01 Apr From Tool to Stool with Rusty Tchernis
Rusty Tchernis is a chairmaker and college professor out of Decatur, GA. He’s teaching “From Tool to Stool” at Folk School for the first time June 2-8, 2024. Folks will enjoy creating their own spokeshave to be used to build a three-legged stool with a carved seat in this all levels class.
Check out Rusty’s talk, “A Tale of Two Chairs” on Bench.Talk.101. You can also find him on Instagram or at his website www.tchair.org
Read more about Rusty Tchernis and his class in our interview below! Interested in his class? Register today to secure your spot.
Notice: This Class Has Passed. Please check out our other Woodworking classes.
JCCFS: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background in your medium. How did you get started?
RT: I’m a chairmaker based in Decatur, GA. Masquerading as a college professor by day, I make chairs and other furniture in my free time. I’ve taught chairmaking for three years both in the U.S. and in France.
JCCFS: Tell us more about your class’s specific technique or process. What can students expect to leave your class with?
RT: In the class we will combine your interest in tool making with an introduction to Windsor chair making. We’ll learn the process of making a traditional wooden spokeshave, a versatile tool that is integral to building chairs and other hand-carved wooden objects. Then, use your spokeshave to build a three-legged stool with a carved seat. This fast-paced class is ideal for students who want to build strong hand tool woodworking skills. Students can expect to learn basic skills of tool making, chair making and whole lot of good time. The students will also take home a spokeshave and a stool.
Spokeshave in the works!
Stool that will be made in class
Wooden pillar for the Mont Saint Michel in France
JCCFS: What do you enjoy most about teaching? What attracted you to the Folk School?
RT: I enjoy watching students become more confident with the process and more excited about things they can do after the class. My goal is to share the my love of the medium and skills for independent study. I would like to learn more about the community of makers and artists associated with the Folk School.
JCCFS: What’s one piece or craft object you’ve made recently that you are proud of, and why?
RT: I helped a friend to carve a wooden pillar for the priory of Mont Saint Michel, in France. The priory dates back to the 12th century. It was a copy of the stone pillar in the next room. My chair making tools came in very handy on this project.
JCCFS: Where do you draw inspiration from for your work?
RT: I take inspiration from watching and listening to the humble craftsman and the past and the present, many of them have taught at the Folk School.
JCCFS: Where can folks find you if they want to stay up to date on your work?
RT: They can find me on Instagram @rtchernis or visit my website www.tchair.org
Making Stool legs
Rusty with one of his previous “Tool to Stool” classes
Upcoming Class with Rusty
From Tool to Stool
Combine your interest in tool making with an introduction to Windsor chair making. Learn the process of making a traditional wooden spokeshave, a versatile tool that is integral to building chairs and other hand-carved wooden objects. Then, use your spokeshave to build a three-legged stool with a carved seat. This fast-paced class is ideal for students who want to build strong hand tool woodworking skills
Notice: This Class Has Passed. Please check out our other Woodworking classes.
About Rusty Tchernis
Rusty Tchernis is a chairmaker based in Decatur, GA. Masquerading as a college professor by day, he makes chairs and other furniture in his free time. He has taught chairmaking for three years both in the U.S. and in France.
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