Upcoming Classes

4

PART
CLASS

Please refer to Chris Storb’ s blog “In Proportion to the Trouble” and Stenton.org Picture courtesy of Christie’s.

Philadelphia Compass Seat Arm Chair

c 1755

Part I

Aprl 26-27

$ 450

Part II

Jun 28-29

$ 450

Part III

Aug 23-24

$ 450

Part IV

Nov 08-09

$ 450

One of a set of probably eight arm chairs. Chris Storb, in his “Proportion to the Trouble”, says, “Sets of mid-eighteeenth armchairs are highly unusual but are known to exist. The armchair on loan to Stenton… represent the only known survival of a mid-eighteenth century compassed armchair suite.” Christie’s states” A triumph of the curvilinear form, this armchair illustrates the mastery of movement and harmony achieved by mid-eighteenth century Philadelphia chairmakers.  From the spooning back and sweeping arms to the compass seat and cabriole legs, every component of the=is chair curve – several in multiple planes. Here, each has been carefully and deliberately placed to create a coherent whole, a beautiful form of seemingly simple lines that belie the complexity of its design. Such chairs were luxurious items in their day and made in relatively few numbers, are rare today. Even rarer is a set of armchairs.”  These chairs display similar construction details and are unusually tall. The crest has a carved shell and four deeply carved volutes. The cabriole legs have deeply carved shells on the knees and terminate in “distinctive’ trifid feet. It has a balloon seat with integral rims. The arms and stumps are all motion. Sotheby’s states that number V in this set chairs is “Among the rarest and most magnificent examples of the Queen Anne aesthetic in Philadelphia.”

I anticipate four separate weekend classes for this project. Walnut is definitely the preferred primary wood. You will need basic joinery tools as well as several sharp carving gouges. If you are interested in constructing one of these magnificent chairs for your personal collection, please contact me for more information. 

Click to enroll >

1

PART
CLASS

Sharpening Those Pesky Carving Gouges with Bert Bleckwenn

*payment direct to Bert

Part I

May 03

$ 125

  • The Sharpening for Carvers class six-hour workshop focuses on developing manual carving tool sharpening skills. Students will be provided with a perspective as to what is sharpness, why sharpness is important, what is required to achieve sharpness, how to achieve properly sharpened carving tools used in furniture making and architectural embellishments, and actual experience in sharpening their own personal carving gouge.
  • The Carver’s Sharpening Apprentice (CSA) system will be used to introduce, learn and develop proper sharpening techniques. CSA aids in developing both effective and efficient sharpening skills for carvers. CSA is not required for further sharpening, but aids the beginner with establishing proper sharpening techniques.
  • Students should bring one full-size carving gouge that has a modest sweep (#3-#7) and width (8-14mm or 3/8”-3/4”) which they will use to learn proper sharpening techniques.
  • Students should also bring their personal carving tools and sharpening supplies for instructor evaluation.
  • Optional CSA Plans/Instructions ($40) and basic CSA Systems ($250) will be available for sale.

Bess adds that she personally supports this clever, repetitive process for sharpening gouges. Once learned, and the one-time investment made in the proper supplies, makes you a better sharpener, and consequently a potentially better carver. Sharp tools are safer and work so much better!  A well-spent afternoon!

Click to enroll >

2

PART
CLASS

Picture courtesy of Sotheby’s Important Americana January 2022.

Miniature Reverse Block-Front Chest of Drawers

Part I

May 17-18

$ 450

Part II

Jul 26-27

$ 450

Sotheby’s states this piece is a “Very Fine and Rare Miniature Chippendale Figured Reverse Block-Front Chest of Drawers, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Circa 1765”. It is 8.1/2’ high by 7.7/8” wide by 4.7/8” deep. It is definitely a miniature! It is basically a small box with molding on the top and a molded straight bracket foot with dovetailing. The drawers are reverse block fronts with matching drawer blades. Figured wood highly recommended.  A magnificent small chest! 

Click to enroll >

2

PART
CLASS

Picture courtesy of Sotheby’s 2022.

“Very Rare" William and Mary Spice Box, Southeastern Pennsylvania

c 1715

Part I

Jul 12-13

$ 450

Part II

Sep 13-14

$ 450

This fabulous very early Spice Box/Document Box measures approximately 18.1/2” high by 17.1/4” wide by 10.1/4” deep.  The original is made from Black Walnut made by a very early Philadelphia Cabinetmaker.  It has a molded thumbnail top and molded bottom with bun feet. The door is beaded and has an exceptional profile surrounding the raised panel. There are eight drawers on the interior. Lee Ellen Griffith says, “In style, construction, and details, this represents the earliest type of Philadelphia spice box”. (The Pennsylvania Spice Box).

