Introduction To Chair Caning
Although we offer a full restoration service at The Curious Collie, we also understand that you may want to be involved in the repair process and carry out some of the work yourself. You might have a collection of old, broken bentwood chairs under the house, family heirlooms stowed away awaiting repair or perhaps you're just curious to see what this ancient craft entails. If so, this workshop is for you!
Join us at The Old South Arm School to learn the process...
In this workshop, we'll teach you the original method of hand weaving rattan, used to form the seat, back rest and side panels of antique timber furniture.
This workshop is a practical, hands-on approach to teaching the steps involved in completing a rattan panel. We'll show you the process from start to finish.
This introductory class is suitable for adults of all skill levels but is aimed at beginners.
The workshop includes morning tea and all materials needed during the day (rattan, tools, practice frame, etc).
This workshop is a prerequisite class before our advanced chair caning.
For those who have already attended our cane weaving introductory workshop, you are encouraged to re-attend this course and try alternative weave patterns OR your skills can be further developed in our advanced chair caning workshop.
Numbers for this workshop are kept small to facilitate a personalised and dynamic learning environment.
This workshop is instructed by Jason Kemmis, a passionate restorer of antique and vintage furniture.
Heritage garden tour
Planning a heritage garden for your forever home: The gardens of The Old South Arm School.
Join us for a guided tour of the grounds of The Old South Arm School. Stroll through our gardens with us as we discuss the practicalities of planning and managing a large scale garden.
This informative tour will cover such topics as:Attracting native bees to your gardenAttracting beneficial insects and birds to your gardenSeasonal awarenessMulching types and their usesPrepping for dry seasons. Accommodating wet seasonsWorking with problem areas (too hot, too dry, too wet, too shady).Integrating a practical vegetable garden while maintaining a formal aesthetic. Maintenance and time management Reducing your reliance on chemicalsLarge scale planting on a budget.Trial and error.Achieving a low maintenance and luxurious lawn.Irrigation and more.Open Q and A.
This session is hosted by Jason Kemmis who has a long history of gardening in different climates, experience in commercial horticultural production and a passion for home gardening. His constant trial of a variety of approaches and hands on involvement means you'll have access to an extensive and detailed knowledge bank on the day.
Location: The Old South Arm School. 179 South Arm School Road, South Arm NSW 2460
To make a group booking or for more information:Phone or message 0448245116 or email heritagetradesschool@gmail.com or head on over to the ticketing website.
Join us for a guided tour of the grounds of The Old South Arm School. Stroll through our gardens with us as we discuss the practicalities of planning and managing a large scale garden.
This informative tour will cover such topics as:Attracting native bees to your gardenAttracting beneficial insects and birds to your gardenSeasonal awarenessMulching types and their usesPrepping for dry seasons. Accommodating wet seasonsWorking with problem areas (too hot, too dry, too wet, too shady).Integrating a practical vegetable garden while maintaining a formal aesthetic. Maintenance and time management Reducing your reliance on chemicalsLarge scale planting on a budget.Trial and error.Achieving a low maintenance and luxurious lawn.Irrigation and more.Open Q and A.
This session is hosted by Jason Kemmis who has a long history of gardening in different climates, experience in commercial horticultural production and a passion for home gardening. His constant trial of a variety of approaches and hands on involvement means you'll have access to an extensive and detailed knowledge bank on the day.
Location: The Old South Arm School. 179 South Arm School Road, South Arm NSW 2460
To make a group booking or for more information:Phone or message 0448245116 or email heritagetradesschool@gmail.com or head on over to the ticketing website.
Timber Sash Window Restoration
Heritage Windows: Introduction to antique timber sash windows.
If you own a heritage building or are looking to buy one, then chances are you'll need to address window maintenance. While we do offer a window restoration service at The Curious Collie, we understand the desire to complete DIY mainenance for personal satisfaction or budget limitations.
This hands-on workshop will show you the complex inner workings of double hung box sash windows. You'll see what makes them work and what makes them fail. We'll identify all the individual components and explain how to access these for repair. Learn the traditional methods of full window restoration. Get your hands dirty as we practice glazing with linseed oil putty. What paints and finishes should you use?What are the health and safety issues when working on old windows?How can you maintain these into the future?Open format Q & A format during the class.
Numbers for this workshop are kept small to facilitate a personalised and dynamic learning environment. This workshop is instructed by Jason Kemmis, a passionate restorer of antiques, vintage furniture and heritage buildings. This workshop includes morning tea and all materials needed during the day.
Want to learn, but can't attend? We also offer a tailored one on one tutoring service with you at your site. Contact us for more details. Location: The Old South Arm School: An ongoing restoration project.179 South Arm School RdSouth Arm NSW 2460
If you own a heritage building or are looking to buy one, then chances are you'll need to address window maintenance. While we do offer a window restoration service at The Curious Collie, we understand the desire to complete DIY mainenance for personal satisfaction or budget limitations.
