We have decided after moving to such a beautiful area, that we want to offer more than just a class on how to build a rocking chair. We want to offer "WOODWORKING RETREATS". So we have changed our class perspectives, added more classes and adjusted our class fees.
We want your experience to be more than collecting knowledge on how to make a piece of furniture, but a relaxing, fun get away to an incredibly beautiful area with lots to do. We reside in the Zuni mountains, where you can be surrounded by forests with abundant wildlife, incredible rock formations like El Morro National Monument, Native American Cultures, wide array of local artists, peace and tranquility. Get away from the stress of your everyday life and relax in our laid back rural atmosphere. Come take a 3-7 day class and stay longer to enjoy your surroundings. Our classes now include your stay (during the class only) at a cozy little cabin in the woods. Since we are in a very rural area, lodging is very limited. So we have made arrangements with some fellow artists (Enchanted Ridge Designs) to use their "Off Grid" guest cabin. Below are pictures of this little darling, which has all amenities: a full kitchen and bath, it operates on solar power and propane with a wood burning stove for heat. It is set off by itself and is very private. There is hiking right outside the door, with occasional Elk sitings, coyotes, wild turkey, many bird species and during the warm months, an overwhelming amount of humming birds.
Nearby is the Wild Spirt Wolf Sanctuary where you can tour and learn about the wolves and wolf hybrids that call the sanctuary home and at night and in the mornings you can hear them sing from the cabin. The Zuni Reservation, well known for their turquoise jewelry and other artwork, is about 35 miles away. El Morro National Monument is about 15 miles and has many hiking trails to view the rock formations, cliff dwellings and more. Also close by is the Old School Gallery in El Morro, where local artists display their work. Across the street from there is Ancient Way Cafe/RV park and Inspiration Rock Coffee house and gifts. Between this area and Grants is The Ice Caves and Bandera Volcano, where you can explore a recent volcano and the ice caves it created. During the summer months the locals enjoy visiting with each other and buying produce and homemade items at the local Farmers Market in Ramah, each Saturday. There's lots to do up here and we hope by offering a "Woodworking Retreat" that we stand out from the rest and you want to come and enjoy your stay and walk away with some knowledge as well. Below are links for the area and photos of the cabin. We have also put in detail what you will get from each class and the prices.
Interior showing bed, other furniture and door to bathroom
Area photos
"Woodworking Retreats"
Classic Sam Maloof Style Rocker Class-Limited hands on
This 4 day class is a limited hands on class. The days are long and intense, so be prepared. The class will accommodate up to 3 individuals. In this class you will observe Scott building the classic rocking chair. You will do some sanding and other minor tasks. Scott will show you how to cut out the pieces of the rocker, how to glue up the bentwood laminated runners, the shaping of the arms and headrest, how to glue up the seat and carve and shape it, cut out the back lumbar support and the shaping. He will go into detail about how to shape and sand the harder areas of the rocker. You will get an overall explanation and showing on the construction of the rocker. However, there may not be enough time to complete all the rocker. Scott will go over the finishing stage and other details you will need to know. In addition he will talk about which glues work best for joints, how to lay out the grain for the most beautiful effect, finishing techniques and much more. With this class you will get templates of the classic rocker only and we will take photos and load them onto a CD with captions for future reference. You may also take your own photos and or video as you wish and take notes. Sorry no copying of other templates. We will provide your 4 nights in the cabin and lunch. You are responsible for your other meals, snacks, drinks and travel expenses.
The cost for the Limited Hands on Classic Rocker Class is $1200.00
We require a $500.00 deposit to hold your place in the class with the balance due on the first day of the class.
