This chair has been sitting, unfinished, under a pile of stuff at the back of the workshop for the last few years. I have been intending to complete it for a very long time, but just never seemed to get around to it – other things have drawn my attention and distracted me. When I released it from its burden of being a repository of tools and other bits and bobs, it was with the intention of cutting it up and recycling the beautiful wood. But, as I looked at it, I was reminded of the couple of days I spent in great company learning how to make it.
I have taken myself off to do many courses over the years, learning a lot and having a great time. However, the only school of woodworking I have returned to again and again is Bevel Woodworking School just outside Fethard in Wexford. The very first time I arrived there I was smitten – the workshop is an Aladdin’s cave of work working wonder – beautiful tools and in other parts beautiful pieces of furniture, the odd Boat under construction, a chainsaw carving in progress, and a very welcoming woodburning stove to take the chill out of the air. Every tool you need to complete the course is laid out at your fingertips and is perfectly tuned to enable you to concentrate on the job in hand.
Many years ago, I fell in love with the work of Renee Mackintosh and used his beautiful creations to inform my work and development as a chair maker. So, I was delighted to see a Mackintosh chair nestled in a corner off the main workshop. I asked Tommy about it; turns out he occasionally ran courses making the chair. Of course, I asked when the next one would be, but there were no immediate plans for one. I was desperate to learn proper joinery techniques and learning while making this chair would tick all my boxes.
Tommy Kelly is a master of his craft, not just furniture making and all things woodworking (boat building, chainsaw carving and various other things), but as an instructor. Someone can arrive at his workshop having never lifted a tool or looked at wood as anything other than for burning and leave with a beautiful, functional, aesthetically pleasing piece, having had a fabulous time learning new skills, getting to know the other learners and, best of all, having a good laugh all the way through the course. Everything is relaxed, but focused, and Tommy guides you, with consummate ease, through every step of the process. There are, as I found out, very few mistakes a fella can made, only opportunities for design creativity.
With each visit I pestered Tommy to run the Mackintosh course, as did Gethan, a fellow enthusiast, partner in woodworking ‘creativity’ and wonderful lunch companion. Eventually he relented and I duly turned up to learn new skills – thankfully Gethan also rocked up to the course and we worked together on our chairs. As diligent as we were, we probably spent more time laughing and surreptitiously inventing new ways to cover up our mistakes before Tommy’s keen eye noticed, than we did being model pupils.
Lunch was a gastronomic affair with us all piling into a couple of cars and heading down to the Wheelhouse café for a well-earned meal. In fact, this is, for me, one of the highlights of doing a course with Tommy – their Nut Roast is something to behold! Between times there was plenty of tea and coffee to be had, along with never-ending packets of biscuits in the workshop tearoom.
So, we worked, we laughed, we chatted, we learned, and we had a fantastic time. At the end of two days, we had the completed chair – just final finishing to be done and a seat of our choosing to be created when we returned home. How Tommy got us from zero to a completed chair in only 2 days is a complete mystery to me. I still wonder about it and can only conclude that this is the consequence of his incredible skill, and ability as an instructor.
And there it was left – I returned home and put the chair in the workshop fully intending to finish it as soon as possible. When I’d told Tommy I was going to put a Yew seat on it, there was a faint flicker of an unconvinced eyebrow. I see his point. I know, from speaking to Gethan afterwards, that an upholstered seat is the preferred and more conventional option, and hers worked out beautifully, as did the black stain she applied. Her chair is a thing of great beauty.
Anyway, the other day I decided it was time, and I had an off cut of a Yew board looking for its purpose in life, so I set to. A lot of planing and finessing, some sanding and general tidying up of the chair and I was ready to work on the seat. I can see how the rich colours of the Yew may jar a little with the lightness of the Cherry of the chair, but after waxing and polishing and over time the Cherry will take on a rich dark hue and all will blend to form a unified whole – I hope. If not, I can always teach myself upholstery.
Mackintosh – Cherry and Yew Chair – Jason Robards – Hedgerow Crafts
Mackintosh – Cherry and Yew Chair – Jason Robards – Hedgerow Crafts
Mackintosh – Cherry and Yew Chair – Jason Robards – Hedgerow Crafts
Mackintosh – Cherry and Yew Chair – Jason Robards – Hedgerow Crafts
I’m very happy with my chair. But I am even more delighted by the time I spent learning new skills under Tommy’s patient and expert guidance, and the laughs we all had. The itch has been well and truly scratched.
Thanks, Gethan for being such good company on this little journey.
I cannot recommend Bevel Woodwork School highly enough to anyone who may want to have a go at learning new skills and making a piece to be proud of. Tommy will guide you every step of the way and you will have a marvellous experience in his company. Give him a call, check out his website, and book a course – you will not be disappointed.
Thanks, Tommy.