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This three day course is an introduction to letter carving in stone/slate and suitable for beginners. We will discuss different lettering styles and you will hand draw your own design, learn about what works for which purposes and how to transfer your design onto the material. Then you will be taught the ancient technique of carving letters with a chisel and mallet by hand, resulting in letterforms that are sharp, crisp and can last for centuries.

Lisi will give group demonstrations, and support each participant through individual tuition addressing your needs. Each participant can decide whether to aim towards a short, finished piece of work or just letter carving practice.  A slide talk will aid understanding of letterforms (both ancient and contemporary) and stimulate discussions. There will be books and inspirational material for you to look at.

Each student will have their own workstation and there is space for drawing practice and design work.

During the three days you will start off by becoming familiar with the feeling of how to hold the tools and practice some general strokes. You might want to have a go on different materials.

There will be a talk and slide presentation on design and layout.

Lisi will help you to develop your own design which you will then transfer onto the stone/slate.

You will then be ready to carve your design and be proud of it!

About the tutor:

Lisi has set up her letter carving workshop in Wiltshire 10 years ago. Based on her background in visual recognition, art & design, and inspired by themes as diverse as poetry, history, philosophy, science and the landscape, Lisi creates a wide range of original and beautifully crafted sculptural carvings for home, garden and memorials. The pieces demonstrate her ability to respond to her sense of the spirit of place and in some instances, also reveal her wonderfully quirky sense of humour.

She is a QEST scholar, an elected member of the British Master Cavers Association as well as the Lettering Arts Trust (memorials by artists).

This is a 2 day course aimed at those who are new to chair caning or have some basic experience of the craft. It is suitable for both those who make new furniture, and those who have a restoration project in mind.

Course Description

The tuition is over 2 days between 9.30am and 5.00pm.  You will be taught in a small group of up to 8 people by Brian Crossley MBE, a second generation Chair Caner who has practised the craft for over 60 years and teaches in various locations.

Working on a pre-made frame which represents a typical chair seat (as the attached picture), you will be taught the ‘6 way pattern’ which is used on 95% of all caned furniture. 

Day 1

The first day begins with a presentation and discussion, to give participants a good understanding of the history of the craft, materials, tools, techniques and other caning patterns.

After this, participants begin the practical part of the workshop.  All materials and comprehensive course notes will be provided, plus the loan of any tools required.

Caning a frame can be undertaken seated and to assist in handling the frame, this will be held in an adjustable clamp attached to a table. (see note below)

Safety is important.  All measures will be taken to promote the safe use of hand tools and participants will be supervised at all times.

Day 2

Continue caning the frame as on Day 1 .   If time permits, you will be able to weave an alternative pattern on another smaller frame.   Completed frame(s) and notes can be retained.   

An Introduction to Relief Carving in Wood 

3 Day workshop 

Day 1 

Sarah will introduce you to the traditional tools used in hand carving a relief design in wood. Various design styles will be discussed together with how to edit a design to make it suitable for carving. You’ll then be shown a demonstration of the various stages involved in creating a relief design. 

 You will then have a chance to practise these techniques using the supplied gouges and mallets and get used to working with the wood grain. Once you have become familiar with the carving technique you will have the opportunity to begin hand drawing a design of your own or choose from four different designs Sarah will have a template for. There will be reference material available to aid you in your design work. 

Day 2 and 3 

Working at your own pace Sarah will be on hand to guide you through carving your design. 

This course is suitable for complete beginners as well as those with some experience in wood carving who wish to improve their skills and have a go at carving a more complex design. 

Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear- no open toed shoes or sandals. 

Bio 

Sarah Goss specialises in providing bespoke hand carved items ranging from lettering and relief decoration to producing architectural details and gilded frames. After graduating in 2008 from Portsmouth University in Restoration & Decorative Studies, Sarah started her own woodcarving business in 2009 carving both traditional and modern designs. 

In 2013 she became an INTBAU Young Practitioner and in 2014 she took part in the Prince’s Foundation Building Craft Apprenticeship programme studying with several master carvers around the country. Since graduating she has continued to run her own business, now based in Radstock, Somerset. In 2022 she took part in the Sky Arts programme ‘The Prince’s Master Crafters’ as a mentor and continues to produce bespoke woodcarvings as well providing tuition. Her portfolio can be found at sarahgoss.co.uk 

Background

The origin of hand fans dates back to the Egyptian times, when they were seen as sacred instruments and used in religious ceremonies. The folding fan was invented in Japan in the 6th century and brought to Europe via the Silk Road in the 1500’s.  It was popularised in the UK by King Charles II. Queen Anne granted the charter for the Worshipful Company of Fanmakers and Queen Victoria had an extensive collection. But by the 1950’s the fashion was fading.

The Worshipful Company of Fanmakers have been supporting initiatives to revive the craft and the use of fans. A project with Chelsea College of Art and West Dean College has shared skills with art and fashion students, and leading fashion designers have produced showcase pieces.

It is with great enthusiasm that we bring this workshop to Highgrove.

Details

A two day beginners course in the art of fan making to include:
Saturday 10th May 11am to 4pm
11am to 12.30pm
• A brief introduction to the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers, its origins and its art form.
• Talk on Fan sticks: Function,form and decoration.
• Talk on Fan leaves: Fan leaf decoration and types of materials.

12.30-1pm Lunch

1pm to 4pm
• Plan out your design on a paper fan template.
• Draw or trace your design onto a fan leaf template
• Colour/decorate your fan leaf

Sunday 11th May 10am to 4pm
10am to 12.30pm
• Finish fan design and pleat leaf into fan shape.
• Plan decoration of fan stick
• Decorate fan sticks

12.30-1pm Lunch

1pm to 4pm
• Carry on with stick decoration
• Fit sticks to fan leaf.

What to bring

All materials and tools will be provided.

Please bring your lunch, an apron and wear comfy shoes, as you may be standing at a workbench for a period of time.

About the tutor

Sophia Mace has gained a First-Class BA Hons Degree from Loughborough University in Textiles innovation and Design. For her degree final show Sophia decided to use the hand fan to express her art. Sophia taught herself all the engineering techniques that are involved with stick construction and leaf design/construction.

Sophia now makes fans and teaches the craft.