How Helen Welch Built One of London’s Most Respected Furniture Schools

How Helen Welch Built One of London’s Most Respected Furniture Schools

Helen Welch, founder of the London School of Furniture Making, joins Robin Johnson for a direct conversation about teaching craftsmanship, surviving as a maker, and why furniture making still attracts people desperate to work with their hands instead of staring at screens all day. Helen reflects on leaving school early, training as a carpenter and joiner in 1980s London, and eventually building a furniture school that now teaches joinery, steam bending, furniture design, carving, and specialist woodworking skills in Camden. The conversation explores the reality of making a living in furniture making, the financial barriers facing young makers, the decline in apprenticeships, and why business knowledge matters just as much as craftsmanship. Helen also shares her thoughts on resin tables, Nakashima furniture, teaching for over 30 years, and why many people entering woodworking today are searching for something more meaningful than office work and finance careers. Key Topics Covered * Why Helen left furniture making for teaching * Building the London School of Furniture Making from evening classes * Apprenticeships in carpentry and joinery during the 1980s * Why furniture making businesses struggle financially * The rise of finance workers entering woodworking * Steam bending, Kumiko, carving, and specialist furniture courses * Why resin river tables became so popular * George Nakashima and authentic furniture design * The challenge of making affordable solid wood furniture * Why many people use woodworking to escape screen based work * How apprenticeships have changed in Britain * The importance of business knowledge for makers * Why passion matters in craftsmanship * Balancing teaching, creativity, and family life Enjoying the show? Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world. Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love. Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms. Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. Key Moments: 00:00 Helen Welch on building the London School of Furniture Making 02:03 From carpentry apprentice to furniture teacher 05:31 Why making furniture for clients stopped being enjoyable 08:47 The courses taught at the furniture school 10:41 George Nakashima and the problem with resin tables 18:41 Why people are turning to woodworking again 20:18 Finance workers learning furniture making 23:42 Bringing specialist carving and Kumiko instructors into the school 30:11 The reality of earning a living as a furniture maker 33:38 Why furniture making is financially difficult 39:28 Why makers must understand business 40:26 Former students now running successful workshops 42:31 Expanding into a larger workshop in Camden 45:51 Why apprenticeships are no longer long enough 50:10 How great apprentices learn faster than everyone else 55:19 Advice Helen would give her 18 year old self

How Simon Thomas Pirie Built a Bespoke Furniture Business That Lasted 30 Years

Robin Johnson sits down with furniture maker and designer Simon Thomas Pirie to discuss the reality of building a long term creative business in Britain. Simon shares his journey from studying fine art and discovering woodworking through Hook Park, to running a respected bespoke furniture workshop in Dorset for nearly three decades. The conversation explores furniture design, apprenticeships, CNC technology, kitchens, direct client work, workshop culture, scaling a creative business, and the pressure of balancing craftsmanship with commercial survival. Simon also reflects on leadership, hiring the right people, working with architects and interior designers, and why British furniture making struggles without proper industrial support. Key Topics Covered * Building a bespoke furniture business from scratch * Hook Park and the influence of John Makepeace * Fine art, furniture design, and creative career paths * The reality of running a small workshop business * Why direct client relationships matter * Kitchens versus freestanding furniture projects * CNC machines and modern furniture production * Hiring apprentices and training young makers * Workshop culture and team dynamics * Expanding into larger workshop spaces * British furniture making versus European manufacturing * Creative burnout and staying inspired after 30 years * Garden bench production and Chelsea Flower Show * Working with architects and interior designers * Legacy, craftsmanship, and long term creative work Enjoying the show? Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world. Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love. Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms. Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. Key Moments: 00:00 Growing up around woodworking 01:41 Discovering furniture making 02:48 Learning at Hook Park 05:20 Teaching furniture design 08:25 Starting the workshop 10:14 The struggle of solo makers 11:30 Kitchens and commercial projects 16:30 Design influences and style 21:50 Expanding the workshop 26:36 CNC technology and production 31:42 Workshop culture and apprentices 50:45 Problems with creative education 58:59 Becoming a furniture maker 01:02:57 Bespoke furniture versus products 01:08:03 Recycled timber projects 01:09:02 Advice to his younger self