Click to enroll >

4

PART
CLASS

Picture courtesy of Chipstone Foundation and Chris Storb’s “In Proportion to the Trouble”.

“A Little Scruetore” as drawn by John Widdifield, Philadelphia Joiner

Part I

Jun 7-8

$ 450

Part II

Aug 9-10

$ 450

Part III

Oct 25-26

$ 450

Part IV

Nov 15-16

$ 450

A truly unique opportunity to build a scruetore or scriper or scruitoire as drawn in John Widdifield”s Notebook. Widdifield came to Philadelphia from England by 1705. The Chipstone Foundation was given permission to publish this very interesting Account in 2015 “American Furniture”. For more information, please read that article as well as Chris Storb’s blog in his “In Proportion to the Trouble”, February 26, 2023, regarding the Widdifield Account Book. In that, Chris states: “Are these the earliest measured drawings produced by a Western furniture maker? Certainly they are the earliest surviving made in Philadelphia.” He further states, “Although Widdefield writes that the Little Scruetore was for Thomas Lyford we do not know if the scrutore was ever made and no table top writing desk of this sort made in Philadelphia in the first quarter of the eighteenth century survives. But what an interesting and challenging project this could be today. After all, John Widdifield left us a complete blueprint allowing us to re-create or maybe create for the first time, this object that would have been lost to history had not Widdifield put it down in his notebook.”

The scruetore is composed of two separate sections. The upper portion is about 18” high by about 18” wide. It has a bank of five drawers, with a larger center drawer. There is a raised panel fall board. The base will be approximately 14” high with turned legs, a long center drawer and stretchers. There will the opportunity for secret drawers and a slider. For those who are not set up to perform turning themselves, they can be made available. The spice box will be offered next year. This extremely rare and unique opportunity is not to be missed!

Click to enroll >

1

PART CLASS

Picture courtesy of Sotheby’s.

Advanced Line and Berry Inlay Techniques with Steve Latta

Part I

Sep 27-28

$ 450

The decoration on this outstanding, “Very Fine and Rare William and Mary” Bible Box or Document Box is challenging. Steve will concentrate on the flowering tree and the fylfot/pinwheel geometry. As time allows, he may explore the banding and tombstone cartouches.

Click to enroll >

1

PART CLASS

Hammer Veneering with Steve Latta

Part I

Nov 01-02

$ 450

Description to follow. 

There is an additional materials fee to Steve. 

Click to enroll >

1

PART
CLASS

Picture courtesy of Sotheby’s.

A Rare William and Mary Line and Berry Inlaid Bible Box/ Document Box

Part I

Dec 13-14

$ 450

Now build the rest of this exquisite inlaid box. Originally built in 1776 probably from Chester County measures 10.1/2” high x 19.3/8” wide x 12.3/8” deep. Sotheby’s states, ”Furniture with the line-and-berry inlay was especially favored by Quaker families living in Chester County, where chests of drawers, spice boxes, and small lidded boxes were the most popular forms among the 150 pieces that have been identified. Nearly all were made before the American Revolution.” Walnut. The box by itself is beautiful and a great learning process for dovetailing and hand-made moldings and battens. Snipe hinges. Bun feet. The inlay decoration makes this special box even more coveted.

Click to enroll >

Seminar Classes At Olde Mill

  • Requires payment in advance by Square or check.
  • Registration must be for all classes on a given project. If a conflict develops, I will make every effort to accommodate alternative times.
  • You are responsible for your own lunch. We do often order something in if preferred.
  • Classes start at 9am sharp and officially stop at 4ish. But I often stay later and attendees are certainly welcome to stay later as well if their time permits
  • You are responsible for your own tools. Sharp, please. Labeled also, as many may look the same. I can share some of the unusual tools, but try to have as many of your own as reasonable.
  • Prior to class I will provide a cut list and, if appropriate, a recommended tool list. Please ask if you have any questions regarding lumber species, sizing, milling, etc before you get here in an effort to expedite your time to the max while here.
  • I am available by phone, a visit, or preferably email with questions or concerns. Please do not hesitate to ask.
  • I try to make your time here as informative, productive, period focused, and fun as possible. Life is short and we all need to spend our time wisely doing the things that inspire and grow us. I hope to be a part of that journey with you.
Scroll to Top