This hands-on workshop will show you the complex inner workings of double hung box sash windows. You'll see what makes them work and what makes them fail. We'll identify all the individual components and explain how to access these for repair. Learn the traditional methods of full window restoration. Get your hands dirty as we practice glazing with linseed oil putty. What paints and finishes should you use?What are the health and safety issues when working on old windows?How can you maintain these into the future?Open format Q & A format during the class.
Numbers for this workshop are kept small to facilitate a personalised and dynamic learning environment. This workshop is instructed by Jason Kemmis, a passionate restorer of antiques, vintage furniture and heritage buildings. This workshop includes morning tea and all materials needed during the day.
Want to learn, but can't attend? We also offer a tailored one on one tutoring service with you at your site. Contact us for more details. Location: The Old South Arm School: An ongoing restoration project.179 South Arm School RdSouth Arm NSW 2460
Caring For Your Heritage Home
Introduction to Heritage Home Maintenance: A practical approach.
So, you've just bought an old building or perhaps you're seriously considering it...Let's sort through the daunting prospect of heritage home ownership and discuss preventive maintenance. You've seen the television shows AND those tantalising realestate adverts, but just what does that mean in reality? We're here to show you the logical approach so that you can do this!
In this workshop, we'll show you the basics on how to identify some serious potential issues that are easy to overcome by the heritage home owner. We'll discuss and walk through some physical issues that are present in the old buildings on our property, how to spot these, how to identify the causes, how to prevent these AND how to remedy. Such as:Cracked or degraded lime mortar.Cracked and degraded sand stock bricksVarious timber decay Degraded paint finishesWhat's wrong with my timber sash windows?Moisture ingress, mold and mildew.Sub floor drainage and ventilation TERMITES, microbats, possums and more...
We'll show you examples on our property where you can see first hand, touch and feel what's going on to gain a better understanding. Ask us questions as they arise where you see a similar potential issue in your property. We'll even show you how to install your own termite detection system!
Suitable for those with an interest in preserving heritage buildings constructed prior to the 1950s.
Join us at The Old South Arm School constructed in 1880 and a restoration work in progress.
Workshops are run by Jason Kemmis who professionally restores at The Curious Collie. Passionate about antique timber and cane furniture, timber sash windows, antique doors and has a history restoring heritage homes in The Clarence Valley.
The session involves a guided tour through the grounds and buildings, with theoretical explanation of the physical elements we explore.
NB. Do you own a heritage building or are looking to buy? If you don't want to attend the workshop, but would like Jason to perform an on-site assessment of your asset, please get in touch to arrange a time. This service is not limited to The Clarence Valley. We are willing to travel to you.
So, you've just bought an old building or perhaps you're seriously considering it...Let's sort through the daunting prospect of heritage home ownership and discuss preventive maintenance. You've seen the television shows AND those tantalising realestate adverts, but just what does that mean in reality? We're here to show you the logical approach so that you can do this!
In this workshop, we'll show you the basics on how to identify some serious potential issues that are easy to overcome by the heritage home owner. We'll discuss and walk through some physical issues that are present in the old buildings on our property, how to spot these, how to identify the causes, how to prevent these AND how to remedy. Such as:Cracked or degraded lime mortar.Cracked and degraded sand stock bricksVarious timber decay Degraded paint finishesWhat's wrong with my timber sash windows?Moisture ingress, mold and mildew.Sub floor drainage and ventilation TERMITES, microbats, possums and more...
We'll show you examples on our property where you can see first hand, touch and feel what's going on to gain a better understanding. Ask us questions as they arise where you see a similar potential issue in your property. We'll even show you how to install your own termite detection system!
Suitable for those with an interest in preserving heritage buildings constructed prior to the 1950s.
Join us at The Old South Arm School constructed in 1880 and a restoration work in progress.
Workshops are run by Jason Kemmis who professionally restores at The Curious Collie. Passionate about antique timber and cane furniture, timber sash windows, antique doors and has a history restoring heritage homes in The Clarence Valley.
The session involves a guided tour through the grounds and buildings, with theoretical explanation of the physical elements we explore.
NB. Do you own a heritage building or are looking to buy? If you don't want to attend the workshop, but would like Jason to perform an on-site assessment of your asset, please get in touch to arrange a time. This service is not limited to The Clarence Valley. We are willing to travel to you.
advanced Chair Caning
Advanced Chair Caning: A practical approach to antique rattan restoration.
If you've already attended our introduction to chair caning course and are looking to further develop your weaving skills, then this is for you.
