates (every Thursday):
September:  26

October: 3, 10, 17, 24

November: 7, 14, 21, 28

December 5

 

Class Times: All classes start at 18:30 and end at 21:30

Price: £295 (Deposit: £100)

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Wood Working for Adults– Autumn 2024

Every Wednesday from 18:00 to 21:00 (except during school holidays) - 18 September to 27 November

While building on the basic skills learned at the start of this class (measuring, marking, using basic tools such as planes, chisels, saws, different types of wood, sharpening tools), it is also suitable for students with some basic woodworking experience as we will be working toward improving prior learning.  After completing several practice projects, Students will be guided through a technically challenging but enjoyable project while making a novelty box using pine and plywood. It will include an introduction to some woodwork joints not previously made, using more specialist tools and techniques.  You will learn about how to mark and cut different kinds of joints, how to use tools that go beyond the basic wood working tools.  Finally students will try out different finishing techniques before choosing one to apply to their box.  If time permits a student may decorate their box using a number of different techniques such as turning, pyography, marquetry, etc.

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

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

Class Dates (every Wednesday):
September:  18, 25
October: 2, 9, 16, 23
November: 6, 13, 20, 27

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

Price: £295 (Deposit: £100)

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Wood Working for Young People – Autumn 2024

Every Thursday from 16:00 to 18:00 (except during school holidays) - 12 September to 21 November

This starts with an overview of common furniture woods and their properties as well as the basic hand tools and how to sharpen them.  Students will be introduced to basic woodworking techniques while making a beautiful wooden tray using pine. They will learn how to make some basic woodwork joints as well as using screws to join certain parts of the project. Finally, they will try out some finishing techniques before choosing one for their project. The tray will have new horseshoes as handles. The idea is that you will afterwards be able to make another tray when you can use a different type of wood and make some changes in the design. We offer several different craft learning experiences for those aged 10 and above. While we focus on teaching traditional hand skills, we do so in a way to be enjoyable to the young students.

We have a series of wood crafting sections such as wood working (making things), pyrography (burning pictures in wood) and wood carving.  With our new tutor we hope to bring in other materials such as plastics.  In the beginning class each student Most importantly, we try to work with each individual student so all of them toi express themselves while learning a new skill.

Each child is allowed to work at their own pace to maximize their learning.  This means that each student gets very individual guidance.  As everyone knows creativity and the process of making things is very important to a child’s development.  That is why we think our classes are so important. In the past the wood working class has made boxes, decorated with pyrography, a chess set and board.

Class Dates (every Thursday):
September:  19, 26
October: 3, 10, 17, 24
November: 7, 14, 21, 28

Class Times: All classes start at 16:00 and end at 18:00

Price: £220 (Deposit: £100)

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Woodcarving Club (Tuesdays) – Autumn 2024

Every Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 13:30 p.m. (except during school holidays) - 3 September to 17 December

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

 

Class Dates (every Tuesday):
September: 3, 10, 17, 24
October: 1, 8, 15, 22
November: 5, 12, 19, 26
December: 3, 10, 17

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

Price: £10 per hour

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