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
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
These days can be arranged exclusively to suit you and your family. Please contact us to arrange your course date!
2020
One Day Course Dates, Introduction to pole lathing
Februrary 8th FULLY BOOKED
March 21st
April 18th
May 11th
July 11th
September 19th
November 7th
Two Day Course Dates, Simply Stools, Make your own Shaving Horse or Choose two dates for the Advanced Tree to table course
Februrary 8th-9th FULLY BOOKED
March 21st-22nd
April 18th-19th
May 11th-12th
July 11th-12th
September 19th-20th
November 7th-8th
Three Day Course Dates, Tree to Table or combine any one and two day course
March 21st-23rd
May 11th-13th
July 11th-13th
November 7th-9th
Five Day Course Dates, Chair making
Feburary 24th-28th
October 5th-9th
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…
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
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
We did the Family Greenwood Day with Alasdair with our kids (3,7,8) and it was the highlight of our trip to Devon (according to the whole family). He went out of his way to include the entire family in every project and really impressed us with his knowledge and skill (even keeping the youngest happy!) Would highly recommend these courses to families, or anyone wanting the satisfaction of making something beautiful from a log!
Hayley Mooney
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
I completed the ‘build your own custom shaving horse’ in 2 days. A great course, well taught in a low key way with as much or as little help provided as required. I would recommend.
Gordon Murrell