Crafts

**Full details and registration via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/24-week-woodwork-course/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/24-week-woodwork-course/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHky3gSwNvyY3gMX8-nzJPpYI54NC-41zxS9rUBqi2C-m0fWe4mJz--IcaBFI_aem_sDPCSmInHUug8trN3vRJZQ) **⋆⋆⋆** This is a content rich class and it will not be easy to catch up or redo a missed day, so please consider this when contemplating joining the course. **Suitable for:** This course is suitable for absolute beginners as well as those who have some previous experience. As much of the learning is transferred verbally, a good knowledge of English is required. We do not have minimum academic qualification requirements. **About:** If you would like to invest in yourself and learn practical skills for life, but are not interested in the academic study side of certification, this is a long woodwork course designed to take you from complete beginner to competent woodworker over 24 weeks. Using a mixture of traditional hand tools and some basic power tools, you will develop the confidence to build simple wood projects and take on many DIY and home improvement projects. Maximising your time with practical exercises, you will journey through the wonderful world of wood with an expert wood worker and tutor, who will enthuse and inspire you as you proceed. During your development, you will be able to adapt each project to suit your needs and as the number of people on the course will be small, you will have plenty of opportunity to personalise your craft skills. We keep our classes small so that a maximum of 8 students will ensure you benefit from close personal attention during your course.

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/hard-wood-treasure-box-15/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/hard-wood-treasure-box-15/) **⋆⋆⋆** This is a content rich three-day course in a very small class size which includes: * **Supervised use of woodwork machinery**. **(surface planer thicknesser, panel saw, table router, hand router and bandsaw.)** * **Learning how to use jigs and rods**. * **Solid wood carcass construction.** From a technical drawing and a length of timber to the final sanding of the completed box, expert furniture maker and tutor, Marcin Waszak will guide each learner through all the steps needed to create this hardwood treasure box. The box measures 330mm x 304mm x 180mm and can be used to store lots of special things and perhaps become an heirloom! The beautiful hardwood and veneers used for this project has been sourced and prepared from a sustainable woodyard. The course begins by explaining how to stay safe while using our professional and powerful woodworking machines. Marcin will talk you through the materials and tools you will be using and let you practice before beginning the project. We have created a cutting list so that each person can learn how to process the wood and begin making very quickly. If you hanker to use some big machines and learn how to use jigs and to work accurately from plans, this is a great course for you. **Steps to making your own Treasure Box:** 1. Student introductions, inspirations and knowledge. 2. Introduction to the project. 3. Health and Safety. 4. Understanding the materials and tools we will be using in this course (wood technology, proper usage of the tools, jigs). 5. Practice on how to use the tools and jigs in the workshop. 6. Cutting list. 7. Making. Marcin says: ‘I will approach the sessions with a solid introduction not only to Health and Safety but to give an understanding of materials and tools. I believe it’s important to understand the nature of different types of wood and how it reacts (i.e. depending on variety, cut or thickness) when handling it, glueing or using different tools. There will be a great focus on how to use tools and machinery in the correct way for best results. We will be starting from technical drawing explanation and introduction to the material and the design itself. I will love to know people’s backgrounds before we start the session so everyone will feel more comfortable and confident to work as a team. I will have prepared a cutting list to make things easier and so we can start making (and having fun) as soon as possible. I would like to make the sessions inclusive and provide a safe space for everyone. I always take people’s abilities into account and endeavour to be there for students that want to share their struggles in order to make the making experience something they can enjoy.’

**Bookable via our website ➡️** https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-woodwork-flip-lid-dovetail-box-5-afternoons-2/ ⋆⋆⋆ An absorbing course for confident beginners and an enjoyable learning experience for anyone with a little woodworking experience. Using a fusion of hardwood and softwood, this five-week course will teach you the fundamentals of woodwork and give you an opportunity to use classic hand tools; brass-backed tenon saws, sharp wood chisels and delicately honed vintage wood planes. This well-proportioned flip-lidded box is constructed of European redwood using a single dovetail joint at each corner and the fitted hardwood lid is attached to the base by a handmade ‘dowel’ peg hinge. The project will familiarise learners with many classic woodwork techniques and is taught with patience and enthusiasm by Andy Nicholl, who has devised this informative and challenging project. You will take home a treasure to treasure- and we hope it will enthuse you to learn how to make many handmade woodwork projects in the years to come. If your keyboard-weary hands have been needing the skill to fulfil and satisfy a yearning desire to create something you can hold, come and join us in our well-equipped and inspiring workshops and discover the wonderful world of woodwork. **Key skills:** * Measuring marking and cutting dovetail joints to make an accurate framed box. * Planing and shaping a hardwood lid to fit the softwood frame base. * Making and fitting a hardwood dowel joint to attach the frame base to the lid.

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-japanese-joints-5-evenings/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-japanese-joints-5-evenings/) ⋆⋆⋆ **Intro to Japanese Joints** If you are intrigued by the precision and elegance of Japanese joinery, we hope you will join us for six sessions of learning how to produce Japanese joints. Using unique and creative ways to avoid using screws, nails, and glue, this art is passed down from master to apprentice. Even with the advent of power tools, the craft is still practised by hand as a sign of respect towards their heritage, culture, and traditions. Japanese woodworking is all about principle, discipline, and accuracy. The lack of power tools is a testament to the practice put into mastering the craft. Experienced woodworker Auram Desforges is a Japanese joinery enthusiast. He will guide you through the Japanese tools and techniques to make several wood joints. You will learn which tools to use, and how to measure and cut with accuracy so that you can attempt any joint design in the future. Expect a calm workshop with lots of concentration. This course is not project-based but you will take home as many joints as you have crafted. Auram teaches other classes at the centre: Kumiko coasters, Kumiko lamp, Make a chair

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/carpentry-for-beginners-10-evenings-wood-table-2/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/carpentry-for-beginners-10-evenings-wood-table-2/) ⋆⋆⋆ In this throw-away age, when all the furniture we own is assembled and not built, we are pleased to offer an opportunity to spend some precious time learning how to use ageless tools to make something everlasting from wood. These 12 evenings are a perfect starting point for many aspects of woodwork that will give you the confidence to choose and replicate basic wood joints into other projects. Using a mixture of traditional hand tools and modern drills and saws, experienced Woodworker, Len Conway will guide and inspire you as he teaches age-old techniques in joinery. As you begin making objects traditionally constructed from seasoned pine, you will learn how to use and care for chisels, saws, planes and spokeshaves. Len is an experienced woodworker and teacher. Students will work on a variety of exercises – designed to incorporate simple to advanced joints and tools that build confidence and independence. Over 12 weeks, we will cover many aspects of traditional carpentry tuition. There will be lots of practical exercises in each session including a project to make a simple frame table that you will take home. Students will work on a variety of exercises – designed to incorporate simple to advanced joints and tools that build confidence and independence. **Step I – We will get familiar with some tools of the trade:** * Introducing basic tools. Equipping a toolbox for home carpentry. * Timber selection/marking out and cutting. Tips on woods, saws and drills. * Using a plane, different types of planes. Sharpening tips and practice. * Using a chisel and its uses. Sharpening tips and practice. **Step II – You will use planes, chisels and marking tools:** * Simple joints and why we use them. * Half joints, lap joints. Practice using chisels and planes. * Bridle joints and a mortise and tenon **Step III – You will make a simple project to take home:** It’s fast-paced but with the support of Len, you will complete your own project to make a simple frame and legs for a small table * Work from selected pine and measure, mark and cut pieces. * Choose and make joints, assemble and secure with adhesive or screws. * Sand and smooth to a stage where your project is ready for staining or waxing and taken home with pride. All personal protection, the use of tools and basic materials are included.

