Posts by: Alison

Chippies fight for their right to woodwork

Image: A wall panel from Carpenter’s Hall, London. I am sometimes asked about the differences between carpentry, joinery and cabinet making.  The origins of the demarcations go a long way back. Back in the day, if I was a carpenter, I would be making timber frame work on a building.... Learn more

A Workshop for University College London Museums Department

We were a bit excited when the museums department of University College London contacted us asking for a workshop for their curators to improve their shelf hanging and general fixing abilities. For those of you who have been introduced, you will know that the founder of UCL, Jeremy Bentham,... Learn more

Innocent Inspiration from The Prince’s ‘Seeing is Believing’.

We had a fabulous time when we hosted an event for Prince Charles’ Seeing is Believing’ programme recently. Established in 1990 by HRH The Prince of Wales, the programme is now a recognised responsible leadership network counting over 8,000 alumni and hundreds of participants every year. Twenty leaders of  High... Learn more

Where to Begin?

For any of you that faff about, procrastinate and generally avoid knowing where to begin a creative project, Sir Winston Churchill, unlikely though it may seem, offers some words of encouragement. Besides being Prime Minister during WW2 and a few other gigs, Churchill liked to chill by creating oil paintings... Learn more

Wills Trading Cards #19: Laying Linoleum

During the 1930s, the tobacco company W.D and H.O.Wills gave away colourful and entertaining collectors ‘cigarette trade cards’ in packets of their cigarettes. ‘Household hints’ was issued several times, in slightly different editions from 1930 to 1939. Some of the ideas look antiquated and redundant but occasionally there are... Learn more

Wills Trading Cards #18: Laying a Tiled Hearth

During the 1930s, the tobacco company W.D and H.O.Wills gave away colourful and entertaining collectors ‘cigarette trade cards’ in packets of their cigarettes. ‘Household hints’ was issued several times, in slightly different editions from 1930 to 1939. Some of the ideas look antiquated and redundant but occasionally there are... Learn more

Wills Trading Cards #17: Strengthening an Old Garden Seat

During the 1930s, the tobacco company W.D and H.O.Wills gave away colourful and entertaining collectors ‘cigarette trade cards’ in packets of their cigarettes. ‘Household hints’ was issued several times, in slightly different editions from 1930 to 1939. Some of the ideas look antiquated and redundant but occasionally there are... Learn more

Wills Trading Cards #16: Destroying Worm From Furniture

During the 1930s, the tobacco company W.D and H.O.Wills gave away colourful and entertaining collectors ‘cigarette trade cards’ in packets of their cigarettes. ‘Household hints’ was issued several times, in slightly different editions from 1930 to 1939. Some of the ideas look antiquated and redundant but occasionally there are... Learn more

Wills Trading Cards #15: Removing Stains from Polished Furniture

During the 1930s, the tobacco company W.D and H.O.Wills gave away colourful and entertaining collectors ‘cigarette trade cards’ in packets of their cigarettes. ‘Household hints’ was issued several times, in slightly different editions from 1930 to 1939. Some of the ideas look antiquated and redundant but occasionally there are... Learn more

The Guardian – Do Something

Read how we helped Guardian journalist, Sophie Heawood, build a dining table for under 50 quid…     You can read the entire blog online here. Or better yet, enjoy a little slide show of the fun that was had. Learn more