You can!
And it's very easy to arrange...

Here's the opportunity: Benefit from my extensive woodcarving and teaching experience through personal, one-on-one woodcarving tuition with me, Chris Pye, in my fully-equipped carving studio.

"Thanks Chris, for the great day I spent with you in your workshop.
You immediately put me at ease and quickly discovered the weaknesses (and strengths) in my lettercarving. It made a great difference to watch and be shown how to carve what I regarded as a difficult part of a letter.
You have great patience, and with your inspiration and encouragement, I can see myself spending a lot of my retirement time with a chisel in my hand!"

Gordon McConnell (Gordon_McConnell@hotmail.com)

"Thank you so much for your great efforts over the last few days. I thoroughly enjoyed my course, your teaching, the environment (and the soup!) and feel that I have learned so much - and not just about letter carving."

Andy Wilkins (andy2mwilkins@tiscali.co.uk)     

Accomodation is readily available locally and many students find that mixing an enjoyable holiday or a working trip with the opportunity of increasing their woodcarving skills.
A great and inspiring combination!

The Welsh Marches and Herefordshire where I live is a jewel: a rich and satisfying area to visit and holiday. For example, Hay-on-Wye (the 'Town of Books') is 5 miles away; there is fine walking in the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons, and canoeing down the River Wye; there are castles, churches historic towns in easy reach; and much, much more.

What about calling in for a day, 3 days, a week of intense and satisfying woodcarving tuition while vacationing in the area?

"I wanted to thank you for a great day last week, and for sharing so much of your expertise with me. It was truly one of the most enjoyable days I've had for a long time."

Anne Shehab (anneshehab@yahoo.com)      

How It Works...

• First email me to say hello and tell me what you have in mind, when you are visiting this part of England - whatever.

• I'll send you my phone number and we'll arrange to talk:
  I see myself, and my expertise in woodcarving, at your service, so it is important for me to get a good idea of how I can help you. We'll discuss where we start; what your aims and goals are; what you feel you need to work on in your carving, and so on - building up a picture and customising a personal 1-on-1 'course'.

  

  A happy carving student tuning his sharpening skills:

• We will leave a little flexibility in the schedule because, in practice, there will always be new things arising. And we'll make notes and discuss things to follow up when you get home.

• I'll help with advice on local B&B's, or travel arrangements for example.

• When we are both happy with what we'll do and when we'll do it, you pay a 50% deposit in advance to book.

• You come along and have a great time learning and carving. Through demonstration and supervision I help you move a little closer to your goal of being a competent and successful carver.

  I may be working on my own carving while you are engaged in practising something - it's not a good idea for me to be peering down your neck all the time - and it's of additional benefit to watch a professional at work anyway.
  Whatever, I will be monitoring and directing you do at all times - I am known to be very friendly and patient!
  The time goes quickly and enjoyably; the work is often challenging and the learning intense...

• Very importantly: your time with me does not end when you leave. I am interested in your progress and you are free, encouraged, to keep in contact for further advice and support when you get home.