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/upholstery-bring-your-own-chair-monday-eve-19/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/upholstery-bring-your-own-chair-monday-eve-19/) **⋆⋆⋆** KEY PROJECT: RE-UPHOLSTERING YOUR OWN CHAIR. Suitable for beginners and fun for advanced learners. This workshop is led by Krasmira Nikolova, an experienced upholsterer. We provide the use of all upholstery tools and equipment including compressed air staple guns. Basic upholstery materials that you require for your project will be moderately charged on a pay-as-you-use basis and will be dependent on each chair’s requirements. We can advise you on the purchase of your top fabric and we have a lovely library of fabric samples to help make up your mind. The Goodlife Centre sells all the basic tools and materials for use on projects worked on at home. This is a fantastic chance to up-cycle and personalise a family piece you have at home or a junk shop find and a great way to immerse yourself into the wonderful world of upholstery. The course is suitable for both beginners and those who have a basic knowledge but little experience who wish to extend their expertise. **Choosing a suitable chair** If you are a newcomer to upholstery, there are a couple of pointers to help you choose a chair to work on. Choose something that has one or two flat planes – a seat and a back – as curves and arms are more complex and take longer to achieve. The chair on the right was completed in about 12 weeks. If you are a complete beginner, you could bring something more simple such as an upholstered footstool. More experienced upholsters can bring more complex pieces. Your chair can be traditionally built or modern, but be aware that some modern pieces have been constructed using machinery and are difficult to recreate by hand. [Click here for a detailed PDF of suitable chairs.](https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2r8UvbQtaH5RTVKUjlBdkhDX3c/view?usp=sharing) **Please email info@thegoodlifecentre.co.uk with a photo of your chair prior to the course so we can answer any suitability questions and advise if your chair is suitable**. We have very limited storage at the centre, so we can only store smaller pieces during the course. Please make sure the total dimensions are less than 1000mm high by 750mm wide, with a depth of 750mm. The use of tools and machinery is included. All materials will be charged at nominal rates. Some materials will not be kept in stock but can be ordered. Approved projects can be stored at the centre. We cannot offer additional time to work on your project outside of workshop times.

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/gardening-in-small-spaces-house-plants-9/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/gardening-in-small-spaces-house-plants-9/) ⋆⋆⋆ Perfect for beginners. ‘Purple thumbs’ are welcome. For everyone who wishes to learn about plants but doesn’t want to set off on a full-time training course Your space may be a balcony, a tiny front yard, a windy terrace or a dim space in front of a basement window. Do you want to start growing plants but don’t know how? Are you mystified why plants hate you? If you want to begin gardening, you may not know where to start, these sessions with professional gardener Jane Rogers, will instil confidence and drip-feed you with enough knowledge to watch your green fingers grow. This half-day workshop is designed to demystify the reasons that your plants don’t thrive and how to choose the best plants for your type of space. As Jane explains the selection process for your type of terrain, you will construct a flowerpot with individually mixed soil and a seasonal selection of plants to take home. Dig into the wonderful world of gardening – we offer advice and tips for busy people who don’t have a lot of time to care for their new green friends. Jane Rogers is a busy professional gardener and has led many workshops including long and short courses at Kew Gardens, London.

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/hand-caning-furniture-95/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/hand-caning-furniture-95/) **⋆⋆⋆** **Also known as Hand, Strand or Hole-to-Hole Caning.** KEY PROJECT: HAND CANED WOOD FRAME. Suitable for beginners. Enjoyable for all. One-day weekend workshop. 10am – 5pm. Ever seen a great chair in a junk shop but noticed that the caning that spans the seat is sadly coming away at the edges? Sometimes a chair that had been caned has had an unsightly slab of plywood tacked onto the broken seat. This is an opportunity to increase your upholstery know-how and bring a ‘once pretty’ seat up to scratch. Now you will be able to snap up a bargain and re-cane the seat yourself. The task is not as daunting as you think and can be done easily in a domestic setting with no specialist equipment- unless a washing-up bowl and some golf tees could be defined as such. This is a very old traditional craft, sometimes known as hand, strand or hole-to-hole caning. Specialist split cane is woven from side to side and fixed in place. During the one-day workshop, upholstery expert Netty Erw will inspire confidence while guiding you through the stages of intertwining the fine split canes. At the end of the day, you will have completed a square panel of traditional caning to take home with pride. The skills learnt during the day will enable you to embark on your own project at home. Netty has learned her skills from her clever aunt Rachael South, who in turn learned from her grandfather. We are thrilled to share in this generation's cascade of talent. All use of tools and materials supplied. We have a cane to buy after the course if you want to get started as soon as you get home. Beginners welcome. No previous experience in upholstery is required. If your chair is wobbly or scuffed – or even repainted, you can come to our ‘[Intro to Furniture Restoration](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/furniture-restoration-wood-revival/)‘ day course and learn how to make it look loved and valued again.

