Little Acorn Furniture offers courses in Green Woodworking and rustic furniture making ranging from one to five days in duration. No experience is needed and families are welcome so come along and learn some new skills whilst having a great time.
Try something new suitable for all the family. You can experience traditional woodworking using methods and tools unchanged since the medieval period. Make your own furniture from local wood and experience life as a woodland craftsman with little acorn furniture near Clifford Bridge on the edge of Fingle wood.
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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 five 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. -
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.
Course dates
Things were not as we anticipated this year!
However here’s hoping for a more predictable and productive 2021.
New dates and availability are given below but watch this space for updates as the situation progresses.
MANY THANKS TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS OLD AND NEW
Alasdair
Courses are organized throughout the year and can be arranged to suit you if booking for a group of three or more.
Below is a list of confirmed courses coming up in the next few months.
Family “Greenwood” day and “One to one” tuition.
These days can be arranged exclusively to suit you and your family. Please contact us to arrange your course date!
2021
One Day Course Dates, Introduction to pole lathing
February 13th ONE SPACE REMAINING
March 27th TWO SPACES REMAINING`
April 12th
May 15th TWO SPACES REMAINING
June 5th
August 7th 3 SPACES REMAINING
Two Day Course Dates, Simply Stools, Make your own Shaving Horse or Choose two dates for the Advanced Tree to table course
Feb 13th-14th ONE SPACE REMAINING
March 12th-13th FULLY BOOKED
May 15th-16th TWO SPACES REMAINING
August 7th-8th 3 SPACES REMAINING
Three Day Course Dates, Tree to Table.
March 12th-13th-14th FULLY BOOKED
May 15th-16th-17th ONE SPACES REMAINING
August 7th-8th-9th 3 SPACES REMAINING
Four Day Course Dates.
Book exclusively on a date that suits you, contact us directly to arrange your course.
Chair Making Course.
DATES TO BE CONFIRMED. Please contact us for details
About the workshop
Little Acorn Furnitures Green Wood work shop has been developed in the Old Sheep Barn at Clifford Barton, which is located on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park. The Farm now hosts family holiday cottages and courses, as well as providing a home for rescued dwarf ponies.
Surrounded by beautiful Devon coutryside and the breathtaking Fingle Wood, the workshop provides a covered area where the courses can take place. However, there is also a large outside area overlooking the Valley where we hope to enjoy the fantastic Devon sunshine!
What our customers say…
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
Took 5 children along to learn carpentry. They all had an amazing time, each made a sword and a baseball bat (their choice). They did everyhthing from sawing the wood to shaping it. Alisdair was so good with them and made sure they each left with finished items. My son who has ADHD was engaged from the start and cannot wait to go again. The parents also had a go and really enjoyed the day too.
Elaine Russell
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
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
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