Class Schedule

Chair Seating Club

Every Tuesday from 14:00 to 18:00 (except during school holidays) 5 September to 21 November

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

Furniture Restoration Friday with Ernest Riall – Autumn 2023

Every Friday from 9:30 to 12:30 (except during school holidays) - 8 September to 1 December

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

Furniture Restoration Saturday with Ernest Riall – Autumn 2023

Every OTHER Saturday from 9:30 to 16:30 (except during school holidays) - 9 September to 1 December

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

Introduction to Leather Work

Saturday 11 - 12 November 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.

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.

Jewellery Making Autumn 2023 with Jude Karnone

Every Monday starting 30 Oct to the 27th November. All classes run from 10 am to 4 pm

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)

Practical Leather Conservation Course for Historic Leather 28th – 31st May 2024

Every day from 9:30 Tuesday 28th of May to 4:30 Friday 31st of May.

Practical Leather Conservation Course for Historic Leather.

Tutor: Theo Sturge ACR

Overview

This course is intended for experienced conservators/restorers and students of conservation. A considerable knowledge of conservation is assumed. It is not intended for those without prior experience.

An introductory course to some of the techniques more commonly used in leather conservation. The course will include theory and practical experimentation. The course will aim to provide participants with a range of techniques for use on a wide variety of leather artefacts.  In this course, the student will gain PRACTICAL skills in the conservation of historic leather.  In addition to learning the different types of ‘leather’ the student will learn about how to restore the colour to leather, to make small repairs, how to gild leather and many other practical skills.  The details of the four day course are provided next.

Topics to be covered include:

• Methods of repair, including the choice of repair materials and adhesives, with hints and tips on getting the best results. Repair materials including leather and woven and non-woven fabrics will be considered.
• Gap filling with Beva 371, leather, Japanese tissue paper etc.
• Surface finishes and dressings.
• Cleaning.
• Humidification to allow reshaping.
• Dying leather and toning in areas of damage to match the surrounding colour.
• Leather working techniques. To include skiving with an English knife, basic saddle stitching with two needles, and skived joints.

Make a piece of gilt leather.

The following is an outline of the programme.

Day one. Tuesday Morning

• Introductions.
• Case study.
• What goes wrong with leather.
• Leather as a material. Some basic properties which can affect its use in conservation.
• What is gilt leather?

Afternoon

Introduction to practical exercises. The leather working skills – sewing and skiving – are not programmed for a specific time but can be fitted in when you have a little spare time.

Practical session:

• Start making your gilt leather by applying silver leaf.
• Make Beva 371 filler.
• Prepare Beva 371 on Reemay.

• Prepare Lascaux dispersions on Reemay for solvent reactivation tomorrow.
• Look at the identification of leather samples.

Day two. Wednesday Morning

• Case studies
• Adhesives used for leather.

Afternoon.

• Mould your gilt leather or decorate with punches.
• Try different adhesives and repair materials. Adhesives include: Lascaux acrylic dispersions, Evacon-R, Beva Film, solid Beva 371 and starch paste. Also, solvent reactivation. Repair materials include: Leather, Reemay, Japanese paper and silk.

Day three. Thursday Morning

• Case studies
• Repair materials. Colouring leather. Gap filling.

Afternoon

• Finish adhesive trials from yesterday.
• Dying / colouring leather.
• Varnish your gilt leather.
• Gap filling with solid Beva 371 – including Russia leather and a hole in crocodile.

Day 4. Friday Morning

• Case studies.
• Cleaning.
• Humidification and reshaping.
• Consolidation.
• Treatment of red rot.
• Finishing leather – dressings, in-painting etc.

Afternoon.

• Repair a hole in a piece of damaged, coloured leather and reinstate the lost colour using two different methods. Insert an inlay if wished and time available.
• Repair a split in some sheepskin as might be found on a flying jacket.
• Optional: Strip line your gilt leather for mounting on a frame.
• Optional: Paint your gilt leather if time allows.

Note: a sandwich lunch is provided to all students.

Tutor: Theo Sturge ACR FIIC. Theo is the UKs most experienced practising leather conservator. In 2000 he established the Sturge Conservation Studio which specialises in historic leather. He teaches internationally. theosturge@leatherconservation.co.uk. 0044 (0) 1604 717929. www.leatherconservation.co.uk

Dates:

From Tues 28th –  Friday 31st May 2024, from 9:30 – 16:30

Price (note all prices are in pounds)

• Full price – £520.00 per person
• Icon Member – £485.00 per person
• Deposit – £200.00 per person

We will accept a deposit to hold the spot. The full fee must be paid at the start of the class.

Please fill in the form and click ‘Proceed’ to book your place on the course.

Stained Glass Sunday – Autumn 2023

Every OTHER Sunday from 9:30 to 16:30 (except during school holidays) - 24 September to 19 November

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

Wood Carving Saturday – Autumn 2023

Every OTHER Saturday from 9:30 to 16:30 (except during school holidays) - 16 September to 11 November

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):
September: 16, 30
October: 14, 28
November: 11

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

Price: £275 (Deposit: £100)

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

Wood Carving Thursday Evening – Autumn 2023

Every Thursday from 18:00 to 21:00 (except during school holidays) - 14 September to 30 November

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.

Wood Working (advanced) with Roberto Pierro – Autumn 2023

Every Tuesday from 18:00 to 21:00 (except during school holidays) - 5 September to 21 November

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.

Wood Working for Young People – Autumn 2023

Every Thursday from 16:00 to 18:00 (except during school holidays) - 14 September to 30 November

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.

Our primary courses are the very popular ‘metal work’ (which is jewellery making but for some reason boys do not like it when it is called jewellery making!)  But we also have a series of wood working classes such as wood working (making things), pyrography (burning pictures in wood) and wood carving.   Most importantly, we try to work with each individual student to all of them to 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.  In the jewellery making … excuse me …metal working class students have made everything from a pencil holder to a ring with a stone – and everything in-between!

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

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

Price: £200 (Deposit: £100)

Wood Working with Roberto Pierro – Autumn 2023

Every Tuesday from 18:00 to 21:00 (except during school holidays) - 5 September to 21 November

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.

Woodcarving Club (Tuesdays) – Autumn 2023

Every Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 13:30 p.m. (except during school holidays) - 5 September to 21 November

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