In this workshop, you'll be encouraged to bring in your own piece of antique furniture (e.g. chair, piano stool, foot stool, side table) in need of woven rattan repair OR use one of our training frames to weave alternative patterns. We can always supply a chair for you to work on if need be...
You'll learn the important steps required prior to beginning the weave and will be guided through the individual technical challenges of your individual piece as they arise.
The workshop includes morning tea PLUS all materials needed during the day (rattan, tools, consumables, etc).
Numbers for this workshop are kept small to facilitate a personalised and dynamic learning environment.
This workshop is instructed by Jason Kemmis, a passionate restorer of antique and vintage furniture.
Location: The Old South Arm School: An ongoing restoration project.
179 South Arm School Rd
South Arm NSW 2460
Introduction to Timber Restoration: Remedy and Maintain.
If you're a home owner OR looking to get into traditional woodworking OR furniture repair, then this is a KEY SKILL to have in your knowledge bank!
Do you know the difference between all of those timber remedies on the market?
This hands-on, practical workshop teaches you WHAT they are, WHEN to use them all and allows plenty of practice to learn HOW to apply them!
The session involves an introduction to various types of fillers, pre-treatments and post-finish treatments, with demonstrations on each, followed by student practical application and experimentation. Instructed by a professional furniture and heritage home restoration expert.
LEARN HOW TO:-Treat wood rot to prepare for filling and painting.-Fill holes in timber to prepare for staining and finishing.-Fill gouges in already finished furniture. -Apply ready mixed water based retail products.-Mix traditional powder based products.-Use heat activated fillers.-Mix and use chemically cured fillers and more...
If you've always wanted to know how the professionals do it, then this is your chance to learn first hand.
This session is designed for those with little or no knowledge on the subject and is suitable for adults of all ages.
The cost includes all materials, tools, equipment, PPE, tea, coffee, morning tea and all practice materials needed for the session.
Workshops are instructed by Jason Kemmis who professionally restores at The Curious Collie. He is passionate about antique timber and cane furniture, timber sash windows, antique doors and has a history restoring heritage homes in The Clarence Valley. Numbers for this workshop are kept small to facilitate a personalised and dynamic learning environment.
Do you know the difference between all of those timber remedies on the market?
This hands-on, practical workshop teaches you WHAT they are, WHEN to use them all and allows plenty of practice to learn HOW to apply them!
The session involves an introduction to various types of fillers, pre-treatments and post-finish treatments, with demonstrations on each, followed by student practical application and experimentation. Instructed by a professional furniture and heritage home restoration expert.
LEARN HOW TO:-Treat wood rot to prepare for filling and painting.-Fill holes in timber to prepare for staining and finishing.-Fill gouges in already finished furniture. -Apply ready mixed water based retail products.-Mix traditional powder based products.-Use heat activated fillers.-Mix and use chemically cured fillers and more...
If you've always wanted to know how the professionals do it, then this is your chance to learn first hand.
This session is designed for those with little or no knowledge on the subject and is suitable for adults of all ages.
The cost includes all materials, tools, equipment, PPE, tea, coffee, morning tea and all practice materials needed for the session.
Workshops are instructed by Jason Kemmis who professionally restores at The Curious Collie. He is passionate about antique timber and cane furniture, timber sash windows, antique doors and has a history restoring heritage homes in The Clarence Valley. Numbers for this workshop are kept small to facilitate a personalised and dynamic learning environment.
Split Cane Furniture Making Workshop
In this practical session you'll learn the skills involved in working with split cane furniture materials!
Watch Jason demonstrate each step then work on your own creation to take home. We'll be making side tables using natural cane, timber and hand tools.
This workshop is aimed at beginners and is suitable for adults of all ages and abilities. No prior experience of cane or furniture making needed.
The session is hosted by Jason Kemmis who is a professional restorer of antique furniture and heritage homes.
Our workshops are held in and around The Old South Arm School built in 1880!
Numbers for this workshop are kept small to facilitate a personalised and dynamic learning environment.
Heritage Brick Repointing
Introduction to sandstock brick maintenance: Lime Mortar Repointing.
Looking to learn this essential skill for maintaining your own heritage brick building
or perhaps you're just interested in practicing this heritage trade. Either way, you'll enjoy this hands-on workshop!
Lets take a look around the old buildings at The Old South Arm School 1880 and discuss what makes up an OLD brick wall. This class will delve into the purpose and placement of specific components, before explaining what natural and man made events can degrade these precious brick structures.
The workshop will look at sand stock bricks and you'll be shown how to mix your own traditional lime mortar mix for repointing brick walls.
You'll be shown the basics then practice repointing in the tradional method.
