Karissa Walker Méndez
CFW
Furniture Makers’ Programme - 2025
Before coming to CFW, I had spent over ten years working in graphic design. But I also wanted to explore making things with my hands. Together with some friends, I co-founded a recycling centre in Guatemala, where we experimented with recycled plastic to create outdoor furniture, using wood as a structural ally. This experience sparked my curiosity about materials and making, and eventually led me to woodworking. I knew how to develop an idea on paper, but I wanted to learn how to bring it to life.
I came to the Centre for Fine Woodworking to bridge the gap between having an idea and bringing it to life. I didn't realise then that the Furniture Makers’ Programme would change my life and the way I see furniture, wood, and the process of making.
I learned to understand wood beyond its appearance: its grain, its movement, and its possibilities. Making furniture is about more than following a drawing; it's about understanding the material and allowing it to influence your design.
The tutors were an incredible part of this journey. They are kind, generous, and genuinely committed to helping you reach your goals. What I valued most was how they helped you work through challenges by talking about your project and exploring different solutions together. They helped me develop my ideas without losing sight of what I wanted to achieve. Their commitment to helping each student bring their project to life is something truly special.
Sharing the workshop with seven other makers was equally valuable. Watching everyone develop their own ideas, find their voice, and solve problems in different ways taught me so much. We shared knowledge, creative conversations, challenges, and plenty of laughter. I arrived wanting to become a better maker and left with seven new friends.
The setting makes the experience even more special. The beautiful views of Nelson, the sound of chisels, the shavings on the floor, and the laughter across the workshop become part of everyday life. There is something wonderful about being surrounded by people who care so deeply about their craft.
I graduated in 2025 with a toolbox full of skills, the confidence to turn my drawings into real objects, and a new appreciation for the thought and care behind every detail. Today, I am lucky to continue learning as a Workshop Assistant at CFW while developing my own practice as a furniture maker.
If you are considering the programme, my advice is simple: do it. You don't need to know exactly what kind of maker you want to become. Bring your curiosity, be ready to work hard, and allow yourself to learn. You will be challenged, inspired, and surprised by what you can achieve.
For me, CFW was so much more than learning to make furniture. It gave me the skills to bring my ideas to life, a community that continues to inspire me, and the feeling that I had found my place.
Instagram: @walkermendezmaker
