Jul
13
Wm Perry Studio
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending a woodworking class in Toronto’s Leaside area. A first for the city, Wm Perry Studios offers hands-on project and skill workshops in a well-designed classroom – putting many of the community centre and school shop facilities we have known to shame. Run by a husband and wife team, Bill imparts his years of time-tested craft wisdom on attendees, while Catherine brings in gourmet goodies and runs comprehensive evaluation/feedback and marketing sides of the business.
I missed woodworking. I loved it as a kid and was spoiled to have access to my dad’s industrial arts classroom growing up. I am a chick with a selection of saws and other tools. And, much to my father’s pleasure, can hold my own in a hardware store – but I don’t have the space or tools to work on larger projects at home. So when the opportunity came to visit Bill’s studio and create my own shaker-style step stool I jumped in line.
Bill’s own custom and commercial projects hang around the studio in the finest of form. His take on a traditional Windsor chair is nothing short of spectacular in its emaciated silhouette and body-hugging flexibility. His work is inspiration for the day ahead. Although one perch in this chair and you admire the man’s patience.
WM Perry Comb-back Windsor chair
Bill provided us all with the choice of quality cherry or walnut planks to make our stools. A few hems and haws to match or mismatch grain, and we were ready to get our hands on the table saw. Bill walked us through each step of the process and sturdy industrial equipment, each with a solid safety precaution, and added his tips for the best possible product.
The best part of WM Perry’s workshops is the start to finish project. We started from scratch and walked away with a quality piece of crafted furniture that we made with our own hands. At no point was my wood taken from me for Bill to complete a step – I did it all. Not only is this stool useful (I’ve been thankful for it so many times in the past weeks as I reach for the top shelves in my kitchen) but it is also decorative and a streamlined take on a furniture classic.
At a time when crafting has become both entertainment and necessity, it’s amazing to find such an affordable set of seminars. You can hardly buy a finished shaker stool for the cost of a one-day class – let alone have the instruction, wood, experience and transferable information (did I mention the gourmet lunch??) for the price of admission.
Seminar Prices
1-day seminar: $125.00 plus GST
2-day seminar: $200.00 plus GST
3-day seminar: $275.00 plus GST
For die-hard woodworkers, Bill also maintains a blog covering topics such as chisels and fixed angles, eco-friendly cleaning for table saw blades and some tool reviews.
