![]()

Nestled in the peaceful surroundings of Brandenburg Coppice, Greg Quinn’s stool-making workshop offers a unique blend of craft, connection, and calm. Over a two-day, ten-hour weekend workshop, up to six participants will gather around a large hexagonal workbench, use shave horses, travishers and draw knives, and immerse themselves in learning traditional European skills of green woodworking with hand tools.
Greg, a skilled craftsperson and tutor, has been teaching this workshop for seven years and has over 25 years of experience working with fruit trees and orchard management. His deep knowledge of wood and its properties shines through as he guides participants through the process of turning locally sourced timber into handcrafted stools.
Resourcefully and Locally Sourced Materials
A key element of Greg’s practice is resourcefulness. Every piece of wood used in the workshop is sourced from arborists and landowners around Christchurch and Banks Peninsula— often rescued from the woodchipper. Participants work with European deciduous species such as ash, elm, oak, walnut, tulip tree, and Italian alder – the qualities of which are well known for resistance to splitting and cracking, making them ideal for furniture making.
The legs of the stools are made from hazel, which Greg harvests himself each winter, storing it in preparation for the workshops. Even the finishing touches are produced locally, with flaxseed oil from Ashburton and walnut oil from West Melton used to enhance the natural beauty of the wood.
During the workshop, Greg shares the stories of the hazel and the specific timber used for that session, ensuring participants know the exact species and where the tree grew, connecting them to the origins of the stool they will take home.
The Joy of Hand Tool Crafting
A distinctive feature of this workshop is the use of hands tools, unlike machine woodworking there’s no need for ear protection, dust extraction, or power tools. Instead, participants engage directly with the wood, brushing away shavings and allowing the material to guide the development of the final product. Greg emphasises that the grain of the wood often dictates what is possible, as participants learn to work with it, understanding the interaction between their hands, the blade tool, and the wood. Often, the natural qualities of the wood shape the final outcome just as much as the crafter’s original vision.
More Than Just a Stool
Greg believes that the workshop experience is as valuable as the finished stool itself. “In those ten hours, participants are pushing out all the distractions and worries in their life,” Greg explains. “They’re focusing on this one project, and that kind of concentration is very therapeutic.”
His advice for those attending? “Bring yourselves wholly. Leave your worldly concerns behind, be present, and enjoy the experience.”
In 2025, Greg will offer only four stool-making workshops and one peg-making workshop— a rare opportunity not to be missed. Book now to join Greg in 2025.