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Jewellery Making – Summer 2025

5th July 2025

We start with an orientation of the workshop and the tools you will be working with over the next three days. Then we make jewellery! You will learn to make a silver ring by using many jewellery making techniques. These include, sawing, texturing, forming, filing and soldering.  Once happy with your ring, you will polish it, choosing a satin on mirror finish. You will then choose a gemstone or piece of seaglass to set on your ring.

You will then elevate your jewellery making skills by creating a bezel cup to set your stone. This is a time-consuming job but incredibly rewarding. You can choose to add a beaded detail to the setting. You will then solder the cup to your ring, repolish and start to set the stone. You can choose to blacken the setting for a final antique look.

 

Please bring glasses if needed for close-up work, an apron, your lunch and dress in comfy clothes and closed toe footwear.

Class Dates:
August: 22, 23, 24

Class Times: 10-3.30pm (5.5 hours, bring own lunch)

Costs:

£225pp (all materials are included)

deposit: £100

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Creative holiday club for kids – 16 July (Wednesday)

21st June 2025

Mr. Van (Ivan van Rooyen) is back, offering exciting projects during holiday clubs. The clubs will take place at The Wooburn Craft School [https://thewooburncraftschool.com].

Old Boys who attended The Beacon School in Amersham the past 13 years, might have attended holiday clubs that I offered there, usually the last week of term. I’ve been teaching Design and Technology there from 2008 till 2023. Before that, I taught DT at three senior schools in London up to GCSE. Before that I have taught Wood and Metal Work in South Africa for 22 years.

Please book on the website. You can also send me an email: ivan6227@gmail.com.

[Please do not use any other email address that you might hold for me.]

The maximum number for each day is 10 and there has to be at least 4 attendees for each day to take place. Everybody must do the project set for the day. You must bring a packed lunch and snacks. Program of the day:  Arrive-10:00; Snack break -11:00 – 11:15; Lunch break – 13:00 – 13:30.

Pick-up time: 16:00. I can be called at 07788727314.

If the weather permits, we can go to the green play area close by during break times.

Cost: £60/person/day

Ivan will select projects that are new for each student. Some, but NOT all projects being considered include:

  • Floating table/stand
  • Rubber band gun and targets
  •  light stand
  •  Tik-tack-toe block
  • Block-face character

Please let me know if you have attended one of my clubs before and already made one of these projects. I might be able to come up with a different project to accommodate you.

Class Dates: July: 16 (Wednesday)

Class Times: All classes start at 10:00 and end at 16:00

Price: £60 per day per student

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Creative holiday club for kids – 15 July (Tuesday)

Mr. Van (Ivan van Rooyen) is back, offering exciting projects during holiday clubs. The clubs will take place at The Wooburn Craft School [https://thewooburncraftschool.com].

Old Boys who attended The Beacon School in Amersham the past 13 years, might have attended holiday clubs that I offered there, usually the last week of term. I’ve been teaching Design and Technology there from 2008 till 2023. Before that, I taught DT at three senior schools in London up to GCSE. Before that I have taught Wood and Metal Work in South Africa for 22 years.

Please book on the website. You can also send me an email: ivan6227@gmail.com.

[Please do not use any other email address that you might hold for me.]

The maximum number for each day is 10 and there has to be at least 4 attendees for each day to take place. Everybody must do the project set for the day. You must bring a packed lunch and snacks. Program of the day:  Arrive-10:00; Snack break -11:00 – 11:15; Lunch break – 13:00 – 13:30.

Pick-up time: 16:00. I can be called at 07788727314.

If the weather permits, we can go to the green play area close by during break times.

Cost: £60/person/day

Ivan will select projects that are new for each student. Some, but NOT all projects being considered include:

  • Floating table/stand
  • Rubber band gun and targets
  •  light stand
  •  Tik-tack-toe block
  • Block-face character

Please let me know if you have attended one of my clubs before and already made one of these projects. I might be able to come up with a different project to accommodate you.

Class Dates: July: 15 (Tuesday)

Class Times: All classes start at 10:00 and end at 16:00

Price: £60 per day per student

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Creative holiday club for kids 14 July (Monday)

Mr. Van (Ivan van Rooyen) is back, offering exciting projects during holiday clubs. The clubs will take place at The Wooburn Craft School [https://thewooburncraftschool.com].

Old Boys who attended The Beacon School in Amersham the past 13 years, might have attended holiday clubs that I offered there, usually the last week of term. I’ve been teaching Design and Technology there from 2008 till 2023. Before that, I taught DT at three senior schools in London up to GCSE. Before that I have taught Wood and Metal Work in South Africa for 22 years.

Please book on the website. You can also send me an email: ivan6227@gmail.com.

[Please do not use any other email address that you might hold for me.]

The maximum number for each day is 10 and there has to be at least 4 attendees for each day to take place. Everybody must do the project set for the day. You must bring a packed lunch and snacks. Program of the day:  Arrive-10:00; Snack break -11:00 – 11:15; Lunch break – 13:00 – 13:30.

Pick-up time: 16:00. I can be called at 07788727314.

If the weather permits, we can go to the green play area close by during break times.

Cost: £60/person/day

Ivan will select projects that are new for each student. Some, but NOT all projects being considered include:

  • Floating table/stand
  • Rubber band gun and targets
  •  light stand
  •  Tik-tack-toe block
  • Block-face character

Please let me know if you have attended one of my clubs before and already made one of these projects. I might be able to come up with a different project to accommodate you.

Class Dates: July: 14 (Monday)

Class Times: All classes start at 10:00 and end at 16:00

Price: £60 per day per student

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Leather working – Introduction to bag making (September)

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: £290 (Materials included) – Deposit: £100

Class Dates (Saturday, Sunday):
September: 27, 28

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

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Glove making

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.

Note: the course does not include the surface decoration included in the photos

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

Class Dates (Friday, Saturday, Sunday):
October: 24, 25, 26

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

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Furniture Restoration Friday – Summer 2025

29th March 2025

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):
May: 2, 16
June: 6, 20
July: 4

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

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Woodcarving Club (Tuesdays) – Summer 2025

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

Class Dates (every Tuesday):
April: 29
May: 6, 13, 20, 27
June: 3, 10, 17, 24,
July: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
August: 27

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

Price: £10 per hour

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Wood Carving Thursday Evening – Summer 2025

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):
May: 1, 8, 15, 22
June: 5, 12, 19, 26
July: 3, 10

 

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

Price: £295 (Deposit: £100)

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Furniture Restoration Saturday with Ernest Riall – SUmmer 2025

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):
May: 3, 17, 31
June: 14
July: 5

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

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