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Receiving the beautiful oak from Epping Forest this week brought immense excitement to the workshop. The grain pattern on this oak, a direct result of the conservation work at Epping Forest, was simply stunning.

Last year, Epping Forest, represented by John, the Senior Ranger, approached our workshop. They wanted to discuss the creation of a Keepsake Box for Alice, a dedicated volunteer ranger, in recognition of her years of service to the conservation of Epping Forest. This box was to be crafted from oak sourced from the Forest, a byproduct of their ongoing conservation efforts.

Our discussions delved into the details of the commission, and John provided me with more insights into the conservation work conducted by his team. This fueled my curiosity, prompting a visit to the Forest with professional course trainees. John graciously guided us through the Forest, explaining the reinstated habitats that had brought back a myriad of birdlife, insects, and other flora and fauna, some absent for decades. It was a revelation – a serene oasis hidden next to busy city life, a sanctuary crucial for our well-being, especially in challenging times.

The arrival of Epping Forest Oak at the Artisan Woodworks Workshop marked an exhilarating day. Conservation efforts, including the felling of a small number of trees, provided an opportunity for bartering. A proposal was presented, resulting in an arrangement that included a couple of Epping Forest oak butts. A year and a half, one baby, and a pandemic later, John informed me that the sawyer was coming to mill some oak.

This event brought me immense joy – delivering completed projects to clients, especially witnessing their reactions, and a timber delivery are two things I thoroughly enjoy. John’s arrival at the workshop with the milled oak, accompanied by Alice, who received the commissioned box the previous year, was a delightful reunion. Meeting her in person and hearing her feedback on the keepsake box added a personal touch to the day.

If you’re intrigued by the conservation work, you can learn more about what the rangers at Epping Forest do here. The oak, milled into 50mm / 2-inch through and through slabs, will now go into the stick to initiate the seasoning process. The lingering question is: What piece of furniture will truly do justice to this oak? Chairs seem like a fitting choice, but any thoughts are welcome as we embark on this exciting decision-making process.

Question 1: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

Five years ago, my spouse and I embarked on a journey to Canada with our one-year-old, intending to explore the world. However, plans changed with the news of another addition to our family.

We made Revelstoke, a charming town east of Vancouver, our temporary home for the next few years. In early 2022, we returned to England to obtain a driving license for our converted 40-foot school bus, now a snug motorhome. Unfortunately, our timing coincided with a nationwide lockdown, leading to an extended stay with family. With closed borders and our eldest starting school, we relocated again.

Now a family of five, I decided to pursue a creative career shift instead of returning to the hospitality industry, sparking my journey into woodworking.

Question 2: Did you have any woodwork experience before you started training?

Experimenting with DIY projects, I crafted climbing arches and ramps for the kids after picking up tips from YouTube tutorials. The real plunge into carpentry happened during the conversion of our school bus into a motorhome in Canada. Engulfed in cladding the interior with wood, we constructed bunk beds, wooden storage boxes, tables, and more. However, it wasn’t until I began a course with Authentic Furniture UK Classes that I grasped the distinction between ‘rough’ woodworking and the finesse required in fine furniture making.

Question 3: Why did you decide to take up a fine furniture-making course?

Becoming a parent heightened my awareness of the environmental impact of plastic toys that often end up discarded in landfills, taking centuries to decompose. This unsustainable cycle contradicted my vision of responsible living. My admiration for wooden toys from companies like Grimm’s and Ostheimer led me to invest in more durable and eco-friendly alternatives for my children.

Despite the higher cost, I embraced the idea that quality trumps quantity. Yet, moments, when I craved a specific toy that wasn’t available in wood, sparked a realization – why not design, craft, and offer these toys myself, bridging the gap between desire and sustainability?

Question 4: What made you choose Authentic Furniture UK Classes for your training?

In my quest for woodworking training, I explored various options, including university degrees, college courses, and apprenticeships. However, most proved impractical – either too lengthy, expensive, or lacking focus on the specific woodworking skills I desired.

With three kids, proximity and minimal disruption to my partner’s childcare duties were crucial. I stumbled upon Authentic Furniture UK Classes online, ticking all the boxes: a convenient 45-minute drive, optimal duration, flexible scheduling, and a reasonable cost.

Training locally with the team also meant tapping into his wealth of knowledge about crafting fine furniture in Surrey and sourcing the best local wood.

Question 5: Can you tell us more about the workshop and the courses?

The course spanned six weeks, from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Despite the workshop’s extended hours from 8 am to 7 pm, catering to those eager to practice or catch up, staying late conflicted with cherished family time.

Our small cohort comprised seven individuals – myself, another woman, and five men. The camaraderie among us was exceptional, contributing to a positive learning environment.

The workshop’s idyllic setting, with horses, farm dogs, and picturesque views of the Farnham countryside, added a touch of tranquility to the immersive woodworking journey.

