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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!!!!


Special Class

Homeschooled Program

Every Thursday - 11 September to 20 November

This series of classes is specifically timed and designed for home schooled students.  It will be headed up by Ivan Van Rooyen who brings with him over 40 years experience teaching young students.  During this course, students will learn a number of wood working skills through a series of carefully designed projects including puzzles, small boxes, and games. During this process, students will learn how to safely handle tools, how to measure accurately and how to create fun objects out of wood.

We have a set series of wood crafting 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 allow each of them to express themselves while learning a new skill.

Each child is allowed to work at their own pace to maximize their learning and creativity.  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: 11, 18, 25
October: 2, 9, 16, 23
November: 6, 13, 20

 

Class Times: All classes start at 12:00 and end at 14:00

Price: £220 (Deposit: £100)

Book Now - From £100.00



Introduction to leatherworking (January)

January 17-18 (Saturday & Sunday) from 9:30 to 16:30

Leather is one of the most amazing materials to work with.

Our Two-day introduction workshop is aimed at beginners interested in gaining a good basic understanding of the leather working skills & techniques used in making a variety of small leather goods.

Over the two days, you’ll be making 2 or 3 items, such a card holder, key-rings and a belt or a coin purse, (specific items can be chosen on the day.) These will show you the different skills and techniques required for leather working.

During the course,  you will cover the following:

  • Different types of leathers and its uses
  • Tanneries and suppliers
  • Understanding the process of making leather goods
  • Intro to pattern making.
  • Cutting – Dyeing – Stitching and finishing the leather
  • Beveling – Creasing – Burnishing and other skills
  • Leather after care
  • General Q/A

You will be shown traditional methods and techniques which you will then use to make your own items and take them home. The skills and techniques learnt will help jump start your leather working journey, in addition to all tools and materials to use during the workshop along with course notes and information including recommended reading and a list of suppliers, with an opportunity to purchase a full beginners kit to take home with you (contain everything what need to get started, fixed cost of £100).

 

Class Dates (Saturday, Sunday):
January: 17, 18

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

Price: £165 + £35 Material cost

Book Now - From £200.00



Introduction to leatherworking (March)

March 14-15 (Saturday & Sunday) from 9:30 to 16:30

Leather is one of the most amazing materials to work with.

Our Two-day introduction workshop is aimed at beginners interested in gaining a good basic understanding of the leather working skills & techniques used in making a variety of small leather goods.

Over the two days, you’ll be making 2 or 3 items, such a card holder, key-rings and a belt or a coin purse, (specific items can be chosen on the day.) These will show you the different skills and techniques required for leather working.

During the course,  you will cover the following:

  • Different types of leathers and its uses
  • Tanneries and suppliers
  • Understanding the process of making leather goods
  • Intro to pattern making.
  • Cutting – Dyeing – Stitching and finishing the leather
  • Beveling – Creasing – Burnishing and other skills
  • Leather after care
  • General Q/A

You will be shown traditional methods and techniques which you will then use to make your own items and take them home. The skills and techniques learnt will help jump start your leather working journey, in addition to all tools and materials to use during the workshop along with course notes and information including recommended reading and a list of suppliers, with an opportunity to purchase a full beginners kit to take home with you (contain everything what need to get started, fixed cost of £100).

 

Class Dates (Saturday, Sunday):
March: 14, 15

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

Price: £165 + £35 Material cost

Book Now - From £200.00



Leather Christmas Gifts

December 14 (Sunday) from 09:30 to 16:30

Decorate and stamp yourself into Christmas by spoiling your family and friends with some handmade gifts.

During this one-day course we will create several small gifts from coasters and keyrings to bookmarks and decorations.

  • We will cover
  • how to stamp leather with lettering and decorative stamps,
  • different ways to dye and paint leather,
  • how to cut and prepare leather,
  • how to manipulate leather to create simple decorations,
  • how to make a tassel,
  • how to finish the leather ready for use after decorating it.

There will be a choice of projects to make and personalise.

Do you need to bring anything?

  • Just bring yourself.
  • Wear old clothes and proper shoes that cover your toes as we will be working with tools.
  • If you feel the cold it may be worth bringing an extra layer or two.

