Date 8-9 August 2026 (2 Days)
Price £220
Maximum number of places 8
Book You can book a place or contact Ali Asadi via this link or call 07912 682877
Course Details
The course begins by looking at how to axe out a bowl blank, looking closely at and giving you a deeper understanding of grain orientation. Everyone will work on their own bowl blank throughout the day using the foot-powered pole lathe, as well as getting a chance to try out Ali’s specialised hand forged turning hook tools.
Ali will guide you through some decorative features to add to the bowl using metal wire amongst the turning techniques. At the end of day one, you will use a hook knife to carve and smooth out the final step of your bowl.
Day two focusses on plates you will axe out a plate blank and turn it on the pole lathe with hook tools with discussion about different designs and shapes and Ali’s expert tuition.
All the products you make will be suitable for hot food and drinks. The course is suitable for beginners but even if you have turned a few bowls already there will be lots of skills, techniques and learning opportunities to take away, along with your wooden tableware!
Catering:
For all courses, a hearty, healthy lunch is provided (please let your tutor know of any dietary requirements when booking), along with tea, coffee and water. Breakfast and evening meal is self-catered, with firewood and charcoal-based cooking available.
We also provide firewood, brew-kit, washing up and cooking facilities, crockery and cutlery.
Guests should bring; barbecue food or pans for cooking on a fire for breakfast and evening meals.
Facilities:
Facilities include covered workshop spaces, an undercover outdoor cooking set-up, comfortable compost loo, and handwashing. A good stone track leads to the parking area within the wood, this is suitable for cars, please keep speed under 10mph.
Tutor Bio
Ali Asadi has been turning and carving non-stop since he carved his first spoon in 2015 and fell in love with both the process and the techniques of green woodworking.
Following lots of self-practice, attending community carving events and learning opportunities, Ali was lucky enough to spend some time with pole lathe bowl turners Sharif Adams and Adrian Lloyd, both well respected amongst the craft community.
He has made hundreds of bowls, end grain cups as well as more specialist items including locking lidded boxes, nested bowls as well stunning plates.
Over the last 5 years, Ali has been forging his own turning tools, teaching courses in all things greenwood as well as undertaking demonstrations to communicate the craft to the public at events nationwide and at his own workshop in Stevenage.