Question 6: What was your experience using all the different kinds of tools in the workshop?

Encountering an array of unfamiliar tools at the onset of the course was both bewildering and intriguing. Some tools were entirely new to me, and upon receiving them in the mail, I’d unwrap the package with a perplexed expression, wondering, “What the hell is this?” Yet, as the six weeks unfolded, I became familiar with each tool and gained confidence in handling them.

The revelation was astounding – achieving an impeccable finish using just hand tools became a testament to the platform’s effective teaching.

Question 7: Which part of the course did you enjoy the most?

Every aspect of the course was enjoyable, but the daily infusion of new knowledge kept the experience consistently engaging. The diverse demographics of the group added another layer of enrichment – everyone was mature, and many shared a common goal of establishing a woodworking business, creating an instant camaraderie among us.

Question 8: What are the things you learned doing the course apart from woodworking?

Discussions about venturing into the business side of woodworking emphasized crafting unique pieces that distinguish themselves in the market. Recognizing the impracticality of competing with mass-produced items, we delved into the importance of offering locally crafted, sustainable, hand-made pieces with the potential to become heirlooms. This journey deepened my appreciation for my children and underscored the vital need for a harmonious work-life balance. Engaging in something solely for personal growth and rediscovering the joy of learning a new skill added a refreshing dimension to the entire experience.

Question 9: What are your plans?

I’m optimistic about the possibility of the team organizing a machining course in the future, as those additional skills would greatly benefit my aspirations in the field.

For now, my short-term plan involves establishing a workspace in a corner of my parents’ workshop. I’ll dive into three or four designs to assess their feasibility, balancing my time while the kids are still young. Once the kids are in school full-time, I envision spending more time nurturing my woodwork. If the business proves financially viable, the long-term plan is to build a dedicated workshop in our garden.

What excites me is creating the ‘whole package’ – from designing and crafting wooden toys and furniture for children to marketing, photography, and establishing a shop.

Question 10: Do you have any advice for those looking to do the same course?

Just go for it. Venturing into a new field, especially to establish a business, can feel daunting. However, enrolling in a course provides invaluable support from an expert in the craft, fostering a collaborative environment where you can share concerns and learn from fellow participants.

It’s a far more reassuring and less stressful approach compared to the self-taught route I initially took. The structured guidance from a dedicated course makes the learning journey more manageable and rewarding.

Our 12-month professional furniture-studentmaking  is currently immersed in the Laminating & Veneering module, where the focal point is a challenging project – a curved wall cabinet. This wall-mounted piece serves as a comprehensive exercise in mould-making, template creation, jig making, as well as the meticulous preparation of laminate and hand-cut veneer.

The project’s complexity peaks with the inset-hanging of a door featuring a double curvature front, posing intriguing challenges in selecting the right ironmongery. Our student commenced by meticulously hand-drafting the entire project on a drawing board and then translating it onto working rods, which were pivotal in crafting templates for moulding.

Using these templates, she skillfully pressed hand-cut laminations of English Walnut in the vacuum bag press. Subsequently, another set of templates played a key role in shaping the side panels. A noteworthy challenge emerged in determining how to cut the housing joint into the curved sides for the shelves. Overcoming this hurdle involved creating a sizable jig.

After spokeshaving the curved side panels and ensuring a precise fit, the next steps will involve preparing and installing the back panel, crafted from the stunningly beautiful spalted Walnut. The outcome was an exquisite piece made professionally with precision and elegance.

At Authentic Furniture UK Classes, our professional furniture-making students consistently produce exceptional work that showcases their craftsmanship and creativity. Each piece is a testament to their dedication and skill, blending traditional techniques with contemporary design. Under the expert guidance of our seasoned instructors, students master the art of fine woodworking, resulting in beautifully crafted furniture that reflects both precision and innovation. Their creations not only meet high standards of quality and aesthetics but also demonstrate their potential to excel in the furniture-making industry.

Milling and Drying Timber

The dream of converting our timber for bespoke furniture and student projects finally materialized this year as we set out to mill and dry our first logs of flamed beech back in March. Once milled, I carefully stacked the boards, allowing them to air-dry while shielded from the elements. This patient process spans up to 2 years, aiming for an ideal moisture content of about 18%.

Kiln Dried

In 2018, I had two logs of beech milled at a sawmill and transported to the workshop. These logs are now entering the next phase – drying in our timber drying kiln. Our efficient system completes this step in 2-3 weeks, reducing the timber’s moisture content to an optimal 8%, perfect for interior woodwork and furniture.

The flamed beech I convert into kiln-dried timber is primarily reserved for the Moroubo Workbench Course. The exquisite marble figured grain of the flamed beech log, cut back in March at an impressive 4m (13ft) length, promises to yield stunning workbench tops. With only three more oak logs to process, the workshop is buzzing with anticipation.

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