There'll be discussions about structural integrity, cosmetic accuracy, heritage building preservation, maintaining heritage practices, protecting your health and safety during repointing. Open Q & A throughout the day.
The workshop includes morning tea and all materials needed during the day.
Workshops are instructed by Jason Kemmis who professionally restores at The Curious Collie. He is passionate about antique timber and cane furniture, timber sash windows, antique doors and has a history restoring heritage homes in The Clarence Valley.
Numbers for this workshop are kept small to facilitate a personalised and dynamic learning environment.
NOTE: This class is based upon small scale cosmetic repointing. Before taking on any brick removal or large scale projects yourself, consider the importance of engaging a qualified builder, brick layer, stonemason and/or structural engineer.
Traditional Casein Paint Making Workshop
Introduction to heritage paint : A hands-on workshop.
Learn how to make old fashioned paint that you can use at home!
In the modern age dominated by petrochemicals and carcinogens, it's nice to know that this paint can still be made and used throughout your buildings and home furniture.
You'll be shown the process of making paint before having it a go yourself. Mix the raw materials, mix your own pigments, trial application and explore the methods involved.
What substrates can be finished with this paint?
What different methods can be used for application?
What are the benefits of using traditional paints?
What are the health and safety issues and benefits?
Compare with modern paint equivalents.
Be inspired by the grounds and buildings of The Old South Arm School during this informative and practical workshop.
The workshop includes morning tea and all materials needed during the day.
Workshops are instructed by Jason Kemmis who professionally restores at The Curious Collie. He is passionate about antique timber and cane furniture, timber sash windows, antique doors and has a history restoring heritage homes in The Clarence Valley.
Numbers for this workshop are kept small to facilitate a personalised and dynamic learning environment.
Onsite Heritage Asset Inspection & advice
Do you own a heritage building or are considering a purchase?
We can come to your property and carry out an external and internal inspection of your home, outbuildings and surrounding grounds. This is a tailored service offering only what you need for your particular assets. This is not a typical pre purchase building report, but a bespoke on-site inspection of your assets, with you, discussed and explained face to face, in logical, straight forward language. We'll observe any visible issues, talk about why is it occurring, how can the owner realistically remedy the issues and maintain the asset moving forward?
Prices are variable, starting at $550 and are dependent upon the scale and proportion of the assets to be inspected as well as travelling distance. A fixed cost will be given prior to the inspection.
The service is expected to take a half day on-site, plus travelling to and from the site location.
Inspections are carried out by Jason Kemmis who is a professional furniture and building restorer, a heritage property owner with a history of heritage building restoration and buying/selling heritage homes.
This service is not limited to The Clarence Valley. We can travel to your location.
Time: Flexible to suit you.
Date: Flexible to sut you
Cost: $550
Location: Onsite at your building.
To make your booking or to discuss what is involved or a quotation,
phone or message 0448245116 or email heritagetradesschool@gmail.com
PAINT REMOVAL METHODS
A focus on safe, non mechanical approaches for sensitive building substrates, old buildings, heritage assets and architectural features.
Take advantage of this first time opportunity in The Clarence Valley! Join us for a workshop combining theoretical explanation, onsite examples, physical demonstration and instruction, followed by class participation in application methods.
LEARN THE RIGHT WAY to remove multiple layers of paint from bricks, lime mortar, sandstone, weatherboard, old doors, timber windows and more. If you own an old house, like restoring buildings or furniture or are interested in heritage preservation techniques, this is for you!
✅️No expensive mechanical equipment.
✅️No prior skills needed.
✅️No dust.
✅️No noise.
✅️Non caustic.
✅️Safe to do.
✅️Sympathetic to fragile buildings.
🛠 See what happens when incorrect paint removal methods are used.
🛠 Compare various paint removal methods and retail products.
🛠 Learn the health and safety ramifications of different methods.
🛠 Learn best practice methods for preserving the fabric of old buildings.
🛠 See why our favourite method is chosen by heritage restorers the world over.
🛠 Watch a demonstration.
🛠 Participate in physically applying the best method here on a heritage cottage built in 1880.
🛠 Learn a skill for life which you can apply at home.
🛠 Take home a sample same paint removal kit*.
🛠 Connect with like minded history buffs and restorers.
Be inspired by the grounds and buildings of The Old South Arm School during this informative and practical workshop.
The workshop includes all materials needed during the day and is instructed by Jason Kemmis who professionally restores at The Curious Collie. He is passionate about antique timber and cane furniture, timber sash windows, antique doors and has a history restoring heritage homes in The Clarence Valley.
Numbers for this workshop are kept small to facilitate a personalised and dynamic learning environment.
Suitable for adults of all ages, no prior skills needed.
*Free take home paint removal kit limited to the first 5 to book a space in this workshop session.
