Bespoke Furniture Courses

Graham is a practicing woodwork tutor of thirty years and a well experienced furniture maker. He served his joinery apprenticeship in the late sixties, used his qualifications to enter the teaching profession and has specialised in senior furniture making.

His trainees have excelled in prestigious national awards and others have been motivated into successful careers in the industry, owning businesses and mastering wood crafts.

He has also spent many years operating the ‘treeworkx' brand with his mate Ron and has acquired a vast array of native and exotic timbers.

Graham offers his experience as a tutor and his purpose built factory/workshop to the public for courses. The building has been expressly designed to cater for furniture making and is located in a very peace filled corner of the Waikato.

Spend a few days discovering the joys of handcrafting raw timber into an item of beautiful furniture. Stay in the hunter's huts and cook communally on the barbeque as the sun sets in the west. Experience the deer which share the tranquil forest environment and go home satisfied, having grown in furniture making confidence and with newfound friends to treasure.

Bespoke ... An old word meaning to reserve or order something in advance

 

Open barbeque under the gum trees - plenty of seating for all to enjoy the view of the setting sunset at dusk.

 

Complimentary Accommodation

The hunter's huts are basic but comfortable, with a hot shower, toilet and television for those in need of small dose of civilisation.

 

The Courses

Participants require a sleeping bag and personal gear, sturdy footwear, preconceived plan or picture of table emailed to Graham to discuss the possibility of making the item/what timbers would be available. goliver@no8wireless.co.nz Suggestions are plentiful - also bring your camera and your own preferences for an evening drink about the barbeque.

Expectations - participants can expect to be assisted, challenged and ultimately be successful in taking home a smart piece of furniture. Irrespective of ability there is the potential to achieve amazing results given the right encouragement and advise.We will all share in the camp duties including cooking etc. The complimentary accommodation is communal, basic yet homely with hot shower / flush toilet.

The timber species available to the participants are amongst the best available in New Zealand.

Course One

Occasional Table
Dates

5pm Friday 1st-Wednesday 6th October 2010
Course Fee

$1250 inclusive of GST
 

Equates to $250 per day /person  includes  tuition, materials [up to a value of $125] and complimentary accommodation/food.

Limited to six/ eight participants.

50% deposit paid before 15th September to confirm placement.
Coffee
Wine
Dining
Hallway
Childrens
Outdoor
Single pedestal
Twin pedestal
Drop leaf
Reproduction
Modern
Futuristic

Classic Blackwood reproduction piece

 

Course Two

Box/Chest
Dates

5pm Friday 17th-Wednesday 22nd December 2010
Course Fee

$1250 inclusive of GST
 

Equates to $250 per day per person includes tuition, materials [up to a value of $125] and complimentary accommodation/food.

Limited to six/eight participants.

50% deposit paid before 25th November to confirm placement.
Sea chest
Toy/trinket box
Camping box
Glory box
Blanket box
Outdoor
Carpenter's tool box
Gun cabinet
Secret compartment thingy
Jewellery case
Wood turned boxes
'Waka huia' - precious container

Finger joints, Dovetails, Box pin joints, Exposed dowels, Laminated, Veneered, Carved, Poker work, Turned, Scented, French polish

from the internet

 

Course Three

Chair Making
Dates

5pm Monday 3rd-Saturday 8th January 2011
Course Fee

$1250 inclusive of GST
 

Equates to $250 per day per person includes tuition, materials [up to a value of $125] and complimentary accommodation/food.

Limited to six/eight participants.

50% deposit paid before 20th December to confirm placement.
Dining
Children's rocker
Carver
Heirloom
Coffer
Outside seat
Barstools
Miniature

 

Course Four

Cabinetry
Dates

5pm Thursday 13th-Tuesday 18th January 2011
Course Fee

$1250 inclusive of GST
 

Equates to $250 per day per person includes tuition, materials [up to a value of $125] and complimentary accommodation/food.

Limited to six/eight participants.

50% deposit paid before 2nd January to confirm placement.
Bedside
Dresser
Vanity
Tool chest
Kitchen item
Desk
Bookcase
Entertainment centre
Television/DVD
Wall Dresser
Tallboy

A full year's work (120 hours) from a young lady brand new to woodwork.

 

Course Five

Antique Restoration
Dates

First week of the April 2011 holidays - dates to be confirmed
Course Fee

$1250 inclusive of GST
 

Equates to $250 per day per person includes tuition, materials [up to a value of $125] and complimentary accommodation/food.

Limited to six/eight participants.

50% deposit to confirm placement.
 

Graham had the privilege of working on numerous antique items from the Oxford Antiques shop in Tirau over several years. This establishment was renown for outstanding New Zealand and imported antique furniture under its founding owner Henry Clothier. Every item was a new challenge and invariably accomplished on time and to a very high standard.

Nowadays, Graham uses this experience to teach his senior students the basics to making money from antique restoration work and they gain useful qualification along the way.

So why don’t you bring along an old item for a restoration workshop?