April 2023 newsletter

Hello from a busy workshop!

We have so much going on here at the moment – out of necessity (Covid related) we had to delay the start of the 2022 Furniture Makers’ Programme for almost five months, and this now finishes on 5th May. 

Reverting to its usual start date, at the beginning of April we welcomed our new intake of students for the 2023 Furniture Makers’ Programme and so there has been a crossover of brand new students with those who are just about ready to fly from our nest.  For those of you who know us you can imagine the laughter, the banter and the quite frankly amazing work that is being created under the guidance of our two tutors Lou Fuller and the irrepressible Brian Reid. 

What a team these two make and what a joy. 

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HAPE KIDDLE CARVING COURSE

We are looking forward to Hape Kiddle being back here with us in the workshop in early June, and both the Seed Pod and the Mobius courses are now fully booked up.  We have just now added in an additional course where students will carve a wearable Möbius from the extremely hard, durable, and incredibly beautiful Australian desert Acacia, Gidgee.

Carving Gidgee differs considerably from carving other wood, sometimes been more akin to shaping stone. 

For those of you who haven’t spent time here carving with Hape please do consider this course or the Netsuke course which still has space available.  Hape’s teaching style, philosophy about craft and design (and life) is highly infectious and inspiring – don’t miss out on a great opportunity.

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ANDY BUCK COURSE

Andy Buck will be here with us soon offering a great addition to our short course programme. 

He will teach a five day course taking a deep, practical and resourceful dive into the design process. 

This is a one-off opportunity for those of you who are keen to develop your own design style and gain confidence to design and create your own projects. 

We have a couple of places left on this not to be missed course and highly encourage you to join us – full details are here.

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2024 PROGRAMME

The 2024 Short Course Programme is nearly there with lots of exciting new and existing courses planned. Very soon you will be able to download and print off the timetable and plan your next trip to hang out here in the workshop with us. In the mean time check out what’s happening here for the remainder of 2023.

Applications are open for the 2024 Furniture Makers’ Programme – you are welcome to get in touch if you have any questions, would like to arrange a visit or would like to discuss your application.

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Thank you, thank you, thank you

In this topsy turvy world we live in, it’s so nice when a random act of kindness and immense generosity takes place.

One of our new students, who attended the 2-week Introduction to Fine Woodworking course, was very impressed with our set-up, what we do here and the supportive and nurturing vibe of the workshop.  Turns out that they are part of the progressive organisation Switch Lighting here in Nelson, who are the leading manufacturers in New Zealand of LED lighting.  Switch Lighting have very generously offered to upgrade our entire workshop lighting at no cost to us and Phase 1 is done, with Phase 2 happening soon. 

The difference is amazing – not only for our students and tutors, but it will also make a positive impact on our monthly power bill (which you can imagine is a little eye watering).

As a not for profit organisation, we do appreciate on these wonderful gestures of kindness that happen from time to time, so a big thank you to Switch Lighting.

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As always - nice to catch up with you all!
Thanks for taking the time to read what's been and is happening here.
Kind regards from the small but MIGHTY team.

March 2023 newsletter

Welcome to our latest newsletter

2023 kicked off with a hiss and a roar and here we are already into March.  After experiencing first-hand the Nelson floods back in August 2022, our hearts go out to those who have suffered as a result of the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in the North Island.

Looking forward to sharing with you our news, updates and exciting plans for the future.   Coming up…

• 2023 Short Course Programme

• Beginners’ Intensive Scholarship

• Andy Buck Master Class, May 2023

• Artist in Residency Programmes 2024 & 2025

• Applications open for the 2024 Furniture Makers’ Programme

• What’s been happening in the workshop ?

Early in January we welcomed back Hape Kiddle to teach two carving courses as well as sharing two very inspiring days with our eight full time students. Hape's energy and enthusiasm was a great start to the year and he'll be back again in June and spaces are filling fast. 

A lovely feedback tale from Hape's Mobius course came via the wife of one of the participants who said he came home with the completed Mobius in his hands and she said he was so proud of what he had created he looked like he was holding an Oscar.

We were delighted to welcome our new tutor Ben Grant who taught a 6-day Introduction to Laminating & Coopering course where students created an elegant and eye catching vessel – a great starting point to try out new techniques and inspire your future projects.  

