Modern life can be a whirlwind. It often feels like there aren’t enough hours in a day to even catch our breath, let alone time to pursue our hobbies and interests. For aspiring woodworkers, it can seem impossible to find a woodworking course near you that also fits into your daily life. At the Chippendale School, we offer a wide range of short courses to suit every type of woodworker, just a short drive away from Edinburgh!
Our 30-week Professional Course remains the best place to fully immerse yourself into a woodworking career. However, we know not everyone can carve out nine months of their life to dedicate to woodworking (no matter how tempting that may be!). If you’re not quite able to undertake an intensive furniture making course, fear not – we have a host of shorter courses to whet your woodworking appetite!
At the Chippendale School, we’re committed to making your woodworking dreams a reality. Our range of short woodworking courses, spanning from two days to ten weeks, are designed to fit into even the busiest of modern lifestyles!
So, whether you’re a complete newbie eager for a weekend adventure or a seasoned hobbyist craving a brief hiatus from the daily grind, we’ve got the woodworking course just for you.
Weekend Workshops
Whether you’re beginning your woodworking journey or are simply curious about the craft, our 2-day weekend woodworking courses just outside Edinburgh are the perfect option for those with busy weekdays.
Spending a weekend woodworking in the picturesque East Lothian countryside – what could be better?!
Woodturning Weekend
This course delves into the traditional skill of woodturning. From exploring the history of woodturning to learning how to shape wood on a lathe, you’ll be surprised at just how much you can fit into two days.
Led by the renowned Adam Stone, you will create stunning pieces such as stools, plant stands, and bowls that you’ll be glad to hear will come home with you!
Spoon Carving
Returning to the roots of woodworking, our spoon carving course, led by the talented Louise Forbes, offers a fun introduction to wood carving.
Many participants in this course find it therapeutic, remarking that it’s akin to meditation – a great way to wind down after a stressful week. Guided by Louise’s expertise, you’ll explore hand carving and create a variety of wooden spoons, ranging from salt spoons to salad servers.
1 – Week Courses
Looking to make the most of your annual leave? Our 1-week woodworking courses provide a deeper dive into furniture making, great for beginners or those wanting to test the waters before committing to longer programs.
Introductory course
This 1-week introductory course provides students with a glimpse into the world of furniture making. You don’t need to know the difference between a bevel and a bole to join this course, as it is designed for newcomers. If you do happen to catch the woodworking bug (which is very common!) we’ll even deduct your 1-week woodworking course fees from the total cost of our Professional Course if you choose to enrol
Wood bending techniques
The newest addition to our course offering, wood bending is a great choice for adventurous souls. Taught by renowned wood bending expert Michael Fortune, this course will introduce you to the exciting techniques involved in shaping wood into curving patterns, opening an incredible range of exciting possibilities for woodworkers.
Restoration course
Join restoration specialist, Clare Charleston for an introduction to furniture restoration. Explore various methods of restoring antique furniture, from structural repairs to refinishing techniques. Students are encouraged to bring along a vintage piece of furniture to restore on the course, and if it needs a little more TLC, you’ll be given guidance on how to continue the restoration at home.
Upholstery course
Led by master upholsterer Victoria Meacham, this course covers both traditional and modern upholstery techniques. From working with horsehair to foam, you’ll leave with the skills and knowledge to continue your upholstery at home.
4 – Week Course
Our month-long woodworking course is the perfect opportunity to take your woodworking skills to the next level. Designed with beginners and enthusiasts in mind, we teach this course in small groups to create a supportive and personalised learning environment – ensuring you get the most out of the 4 weeks.
From creating beautiful hardwood furniture pieces to mastering essential techniques like woodworking joints, you’ll gain valuable skills and confidence. And with extra time for exploring fun projects like crafting small boxes, you’ll truly immerse yourself in the joy of woodworking.
10 – Week Course
Do all of the above courses sound interesting, however, you don’t know which one to choose? Our 10-week course covers the majority of skills taught on all of our shorter courses and is perfect for those with more time available to dedicate themselves to the craft. With eight students on the course being taught by three tutors, tuition is thorough, and students will learn a wealth of skills across the 10 weeks.
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No matter where you are in your woodworking journey, there’s a course waiting for you at Chippendale School. We are still taking applications for several of our 2024 courses – find out more here or get in touch with us today if you have any questions.
