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Built in 2009, the workshop is a 48sq metre heated log cabin situated in landscaped gardens and a woodland setting. Designed specifically as a high quality teaching facility to accommodate a maximum of 3 participants. It has double glazed windows to ensure an abundance of natural daylight. The cabin has an insulated tiled floor which is not only comfortable to stand on but also ensures that any dropped tools won’t get damaged. Superbly equipped with Vicmarc VL100, VL175 and VL300 lathes and Vicmarc chucks. Each work station benefits from a fully integrated dust extraction system with blast gates and flexible stay-put nozzle., The lathes are also fitted with magnetic remote switch boxes and sturdy metal anglepoise lamps. Henry Taylor and Woodcut turning and hollowing tools are provided. In the cooler months there is an indoor coffee area with a small library. In the warmer months there is a choice of two patio areas to enjoy refreshments and make acquaintances. There is a gallery area where finished work is displayed to offer inspiration.
The Starter. As the title suggests this course is aimed at anyone who would like to try turning for the first time. Or maybe you have just started and would like some guidance. The course will address the basics and safe practice of turning including the selection of the correct tools with which to start. The most important aspect of turning is having sharp tools. Sharpening will be covered in depth, together with achieving and maintaining the correct profiles and bevel angles. Over the two days you will make 3 - 4 small projects using a mixture of spindle and faceplate tools and techniques.
The Hollower. This two day course is designed for those who wish to explore the art of turning hollow forms using wet wood. The course will cover: the recognition, selection, sourcing and harvesting of suitable timbers that have no commercial value other than firewood. You will be shown how to cut and prepare with a chainsaw. The safest and most secure holding methods on the lathe. How to use and exploit the versatility of the Ellesworth or Celtic grind bowl gouge so that it becomes your "go to" tool helping you achieve simple proportion, shape and form to give your work elegance. I will teach you my technique for hollowing which simplifies the control of the wall thickness reducing the risk of destroying the piece. Learning different methods of sanding and finishing as well hints and tips on creating perfect hollow forms. The focus of this 3 day course is to promote and encourage the use of alternative methods of surface decoration. Whether you turn bowls and platters, work with hollow forms or just someone who wants to “step out of your comfort zone” in a controlled environment. This course looks at ways of changing your approach to your work and will enable you to increase your techniques using bright contemporary coloured stains to enhance natural figure in white woods, subtle carving to break up a plain surface, and the use of power carving tools such as the Arbortec to create texture. There are no shortcuts to a perfect finish but it doesn't have to be hard work.
The Twister. Before the advent of the dns Twister pens and pencils, pen making was constrained by the metal components of standard two part pen kits . The dns Twister pen kits have changed all that. The exceptional quality of these German made mechanisms allows to show your design flair and produce writing instruments of a quality normally only found in top end high street stores. During the course you will make a Artist’s Sketch Pencil with a 3.2mm lead, a Twister Graphite 0.7mm propelling pencil and a Twister pen with an easy Flow 9000 refill to take home.
The Hatter. A turned wooden hat is intended to be sculptural, but when custom fitted they are lightweight and comfortable to wear. Making a hat with a constant wall thickness of 3mm and correct grain alignment you will discover just how malleable wood can be. During this three day course you will make two hats. The first one is the custom fit wearable, with a finished weight of about 600 grams, the other will be a decorative mini hat made from the rescued cone cut out of the inside of the crown of the main hat, weighing about 20 grams with a thickness of 1mm. The Course Fees A two day course costs £125.00 per day per person. A three day course costs £110.00 per day per person. The fees cover two/three days tuition along with all materials required. A light lunch and refreshments will be provided. A 30% supplement is required for 1 to 1 tuition. AWGB members will receive a 10% discount on course fees on production of a valid membership card. The AccommodationThere are several B&B's either farm stay or in town I can recommend. Please note that the following pricing details are those which have been provided and are subject to change and you should therefore contact the establishment to clarify current rates and to discuss any special requirements that you may have. Parking at the workshop is limited so you will be collected from and returned to your B&B on a daily basis and for those participants traveling daily we have an secure off site parking facility where you will also be collected. Mrs Rita Meadows 01789 293 714 Excellent breakfast and is 4 miles from the workshop and three miles from the centre of town. ------------------ Mrs Elizabeth James 01789 450 359 Excellent Breakfast. Evening meals are available on request. Quiet out of the way working sheep farm four miles from the workshop and four miles from the centre of town. ----------------- Juan & Louise This B&B is within walking distance of the town centre, 300m from the Tramway Inn and three miles from the workshop. ------------------ John & Judy Spencer 01789 450 540 Excellent Breakfast. Evening meals are available on request. Working farm 3 1/2 miles from the workshop and 6 1/2 from the centre of town. There are two pubs within walking distance of the B&B. ----------------
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The Workshop.
The Decorator.
