Archive

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.

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)

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.

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.

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):
April: 20, 27
May: 4, 11, 18, 25
June: 8, 15, 22, 29

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

Price: £200 (Deposit: £100)