Price: £100 (All materials and tools are included)

Class Dates (Saturday, Sunday):
December: 14

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

 

Book Now - From £100.00



Leather working – Introduction to bag making (February)

February 14-15 (2 days) from 9:30 to 16:30

Join to a three-days course and learn how to saddle stitch (hand stitch) a small leather bag and meet fellow enthusiasts.
Saddle stitch is a traditional way of hand-sewing leather. Executed properly it is beautiful to see. During this course, you will saddle stitch and make a simple small, and unlined cross-body bag, similar to the one in the photo. The bag will be small to enable us to complete most of it within two days. The course is aimed at beginners and those with more experience are also welcome.
During the course, you will learn some simple leatherwork techniques that can easily be applied to other projects. Don’t panic if saddle stitch does not agree with you – other stitches are available.
We introduce you to leather and to the saddle stitch technique. You will have the opportunity to practice saddle stitch before starting your project.

  • The types of leather available and the tanning process
  • What to look for when purchasing leather
  • The anatomy of a bag and basic design principles.
  • Handmade versus the high street.
  • How to create simple patterns for bags, considering the thickness of the leather.
  • How to prepare your leather for hand sewing
  • How to transfer your design.
  • How to cut your leather and check your pattern.
  • How to insert your hardware (poppers, eyelets, and buckles)
  • How to finish your design after your stitching is completed.
  • You will receive a set of course notes to accompany the course.

There will be a choice of designs available. We will have time to make some small adjustments to the pattern, mostly in terms of the hardware choices, as the focus of the two days is stitching and making the bag. There won’t be time to design and make your own bag on this course.
The materials are included in the course fee. By the end of the weekend, you will leave with your finished bag, knowing how you can apply your new knowledge to your designs in the future.

Do you need to bring anything?

  • Just bring yourself.
  • Wear old clothes and proper shoes that cover your toes as we will be working with tools.
  • If you feel the cold it may be worth bringing an extra layer or two.

Price: £360 (Materials included) – Deposit: £100

Class Dates (Saturday, Sunday):
February: 14, 15

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

Book Now - From £360.00



Leatherworking: Glove making (April)

April 17-19 (Friday to Sunday) from 9:30 to 16:30

Have you ever wanted a pair of soft leather gloves that fitted your hands in your favourite colour? There is nothing quite like experiencing the feel of a pair of bespoke gloves on your hands, knowing that you made them? Do you want to learn the techniques to make them for someone else and see their reaction as they put the gloves on? Do you want to meet fellow enthusiasts?

This is a four day course to show you the techniques of drafting a glove pattern to fit your hands and constructing an unlined pair of gloves. We will look at the following areas:

  • Gloving leathers – types, styles and suppliers.

  • Glove anatomy and pattern pieces.

  • Linings – will be discussed, though the gloves on this course are unlined.

  • How to measure your hands.

  • Drafting and adapting your pattern.

  • Transferring the design to leather and cutting out your pattern pieces.

  • Hand sewing techniques. The gloves will be hand stitched and you will be able to sample the stitches beforehand to see which one you prefer.

  • Construction techniques – how to put everything together without the fingers stretching or twisting.

  • Adding points.

  • Adding decoration –  how and when to add decoration (we won’t have time on the course).

  • You will also receive a set of course notes.

  • We will cover all areas of construction so you know how to assemble and finish the gloves at home. Depending on your stitching speed you may find you don’t complete everything in class.

The course is aimed at beginners and those with more experience are welcome. We will be drafting a pattern to fit your hands. You will leave with the knowledge of how to sew and finish your gloves, equipped to make more in the future. Please note we may not have enough time to finish both gloves in the four days – you will have stitched nearly everything for one hand that you will repeat for the second hand.

Elizabeth will supply the leather and equipment for the day. These are all included in the price of the course. This includes the leather for a mock-up glove and the posh leather for your gloves, needles, and threads. We will be using lamb nappa for your gloves.

Do you need to bring anything?

  • Just bring yourself.

  • Wear old clothes and proper shoes that cover your toes as we will be working with tools.

  • If you feel the cold it may be worth bringing an extra layer or two.

Do you need to bring anything?

  • Just bring yourself.
  • Wear old clothes and proper shoes that cover your toes as we will be working with tools.
  • If you feel the cold it may be worth bringing an extra layer or two.

Price: Glove Making £360 (Materials included)

Class Dates (Friday to Sunday):
April: 17, 18, 19

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

Book Now - From £360.00