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Next Years Courses
Wednesday, 15th September 2010 09:56 AM
It's a little strange drawing up the course program for the forthcoming year. I'm used to planning about nine months ahead as this is about the lead time on my furniture. This time I'm committing myself for the next fifteen months. Will I still be here and sane then! It's also quite exciting, courses are an opportunity to meet new people and learn from them. Although I'm the teacher I usually find that I learn something new on each course. On the more elementary courses students often ask elementary questions that make me rethink the way I do or teach things. On the advanced courses I always say there is more than one way to do something and students can often come up with new ideas I may not have thought of. For instance for many years I could not understand why beginners have so much trouble using a marking guage. Then I realised they were holding it wrongly. The natural way to hold a guage is by the stem, in fact there is more control if it is held by the stock. I automatically hold it this way but did not spot the difference with the students.
All this may sound rather unprofessional but I think the receptive teacher with an open mind is a better teacher. I see most craft work as a journey of discovery, just because I'm the tutor doesn't mean I've come to the end of that journey. I hope I learn somethig new on the day I die.
Anyway I've introduced some new courses to the program this year:
- Beginners Taster Weekend - I often have enquiries from people who have no tools but think they might be interested in furniture
making. My current beginners courses would not be suitable for them, so I have introduced a taster weekend where they can try
out the craft without having to invest in the tools. I supply the tools, extremely sharp of course, all you have to do is enjoy using them
while you make a set of triangular trivetts
- Advanced drawer fitting - This course is designed to encourage you to explore nuancies of drawer making and fitting. On my usual
advanced jointing course we make and fit a single drawer in a pre prepared opening. On this longer course you will have time to
make the carcase and three drawers and really get to grips with making perfectly fitting drawers.
- Finishing Weekend - I haven't previously offered a course on finishing as I do not feel myself to be an expert on finishing. Not a
good advert for the course I know! However students on other courses have asked for advice on this so I offer this weekend course.
You will find out how to prepare for finishing and how to apply the three main finishes than I use: oil based, acrylic and french
polish.
Details of all the courses dates can be found here. I hope there is something of interest there and look forward to working with you.
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How to hold marking guage
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How to use a marking guage