ONE ON ONE Classic Rocker Building Class
This class is a one on one How to Make a Rocking chair, where you take home the rocker and finish it. This 6 day class consists of you helping with the rocker building. You will learn how to cut out all the parts, glue up the seat and carve it, glue up the bentwood laminated runners, the cutting and shaping of the backrest and how to router, shape and sand different areas. Scott will show you how to shape the headrest, arms and joint area, for you to finish up at home. You will need to have some woodworking knowledge and be able to use a grinder for this class. Since a rocker is very involved, there is not enough time to completely assemble it. So at the end of the 6 days, you will take your rocker parts home, do the sanding, glue your rocker together in stages, shape and do the final sanding and finishing. This will give you the ability to get your rocker home in pieces, to avoid any extra shipping costs and then finish it yourself.
With this class you will get templates of the piece you are making, along with jigs and we will take photos and load them onto a CD for you, with captions for future reference. You may also take your own photos and or video as you wish and take notes. We will provide your 6 nights in the cabin, lunch, but you will be responsible for other meals, snacks and travel expenses. We will have the wood you pick out and all materials on hand. If you wish to bring your own kiln dried wood, please inform us and we will adjust the price accordingly and let you know how much board feet to bring. In addition Scott will talk about which glues work best for joints, how to lay out the grain for the most beautiful effect, finishing techniques and much more. Sorry no copying of other templates.
Due to time restraints, only minor changes can be made to the rocker, if so requested. Otherwise, the rocker will resemble the Maloof style rockers on our Rocker Page. Be prepared for long intense days.
The cost for the One on One 6 day Rocker building is $3800.00.
Mesquite, exotic and burl woods will be an additional charge.
We require a deposit of $1900.00 to reserve your personal class and order your requested wood and materials, with the balance being due the first day of the class.
If you wish to have us complete your rocker for you and ship/deliver, there will be an extra charge for this. Please contact us to discuss.
CHAIR BUILDING
We are also offering limited classes on chair building.
The seminars are for 2 days, and will consist of no more than 3 individuals and you will be observing Scott make a chair. We will allow you to copy the templates for the particular chair that is being made. In addition we will talk about which glues work best for joints, how to lay out the grain for the most beautiful effect, finishing techniques and much more. We will take photos and load them on a CD with captions for future reference. You may also take your own photos and or video as you wish and take notes. We will provide the 2 nights stay at the cabin and lunch for the two days, but you are responsible for your other meals, snacks, drinks and travel expenses. Sorry no copying of other templates.
There are two different chair seminars.
Spindleback chair 2 day seminar $380.00
Lowback chair 2 day seminar $380.00
We require a $100.00 deposit to hold your spot in the seminar with the balance being due the day of the seminar.
ONE ON ONE CHAIR CLASSES
The other chair class we offer is a One on One 4 day class. This class you will have hands on experience in making your own chair to take home with you and finish. You will learn to cut out the chair parts, shape the arms and headrest, glue up and carve the seat, cut out the backrest and shape (if applies) and sanding techniques. Your chair will not be completely done. You will need to take it home and do the final shaping, sanding and finishing. There is the option of having your chair disassembled for easier transport, and you put it back together once home. We will provide your 4 nights in the cabin and lunch, but you are responsible for your other meals, snacks, drinks and travel expenses. With this class you will get templates of the piece you are making, jigs and we will take photos and load them onto a CD with captions for future reference. You may also take your own photos and or video as you wish and take notes. We will provide the wood that you choose and materials. In addition we will talk about which glues work best for joints, how to lay out the grain for the most beautiful effect, finishing techniques and much more. These are very long and intense days, so come prepared. Due to time restraints, only very minor changes can be made.
The One on One 4 day chair class for the Spindleback Dinning chair is $1600.00. Mesquite and exotic woods are more.
The One on One 4 day chair class for the Low back chair is $1400.00. Mesquite and exotic woods are more.
We require a $700.00 deposit to reserve your class dates and order the wood, with the balance due the first day of class.
