40 Courses

Learn woodturning in the peaceful setting of our workshop located in the cottage garden of our home on the Cambs/Norfolk border.

This workshop gives you the unique opportunity to experience the basics of two crafts in 1 day in your own personal workshop with one to one tuition. The studios are located in the cottage garden of our home on the Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border. Your experience is private to you and there will be no other students in the studios. The "2 crafts in 1 day" workshop is aimed at those who want to have a go at both of these fun crafts, and come away having learnt some basic techniques for both disciplines. As this is basically a private tuition experience, the course is focused but fun, so would make a fantastic gift. The day can also be experienced by two people (to book this, please refer to our other workshop ""2 Crafts in 1 Day!" 1-2-1 woodturning & pottery experience in 1 day for 2 people" where each person could experience the crafts singularly or together.  This makes for a wonderful Valentine's or anniversary experience, and can also be enjoyed by a parent and child. The morning is spent learning the ropes of woodturning - how to cut and shape wood on the lathe, understanding a little about the different tools required, and making a few pieces to take home. After a light farmhouse-style lunch (which we provide and which we tailor to your dietary requirements), the afternoon then continues with a pottery session. Students can have fun with clay, focusing on some basic hand building methods to get them used to handling the material using the techniques of pinching, coiling, slab building and also throwing on the wheel.  A total of 3 pieces can then be chosen for us to glaze and fire once they have dried sufficiently. When ready, they can either be collected by the student (if they live locally) or I can post them on (I have to charge postage & packaging). Refreshments are provided during both workshops, and a light, rustic farmhouse-style lunch is also included - catering to all dietary requirements. Depending on the weather/time of year, lunch can be taken either out in the cottage garden or in our country kitchen. The sessions are hands-on with expert 1-2-1 tuition - and the student will be able to use all the studio facilities. Each student will also be provided with a certificate of participation for both crafts. About a week before your workshop date, we'll e-mail you again with more details about parking etc. We also offer accommodation in the form of our Crafter's Retreat cabin (www.craftersretreat.co.uk) or we can advise of other local B&Bs.

Lee Furniture offer a beginners course in cabinetmaking. The tuition is one on one. This course is for the beginner interested in making furniture. The course is hands on and will be based around using tools and machinery to plane wood, use of hand tools to include the correct use of: Marking out tools Planes Chisels Scrapers Power tools During the day we will talk about wood selection, Planing, joints etc.. You will also have a chance to use a Tablesaw, bandsaw, router table etc.. You will also have the chance to cut some dovetail joints by hand!! Throughout there is plenty of time for questions. PLEASE NOTE: You don't make a box on this course, if you wish to leave with a finished product at the end of the day, please book our box making course in or other courses available.. What's included in the price? Wood is included in the course for practicing your new skills.. Tea and coffee included for the day. Onsite Cafe or local shops available for lunch. Cancellation policy Easy - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts

Spoon Carving Workshop & Courses

Spoon Carving Workshop & Courses

Bark Container, Birch Bark Workshop, Ancient Crafts

This course is a day in length the course outline consists of: 1. The importance of a sharp chisel and plane iron. 2. What chisel should I use and where to find them. 3. Demonstrations of sharp vs blunt. 4. Grinding wheels and sharpening stones explained. 5. Full sharpening demonstrations for chisels and planes. 6. Now get to sharpen as many of your own chisels and plane blades. What's included in the price? tea and coffee throughout the day, please bring lunch, or there is a on site canteen for hot and cold food, or nearby shops. Cancellation policy Easy - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts

Bushcraft, Birch Tree, Ancient Crafts, Foraging, Wild Medicine, Wild Food, Woodcraft

Over the years our 2 day bushcraft course has proven to be our most popular bushcraft course. It’s been carefully designed to initiate you into the joys of outdoor living, although many of the skills that you’ll be taught are easily transferable to other outdoor activities. This 2 day bushcraft course is intended for people who would like to understand what bushcraft is all about and to learn simple, repeatable bushcraft and survival skills.  This includes campers, backpackers, hikers and other outdoors people who wish to learn some of the skills required to be comfortable in the outdoors, so that you have the time to really enjoy what is around you. We have people attend who have no previous bushcraft experience as well as those with some prior experience and we can say with absolute honesty that everyone leaves knowing more than when they arrived! During your time spent with us on this bushcraft course, you will: - Learn how to safely use essential bushcraft tools including knife, folding saw and bow saw - Have plenty of practise creating a flame using matches, fire steels, fire pistons, wire wool & a battery, solar mirrors, flint & steel, chemicals and fire by friction - Carve your own honey spreader or spatula from materials you gather in our ancient woodland - Understand the pros and cons of debris shelters, where & how to build one, and sleep in one if you wish - Put up a tarp and hammock using only 3 simple knots that can be tied and untied wearing gloves (you can sleep in a hammock if you like) - Find, filter and purify your own water - Go for a woodland walk to gain an insight into some of the trees and plants around us and what they can be used for - Learn how to sharpen a knife so that it will slice through a sheet of paper - Locate and identify different natural tinders easily found in the woods - Gather your own materials and light a fire following a method that will work in all weather conditions. At the end of this bushcraft course you will have a good working knowledge of the skills needed to enjoy your time in the woods or enhance your camping or outdoor activities. About us and the venue: Jack Raven Bushcraft was founded in 2011 and we've been delivering bushcraft, craft and foraging courses since then from our 30 acre private ancient woodland on the Kent Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Courses in the summer are held outdoors in our woodland camp complete with covered work areas, an outdoor kitchen and a composting loo. Courses in the winter are held in our workshop in a converted barn. What's included in the price? Included in the price is: - Breakfast and dinner - Hot and cold drinks - Tools, equipment and materials Cancellation policy Strict - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 8 weeks before the course starts

Get your woodworking tools into top condition so that you can confidently work with wood to fine tolerances