Shaker Box Course

Our first Dwellingup workshop for 2024.

Spend two days in peaceful Dwellingup making Shaker Boxes.

The Course:             

Practice the traditional methods used by the “Shakers” to construct a series of three oval timber boxes. Select suitable timber bands and determine their outside face.

Mark out the “Swallow Tails” and tack location, rough out and final trim of the fingers.

Soak the band in hot water, curl it around the selected core and fix the swallow tails with copper tacks.

Insert shapers at both ends of the oval and set aside to dry, repeat all the above steps for the top box band and leave on the box band to dry.

Select top and bottom boards, mark out and sand to a perfect fit. Drill holes around the rim and fit wooden pegs.       

When:                        19th – 21st April 2024

Where:                       Dwellingup Forest Discovery Centre Workshop

Accommodation:      Jarrah Forest Lodge

Cost:                           $450 per person. Limited to 9 participants.

Included:                  

Hire of the Forest Centre workshop for two days.

Two dedicated teachers for both days

All the timber bands, pattens, formers, shapers, water trays and copper tacks required, for you to complete three different sized boxes.

Two nights’ accommodation at the Forest Lodge.

Breakfast, morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea on both days.

Dinner on Saturday night.

Requirements:         

Participants will need to bring along their own tools, and we will send the participant a tool list.    

Timetable:                 

Friday We will go up late on Friday afternoon to book into our rooms and then retire to the Tavern for dinner (This will be at the members cost) and a discussion.

Saturday After an early cooked breakfast, we will be in the workshop for a full day of hands-on box making. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided, stroll back to the Lodge for a quick lunch and then have dinner, which will leave plenty of time to discuss the days production!

Sunday Again, there will be a cooked breakfast, and before we head to the workshop, we will pack up our rooms. Another full day at the workbench with Harry and Carolyn, including morning and afternoon tea and lunch, including around 4 or 5pm.

So come along and join us for two days at the Forest Discovery Centre, Dwellingup on the 20th and 21st April 2024 to discover a different way of making boxes.

These sessions will be thoroughly interesting and in the middle of the jarrah forest – so come and unwind and relax. Anyone that is interested should send me an e-mail to make a reservation. These places will be awarded on a first come first served basis and those successful will be asked for a deposit to secure their place. We would like to remind everyone that the Association is a “not for profit organisation” so the value charged for any event is only to cover the costs involved. Again, this is intended to be an enjoyable learning event, with plenty of time to socialise and discuss all the techniques you have seen, with the other members on the course.

These are intended to be fun and hope you will join us for something a little bit different and make the perfect Christmas present.