6 days of learning and honing willow furniture making skills. Weaving willow seating, making bent stick chairs, and finessing the craftsmanship required to work with willow.

A rustic willow stool is a wonderfully characterful piece, equally at home in the garden, greenhouse, or by the back door. Made using thick willow rods and simple construction techniques, it celebrates the natural curves and individuality of the material. This first part of the course explores how to select and prepare willow, form strong legs, and weave a sturdy seat designed to last. No two stools are ever the same, and that’s part of the charm — each one tells the story of the hands that made it. It’s an ideal introduction to making functional willow furniture and a deeply satisfying project to complete in a day.

The next 2 days focus on the traditional bent stick chair in its classic form, with deep roots in rural craft traditions. Lightweight yet surprisingly strong, it’s a practical chair for both indoor use and sheltered outdoor spaces. During the next 2 days, you’ll learn the traditional techniques behind chairmaking in willow: steaming and bending sticks, forming a strong frame, shaping legs and stretchers, and fitting a comfortable seat. The focus is on honest construction, good proportions, and time-tested methods. This part of the course is perfect for those who want to step into traditional furniture making and gain skills that can be built on for years to come.

The final 3 days take chair making to the next level, focusing on refinement, detail, and craftsmanship. The form is similar to the traditional chair, but with greater attention paid to symmetry, clean lines, precise joins, and an elegant overall finish. You’ll work more slowly and deliberately, learning advanced bending and fitting techniques, refining the chair’s profile, and developing a deeper understanding of structure and balance. This is about elevating a humble rural form into a piece of fine handcrafted furniture. This final part of the course offers the chance to create a chair that feels truly special — something to use, admire, and keep for a lifetime.