Following the Fibers

Welcome to the shop!

Class begins Monday! Windsor chairmaking is unique in that the process begins with a log of fresh green wood. From there, the parts are shaved and shaped into a chair utilizing many of the same techniques and tools of our ancestors. The result is not only chair built to last a lifetime but an engaging and intimate experience. My shop is located In Auburn Ca at the base of the Sierra Mountains. We live in the country side surrounded Oak trees and the sounds of nature. There’s something very special about making chairs in this manner and I hope you’ll join me in my shop for Windsor chairmaking in Northern California

Custom Classes

If you don’t see something that you want or if a time doesn’t fit your schedule, always feel free to contact me as I’m pretty flexible and may be able make something work for you!

This is a great chair for the beginner while still offering plenty of challenge for the more experienced. Class begins Monday morning at 8 with riving out and shaping of all green parts and steam bending. Drilling, carving, shaping and assembly will comprise the remainder of the week. We will be working from Curtis Buchanan’s chair plans and sets are available for purchase from his website. Turnings will be provided as there is not enough time to teach this aspect of chairmaking. Arrangements can be made for the baluster turnings and more ornate style if you desire but a week or two’s notice would be needed ahead of the class. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any comments questions or concerns. I’d also highly recommend Curtis’s youtube series on chairmaking. Its free and will give you good heads up on how the class will go.

What to bring:

All tools will be provided but feel free to bring your own if you have favorites. I love hand tools as well! If time permits, I’d be more than happy to help students “tune” their tools at the end of the week.

A sack lunch

A Jacket just in case, I will have a heater going to warm the shop.

Places to stay

How to sign up:

Class is limited to 3 people with a $100 dollar deposit reuquired. Feel free to call or email me when you’re ready to sign up for class and you’ll be put on the schedule. Check, Paypal, or Cash accepted.

Class begins Monday morning at 8 with riving out and shaping of all green parts and steam bending. Drilling, carving, shaping and assembly will comprise the remainder of the week. We will be working from Curtis Buchanan’s chair plans and sets are available through him by clicking the link. Turnings will be provided as there is not enough time to teach this aspect of chairmaking. Arrangements can be made for the Contemporary version of this chair with double bobbin turnings; a week or two’s notice would be needed ahead of the class. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any comments questions or concerns. I’d also highly recommend Curtis’s youtube series on chairmaking. Its free and will give you good heads up on how the class will go.

What to bring:

All tools will be provided but feel free to bring your own if you have favorites. I love hand tools as well! If time permits, I’d be more than happy to help students “tune” their tools at the end of the week.

A sack lunch

A Jacket just in case, I will have a heater going to warm the shop.

Places to stay

How to sign up:

Class is limited to 3 people with a $100 dollar deposit reuquired. Feel free to call or email me when you’re ready to sign up for class and you’ll be put on the schedule. Check, Paypal, or Cash accepted.

This chair offers a bit more challenge. I ask that those signing up have previous greenwoodworking experience with either myself or another chairmaker. Class begins Monday morning at 8 with riving out and shaping of all green parts and steam bending. Drilling, carving, shaping and assembling will comprise the remainder of the week. We will be working from Curtis Buchanan's chair plans and a set will be available for purchase in class. Turnings will be provided as there is not enough time to teach this aspect of chairmaking. Arrangements can be made for the more ornate baluster turnings if you desire but a week or two’s notice would be needed ahead of the class. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any comments questions or concerns.

What to bring:

All tools will be provided but feel free to bring your own if you have favorites. I love hand tools as well! If time permits, I’d be more than happy to help students “tune” their tools at the end of the week.

A sack lunch

A Jacket just in case, but I will have a heater to warm the shop

Places to stay

How to sign up:

Class is limited to 3 people with a $100 dollar deposit reuquired. Feel free to call or email me when you’re ready to sign up for class and you’ll be put on the schedule. Check, Paypal, or Cash accepted.

This stool is based off of Perter Galbert’s perch with Glen Rundell’s contemporary flair. It’s forward lean is designed to encourages one into a more proper sitting position. A lovely little chair that works great at a desk or just about anywhere. Glen’s aesthetic on this one is just stunning and will be the goal we shoot for. This stool can be constructed in just about 2 or 3 days, making it a great long weekend class. Additionally, the simpler forms and shapes allow for the student to do their own turnings (I’m also happy to provide them if you prefer). Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any comments questions or concerns.

What to bring:

All tools will be provided but feel free to bring your own if you have favorites. I love hand tools as well! If time permits, I’d be more than happy to help students “tune” their tools at the end of the week.