***NEW CLASS-Basic Porch Rocker Design
This class is on our New Mexico Porch Rocker. It is a four day class entailing learning techniques such as: carving a seat, turning the front legs, cutting out the back legs and routering and shaping them, cutting out the headrest, arms and shaping them, bentwood laminating the runners, and bending the back lumbar supports. You will dry fit the rocker before leaving and then take it home and finish putting it together, due some minor shaping and sanding and apply the finish. Due to time restraints, only minor changes can be made. The class includes materials, five nights in the cabin, lunch and templates and jigs for this rocker only, photos taken during the class and loaded on a cd. You are responsible for your other meals, snacks and drinks and travel expenses. This is an intense class with long days. So come prepared.
The One on One 4 day Basic porch rocker class is $2000.00. Mesquite and some woods may cost more.
We require a deposit of $1000.00 to reserve the class and order your chosen wood, with the balance due the first day of class. This rocker is easy to breakdown for the travel home, should you be flying or have limited space.
BENTWOOD LAMINATION-Hall Table with S Curve
This 4 day class consists of you learning how to do bentwood lamination. The form being used is the Hemisphere (see table page), but in a thinner form for a hall table. Scott will take you through all the bends over the four days and in between you will make the top with an S Curve bent through it. At the end of the 4 days you will take your hall table home and do the final shaping, sanding and finishing. In addition Scott will talk about which glues work best for laminating, how to lay out the grain for the most beautiful effect, finishing techniques and much more. We will take photos and load them on a cd with captions for future reference for you, but you may also take your own photos and or video as you wish and take notes. We will provide the wood and other materials, along with the 4 nights, during the class, at the cabin and lunch. You will be responsible for other meals, snacks, drinks and travel expenses. These are very long and intense days, so come prepared. Due to time restraints, only very minor changes can be made.
This one on one 4 day Bentwood Lamination class is $1900.00. Mesquite and exotic woods are more.
We require a $950.00 deposit to reserve your class dates and order the wood, with the balance due the first day of class
VESSEL CARVING
This 3 day class, consists of you watching Scott Carve a vessel and you doing some limited carving. You and Scott will pick out a large chunk of wood that we have on hand and decide what design fits that piece. During the carving you will get a better idea of how and why this is such an involved process. Due to the danger of the chainsaw, Scott will strictly use that, but will show you how to use the grinders on another smaller bowl/platter, that will be yours to take home . He will demonstrate how he carves a piece and does different shaping and then you will be able to apply some of that to your smaller piece. He will go over the sanding techniques and how the gems or stones are inlayed on your bowl/platter you carve. After the three days, you will be able to take your bowl/platter home and do a little more sanding and apply the finish. You will also have the oportunity to purchase the larger vessel, that Scott carves, at a discounted price, once we are done with it. We will take pictures and load them on a cd for you and you may also take your own pictures and notes. We will provide the 3 nights of the cabin, during the class and lunch and you will have a bowl/platter (worth approximately $170.00) to take home. You will be responsible for all other meals, snacks, drinks and travel expenses.
The cost of the Vessel Carving class is $550.00
We require a deposit of $200 to reserve your class date with the balance due the first day of class. Upon completion of the vessel, if you are interested in purchasing it, we will email you pictures and your discounted price. Shipping and insurance will be extra.
BUDDY/SPOUSE CLASS DISCOUNTS
We offer half off the second persons class price, if you want to bring your buddy or spouse with you. This discount includes both individuals staying in the same cabin and lunch for both. A deposit of half for the second person is due when scheduling and the balance will be due the first day of the class.
If you need us to pick you up at the airport and drive you back and forth to the cabin, during your class, we charge an additional $100.00 on top of the class prices.
If you have your own accomodations (RV/Camping/etc) we will adjust the class price accordingly
FOR YOUR PROTECTION
We ask that you bring ear protection and your own safety goggles, gloves and good shoes for long hours of standing. We suggest that you wear long sleeves and pants for the one on one classes. You will be opperating some machinery, except the table saw, so some experience is required for the one on one classes. However, the group seminars just require some knowledge of woodworking.
REFUND POLICY
We do not offer refunds on a class/seminar. If for some reason you can not make it to that class we will schedule you for another one.
We accept all visa, mastercard, checks or cashiers checks for payment
You will be required to sign a liability waiver the first day of class.