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-machine-sewing-1-day-86](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-machine-sewing-1-day-86) ⋆⋆⋆ If you would love to run up some new clothes or just fix a seam but are daunted by all those controls on a sewing machine, our one-day workshop will demystify them all and send you home with newfound confidence and a simple item you will make during the day. Experienced tutor Ian McQueen will guide you through how to recognise all the parts of a machine, thread the bobbins, and sew neat rows of stitching on basic materials. How to read rulers and tape measures and cut fabric accurately. Make hems, seam allowances and French seams. We have various user-friendly machines for you to try which will help you choose if you are planning on purchasing one soon. Bring lots of questions and we will supply everything else. Our classes are small and each person has a machine to themselves for the day. This is an excellent confidence booster and a great primer for all of our project sewing courses.

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-woodturning-119/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-woodturning-119/) **⋆⋆⋆** If you have ever seen wood turned on a lathe and been intrigued by the bowls and forms made on it, this one-day workshop will demystify the technique and teach you basic techniques to make a simple bowl and a hardwood barreled pen. You will be led by expert, Nathan Cardwell who is a passionate woodworker and a patient tutor. When not with us, he teaches woodwork in a London boy’s school. Nathan will introduce the parts of the lathe and explain how to safely secure your work, the methods to use with each chisel and how to sand and finish your projects. During the day you will learn the ’Headstock method’ to make a small bowl in hardwood and ‘Spindle turning’ to make a wooden tube that fits into a metal pen mechanism. We will supply everything so come with curiosity and enthusiasm and leave with satisfaction, a bowl and a ready-to-use rollerball pen. We will also advise you on how to continue this fascinating hobby with guidance on buying your own lathe, tools and timber.

**Bookable via our website ➡️** https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-woodwork-flip-lid-dovetail-box-6-evenings-53/ ⋆⋆⋆ **Course:** Intro to Woodwork – Flip Lid Dovetail Box **Duration:** 6 evenings 6.30-9pm /6 afternoon 2.30-5pm or 2 days 10-5pm / 5 evenings 6-9pm / 5 afternoons 2-5pm **Next start date:** Check our website: https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/intro-to-woodwork-flip-lid-dovetail-box/ **Suitable for:** Confident beginners. Some basic woodworking experience is useful for this course but not necessary. **About:** Using a fusion of hardwood and softwood, this six week evening course will teach you the fundamentals of woodwork and give you an opportunity to use classic hand tools; brass backed tenon saws, sharp wood chisels and delicately honed vintage wood planes. An absorbing course for confident beginners and a enjoyable learning experience for anyone with a little woodworking experience. Using a fusion of hardwood and softwood, this six week evening course will teach you the fundamentals of woodwork and give you an opportunity to use classic hand tools; brass backed tenon saws, sharp wood chisels and delicately honed vintage wood planes. This well proportioned flip lidded box is constructed of European Redwood using a single dovetail joint at each corner and the fitted hardwood lid is attached to the base by a handmade ‘dowel’ peg hinge. The project will familiarise learners with many classic woodwork techniques and is taught with patience and enthusiasm by Andy Nicholl, who has devised this informative and challenging project. You will take home a treasure to treasure and we hope it will enthuse you to learn how to make many handmade woodwork projects in the years to come. If your keyboard weary hands have been needing a skill to fulfil and satisfy a yearning desire to create something you can hold, come and join us in our well equipped and inspiring workshops and discover the wonderful world of woodwork.

