A Guide to Reproducing & Building Period Furniture with W. Mickey Callahan

People frequently see a piece of museum furniture that they would love to build- but they really do not know where to begin or how to get all the size and shape information they need. Basically you need a real close up view, the time, the skill and most importantly, the permission, to measure it accurately.

This unique new class features SAPFM co-founder Mickey Callahan, working closely with the Ct Historical Society in Hartford, CT to help people realize this goal. The first day of the class will be spent at CHS where Mickey will guide students through the proper etiquette and steps of measuring an actual piece of furniture that is part of the extraordinary CHS collection. The piece chosen for this class is a Connecticut Queen Anne tea table. Instruction will include how to make free hand sketches, scribe profiles of curved parts, use story sticks to record measurements and make templates from your drawings. An analysis of joinery techniques will also be covered. There will also be a discussion and demonstration of photographic recording of data using a digital camera. With the information and skills gained, students will have the tools needed to develop their own set of plans for this and any future furniture reproduction projects.

After the information has been gathered students will meet back at CVSW to begin a full size construction drawing of the table which will go a long way towards answering any construction and joinery questions that may come up.

Mickey will guide students through the process of making templates to cut the delicate cabriole legs and the shaped skirts.

The rest of the week will be spent building this delicate cherry tea table. Mortise and tenon joinery, shaping the graceful cabriole legs, making the shaped top along with shaping the curved aprons and making the small tea slides in the aprons all combine to make an elegant small table that will teach you a huge amount of furniture-making skills. Don’t miss this class- you will be making a family heirloom that has a direct connection with Connecticut’s rich furniture making history. Sign up today. Tuition: $795.00 plus materials

Section 060312A: Sunday - Friday June 3 - June 8, 9:00am - 5:00pm

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