IMAG2779 - Little Acorn Furniture

woodland faggot making

Our Courses

Family “greenwood” experience
Alasdair will take you through the basic principles of Green Woodworking and provide the knowledge, tools and materials needed to get you using a pole lathe. Turn as many items as you like using a variety of local hard woods and unlock the full potential of this ancient craft.
Introduction to pole lathing
During this one or two day course, you will get to practice the principles of green woodworking: cleaving and shaping the wood using side axe and draw knife before turning on a pole lathe to produce a range of items - as long as it is round!
Simply stools
This two-day course offers you the chance to produce a simple three or four legged stool with hard wood top and turned or draw knifed legs.
From tree to table
This three day course gives you time to produce a table or bench with stretchered legs using more advanced techniques. The addition of stretchers between the legs allows you to make larger items with more refinement.
Table making course
This four-day course gives you time to explore the intricacies of green wood furniture design to produce a dramatic and unique piece of furniture of your own design.
Chair making course
Over this full four day course you will make and assemble a complete chair from local Ash and Beech. Choosing from one of two traditional designs you will be responsible for shaping all components and joining therm using traditional wedged mortice and tenon joints
Make your own shaving horse
In order to make a traditional shaving horse you will need a pole lathe, in order to use a pole lathe a shaving horse is essential. Get around this catch 22 situation by making your very own shaving horse over two days in Alasdair's fully equipped Greenwood workshop.
Handle making and tool restoration
This is a one day course aimed at giving you the basic knowledge and skills required to make a tool handle of any sore from green Ash. Be it an axe, hammer, chisel or spade you can restore personalise and bring back to life any old tool. We will go back to the days when things were done 'proper' and a tool handle could last a lifetime of use.
Cleft hurdle gate making
Discover the ancient art of gate making using authentic traditional tools and techniques. Using the true nature of the wood to ensure both beauty and strength, start with a freshly cut log and explore the entire process of cleaving , shaping and jointing.
One-to-one tuition
Work and learn at your own pace - receive uninterrupted expert tuition in the art of green wood furniture making and have exclusive access to the range of hardwoods available in the workshop.

What our customer’s say…

Just completed the 2 day 'Simply Stools' course. Literally amazing!! The level of tuition was fantastic and delivered in a friendly, warm and relaxed environment. Alasdair's love for his craft and all things forestry is so apparent in the way he teaches it's infectious. Alasdair very reluctantly had to disappear for a couple hours on our first day due to a Woodland Trust event and left us whittling and side axing away under the close supervision of Sy, his quiet but incredibly talented 'assistant'. Absolute legend and a mean pole lather!! Definately got a repeat customer here! Left proper chuffed with a new stool and a new friend. Keep it up Little Acorn 👌🏻

Stuart Maher

I would highly recommend the shaving course run by Little Acorn Furniture. The course, which is week run by Alasdair, teaches you how to make a shaving horse which you take away with you, and how to use a pole lathe. The facilities provided are good and the support and tuition given is excellent. Alasdair is ably supported by Simon who complements the course. Thank you Alasdair for an enjoyable course.

ian stainer

Amazing course, shaving horse creation in 2 days! Loved every aspect, pole lathing, drawknife, feathering. Alasdair and Simon make a great team and are great teachers, enthusiastic, passionate, if you want to get busy and start creating with green wood I highly recommend this course. In addition to the imparting the practical skills Alasdair also covers woodland conservation, the science of wood and numerous tips on tools and further reading, very comprehensive, it will get you hooked.

Richard Shire

Absolutely wonderful experience! I haven't had so much fun in a long time. Alastair and his crew are helpful, knowledgeable, kind and funny. They helped us make 2 beautiful tables, well outside our previous skills and knowledge. They adapted to our planned projects and were just amazing. The course is set in a fabulous place. The skills I've learned I want to use going forward and we will return for more! Thank you Alastair!

Sarah Grimwood

Thanks to Alastair and Simon for a brilliant three day course. Amazing location, excellent workshop and great teaching. Fantastic experience with traditional tools and my own unique table to take home. Highly recommended.

Andrew Davey

Friendly, bespoke craftsmanship for unique, practical, yet attractive creations in local timber!

Jim White

Wonderful work on a commission for a special birthday. Documented and photographed from start with cutting the wood, making the top and legs to assembling and final polishing. If you want something special I can not recommend them highly enough. I will be going back for more individual pieces of furniture to be hand made.

Hazel Payne

What a great way to spend a day. This was my first foray into the field of working with green wood and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I attended the introduction to pole lathing course along with four other keen participants. Alasdair and Simon were brilliant teachers – enthusiastic, knowledgeable and patient. Over a period of 6 hours a tree trunk of ash was turned into an assortment of beautiful wooden items to take home. I would highly recommend the course and will be booking again in the future.

Jan Wells

We had an amazing experience wood turning with Alasdair. His workshop is a very very special place! He is incredibly knowledgable about the entire process and a fantastic teacher - I would wholeheartedly recommend doing a course with him!

JO HARMAN

What a fantastic weekend the Simply Stools course was! While the course is primarily about green woodworking, you come away with insight into forestry, general carpentry, and a new appreciation for furniture-making. Working with the traditional tools and techniques is good fun, a great learning experience, and quite therapeutic. By the end of the first day, you'll find yourself working out how to fit a shaving horse in your living room! And of course, Alasdair and his assistants were great throughout -- very knowledgeable and always there to help and give guidance. Overall, a very enjoyable and fulfilling weekend. I can't wait to go back for other courses!

Zach Davis

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