The Handmade Matters Mentorship

The sharing of a special tradition

In keeping the unique tradition of Windsor Chairmaking alive, Jon has always been generous with his time and expertise. Each year a small number of students are invited to craft their very own chair within the Handmade Matters workshop at no charge. This extraordinary opportunity is designed to increase accessibility to the unique art of Windsor Chairmaking. It encourages those who may otherwise not be able to afford, or access, such a course to engage in this age old craft.

The Handmade Matters Mentorship is designed for those pursuing a future in furniture making. It is expected you will hold a Certificate IV in Furniture Design & Manufacture, or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience. Throughout the mentorship you will craft your very own Windsor Chair under Jon’s expert guidance. You will receive training in all aspects of Windsor Chairmaking, learning everything required to complete a special chair to be treasured. Aside from the practical skills and knowledge you will gain, time spent in the workshop with Jon is filled with rewarding conversations and shared experiences. You will gain first hand insight into Windsor Chairmaking history, the use of vintage tools, and Jon’s own deep connection to the timbers that grow in Tasmania’s glorious temperate forests.

Onsite accommodation is provided at no charge for the duration of the mentorship. Nestled within a quiet bush setting, the off grid, self-contained A-frame cabin is the ideal way to fully immerse yourself in the Handmade Matters experience. Participants simply need to provide their food and personal supplies. A vehicle is recommended as the property is 40 minutes from Hobart and off the beaten track.

In return, you will ‘pay it forward’ to the chair makers that will follow in your footsteps. Throughout the mentorship you will lend your newfound skills to Handmade Matters by assisting in the creation of some of the key chairmaking components required for Jon’s chair making classes. You will also assist Jon in preparing for, and running, chairmaking workshops.

The Handmade Matters Mentorship is three months in duration, with participants committing to working alongside Jon for four days each week.

Applications for The Handmade Matters Mentorship are invited from those with demonstrated furniture making experience, a genuine interest in chairmaking, and a respect for the maker’s philosophy. Applications are particularly invited from regional and economically disadvantaged applicants.

Applications are welcome year round.

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April 2025, Molesworth TAS

All the leaves are brown and the first frost has settled. It’s been 5 months since I first arrived in the A frame tucked away in a valley rich with knowledge and magic I didn’t know existed.

At Handmade Matters Jon has created a space to explore the commitment to a certain way of living. A world of beauty, working with hands, education, simple living, community and ideals of democracy.
In a contemporary world where mass production, fast paced living and authoritarian politics and design is becoming the norm, I decided to take the “long road” in my woodworking career, diving into traditional wooden boat building four years ago. It has since offered a rewarding course than paths more commonly traveled. Jon’s workshop has provided a safe space for me to delve further into these traditional woodworking skills with Windsor chair making as the medium.

Every knot, every bit of diving grain contains a lesson and surfaces the same questions contemplated by fellow craftsman Peter Korn – What is craft? Why do we make things? And does it matter?

These are questions sometimes best left contemplating, although after my time with Jon, I am certain of one answer- that practicing contemporary craft can be a process of self-transformation. Working with my hands the last five months has built as much joy in the process as for the beauty of the end result. It has been a process of personal growth, encompassing a shift in inner perspective and outward views.
In Jon’s workshop there is value in the exertion for the body and mind. The results are simple and have been the best of my creative impulses.

To say this experience has been informative, healing and transformative for me is an understatement. Summer afternoons spent bathing in the trickling creek, mornings sipping tea and contemplating life lessons, and weekends spent with the locals of the valley. Jon has created a truly unique experience and I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in traditional craft and woodworking. I have made a life long friend and mentor with Jon and will move forward in my practice embracing a sense of hope, abundant optimism and confidence.

Hannah

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Winter 2024

During the winter months of 2024, I had the privilege of being a guest and participating in a three-month mentorship program with Jon, learning the craft of Windsor chair-making. My home for the duration was a small off-grid A-frame house, a simple retreat that deepened my connection to the experience and the land.

Each day, we worked in Jon’s workshop, where he patiently guided me through the intricacies of Windsor chair-making. Beyond the technical skills, I gained invaluable insights into the philosophy of craftsmanship. I learned the importance of slowing down—not just in the making process but in life itself. Working with wood, I developed a profound appreciation for the material, its origins, and its place in nature.

One of the most impactful aspects of the mentorship is the sense of community Jon has built in the valley. The shared knowledge, conversations, and mutual support among neighbours underscored the significance of connection in traditional craft. Our discussions outside of chair-making enriched the experience and I’m grateful for their lasting impact on my life.

This time in Tasmania reinforced my appreciation for traditional craft and knowledge, highlighting the beauty of making things with intention and care. More importantly, it solidified in my mind the necessity of pursuing what I love and committing to the hard work required to achieve it. The mentorship was not just about learning to make Windsor chairs—it was about embracing a way of life that values craftsmanship, community, and purpose.

Riley

How to apply

Please contact us with your name, age and availability details, attaching short responses to the following 5 questions:

Describe your experience and/or qualifications relating to furniture making – the pathway you have taken in your furniture making career to date is of interest.
What is your current knowledge and/or experience of Windsor chair making?
Do you have any additional practical skills that may be of benefit throughout this experience?
Describe your furniture making ambitions and passions.
Provide a brief statement outlining how you think you would benefit from this opportunity.