hello every one, i just wanted to see who went to school for woodworking/furniture making because i am currently at a trade school and we are learning general carpentry like framing, mil work, cabinetry, etc. So im very interested in furniture making and want to go to school after my trade school so if any one has any recommendations for schools in the north/east part of united states i currently like in connecticut and i was looking at school in maine. so any input would help. thanks
Replies
Of course there is the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Maine. But, there are some other well respected programs in the Northeast. Phil Lowe's Furniture Institute of Massachusetts, in Beverly MA is one. And, of course, there is the North Bennett Street School in Boston.
two good ones
The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Maine and North Bennet Street are both outstanding. I took the short (twelve-week) course in Maine, but I was not looking to start a woodworking business. For that you probably need a longer course. The CFCM programs are outstanding. And they have you come up with several commercial products as part of the longest course. Some students actually use these products to start a (very) small business. For both schools time and money will be a big consideration.
well im getting out of high school soon so this would b my college and i would take the 9 month intensive
Probably there are significant differences in focus and direction between schools. Is your primary interest design? Cabinetry? Solid wood? Reproductions? One of kind? Turning? Marquetry? Finishing?
Wood technology, such as in Bruce Hoadley's Understanding Wood and underlying hand and power woodworking skills may be fundamental to any direction, but may not be equally stressed at all schools. This background alone could fill 9 months, depending on how quickly your skills develop.
Take at look at the Frank Klauz videos - he spent years as an apprentice but the results speak for themselves. You have a great opportunity, but woodworking alone may not be enough for a lifetime. At minimum some business course background would be very helpful if one day you hope to own a business.
in the woodworking field, it's also very difficult to make a living when competing against mass produced cabinetry and factory furniture. Not impossible, but creativity in marketing and good luck can be as important as woodworking skills.
hey don
don- i am mostly interested in solid wood custom furniture i can not stand plywood due to the difficulty in working it with hand tools i love the sweet sound of a well sharpened plane through clear white pine and the smell it leaves i was planing on going to a collage for business so i can have some clue how to make money because even though the want to work is there i still need to be able to get work. i will look into frank klauz's videos thanks for your help
chris
You might find a good b-school at a university that also has woodworking program in art college or something similar. B school is a great strategy as that degree can be used in some many different ways.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled