CREATE – An advanced fine furniture and traditional skills course

THE KING'S FOUNDATION AT HIGROVE PRESENTS THE SNOWDON SCHOOL OF FURNITURE’S 8-WEEK PART TIME (Mon - Weds) CREATE ADVANCED PROGRAMME WHICH AIMS TO DEVELOP FINE FURNITURE MAKING SKILLS THROUGH A SERIES OF MASTERCLASSES, USING BRITISH TIMBER.

Overview

This programme, for a small cohort of eight students, will develop an understanding of our native British timber from woodland management, through to design considerations, utilising the unique properties of different timbers whilst developing fine furniture and traditional hand skills. The course will encourage a respect for the traditional making skills which are key to producing high end work of quality and from a sustainable source. Developing a set of core skills which are transferable between projects will give a maker confidence to experiment and develop their own signature style. When delivered with flair and care, these traditional skills can transform a makers portfolio above that of modern, batch produced items, which hold little long term value for the owner.

The programme is rooted in the belief that our native timber is a sustainable material for buildings, furniture and decorative arts. We believe that if makers understand the growing, harvesting, sawing and drying of timber, then they can more effectively work to produce items that are beautiful, functional and long-lasting and which are imbued with the unique qualities that come with working with our native timber. Our aim is to initiate a change in thinking as we educate makers to think holistically about how we value and use wood, enhanced by the application of high end making skills which bring the very best out of the material.

‘If a consumer knows where the timber comes from to make the furniture they choose to invest in, and understands the skills that have been used to make the item, that provenance helps build an attachment, meaning they are more likely to love and keep the piece. Using British timbers honours the land, is more sustainable and connects us to a long heritage of craft skills that are never more relevant than today. Keeping wooden furniture, locks up the carbon stored in it for longer.’

Nick Wright – Snowdon School of Furniture, Manager

Delivered by our Furniture School Manager and carefully selected guest tutors, this course will develop understanding and build skills and confidence through the exploration of a variety of relevant, exciting skill sets that are transferable to fine furniture. Hand tool masterclasses along with cartwheel making, wood carving and marquetry will all feed into two fine objects that are completed over the 8 weeks.

Who is this course for

This course is suitable for an existing maker who has experience in working with timber. It presumes that participants have a knowledge of basic hand tools and are confident in a workshop environment and have some knowledge of the process of designing and making simple furniture pieces. Participants may already be working in the trade, or in a workshop, or be carpenters or joiners wishing to develop furniture or cabinet making skills. Confident, self-taught enthusiasts would also be suitable for this course. During the application process, you will be asked to submit a short introduction about your work so that we are familiar with your existing experience.

What will you learn

The focus of the course is on exploring the properties of British timber whilst learning and enhancing a range of traditional fine furniture making skills, using predominantly hand tools to create work to a high standard. Small projects will be completed, as individual and group exercises, which will allow for comparison of timbers, techniques and finishes. In order to create a broad and open learning environment, participants will be expected to discuss their work and share their thoughts about their making experience. Demonstrations and presentations by experts in their field will provide background and supporting information which will inspire new ways of thinking and directions for future work. An outline of the progression through the 8 weeks is as follows (may be subject to change):

Week 1 : Hand Skills

Week 2 : Woodland visit and hand skills cont’d*

Week 3 : Traditional skills – Wood carving, exploring the history of this craft

Week 4 : Heritage Craft – Gate making and exploring transferable skills

Week 5 : Traditional skills – Marquetry, exploring the history of this craft

Week 6 : Heritage Craft – Wheel making and exploring transferable skills

Week 7 : Final project - Dovetail box with decoration

Week 8 : Final project - Dovetail box with decoration

*Participants will be required to travel to Herefordshire and if necessary, arrange overnight accommodation.

Fees

The 8 week part time (3 day per week) course costs £1600. A deposit of £300 is payable in advance. The remainder is due via two instalments of £650. Once booked please email over a short resume or CV to [email protected]

Support is available to help cover the cost of the fees. If you feel that your socio economic circumstances would make you eligible for support, please email [email protected] and ask for a form. Your application will be means tested.

Facilities, dates, times and location

The Advanced Create programme is delivered at The King’s Foundation at Highgrove, a converted 17th century house and farm buildings which sits on the edge of the Highgrove House and Gardens in Gloucestershire, home to His Majesty The King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Our bespoke workshops include a Machine Shop, Bench Workshop and access to a carving shed. All are fully kitted out with all the necessary tools, materials and equipment. Participants may bring their own hand tools kit, but we ask that power tools are not brought on site.

All participants are required to make their own travel or accommodation arrangements. Each teaching day runs from 9.30am to 5pm. Participants will need to bring their own lunch and will have access to a kitchen.

The dates for the course runs Mondays – Wednesdays 9am to 5pm on the dates outlined below:

Week 1: 11 - 13 March

Week 2: 20 - 22 March

Week 3: 25 – 27 March

Easter

Week 4: 8 - 10 April

Week 5: 15 - 17 April

Week 6: 22 - 24 April

Week 7: 29 April – 1 May

Bank Holiday

Week 8: 13 – 15 May

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

GL8 8TQ, Barley Court, Doughton, United Kingdom