January 2025 Newsletter
Cheril Barber
Welcome to our First Newsletter of 2025
And just like that, it's January. 2025.
The weather has been a bit fickle, with the summer sun blazing to thunder and hailstorms crashing down. Despite the unpredictable weather, the tick over from midnight at the end of one year to the start of the next year is energizing and there's a collective rise in spirits with the possibilities a new year brings. Coming off the back of last year, which was a difficult year for many, there seems to be a shift in the atmosphere. People want to smile more, worry less, and spend more time doing things we love, with people we enjoy. Here at the school, we feel that way, too. We're excited about 2025 and and the possibilities of what's to come.
"AN EXPLORATION IN CURVES"
Our Residency Programme with Yuri Kobayashi & David Haig is underway! Yuri has traveled from the US to be with us and share her love of bending wood along with David, one of our founders of the school.
Our fabulous eight students have traveled from near and far to participate in this "Exploration in Curves." This week is about design and model making. Every student's project is unique and will reflect the maker's personal style, while Yuri and David collaborate on a piece together. We're watching the progress with great anticipation to see what ideas and techniques are explored over the comning weeks!
CFW EXHIBITION "18" - ON UNTIL 23rd JAN!
If you haven't been to see our Exhibition at Parker Gallery yet, there's still time to get in to see it. If you can't make it in, you can enjoy a virtual tour of the exhibition. Thanks to Daniel Allen for all of our beautiful photography. Be sure to check out our Makers Page on our website for information on each of the makers exhibiting.
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR NEXT....
RAFFLE FOR A BEAUTIFUL SIDE TABLE
Last year, one of our wonderful tutors, Tony Clark, came to us with a fund raising idea. He offered to make a side table and donate it to the school with a raffle in mind. We were thrilled and Tony outdid himself. He has made this gorgeous table and we're offering you a chance to win it for a $25 raffle ticket. Click the button below to buy a ticket with our thanks for your support!
Tony has been teaching at the school since 2019, and will be teaching 11 courses with us this year. Tony runs the Jointworks Studio with Jane, making commission pieces, repairs and bespoke items for the studio. Tony believes that by reusing wood in a creative way then the tree lives on in a different form.
Thank you Tony! The wood that made this table is surely living on.
Photography by Daniel Allen
2-DAY COURSES COMING UP...
We have a number of 2-Day courses to help you with your home workshop.
Or if you're wanting to make something but time is short, try a 2-day Shaker Box course. Great for the whole family!
WELCOME SAM HARRAP TO THE CFW TEAM!
We are so happy to introduce Sam Harrap who has recently joined our CFW team. Sam will be working alongside Alice and Gloria as a workshop assistant. Sam was a student at CFW on the Residency Programme in 2020 with Michael Fortune and we're so thrilled to have Sam come back to join the crew! Sam is a Canadian and New Zealand citizen and was at one time a Fire Fighter. Welcome to the team Sam!
WOOD QUIZ
Here are the answers to December's Wood Quiz and the full photo of this gorgeous dog bed made by Lou Fuller.\Lou has used two different kinds of wood. The main wood is New Zealand Red Beech and the dark bits... okay, so this was a bit of a trick question. It's dyed Obeche.
"Red Beech is beautiful to work with. It behaves very well under the plane and chisels." - Lou
Another Wood quiz in the next newsletter!
FAREWELL DAISY
We'd like to share a sad farewell to Daisy, our incredible school mascot. Daisy has been a huge part of the school, providing much support and love to our staff and students over the past 14 years. Daisy passed peacefully over the holidays and our hearts broke alongside Lou's. Daisy, you'll forever be a part of the school.
Lou wanted to share some departing wisdom from Daisy... one of the many memes that has been made of the school's most beloved mascot.
