Woodwork for Beginners - Keepsake Box Workshop
Course Overview
Create your own personalised wooden box, finished with traditional shellac.
What you’ll learn
- How to measure, mark, and cut accurate rebate joints
- Finishing with shellac to achieve a smooth, professional look
- A mix of basic and advanced hand-tool techniques
- Safe and effective use of hand tools and power tools
What you’ll make
- A one-of-a-kind keepsake box for yourself, or as a gift
- Opportunities to add personal flair with different wood combinations and finishes
On the day
- David will guide you step-by-step as you create your box.
- You’ll learn hand-tool techniques for cutting joints, assembling the box, and laminating lids, while also getting experience with a power bench sander.
- Students can personalise their boxes with creative wood choices and finishes.
Tools/materials required
- All tools provided
- All materials included
- Students may bring their own hand tools if they prefer
Clothing & Safety
- No loose or long sleeves
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
- Long hair tied back
- Careful attention around the power bench sander
Who this workshop is for
- Complete beginners, no woodworking experience needed
- Adults looking for a calm, hands-on creative day
- Anyone who enjoys making useful, beautiful objects with their hands
- Anyone wanting to learn basic and slightly advanced woodworking in a safe, supportive environment
Take home
- Your own finished keepsake box
- Knowledge of joint-making, laminating, sanding, and traditional finishing
- Confidence to make more personalised boxes at home
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David Searson
I’m David Searson, a woodworker, maker and workshop teacher based in Sydney. I craft practical, beautiful pieces from local Australian timbers and have a particular love for traditional techniques, simple tools, and creating functional items for the home and kitchen.
My workshops are beginner friendly and focused on skills you can take home and keep using, whether you’re making a gift, restoring a well loved board, or learning to handle tools for the first time. I aim to blend creativity with clear technique, drawing inspiration from heritage forms, scientific ideas, and classic bush tools.
Helping people gain confidence through making is at the heart of what I do. Whether you’re 18 or 80, there’s something deeply satisfying about shaping wood with your own hands. Most weeks you’ll find me at the local produce markets, selling handmade pieces, chatting with visitors, and offering repairs to keep well used items in service.
If you’re curious, careful, and enjoy learning by doing, you’ll feel right at home in one of my workshops or with a handmade piece from my stall.
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