Cerdeira is a very special place.
The village was originally built by and for goat herders. It has been lovingly resurrected from ruins over the past 30 years, and turned into a beautiful and peaceful centre for culture and the arts. It is run by German sculptor Kerstin Thomas whose creative presence can be felt in every aspect of the place. This is a truly comprehensive course on making green wood furniture, shared in the stunning surroundings of Cerdeira.
About the course in 2027:
There are two basic methods of construction used in green wood furniture making, and by the end of this course you will be conversant in both.
You’ll learn the technical basics of how to work with green wood; splitting and shaping with hand tools, then use two different methodologies to make unique furniture by hand.
Over eight days, including a rest day immersed in nature, you’ll learn the basics of green woodworking techniques by building two different pieces of furniture with freshly cut wood from the surrounding mountains. You will be encouraged to add unique shapes to your pieces by exploring steam bending. You’ll also learn how to handle, sharpen, and care for your tools, to continue your creative journey at home.
This course is perfect for beginners eager to work with wood in direct contact with nature, as well as for professionals and enthusiasts looking to deepen and refresh their skills. At the end, you’ll take home two new pieces of furniture, all made by hand!
This course will give you:
A simple “post and rung” stool with a woven seat, designed and made by you;
A “slab and stick” chair or small bench.
Hands-On experience: build two items using two different techniques (slab & stick and post & rung), plus steam bending.
Sharp tools! - Well-sharpened and cared-for tools are fundamental to the success of our work, so you’ll learn how to sharpen and maintain your tools.
Additional Information:
This course doesn’t require any previous experience. If you have prior experience with green wood, this course is perfect to refine and enhance your skills.
Sharpening tools: If you have some good old chisels at home that you want to bring back to life, just bring them with you! We can also advise you on a simple sharpening kit to keep your tools forever sharp. Get in touch with us to know more!
Travel Considerations:
Please note that the woven stool to build cannot be disassembled. If you are traveling from abroad, contact us to discuss options for transporting your stool!
Cerdeira is a very special place.
The village was originally built by and for goat herders. It has been lovingly resurrected from ruins over the past 30 years, and turned into a beautiful and peaceful centre for culture and the arts. It is run by German sculptor Kerstin Thomas whose creative presence can be felt in every aspect of the place. This is a truly comprehensive course on making green wood furniture, shared in the stunning surroundings of Cerdeira.
About the course in 2027:
There are two basic methods of construction used in green wood furniture making, and by the end of this course you will be conversant in both.
You’ll learn the technical basics of how to work with green wood; splitting and shaping with hand tools, then use two different methodologies to make unique furniture by hand.
Over eight days, including a rest day immersed in nature, you’ll learn the basics of green woodworking techniques by building two different pieces of furniture with freshly cut wood from the surrounding mountains. You will be encouraged to add unique shapes to your pieces by exploring steam bending. You’ll also learn how to handle, sharpen, and care for your tools, to continue your creative journey at home.
This course is perfect for beginners eager to work with wood in direct contact with nature, as well as for professionals and enthusiasts looking to deepen and refresh their skills. At the end, you’ll take home two new pieces of furniture, all made by hand!
This course will give you:
A simple “post and rung” stool with a woven seat, designed and made by you;
A “slab and stick” chair or small bench.
Hands-On experience: build two items using two different techniques (slab & stick and post & rung), plus steam bending.
Sharp tools! - Well-sharpened and cared-for tools are fundamental to the success of our work, so you’ll learn how to sharpen and maintain your tools.
Additional Information:
This course doesn’t require any previous experience. If you have prior experience with green wood, this course is perfect to refine and enhance your skills.
Sharpening tools: If you have some good old chisels at home that you want to bring back to life, just bring them with you! We can also advise you on a simple sharpening kit to keep your tools forever sharp. Get in touch with us to know more!
Travel Considerations:
Please note that the woven stool to build cannot be disassembled. If you are traveling from abroad, contact us to discuss options for transporting your stool!
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