Courses

Courses take place at the Green Wood Chairs Studio, near Skibbereen Co. Cork.

The purpose built workshop provides students with the necessary facilities for designing and making chairs, stools and small tables. With only 2-4 participants per course, everyone benefits from a high level of one-to-one tuition.

Both one and three day courses are suitable for beginners as well as chair makers with some experience who wish to improve and/or learn new skills.

  • “I managed to make a lovely chair despite the fact that I have never been good at wood work. Now the chair is an essential item in my room”.

    - Nanako Hara

  • “There is something therapeutic in making chairs that I can’t quite explain. All I can say is that it made me immensely proud and happy!”

    - Deirdre Archbald

One Day Stool/Small Table Course:

You will be guided through the necessary steps for making a stool or small table using unseasoned hazel for the frame and a nice slab of elm or other hardwood for the top. Techniques you will learn include: selection of suitable material, stripping bark using a drawknife and shaving horse, accurate cutting, measuring, finishing  and tips on designing your own green wood projects.

By the end of the day you will have made a beautiful, functional piece of furniture that you can be proud of.

We start at 10 am and finish when your project is complete – at around 4.30 – 5 pm.

Three Day Chair Making Course:

You will be guided through the necessary steps for designing and making either a side chair or an armchair using unseasoned hazel for the frame and elm or other hardwood planks for the seat. Techniques you will learn include: selection of suitable material, stripping bark using a drawknife and shaving horse, accurate cutting, measuring, finishing and tips on designing your own green wood projects.

By the end of the course you will have made a beautiful, functional piece of furniture that you can be proud of.

We start at 10 am each day and finish when your project is complete – at around 4.30 – 5pm on day three.

We take a mid morning coffee break and a lunch break with all refreshments provided.

If you would like more information on green wood chair making before the course, Alison’s book Green Wood Chairs – Chairs and Chairmakers of Ireland is recommended reading (although not essential). It details the tools and techniques used to construct your projects. It also includes photographs of the many chairs, stools and small tables Alison has made over the last 20 years – to give you inspiration!

To request more information or to book a place on an upcoming course please call Alison on +353 (87) 635 8086 or email alison.ospina@gmail.com.

I recommend booking here www.airbnb.ie/rooms/21316279 if you would like self – catering accommodation which is only five minutes walk away.