A sack lunch

A Jacket just in case, I will have a heater going to warm the shop.

Places to stay

How to sign up:

Class is limited to 3 people with a $100 dollar deposit reuquired. Feel free to call or email me when you’re ready to sign up for class and you’ll be put on the schedule. Check, Paypal, or Cash accepted.

This chair is another one Curtis Buchanan’s original designs. This is a stunning contemporary take on classic windsor design, We will be making a “painted” version of this chair rather than a natural walnut style. It will be comprised of red oak and a pine seat allowing for the student to paint the chair at home. Additionally, I request that students looking to make this chair have previous charimaking experience with either myself or another chairmaker. Class begins Monday morning at 8 with riving out and shaping of all green parts and steam bending. Drilling, carving, shaping and assembling will comprise the remainder of the week. We will be working from Curtis Buchanan's chair plans, a set of which can be purchased from his website if you wish. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any comments questions or concerns.

What to bring:

All tools will be provided but feel free to bring your own if you have favorites. I love hand tools as well! If time permits, I’d be more than happy to help students “tune” their tools at the end of the week.

A sack lunch

A Jacket just in case, I will have a heater going to warm the shop.

Places to stay

How to sign up:

Class is limited to 3 people with a $100 dollar deposit required. Feel free to call or email me when you’re ready to sign up for class and you’ll be put on the schedule. Check, Paypal, or Cash accepted.

Earlier this year I was asked by my friend Blake Loree to help design and build a chair for a massive project in his home town of Waco, Tx. The Ember chair is the result. It offers simpler construction with much of the same traditional windsor elements all wrapped up in a lovely contemporary aesthetic. As Blake likes to say “turning is at the heart of this chair” and offers a unique opportunity in a chairmaking class. While there isn’t any green woodworking involved the students will get a chance to learn or hone their turning skills. Each student will turn their own legs. posts, spindles, and stretchers. Options include a natural walnut or the traditional oak and pine combination that can be painted at a later date. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any comments questions or concerns.

What to bring:

All tools will be provided but feel free to bring your own if you have favorites. I love hand tools as well! If time permits, I’d be more than happy to help students “tune” their tools at the end of the week.

A sack lunch

A Jacket just in case, I will have a heater going to warm the shop.

Places to stay

How to sign up:

Class is limited to 3 people with a $100 dollar deposit required. Feel free to call or email me when you’re ready to sign up for class and you’ll be put on the schedule. Check, Paypal, or Cash accepted.

This chair is Curtis Buchanan’s original Democratic chair. It will push your skills with a drawknife especially if you are a beginner requiring a bit more physical stamina (something to keep in mind). That being said you will see a tremendous gain in your drawknife skill by the end of the week. Class begins Monday morning at 8 with riving out and shaping of all green parts and steam bending. Drilling, carving, shaping and assembling will comprise the remainder of the week. We will be working from Curtis Buchanan's chair plans, a set of which can be purchased from his website if you wish. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any comments questions or concerns.

What to bring:

All tools will be provided but feel free to bring your own if you have favorites. I love hand tools as well! If time permits, I’d be more than happy to help students “tune” their tools at the end of the week.

A sack lunch

A Jacket just in case, I will have a heater going to warm the shop.

Places to stay

How to sign up:

Class is limited to 3 people with a $100 dollar deposit reuquired. Feel free to call or email me when you’re ready to sign up for class and you’ll be put on the schedule. Check, Paypal, or Cash accepted.

This is a great chair for the beginner while still offering plenty of challenge for the more experienced out there. Class begins Monday morning at 8 with riving out and shaping of all green parts and steam bending. Drilling, carving, shaping and assembly will comprise the remainder of the week. We will be working from Curtis Buchanan’s chair plans and sets are available for purchase from his website. Turnings will be provided as there is not enough time to teach this aspect of chairmaking. Arrangements can be made for the baluster turnings and more ornate style if you desire but a week or two’s notice would be needed ahead of the class. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any comments questions or concerns. I’d also highly recommend Curtis’s youtube series on chairmaking. Its free and will give you good heads up on how the class will go.

What to bring:

All tools will be provided but feel free to bring your own if you have favorites. I love hand tools as well! If time permits, I’d be more than happy to help students “tune” their tools at the end of the week.

A sack lunch

A Jacket just in case, I will have a heater going to warm the shop.

Places to stay

How to sign up:

Class is limited to 3 people with a $100 dollar deposit reuquired. Feel free to call or email me when you’re ready to sign up for class and you’ll be put on the schedule. Check, Paypal, or Cash accepted.

