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Designing and Making Decorative Inlay Boxes with Owain Harris
This October, students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the artistry of boxmaking in a three-day workshop focused on creating elegant boxes adorned with timeless decorative string inlays led by Owain Harris.
Participants will move step by step through the process of creating a refined, functional box from selecting the perfect boards to highlight the natural character of the wood, to cutting precise joinery, to fitting and assembling each component, every detail will be considered. The class will also examine finishing options designed to enhance durability and bring out the full beauty of the wood grain—skills that carry over into countless woodworking projects.
The workshop also explores the art of string inlay, a technique that has graced fine furniture for centuries. Students will learn how to make their own stringing and gain confidence in laying out, cutting, and installing inlay patterns with accuracy. Both hand tools and routers will be used to achieve crisp, professional results. Harris will demonstrate methods for both straight and curved designs, empowering students to customize their boxes with distinctive details that transform them into heirloom pieces.
The workshop is led by Owain Harris, a self-taught craftsman whose career began in 1997 as a framing carpenter before moving into custom furniture. Since opening his studio in Gonic, New Hampshire, Harris has earned recognition as a juried member of the League of NH Craftsmen and the New Hampshire Furniture Masters Association. His award-winning work has appeared in prestigious galleries and been featured in Fine Woodworking and NH Home Magazine. A sought-after instructor, Harris teaches at leading craft schools across the country, sharing his knowledge with students eager to push their skills to new levels.
Whether you are an experienced woodworker seeking to refine your techniques or a passionate amateur ready to take on a new challenge, this workshop promises an inspiring blend of design, craftsmanship, and tradition. Participants will leave not only with a beautifully made box, but with a deeper understanding of the details that define fine woodworking.
Dressing the High Post Bed, Autumn Eco Printing, and
Kitchen Knife
Sanborn Mills Farm
(603) 435- 7314
info@sanbornmills.org
www.sanbornmills.org
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Celebrate the colors of fall in this three-day eco-printing workshop where you’ll forage local plants, create vibrant prints on fabric and paper, and transform your work into hand-bound books and unique wearable pieces inspired by the season.
In this five-day intermediate workshop, you’ll forge and finish a high-carbon hidden tang cooking knife, mastering essential techniques in forging, grinding, heat treatment, handle fitting, and polishing while exploring the art of effective kitchen knife design.
Sanborn Mills Farm | 7097 Sanborn Road | Loudon, NH 03307 US