Double curved box introductory weekend

Description

This is an introductory weekend to the full 11 day version of this course, also offered on this site. All templates and jigs are made, and the basic box assembled. Subsequent processes - veneering, inlaying, fitting out the interior, fitting the hardware and finishing - are all covered in detail and supported by comprehensive notes with a view to enabling an experienced woodworker to complete the project on their own. The weekend is equivalent to the first 2 days of part-one of the full course, and if I have the space available this can be joined on day 3 by those having attended the introductory course.

What's included in the price?

All materials and tools are provided, although participants are welcome to bring their own veneers and/or hand tools if they like. Excellent coffee, tea and biscuits are available throughout. Lunch is in the local pub on day one, each pays own, then subsequent days either in the pub, or sandwiches in the workshop by mutual agreement.

Cancellation policy

Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts

Maker

smartBoxmaker

with Craft Courses since 2025

Message the tutor

Andrew Crawford is an internationally renowned and respected craftsman specialising in the creation of distinctive one-of-a-kind high-end boxes and cases. He has worked for an impressive list of private and corporate clients worldwide for more than 30 years. Originally trained as a musician specialising in C18th flutes, until recently Andrew was performing and recording regularly with many of the top UK period instrument ensembles. A love of wood led Andrew to study guitar and C18th flute making at the London College of Furniture. But he has avoided the obvious marriage of music and wood - musical instrument making - preferring to make use of some of the skills and approaches he picked up to develop a style of box making he has made his own, featuring as it does multiple curves, fine veneering, distinctive inlaid motifs and complex interiors. Since moving from a cramped shared London workshop to extensive barn conversion workshops on the Acton Scott Estate in beautiful South Shropshire, his activities have largely shifted from making towards teaching and writing. He has written three popular books on box making, and many hundreds of box makers, both amateur and professional and from all over the globe, have benefitted from his courses. These range from weekends to 2 weeks, both project and technique-based, both group and one-to-one, and cover a wide range of subjects including veneering, inlaying, box design, use of materials, french polishing and many other related techniques. Andrew, often known professionally as ‘smartBoxmaker’, has also been an invited instructor in Australia and the US. Being a perfectionist and dissatisfied with the box hardware generally available he has designed his own premium hardware. His ‘smartWare’ box hardware is now regularly used by 100s of discerning professional and amateur box makers all over the globe, being regularly referred to as the ‘Rolex’ or ‘Rolls Royce’ of box hardware.