1-1 Green Woodworking Course

A green woodworking course with expert, one-to-one tuition, in an area of your choice.

Suitable for beginners and experienced makers alike, this course will be designed to suit your skill level and interests.

1-1 Bespoke Tuition

Spend a full day immersed in traditional green woodworking, with one-to-one or small-group tuition (for up to two participants) in woodturning, carving, and heritage skills.

Each workshop is tailored to your aims, interests and skill level, giving a truly personal and hands-on experience.

Course options

Using an electric or traditional pole lathe and hook tools, we can learn the practice of spindle turning, bowl and plate turning, or end grain vessels.
A hands-on course for all skill levels, from first-time carvers to seasoned makers. Learn spoon carving techniques, from axe work and knife grips to refined shaping and finishing, all guided at your own pace and abilities.
Where blacksmithing meets traditional green woodworking — forge your own woodturning hook tools from start to finish. Suitable for beginners and experienced makers alike, this course covers shaping, hardening, tempering, and sharpening techniques.
Make your own stool or side table from cleft ash or oak, choosing between a Danish cord woven top or solid wood to finish. This course option requires a minimum of two days.
Build your own traditional pole lathe; a foot-powered woodworking tool that lies at the heart of greenwood craft.

This hands-on course guides you through every step, from selecting materials to assembly and tuning. Suitable for beginners and experienced makers looking to deepen their understanding of traditional turning, and to take a handcrafted lathe home.

This course option involves additional costs for materials and will require a minimum of two days. Don’t hesitate to get in touch for more information.

Book your place

Axe block making, knife blade& sheath making (knife blade included), woodland brush, axe techniques: splitting/cleaving, and preparation of stool/bench components for drying.
We'll work with the drawknife, spokeshave, travisher, shave horse, compound angle drilling

Yoav Elkayam

Master craftsman & course leader

I’m Yoav Elkayam, woodturner and craftsman with over a decade's experience practising and teaching traditional green woodwork.

My journey began with a two day workshop, just like the ones I'm offering here. Today, it's a real pleasure to share these valuable heritage skills and build a crafting community.

Together, we can dive into the rich tradition of greenwood craft and create beautiful pieces that carry a story.

1-1 Green Woodworking Course details

Your day will be shaped by guided practice, demonstrations and individual instruction. You will gain practical skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of your chosen process.
These bespoke workshops are suitable for complete beginners as well as experienced craftspeople, who wish to refine their techniques or explore new areas of the practice.
One full day (typically 9:30am–4:30pm)

The stool / side table course and the pole lathe course both require a minimum of two days. Please get in touch for details.
One-to-one tuition, or bring a partner/friend (maximum of two participants)
Ty Mawr, Monmouth NP25 4DZ

The course will be held in a beautiful 17th century, timber-framed barn. My workshop is a part of an active regenerative farm project and located next to an ancient oak woodland.
All tools and basic materials provided (additional costs for certain projects)
£300 /£350 for 2 people
Comfortable clothing suitable for workshop use and a packed lunch. Tea & coffee provided.
Once booked these courses are nonrefundable. However, they can be rescheduled if necessary.
There are many campsites and Airbnb options in the area. Abergavenny is a lovely market town and Monmouth offers a charming high street, both surrounded by beautiful countryside and a 15 minute drive from the workshop.

Vans/campers will be welcomed on our farm (in Llanvetherine, 15 minutes from the workshop) for the night and in the spring/summer months camping pitches will also be available. Please get in touch to arrange.

(March–July): Building Foundations

Over five weekends, you’ll gain familiarity with the tools, techniques, and materials of green woodworking. From splitting and shaping freshly felled wood, putting handles on tools that will stay with you throughout, sharpening, forging , turning and carving - these sessions will give you the core skills to work with confidence and creativity.
(August): Time to Digest

A chance to pause, reflect, and let your new knowledge settle—while the wood dries, and the seasons turn.
(September–December): Individual Projects

Returning for another four weekends, the focus shifts to your own projects. Guided by your interests and building on what you’ve learned, you’ll shape more advanced pieces or build the tools that will allow you to make back home.

These can be a longer one piece project like a chair, shave horse or bed side table or perhaps you want to build a lathe and just improve your turning skills - Ideas will be discussed and refined together.

I'll be guiding you throughout the process and will also be available via phone/email in between sessions.

You’ll be supported in developing both hand skills and a deeper appreciation for the rhythm of craft, the seasons, and the living material of green wood.

Become part of a small, creative community.

WHAT COURSE PARTICIPANTS SAY

I thoroughly enjoyed Yoav’s two day turning course. We turned a plate on day 1 and a cup on day 2. In my opinion Yoav gets the balance right between letting you get stuck in, learning through doing, and pausing and reflecting on turning techniques, angles and how you could improve. He helpfully broke down each step of the project, has a relaxed and friendly manner and is very encouraging. I will definitely be back!

Sam

I turned my first end grain cup on one of Yoav’s courses and had a fantastic time. I learned so much and came away with a cup I’m really proud of (which was an added bonus!). Yoav is a brilliant teacher - patient, encouraging, and really constructive. I’d absolutely recommend taking one of Yoav’s courses if you get the chance.

Izzy

Yoav is an excellent teacher and has an abundance of knowledge to share. I Thoroughly enjoyed the end grain cup turning day, expanding on my turning knowledge and just having great conversation too. Thanks Yoav!