Ben will run this course again in October – more details are here on our website.  Ben was a participant in the 2020 Michael Fortune Residency Programme, and with the generous support of funding from Creative New Zealand we were able to work with him in developing the course and add yet another great addition to our short course programme.

We warmly welcome  Geoff Korver back to the workshop in August to teach his very popular suite of carving courses:- 

• Introduction to Carving

• Introduction to Spoon Carving

• Introduction to Letter Carving

• Carving - Next Level

These courses have been planned together for anyone who wants to book into multiple courses and really get into carving.  Geoff's style of carving is very different from Hape Kiddle's more organic aesthetic.  Having this wide range of regular carving courses really does give you the opportunity to master a new and additional skill to your toolbox. 

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Beginners Intensive Programme

Scholarship Opportunity

Our very popular 8-week Beginners’ Intensive Programme in  October is now fully enrolled. 

However, there is one remaining place which we have allocated to a wonderful scholarship opportunity for one young person who lives in the Top of the South, Te Tau Ihu and this final place will be awarded to the recipient of the Thorkild Hansen Scholarship - the link will give you full details, application form and scholarship criteria.  

It’s fair to say that here in the workshop we are very busy!  We have tried to plan lots of short courses alongside the more intensive programmes that take place each year, and enrolments numbers are at an all time high.  What this does mean for you, our lovely students, is that courses are filling up quickly and some people are missing out on courses.

At this end, it’s not as easy as just scheduling another course later on, as it depends on who is teaching and where they come from, and the short course programme is generally planned 18 months in advance.  
To put it bluntly – you snooze, you lose (as they say) - even if you are vaguely interested in a course it's worth getting in touch so you can be "pencilled in" on the list.

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Andy Buck Master Class

Contrary to the above, we have sneaked into the 2023 programme a “not to be missed” opportunity when we heard that Andy Buck was going to be teaching at Wood Dust 23 in Melbourne in May.  

Andy has been invited to teach a 5-day design inspiration/development course which will be tailored to students who are ready to start thinking about moving from making set projects to designing some of their own work.  

Andy is a highly experienced maker, sculptor and educator and was a student of Wendell Castle and we are thrilled to have him agree to come and visit here for the first time.  Details are just being finalized but if this course sounds of interest to you then please get in touch and we can send through further details in the next week or so.

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Artist in Residency Programme

We are thrilled to announce the return of our Artist in Residency Programmes and applications are now open for the 2024 Michael Fortune Residency Programme and full details are here on our website. We have received much interest in this exciting 6-week opportunity to immerse yourself in a new project under Michael’s guidance, and full details about how to apply are here on our website.

We are getting close to finalising the plans for our 2025 Residency Programme when we will warmly welcome the long-awaited visit from Aled Lewis. 
We have been planning to bring Aled here since 2020 just before the pandemic hit the world. 
Keep an eye out on our website for more details - soon to be announced....

2024 Artist in Residency Programme with Michael Fortune

2025 Artist in Residency Programme with Aled Lewis

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2023 Furniture Maker’s Program

With the Covid related delayed start of the 2022 Furniture Makers’ Programme, the graduate exhibition will now take place in early May at the Parker Gallery here in Nelson.  Term 3 (Chair Making) has just finished under the amazing guidance of Michael Fortune.  Here is a sneaky photo of one of the finished chair projects by Ben Tindall.  Michael has nurtured eight unique and complex projects from his students with exciting and beautifully executed results.

We look forward to sharing the official images of the amazing projects from the graduates of the 2022 Furiture Makers' Programme with you towards the middle of the year when they will be added into the gallery pages of our website.

We are now accepting applications for the 2024 Furniture Makers’ Programme and full details of how to apply, a downloadable Prospectus and further details are available on our website here

2024 Furniture Makers' Programme

We are now open for applications to attend the 2024 Furniture Makers' Programme.  Early expressions of interest are recommended as the programme is limited to eight students and places are highly sought after.
Whenever possible we welcome visits prior to applying so please get in touch to arrange this.

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Farewell dear Wadkin - you have been awesome  - Enjoy your retirement in the safe hands of the wheelwright and carriage restorer. 

Welcome dear Felder - looking forward to your awesomeness

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As always - nice to catch up with you all!
Thanks for taking the time to read what's been and is happening here.
Kind regards from the small but MIGHTY team.

December 2022 newsletter

Welcome to our final newsletter of 2022 as we hurtle towards Christmas and a well deserved break.  So we've survived yet another challenging year of Covid, course disruptions, cancellations and on top of that  the dramatic floods here in Nelson. 

