October 2025 Newsletter

Welcome to our October Newsletter

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What an exciting month so far! Aled Lewis is in the workshop and Term 4 of the Full Time Furniture Makers Programme has begun! Our short courses are keeping us busy and having fun. Check out our social media to keep up with our weekly news and photos from the workshop.

As the weather warms up and the end of year approaches, we can't help but long for beautiful summer nights, barbecues, and swims in the sea. We might also start thinking about the perfect Christmas gift for our woodworking loved ones. Have a look at our 2026 short courses on our website. Give us a call if you're not sure what course to pick... or a gift voucher is always a good choice.  

We have some fabulous new courses coming next year, including a 2-week course with Evan Dunstone coming over from Australia in March to teach and do some NZ fishing! Hape Kiddle will be back with some new carving courses. We also have a new 3-week Advanced Chair Making course and a 2-week Tool Cabinet course in the works (not on the website yet, but email us for more info) and more courses coming! 

September 2025 Newsletter

Welcome to our September Newsletter

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL NEWSLETTER (This is just a sampling)

I want to take a moment to thank our small but mighty team for all they do.

Many of you know Lou, our extraordinary lead tutor. Lou is not only an amazing teacher. When out of the classroom, Lou is hard at work on new course development and overseeing all of our courses, constantly improving what we offer. Lou's main goal is for you to have fun when you're here taking a class. Those of you who have taken a class with Lou know she accomplishes that (!!), while generously sharing her wealth of knowledge.

Our Workshop Assistants are just as amazing. Sam, Gloria, and Lauren do everything from prepping courses, ordering all our materials and supplies, maintaining the machines, sharpening the tools, helping students and assisting tutors, and so much more. Their dedication to the school and our students is humbling. The school would not function if not for them. Nor would we have such a good time.

And the best part? The professionalism, care, and kind-spirited collaboration that is shared with this team permeates through every part of the school. Many of our students comment on the "magic" that they feel when they're here. This could explain it. 

MASSIVE SHOUT OUT TO OUR FRIENDS AT LIE-NIELSEN TOOLWORKS

When David Haig told us that our friends at Lie-Nielsen Toolworks were generously donating some tools to the school, we were very excited!
They arrived, and we opened the beautiful boxes with great anticipation... 

And WOW! We were blown away by their incredible generosity, but also the gorgeous tools! They are each a work of art in themselves. 

THANK YOU LIE-NIELSEN!! WE LOVE YOUR TOOLS! 
(Our only problem is going to be the fighting over who gets to use them!) 

https://lienielsen.com.au/

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