I'm currently looking at the career change route and have decided that a future in furniture making is for me. I really am going to put all my eggs in one basket and want to commit to a one year(ish) full time intensive course...and i wondered if other people had experiences with these they might share.

I've drawn up a list of workshops to visit, and have started these vists but maybe people can point out other reputable schools i might have missed. And does anyone know of any in the midlands or north east? My list so far is..David Savage, Williams and Cleal, Jonathon Markovitz and the chippendale school....any opinions or advice would be fantastic.

Also if there are any established makers in the midlands or north who might consider taking a paying student or offering some sort of mentorship role i'd love to hear from you,

                       Thanks,

                                          Steve.

Big move Steve! Best of luck with it, and welcome to the forum.

You could talk to David Charlesworth here who runs all sorts of courses of the highest possible reputation. I am sure he could point you in the right direction.

Mike 

Steve,

If you take any of the magazines, i.e. Good Wood and the woodworker, to name but a few, you will find constant advertising and articles on this that should give you all you need.

You're a hero to do this and make a lot of people, includin me, very envious.

Derek. 

Steve,

stick a few details in your profile, especially your county......it makes it so much better here on the forum! (And don't forget to tick the boxes!)

Mike 

Steve,

I looked in the latest Woodworker magazine. Try, Bob Lambert, email, skills.development@ntlworld.com or, John Lloyd at, no email, www.johnlloydfinefurnitur.co.uk. These for a start.

If you emailed Mark Baker, editor of New Woodworking at markbaker@gmcgroup.com they are members of the Guild of Master Crafsmen and should be able to give you a comprehensive list for all your requirements.

Derek. 

Hi Steve,

Here's another one for you.

David Savage

David runs full time intensive 1 year courses from his working cabinetmaking shop in Devon, so students get to work alongside and learn from trained makers. He uses a training system based on the one developed in medieval times when true craftsmanship was at its glorious zenith.

You can train to the point where you can walk into a professional shop and be ready for fast tracking, or go the whole hog and learn to design, make and run a business yourself.

David's website is a gold mine of useful information and whether you apply for a place with him or not you could do a lot worse than spend a few hours reading around his site, blog, signing up for his newsletter etc.

Cheers,

Matthew

www.workshopheaven.com

edit: already on your list, sorry! 

John Lloyd's email is info@johnlloydfinefurniture.co.uk.

Cheers,

Matthew

www.workshopheaven.com

Bruce Luckhurst is another one I see advertised.

Best of luck to you on your new venture!

Thanks very much for all your help, i've contacted a few now so we'll see what happens... if anyone does hear of anything else tho please keep me posted!

                                                cheers,

                                                            Steve M

Good luck Steve, I wish I had had your vision 30 years ago.

Malc.