Young Crafters Building Careers in Furniture Making and Textile Design

Robin Johnson sits down with sisters Clara and Rose Prince to discuss studying furniture making and textile design, navigating creative careers, and building a future in craft. Clara studies furniture making at West Dean College while Rose focuses on weaving and textiles at Chelsea College. They speak openly about the realities of creative education, student debt, apprenticeships, networking, exhibitions, and the pressure of entering industries where practical skills matter more than academic status. The conversation also explores collaboration, British manufacturing, women in craft industries, and why hands on work still matters in a digital world. Key Topics Covered: * Studying furniture making at West Dean College * Learning weaving and textile design at Chelsea College * Women entering male dominated craft industries * Networking and building industry relationships through exhibitions * Starting a creative career after university * The reality of running a craft business * Creative collaboration between furniture and textiles * The financial pressure of university and student debt * Why apprenticeships deserve more attention * British manufacturing and sustainable production * Using textiles to support dementia care and cognitive health * Balancing creative ambition with practical industry experience Enjoying the show? Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world. Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love. Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms. Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. Key Moments: 00:00 Introduction to Clara and Rose Prince 00:43 Growing up in a creative and hands on family 02:22 Women entering furniture making and textile design 04:48 Supporting each other through creative education 05:53 Exhibitions and presenting work publicly 07:56 How university prepares students for industry 09:32 Plans after graduation and gaining industry experience 12:19 Collaboration ideas and future business ambitions 17:52 Balancing business goals with personal ambitions 21:43 Family influence and inherited craftsmanship 22:54 The cost of university and creative education 23:10 Apprenticeships versus university pathways 26:31 Textiles, dementia care, and cognitive health 29:23 British manufacturing and preserving craft industries 46:48 Advice to their younger selves

From Pandemic Pivot to Sculptural Wood Art: How Oliver Chalk Built a Self Taught Wood Turning Career

Robin Johnson speaks with Oliver Chalk, a self taught wood turner who rebuilt his career during the pandemic by following curiosity rather than a fixed plan. Starting with climbing holds and basic tools, Oliver moved into large scale sculptural woodwork, developing his own techniques through repetition and failure. He explains why surface, texture, and emotional response drive his work, how investing in the right tools changed his trajectory, and why process matters more than outcome when building a creative career. Key Topics Covered * Learning wood turning without formal training * Building skill through experimentation and repetition * Importance of investing in professional tools and maintaining them * Developing a recognisable style through surface and texture * Working with large scale timber and physical challenges * Using natural materials for sustainability and longevity * Creative philosophy focused on process and self expression * Balancing risk, safety, and creativity in the workshop * Why failure drives progress and skill development Enjoying the show? Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world. Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love. Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms. Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. Key Moments: 00:00 Introduction to Oliver Chalk and his wood turning work 00:46 Pandemic career shift and early experimentation 02:11 Learning wood turning through trial and error 06:57 Discovering surface texture and creative direction 09:30 Investing in tools and committing to the craft 10:10 Working with large scale timber and safety awareness 18:09 Moving from turning to sculptural carving techniques 22:49 Creative philosophy and finding purpose through making 29:21 Creativity as problem solving and pushing limits 34:23 Process over product and emotional connection to work 39:27 Exhibitions, galleries, and building a career 53:27 Advice on failure and continuous improvement

Started With No Plan & Built a Sustainable Timber Business from Scratch with Ben Goldsmith

Robin Johnson speaks with Ben Goldsmith from Design Woodcraft Ltd about building a timber and furniture business without a clear plan. Ben started with no tools, no strategy, and no formal direction, then grew the company through consistent work and curiosity. The conversation focuses on how the business developed into a sustainable operation, milling its own timber, tracking carbon impact, and working with high profile hospitality clients. This episode gives a grounded view of how a creative business can grow through action rather than planning, and where that approach creates both opportunity and limitations. Key Topics Covered: * Starting a business with no plan or formal training * Moving from kitchen work into woodworking and furniture making * How Design Woodcraft Ltd grew through trial and consistency * Building a sustainable timber supply chain from log to finished product * Milling timber, air drying processes, and cost advantages * Carbon tracking and creating low impact furniture products * Working with hospitality clients and high end restaurants * Why word of mouth growth limits scale * The challenge of marketing a craft based business * Creating recurring revenue through maintenance services * Plans to expand workshop capacity and increase turnover Enjoying the show? Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world. Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love. Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms. Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. Key Moments: 00:00 Introduction to Ben Goldsmith and Design Woodcraft Ltd 02:47 Starting with no tools and no clear plan 07:52 Years of operating without strategy or structure 14:27 Carbon tracking and sustainability in furniture production 23:01 Milling timber and cost advantages 26:00 Full control of supply chain from log to product 29:54 Limits of word of mouth growth 37:23 Creating a recurring revenue service model 41:03 Challenges with marketing and content 1:00:49 Advice on creativity and exploration