Apprenticeship: Making Fine Furniture with Stephen Proctor September 16-27, 2019 (two weeks)

This two week class is a concentrated study of the furniture making art, from the very basics of hand tool use, to very advanced machine tool techniques. Some students have repeated this class, and each time they learn different techniques and topics. During the two weeks, students will design and construct an individual project, but Stephen doesn’t want students to come with any preconceived ideas about what they want to make; they will be inspired during the first week. The project should challenge students to explore new skills, such as bending, shaping or carving. Design is part of the process, including sketching, mockups and group critiques. Lectures and demonstrations take place daily, covering most aspects of woodworking in depth. Each student’s individual project requires different methods and techniques, thus calling for on-the-spot demos or explanations to add further to the information being accumulated. Stephen discusses the principles of hand and machine tools. He will demonstrate in depth the direct application of those principles to the maintenance, safety, and use of these common tools. Students will see how to make simple fixtures that can make complicated or intricate cuts simple on almost any stationary power tool. Moreover, traditional joining techniques will be analyzed along with the more innovative construction and forming techniques. This class will be for intermediate and advanced woodworkers who want to move beyond their current levels of expertise. Fun and enjoyment are compulsory components of any of Stephen’s programs. THIS IS A DON’T MISS CLASS! Stephen asks that all projects be made with domestic woods only.