Despite all of that it’s been a busy year with full courses, a great atmosphere and creative energy here in the workshop with lots of new and familiar faces. A big thank you to all for your continued support through these rocky times!

A huge thank you to the wonderful team of tutors, technician, trustees and volunteers that keep this very special place going - your commitment, passion and ability to go way over and beyond the call of duty are very much appreciated.

So from the small but MIGHTY team we wish you all happy holidays and here's to 2023 - let's hope it's a vintage year.

So here’s an unashamable plug for those who are looking to buy meaningful Christmas presents – how about a lovely Centre for Fine Woodworking Apron or a gift voucher to put towards any of our courses ?  Wouldn’t that make someone you know really happy ? 

If either of these options sound like a good idea and an easy tick off your “Xmas To Do List” the please get in touch. 

Gift vouchers can be personalised and emailed to you so you can print it off, but if you want an apron then we will do our very best to get it to you in time. 

The school workshop is closed from Friday 16th December and will reopen on Monday 9th January 2023.  You can take a chance and email during closure as emails will be checked sporadically or you can get in touch once we reopen. 

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2023 Short Course Programme

The timetable for next year’s short course programme is available here so you can start hatching a plan to come and spend some time with us in the workshop.  For anyone who is around the Nelson region in mid – January we have a spaces available on the Woodworking Basics course 12th -15th January and also on Hape Kiddle’s - Carve a Mobius course 20th-22nd January – get in touch if you would like to enrol.     

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2023 Furniture Makers’ Programme 

We are delighted to watch the growing trend in those expressing interest in enrolling on the Furniture Makers’ Programme – our flagship 32-week full time, four term intensive course which runs each year. 

Our 2023 Programme has been fully enrolled for many months but due to unforeseen circumstances we have just had a cancellation. If you are interested in submitting (or resubmitting) an application to attend the 2023 Programme then please get in touch. 

Full details of the course, the prospectus and application process can be viewed here on our website.    

Early next year we will have the scheduled dates for the 2024 programme on our website and will be open for applications at the end of January. 

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FOR SALE 

We are excitedly awaiting the delivery of our new sliding table saw!! Regrettably we made the decision that our lovely old Wadkin saw (which has been with us since day dot) is no longer coping with our demands. This wonderful machine, as well as our 12” Wadkin jointer, will becoming available for sale early in 2023. 

Both machines are 3-phase and have been tenderly overhauled and cared for throughout the time we have owned them (approx 14 years).  Both machines have their operating manuals and we would love to see them rehoused to someone who is going to put them to good use.  Delivery time for the table saw is a bit vague at this stage but if you are interested in learning more about either of these machines or would like some further details then please get in touch. 

We also have a a number of Veritas saws 12tpi ripsaws – they have hardly ever been used so are in very good condition $125 Plus postage 

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Exhibition 

Just a reminder that as our 2022 Furniture Makers’ Programme had a delayed start – due to Covid/border closures/Nelson flooding (!!!) we will not be having our usual timing in December of our graduate exhibition.  This will now take place in early May and we will keep you posted with further details early next year. 

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Friends of the School Relaunch 

Over the last couple of years with all the chaos that has happened, our Friends of the School programme has been put on a bit of a back burner. In saying that we are very grateful for those kind people who continue to make donations to us. 

We realise that not everyone is aware that the school is a registered charity and a not for profit organisation. Any surplus funds or grants generated go directly back into adding tools, equipment, people, creative opportunities and enhancing the student experience. 

To mark our sixteenth birthday early next year we will relaunch the Friends of the School donation programme in the hope that this will be well supported in placing us in a strong position for future generations of fine woodworkers.  It's hard to quantify how many students have been through the school over the years but we estimate it is around 2000.  That's 2000 people that we have upskilled and inspired, and no doubt many of those 2000 people have shared their newly found knowledge and shared it with someone else they know too.  Isn't that a heartwarming fact - that we really are protecting, preserving and passing on the craft of fine woodworking to so many people. Warm fuzzies all round.

Those of you who know us, truly understand the level of passion, hard work, grit, determination and stamina that goes into running this very special place. We do it because we truly believe in the school's vision to offer the highest level of fine woodworking in the Southern Hemisphere.

We are always open to hear ideas regarding fundraising and/or sponsorship so if you can help us in any way we would love to hear from you.

