2023 Professional Steam Bending Course

Join us for 3 days taking your steam-bending journey even further! Every year we push the boundaries of what it is possible achieve in three days, and this year, aside from the all the basic and advanced lessons and processes, we have 3 'firsts' for us which we hope you will benefit from.

1.  Guest speaker and teacher David Colwell. If you don't know of him you need to know - over 40 years his continuing original work using steam-bending has influenced (whether they realise it or not) almost every designer-maker working today using this process. Aside from ingenious jigs, we have asked David to share the ethos of his work which combines ecology, process and product into one seamless 'design' which will take your breath away!  I consider this essential knowledge for the next generation of designers and designer-makers.

2.  We will be filming an archive. There is so much to take in we will be filming EVERYTHING so nothing will be lost! Attendees of the course will receive viewing access to the full footage of the course, and later we will also be putting out a much-edited version tbc.

3.  Architectural Bends - Due to repeated requests we will be bending >6inch thick Oak beams into large scale architectural bends similar to those used in the BBC Chelsea Flower Show garden we created for Arit Anderson.

Please see below for our draft schedule, this unlikely to change but will be confirmed mid-April

Friday 2nd June (Beginners Intro)

Beginners Course (if you’ve not done this already please book this separately here, and if you have done it you don't need to repeat… unless you want to!)

EVENING – We'll meet at the Derby Arms about 7pm if you want to join us (completely optional!)

Saturday (Learning)

Morning:

Green Bending (no steam)

Introduction to Sculptural bending with and without jigs

Jigs, taking it further

Architectural Bends

Afternoon:

David Colwell intro to Batch work

EVENING – Pizza and Talk by David Colwell followed by optional Sunset Whitbarrow walk (weather permitting)

Sunday (Doing)

Morning:

Mini design brief

Bench Bend

Afternoon:

Chair in an Afternoon

EVENING – BBQ – workshop open from 7pm, invite your friends.

Monday (Consolidating)

Morning:

Sawmill visit

Hot Laminating

Other Secrets

Steam-Chambers

End of structured teaching (you can leave anytime from lunch if needed without missing too much).

Afternoon:

Finishing personal projects

Final experiments

Packing up

EVENING – If you’re still with us and have any energy left we’ll be going for a walk/swim/canoe in the amazing surrounding National Park, please join us!!!

Accommodation:

This is not included in your course fee, however we have booked the whole of the wonderful 'Witherslack Cycle Barn' to help with this, offered on a first-come-first-served basis on the nights of Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th June only.  It is hostel accommodation as good as it comes, about 3 minute walk from our studio.  If you're coming in a campervan there are also electric hook-ups for two vehicles there.  To book please add this to your order here, and to book an additional nights please book directly with Steph on her excellent website https://www.witherslackcyclebarn.co.uk  If you prefer more private or luxurious accommodation we are located at the southern end of the Lake District National Park with a very many other options but do book early.

Travel:

We are only a small team of designer-makers but once a year we will get you to and from the train station if you ask us!

If you're travelling from far-afield including London we recommend getting a train to either Grange-Over-Sands or Oxenholme.

If you want to purchase timber or take home a large item you will need drive, please let us know in advance so we ensure enough parking.  There is a charging point for 1 x electric vehicle using the ‘Charge Assist app’.

Student places:

If you’re currently a full-time student we are offering up to 6 placements over the four days of the course.  You’ll take part in all aspects of the course but will also be asked to help in a small way making people feel welcome, tea duty etc, filming and occasionally keeping steamers topped up and help prepare bends.  You won’t be taking home a chair or finished product but will get to take home many of the sample/test pieces for your portfolio and will also get access to all photos and film footage taken during the course to contribute to your studies.

The student places are free, and free accommodation offered in a shared room (2 x bunkbeds and 2 x singles) at Witherslack Cycle Barn if wanted.

To apply please email us with your CV and covering letter.