HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL. If you've always wanted to learn how to make your own furniture, there's just the place for you in Tampa Heights: the Florida School of Woodworking.
In just one week, beginners can go from making a cutting board on day one to making a table on day five.
Kate Swann is used to making furniture from scratch, but she never thought she could build an entire school from scratch.
“The carpentry school has existed for almost six years. “We are in this wonderful historic building in Tampa Heights,” Swan said. “It happened because I was a dedicated furniture maker and students were coming to me asking how to teach them woodworking. Eventually the number of students grew beyond the furniture store, so we opened the school.”
Over the years, Keith has joined the ranks of Hall of Fame teachers.
“So we have furniture makers from all over the United States who are at the forefront of their manufacturing and come here to share their expertise and teach students. “So we are essentially a world-class local school,” Swan said.
Every week the shop welcomes a new class of energetic and enthusiastic students like Danielle Crenshaw, a nurse looking for a creative hobby.
“It's definitely easy, it's definitely doable, he makes it easy, he makes you feel comfortable and when you need it it's one-on-one,” Crenshaw said.
Keith not only teaches students how to use individual devices, but also how to use them safely.
“Well, I'm retiring in a few years, so I'm trying to build a shop and buy equipment and I don't know what equipment to buy yet, so I thought I'd get some to start with. Of course,” student Scott Fleming said.
Then there is Gareth Pratt, who was already a carpenter by profession. The next step is to start your own business.
“It offers online courses on how to create jobs, how to set prices, what to look for when starting out and how to negotiate contracts,” Pratt said.
Kate says the best part is not only sharing her knowledge of woodworking, but also the joy of doing it.
“When I started learning woodworking, I realized it was the most fun thing I could do. So when we introduce new people to woodworking, we see it in their faces,” Swan said.
For more information, visit schoolofwordwork.com.
