IMG_20180511_220817_418 1 (2) - Little Acorn Furniture

commission

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…

Had a fantastic day pole lathing with Alasdair and Simon. The course was excellent value for the day and there was a great ratio with a small group. Would recommend to anyone, I had an absolutely brilliant day!

Will Silver

I really enjoyed my recent course and made a great wee coffee table and shave horse. Alasdair is an amazing green woodworker and an even better teacher🤩😁. Definitely worth the trip from Glasgow to Devon.

graeme leitch

I took a one day pole lathing class and had a great time. Great group of lads running the class, very friendly and realy know their stuff. They keep the classes small (5 in mine) which allows you to work closely with the instructors and ask any questions as needed. The venue is a spacious, converted farm building in the beautiful Devonshire countryside. Comfortable. At the end of the day I'd learned a lot, had a great time and went home with a piece of work that I made myself and was very happy with. I highly recommend.

Robin Jordan

Had a Great day at Little Acorn Furniture...had a different requested for Alasdair. I wanted to do some wood carving.... and make a bowl. Alasdair found me some spalted beech. Ended with a lovely looking bowl, my wife loves it . Chuffed to bits with it. Really reccomend a course with him.

Jez Heath

We had 2 fantastic days with Alastair and Simon creating 3 shave horses. We had such fun and chat whilst learning green woodworking skills and appreciation for our environment. We certainly learnt great respect for the green wood furniture makers of the past. I would unreservedly recommend this course.

tony watson

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

Did a great 1 day "introduction to pole lathing" course with Alasdair in August. Went through the whole process from log to rolling pin using axe, draw knife and turning chisel. Alasdair's experience covers everything from woodland management to green woodworking, so there's not much he doesn't know about wood. Definitely recommend this course and I can imagine the other courses he does will be equally enjoyable and informative.

Richard Lewis

Special present from my son. A brilliant two day experience. The total weekend was great fun, really interesting and a real experience. Tea to start the day then a root around to find a suitable stool top that we each liked the look of. Then a bit of history behind greenwood working. The recently felled log was then produced which we split in half then into quarters. That was a coat off job even in December. A explanation of the next stage of making a rough leg shape came next and how to use the various hand tools. There's always someone to help or offer advice. Using the various hand tool was fantastic and it was the same kind of tools and same methods used back in history hundreds of years ago. The whole process was really absorbing which meant you where able to focus entirely on the three legged stool you are making or discussing each others plans or components. By the end of the two days we had each produced a three legged stool which we were very happy with. Can't wait to move on to another course with Little Acorn Furniture.

John O'Neill

We did a family woodworking day with Alisdair and Simon whilst staying at Clifford Barton. We have three boys aged 9, 13 and 16 and all were involved and engaged with brilliantly throughout the day. We made a small table, starting with splitting an ash trunk, then axing, then using the shaving horse, as well as preparing the top from a piece of rough sawn oak. We also all learned some pole lathing skills. It was a fantastic way to send time together, in good company. We hope to be back!

Rebecca Bird

We asked Alasdair to make a custom bench for Mums birthday and he was brilliant, great updates all the way through the build and the finished result is excellent! We would highly recommend. Thanks again Alasdair

Tom Baker

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