On October 29th Manchester University will host the second Northern Contemporary Furniture Makers Gathering. The event brings together furniture makers from across the region to discuss issues of importance to the craft. Topics covered this year include getting started with CNC,business development and the place of the small furniture maker in the future economy. There will also be a master class from well known maker Robert Ingham.
However the issues are not the sole reason for gathering. Furniture making can be an isolated occupation, makers relish the opportunity to meet and express the joys and frustrations of the business of making.
The NCFM welcomes, even encourages, none members to attend the Gathering, you'll get a warm welcome.
Full details of the program are below:
Northern Contemporary Furniture Makers Gathering - 2011
Program
Venue: Manchester Met. University Special Collections
3rd Floor Sir Kenneth Green Library
All Saints
Manchester
M15 6BH
Date and Time: October 29th, 10.00am to 4.00pm
Cost: NCFM exhibiting members and students £5 others £15
Program of speakers:
• 10.00am – 10.30am Gathering, enrolment and coffee.
• 10.30am – 11.30 am Barnaby Scott of Waywood Furniture “The Way into CNC”.
Some time ago Waywood moved into using CNC within a fine woodworking environment. Barnaby will describe how they came to make this move, the learning curve they experienced in working with CNC and how it has affected their relationship to their work.
• 11.00am – 12.30 pm11.00am – 12.30 pm Nicholas Dyson “Every Crisis has a Silver Lining”.
Nicholas always has an unusual slant on things as evidenced by his entertaining and thought provoking blog (http://nicholasdyson.blogspot.com/). He will talk about the position of small-scale fine furniture-making in the looming economic and ecological crisis, its cultural implications, and how we as craftspeople are likely to be affected by it.
• Lunch
• 1.15 pm – 2.15pm Richard Williams of Richard Williams Furniture - “Considered Business Development”
Many makers have a rather unplanned, scattergun approach to business development. Some years ago Richard decided to take a step back from his business to assess and plan the way it should develop. The success of his business since then shows it was a wise decision. Richard will talk about the key considerations in assessing a furniture making business and steering it to success.
• 2.30pm – 3.30pm Robert Ingham Master Class.
Robert, former principle at Parham College and NCFM member, is well known from his distinctive furniture and his writing on the subject. He will give a practical demonstration of his approach to veneer jointing and making templates using aluminium litho plate.
4.00pm Adjourn to pub for further discussion!