Hi everybody,
I have been a cabinetmaker in Bellingham, WA for about 8 months now and I aspire to be a fine furnituremaker. I’m stuck in a rut, working with plywood and brad nail guns all day, while I would rather be dovetailing drawers and stretching myself to make beautiful furniture that has nothing to hide. I have been keeping my eyes and ears open for an apprenticeship with a furnituremaker and I am in the process of applying to College of the Redwoods.
Does anyone have any specific advice about local (WA) craftsman or schools on the West Coast? Have any of you been students at College of the Redwoods? Also, I am considering asking Alan Rosen (Lummi Island, WA) about an apprenticeship. Let me know if you can help.
Thanks,
Greg (or Wood Warrior, if you choose!)
Replies
Go for it, Greg. I'll pass on the "wood warrior" thing, it sounds like you've been using a nail gun too long.
College of the Redwoods is a great place to start for artistic guidance and attitude. Come to MontanaFest and you'll get a chance to meet at least one graduate, Link Van Cleave, who'll be doing a workshop on making wood hand planes.
Apprenticeships are more like on the job training in this country, don't expect to learn everything from one guy. It's a path and you'll go through many twists and turns. Learn where you can and practice all you can. No one is going to pay you to learn, they will use you for labor so your own education is ultimately your own responsibility.
Talk to some furniture makers who's work you respect and talk your way into a job. There's quite a lot of woodworking going on in that area and there's quite an active guild in the Seattle/Tacoma area. Join the guild if you can and set up connections from there.
Lee
http://www.furniturecarver.com/MontanaFest.html
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