Curtis Buchanan’s high chairs are about the sweetest thing you’ve ever seen. They are essentially scaled down versions of their bigger cousins. These high chairs make a wonder gift for the little ones that will last for generations. Class begins Monday morning at 8 with riving out and shaping of all green parts and steam bending. Drilling, carving, shaping and assembly will comprise the remainder of the week. We will be working from Curtis Buchanan’s chair plans and sets are available through him by clicking the link. Turnings will be provided as there is not enough time to teach this aspect of chairmaking. Arrangements can be made for the Contemporary version of this chair with double bobbin turnings; a week or two’s notice would be needed ahead of the class. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any comments questions or concerns. I’d also highly recommend Curtis’s youtube series on chairmaking. Its free and will give you good heads up on how the class will go.

What to bring:

All tools will be provided but feel free to bring your own if you have favorites. I love hand tools as well! If time permits, I’d be more than happy to help students “tune” their tools at the end of the week.

A sack lunch

A Jacket just in case, I will have a heater going to warm the shop.

Places to stay

How to sign up:

Class is limited to 3 people with a $100 dollar deposit required. Feel free to call or email me when you’re ready to sign up for class and you’ll be put on the schedule. Check, Paypal, or Cash accepted.

Class begins Monday morning at 8 with riving out and shaping of all green parts and steam bending. Drilling, carving, shaping and assembly will comprise the remainder of the week. We will be working from Curtis Buchanan’s chair plans and sets are available through him by clicking the link. Turnings will be provided as there is not enough time to teach this aspect of chairmaking. Arrangements can be made for the Contemporary version of this chair with double bobbin turnings; a week or two’s notice would be needed ahead of the class. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any comments questions or concerns. I’d also highly recommend Curtis’s youtube series on chairmaking. Its free and will give you good heads up on how the class will go.

What to bring:

All tools will be provided but feel free to bring your own if you have favorites. I love hand tools as well! If time permits, I’d be more than happy to help students “tune” their tools at the end of the week.

A sack lunch

A Jacket just in case, I will have a heater going to warm the shop.

Places to stay

How to sign up:

Class is limited to 3 people with a $100 dollar deposit reuquired. Feel free to call or email me when you’re ready to sign up for class and you’ll be put on the schedule. Check, Paypal, or Cash accepted.

Very excited to have Travis Curtis all the way out here from Tennessee to put on this special class with a special chair! Travis is a wonderful instructor and a very gifted chairmaker. He has taught at John C. Cambell Folk School, Lost Art Press in Covington Ky, and Greg Pennington chairmaking school; just to name a few. He’ll be teaching the classic Jenny Alexander chair that helped set green woodworking back on the map. This is rare opportunity to learn from a great chair maker all the way out here in California. So don’t miss out!!

Click the links below to find out more about Travis and to see the fun and creative things he makes!

Travis Curtis -

Website - windsorsandmore.com

Instagram - tecurtis13

What to bring:

All tools and materials will be provided but feel free to bring your own tools if you have favorites. I love hand tools as well! If time permits, I’d be more than happy to help students “tune” their tools at the end of the week.

A sack lunch

A Jacket just in case, I will have a heater going to warm the shop.

Places to stay

How to sign up:

Class is limited to 6 people with a $100 dollar deposit reuquired. Feel free to call or email me or Travis Curtis when you’re ready to sign up for class and you’ll be put on the schedule. Check, Paypal, or Cash accepted.

This is another one of Curtis Buchan’s classic contemporary designs. You don’t see many of these offered as classes so its an opportunity to build a beautiful and unique chair. Class begins Monday morning at 8 with riving out and shaping of all green parts and steam bending. Drilling, carving, shaping and assembly will comprise the remainder of the week. We will be working from Curtis Buchanan’s chair plans and sets are available through him by clicking the link. Turnings will be provided as there is not enough time to teach this aspect of chairmaking. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any comments questions or concerns. I’d also highly recommend Curtis’s youtube series on chairmaking. Its free and will give you good heads up on how the class will go.

What to bring:

All tools will be provided but feel free to bring your own if you have favorites. I love hand tools as well! If time permits, I’d be more than happy to help students “tune” their tools at the end of the week.

A sack lunch

A Jacket just in case, I will have a heater going to warm the shop.

Places to stay

How to sign up:

Class is limited to 3 people with a $100 dollar deposit required. Feel free to call or email me when you’re ready to sign up for class and you’ll be put on the schedule. Check, Paypal, or Cash accepted.