All the best from us here in the workshop
Merry Christmas & Best wishes for 2023

Newsletter July 2022

Welcome to our “new look” newsletter

We thought it was about time to catch up with you again and let you know what’s been happening here in the workshop and what we have on offer for 2022/23 . The 2023 programme is just about ready to be launched so we will let you know as soon as that’s gone live. Thanks to everyone who has supported the school by enrolling on our courses throughout these unpredictable times - you will be pleased to know we are busier than ever!

Acoustic Guitar Course

We were thrilled to finally run the 3-week Acoustic Guitar Making course which has had to be postponed multiple times due to Covid. The course was fully booked and a huge success thanks to Dave Gilberd of Goldbeard Guitars who taught here with us for the first time.

Six beautiful bespoke guitars were created and customised to each student’s requirements -with careful planning and discussion before the students arrived here on Day 1.

Dave uses both traditional timbers often used for guitar making as well as giving his students the option to work with native New Zealand timbers such as Kauri and Kahikatea which contrasted beautifully with the more traditional Rosewood and Mahogany timbers. One student made a classical guitar as a gift for his wife, and another made one for his godson back in Ireland. The guitar making course is scheduled to run in 2023 from 15th May - 3rd June - places are strictly limited to six students only so we recommend early expressions of interest to avoid disappointment.

View fullsize

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September is the month for Carving…….

We have seven different carving courses on offer and in particular we will warmly welcome Hape Kiddle who lives, carves and teaches in Australia - this will be the first time he will have visited us and we are very excited.

Hape is a sculptor, jeweller and carver and comes highly recommended as a wonderful and inspiring teacher. Have a look at his website to learn more about him.

He is teaching three 3-day courses each using different techniques but all three courses are suitable for those who have done some carving and those who have no previous experience. The carving toolkits are provided so you don’t need to bring any tools with you. The courses are :

Carve A Seed-Pod Inspired Form

Carve A Mobius

Netsuke Fish

We have limited places available in all three courses - please get in touch if you are interested in enrolling.

We also have our four regular carving courses running again in September - Intro to Carving, Spoon Carving and Letter Carving. We have also tweaked the content of our longer 5-day course which we called “Advanced Carving” - the title seemed to put people off a little but essentially it is a course for those who already have some carving experience and would like to attempt a new project either of their own choice or something the tutor, Geoff Korver, has provided.

The project on offer will be the carving and creating of a beautiful walking stick which even if not required as a walking aid it is indeed a lovely object. Discussion will take place with the tutor before the course starts so that your requirements can be met to get your project going.

Have a look at all our carving courses here.

Intro to Carving, Spoon Carving and Letter Carving.

Advanced Carving Course.

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What some of our people have been up to

It’s been great to hear what some of our former students have been busy with recently and funny how our woodworking community spreads across the world and reconnects us.

Michael & Leon in Brazil

Michael Fortune has just finished teaching a course in Brazil - and it was delightful to see a photo pop up on Instagram with him and one of our students who attended the very first Beginners’ Intensive Programme - Leon Ades who was living in New Zealand and has since returned to Brazil and works as a successful furniture maker.

We will hear all about Michael’s trip to Brazil when he is here with us for the 3-week Design & Development Programme in November.

Peter Cowper who is a graduate of the 2014 Furniture Makers’ Programme appeared in a recent article in an Australian trade magazine (AWISA).

Peter has created a bespoke and limited lighting range “Curl” under his aptly named business Bespoke by Design.

Read about Peter’s success story here.

Josephine Jelicich was a graduate of the 2018 Furniture Makers’ Programme and is currently on a two month artist in residency programme run by Eden Arts in Auckland.

Josephine is part of our project which is being funded by Creative New Zealand for us to mentor a new generation of teachers here at the school so you will be seeing more of her here next year

Finally we were very grateful to Adrienne Matthews who wrote a lovely story about the Thorkild Hansen Scholarship Programme and the first recipient, Thijs Schrader, who completed the 8-week Beginners Intensive Programme back in June.

Read the article here.

So hopefully you like our new look newsletter - the aim is that we share news, tips and tricks, student and tutor profiles and (deep breath) we are in the very early stages of setting up our own YouTube channel. In the meantime, happy woodworking days to you and stay safe and well .

Best wishes from the small but mighty team at the Centre for Fine Woodworking.