Make a Welsh stick chair
Woodworking at Redwood Valley
Make a Welsh stick chair
Woodworking at Redwood Valley
Course details:
The Welsh stick chair is the vernacular style of Windsor chair that evolved west of the border several hundred years ago. It’s a simple but beautiful design that will grace any hearth with a charismatic presence.
Over this seven-day course you’ll be taken through the process of crafting a Welsh stick chair from log to tree. You’ll fashion the legs, spindles and other components from locally sourced green ash using a range of simple tools, including drawknife and spokeshave. You’ll also use an adze and travisher to ‘bottom’ the chair seat to a comfortable form. A highlight of the course, apart from going away with your own heirloom, is the process of steam bending the graceful bow that forms the distinctive arm of the chair, and the comb that tops off its back. After delving into some joinery and assembly, you’ll have a beautiful chair to take away with you and enjoy for many years to come.
This is an intensive course but is suitable for beginners with no prior knowledge of chair making. More challenging variants on the Welsh stick theme may be possible for woodworkers with some existing skill.
Course cost includes:
A simple lunch will be provided each day as well as copious quantities of tea, coffee and biscuits to keep your motor running. Students who bring cake are particularly welcome!
All tools, equpiment and basic materials will be provided, but there will be an additional charge for the timber used to make the chair seat and for steam bending. This will range from £40-60 depending on what I have in stock at the time.
For accommodation, you can book a special stay in one of the site's comfortable yurts or beautiful treetop cabin. Visit Redwood Valley Woodland Cabin & Yurts for more details. If these are full, please contact me for details on other local accommodation. Regrettably pitched camping is not available on site.
Please check my terms and conditions for full details on cancelling or swapping your place.