Alasdair's Blog - Page 2 of 5 - Little Acorn Furniture

April 17, 2018April 23, 2018

Working Woodlands (What the volunteers say)

This blog is a re-blog of Eric Swithinbank’s wonderful account of his time working in the woods as a Natural England trainee. We have worked together on a variety of tasks and it has been an absolute pleasure to be involved with this very worthwhile scheme, over to Eric…. Working Woodlands In the dense broadleaf …

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March 4, 2018March 4, 2018

Four finally finished

As you can see I have finally manged to complete the first four of six dining chairs. It is very difficulty to decide when to put down the sand paper or oil cloth and there is always more that can be done. It has been a long and quite challenging process and one from which …

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January 21, 2018

One of Four!

In my last blog, I had almost completed the first of a set of dining chairs, or so I thought….. Shortly after I posted the first chair really took shape, as you can see below. At this stage it was roughly assembled, unglued and in need of final sanding and finishing. This is the point …

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December 31, 2017

For four chairs you need….

Since starting Little Acorn Furniture last year I have completed a number of commissions for bespoke pieces of furniture ,but my biggest challenge (and the most rewarding) came this summer when I was asked if I could complete a set of four dining chairs. The design was to incorporate elements of all four of the …

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November 9, 2017

Work Horses (literally)

Meet Polly and Beano, key employees of the Dartmoor Horse Loggers. On Wednesday I had the great pleasure to be working in the same stand of Douglas Fir as them in a stunning area of Fingle Wood known as Halls Cleave. These amazing animals under the expert guidance of Will and Alex (the human element …

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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 great time. Alasdair and Simon have a great deal of knowledge and patience. Would highly recommend.

Garth Pearse

I chose the 'Simply Stools' course and had great fun making one out of a beautiful piece of Yew (for a soft wood, not that soft!) and Ash. Alasdair is an excellent teacher, informative, patient and passionate about his craft. All aspects of the wood and woodworking were explained and I also found out a great deal about sustainable forestry and conservation. The course takes place in a wonderful setting overlooking the spectacular Teign Valley and the forest which provides the material used. A thoroughly enjoyable experience and I would highly recommend it.

Simon Rippingale

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

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

My family and I recently spent an incredibly happy and gratifying time making a green wood table with Alasdair and his assistant, Simon. I cannot overstate what a special, stimulating and satisfying time it was - working together as a family; learning about the wood, the tools and the processes; and making a table which we will have forever and which will always remind us of that bonding time together. It was genuinely one of the most harmonious and fulfilling things we have ever done as a family and I would highly recommend it to anyone, however inexperienced. I have also never met two more gentle and patient teachers and craftsmen, with two more overdeveloped sets of forearms!

Alice Morgan

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

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

What a great weekend, I was there with a 17 year old boy that I care for and the experience was amazing. Jack did the two day stool making course and he loved it. Alastair and Simon where great at helping and explaining the process to Jack and made sure that Jack was involved in the whole weekend. It is a full on course and jack loved the hands on experience. He especially liked working on the lathes and produced a rolling pin and rounders bat. There were three other people on the course and Alastair and Simon where brilliant at including Jack throughout the two days. I cannot thank Alastair and Simon enough for such a great weekend and experience. And to see Jack's happy face when his stool was finished was a memory I shall never forget. Cheers guys, I shall be back to make my own stool.

Gary Barnett

Great bonding weekend activity with my 14 yr old son. We both learnt lots of skills in a supportive and fun atmosphere. Great set up and very encouraging. Look forward to the next time

John Edwards