Term 2, Week Nine: Approaching the Finish Line

It’s the end of week nine in term 2 and the effort across the workshop continues at full pace. For many students working on their first self-design project, the finish line is now clearly in sight. With only two weeks remaining for our two-term Designer Maker students, it’s the final push.

The second term always passes incredibly quickly, and it’s impressive to see how well this group has managed their time and ambitions. Designing a project that fills the term is very much part of the brief, and many students have done exactly that.

Max’s Cherry Sideboard

Max is essentially at the finish line now, with just the final sanding and oiling to go. He’s done a superb job fitting the doors and aligning all of those decorative door staves. Despite being on the two-term course, he’s even considering squeezing in a chair before the end, and given how quickly he’s worked so far, we wouldn’t put it past him!

Brian’s Interim Project

Brian completed his maple media unit last week and has since been experimenting with curved laminations for a lamp design. A nice exploratory project before beginning his second self-design project.

Steve’s Drinks Cabinet Details

Steve has been making excellent progress on the door fronts for his drinks cabinet. The slats have now been made, carefully sanded, and oiled. Lined up across the bench they already look fantastic, and once assembled onto the cabinet they’ll going to look amazing!

Matt’s Walnut Desk

Matt is also getting very close with his walnut desk. At the moment the piece is upside down as he begins assembling the subframe and integrated drawer carcase. It’s been a carefully considered design from the beginning, and we’re all looking forward to seeing it fully assembled.

Ben’s Sanding Marathon

Ben has had what can only be described as a sanding extravaganza! Before attaching the decorative slats around his cabinet, which also function as tactile handles, he had to work through sanding more than ninety individual pieces. It took the best part of a week, and while we certainly sympathise with the effort involved, the results are going to be worth it for sure!

Nick’s Maple Credenza

Nick has been working hard on his maple credenza, which will live behind the sofa in his home, offering a lovely visual as you enter the room. Recently he’s been refining the subframe, trimming the wedged through-tenons and working through the sanding stages. The rounded dovetails on the carcase are looking fantastic and give the piece a distinctive character.

With just two weeks remaining for the two-term students, the workshop is buzzing with focus and determination. Pieces are coming together quickly now, and it’s an exciting stage where all the earlier planning, joinery and refinement begin to resolve into finished pieces.

We’re looking forward to sharing the final pics of these projects very soon.

Upcoming Short Courses

We still have a small number of places available on several upcoming courses:

NEW 5-Day Mirror Making Course with Lamination and Hand Shaping — Starts May 11th
Dovetailed Box Making 10-day course starting 16th March
4-Week Furniture Making Course Starting 29th June — spaces available, but very limited.
12-Week Long Course Starting April 20th — Now Fully Booked
Designer Maker Course Our next 3-Term Designer Maker course starting in September is now fully booked. The 2-term course is nearly full, so do get in touch soon if you’re interested — It’s a particularly good fit for international students and may align with a 26-week study visa (subject to current visa requirements).

Short course bookings can be made online. For long course enquiries, please contact Oliver Waters at: school@watersandacland.co.uk

For full details on all courses, visit: