Make a Hedge Chair with armrests - 6 Days, 10.00am to 6.00pm (Please add your name to the waiting list to register your interest for the next workshop)
Make a Hedge Chair with armrests - 6 Days, 10.00am to 6.00pm (Please add your name to the waiting list to register your interest for the next workshop)
A Hedge Chair is a traditional piece of Irish furniture produced by what is known as a Hedge Carpenter, these carpenters of old often sourced their raw materials from the hedgerow, looking for different shaped branches to suit the task at hand. Hedge carpenters finished work was often in a vernacular style due to the way materials were sourced with an emphasis on using what was close to hand.
It is said that the chair was originally derived from the stool, this is most evident in the basic form of an Irish hedge chair, well suited to a harsh rural environment.
Stephen Ryan from Green Woodwork Ireland will teach you the skills needed to produce your own Hedge Chair, by using an ancient form of woodcraft that was once widespread across the country. Traditional tools and equipment such as the shave horse, cleaving break, drawknife, froe, spokeshave, tenon cutter, travisher and much more will be used to produce a chair to be used and admired in the home as well as being a focal point for visitors.
During this 6-day workshop, you will learn how to cleave and shape wood that will then be assembled using round mortise and tenon’s secured with Oak wedges, typical of old Irish furniture, completed with a finish of linseed oil and beeswax.
This course is suited to all levels including complete beginners. As you will be working in a workshop environment, sturdy footwear is important. A good pair of boots is ideal and if you happen to have steel toe caps this would be even better. Open-toed or low-cut footwear is not suitable and may mean you cannot participate in the workshop. The tutor will supply safety gloves but if you have your own tight-fitting safety gloves feel free to bring them along, these safety measures are to protect your hands and feet from cuts and to protect your feet from sharp and heavy tools and equipment being dropped. You must be aged 16 or over to attend this class. All tools and materials are supplied. Workshop times are 10.00am to 6.00pm.
Please keep in mind that some of the workshop tasks can be a bit physical, but help will be on hand if you find any of the tasks challenging.
The workshop will be held at the Green Woodwork Ireland Workshop, Minnowburn. Workshops are non-refundable and non-transferable.
“Stephen is a great tutor, helps everyone, regardless of skill. Pleasant , patient, always encourages and his love of wood working always shines through. Highly recommend his courses.”