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/console-table/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/console-table/) **⋆⋆⋆** **Suitable for:** Absolute beginners. No prior experience in woodworking is required for this course. **About:** Learn traditional carpentry skills using a mixture of hand tools and modern drills to create a beautiful console table at the height of your choice. This is a twelve evening course to make an elegant console table for your home. The workshop is suitable for confident beginners and will teach how to measure and mark your work and how to use saws, chisels , planes as you construct bridle, mortise and tenons and shoulder joints. The design of the table can be altered in height to adapt to a coffee table, a small breakfast bar or hall table. The base is constructed in pine and the top is furniture grade plywood. These 12 evenings are a perfect starting point for many aspects of woodwork that will give you confidence to choose and replicate basic wood joints into other projects. Using a mixture of traditional hand tools and modern drills and saws, our experienced tutor will guide and inspire you as they teach age old techniques in carpentry. As you begin making wood joints traditionally constructed from seasoned pine, you will learn how to use and care for chisels, saws, planes and spoke-shaves. Maximum dimensions: Table top: 18mm Birch plywood – 80cm x 40cm – Base H82cm x W68cm x D33cm – overall table height 85cm

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/make-a-wood-chair-12-evenings-20/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/make-a-wood-chair-12-evenings-20/) ⋆⋆⋆ A brand new varied and multi-skill twelve-week evening course. Over twelve evenings you will learn how to make a planked redwood seat and fit splayed oak or sapele legs and back rails to make an elegant ‘Staked’ chair. This version is derived from an ‘open source’ drawing in the Anarchist’s Design Book by Lost Art Press. The prototype has been made by the tutor- Auram Desforge, who grew up working on timber frame houses with his father in Canada. Each stage of the process will be demonstrated and then, using mostly traditional hand tools, you will produce a chair using the classic ‘Through wedged tenons’ with an elegant, curved back created from glueing together bent veneers in a press. You will be able to learn the pleasure of handling spokeshaves, a ‘bit and brace’ and fine finishing with cabinet scrapers. There is also some use of our workshop machines that you will be trained to use. Learn to measure, mark and make. Use the evenings to immerse yourself into the calming mental space of woodwork. Suitable for beginners. Trust the tools. You don’t have to be a lumberjack to master this chair. The use of all materials and tools is included.

**Join us for an evening of crafting at Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library!** ✂️🎨 Bring a project you’re currently working on (or start a new one) and enjoy a relaxed, creative space to craft alongside others from 6:30–8:30 PM. All forms of art and craft are welcome—knitting, crocheting, embroidery, drawing, jewelry making, paper crafts, and more. This is a casual, bring-your-own-project meetup with no formal instruction—just a chance to unwind, get inspired, and connect with fellow creatives. All skill levels are welcome. Come as you are and craft with us! *If the event is waitlisted, feel free to still join us.*

Join us for an evening of crafting at Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library! ✂️🎨 Bring a project you’re currently working on (or start a new one) and enjoy a relaxed, creative space to craft alongside others from 6:30–8:30 PM. All forms of art and craft are welcome—knitting, crocheting, embroidery, drawing, jewelry making, paper crafts, and more. This is a casual, bring-your-own-project meetup with no formal instruction—just a chance to unwind, get inspired, and connect with fellow creatives. All skill levels are welcome. Come as you are and craft with us! If the event is waitlisted, feel free to still join us.

Come bring your junk journal, scissors, and ephemera and let’s journal together! Any type of journal style is welcome.

🔥 **Wood Burning: Craft Your Own Personalized Wooden Spoons** 🔥Ignite your creativity and personalize your kitchenware! 👉**Registration** is **Online Only** at: [https://portal.nova-labs.org/event-6616434](https://portal.nova-labs.org/event-6616434) ***(No drop-ins accepted.)*** 🕒**When:** Sunday, **26 Apr 2026**, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM 📍**Where:** Nova Labs, 3850 Jermantown Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030 **Details:** Join us for a hands-on project class where you'll learn the beautiful art of wood burning. We will guide you through the basics as you permanently etch your own unique designs onto a wooden spoon. Whether you’re looking to create a decorative addition to your kitchen or a thoughtful, handmade gift, this class is the perfect way to make a custom keepsake! ⚠️ HOW TO REGISTER An RSVP on Meetup does NOT reserve your spot. **Please register via the link below** to attend. ***(No drop-ins accepted.)*** 👉[https://portal.nova-labs.org/event-6616434](https://portal.nova-labs.org/event-6616434) Hope to see you there!