During this workshop, you will be introduced to fine relief wood carving in a relaxed and accessible way. You will work with pear wood, a soft and friendly type of wood that is ideal for taking your first steps in fine wood carving. While shaping your own keychain, you will discover how to create decorative edges and how small details bring a design to life.
At your own pace, you will work with professional tools such as chisels, knives, and gouges, while receiving clear and personal guidance as you create your own keychain. This allows you to get acquainted with these wood carving techniques in an enjoyable way. After two hours, you will go home with a beautiful keychain made by your own hand.
The Zeeuwse Horse Knife is a special practical tool with an artistic character, deeply rooted in the farming life of Zeeland. Farmers and farmhands carried it in a deep side pocket of their traditional men’s clothing, always ready for the moment it was needed. While working with multiple horses in the fields, something could suddenly go wrong, and quick action was essential: with one movement, the reins could be cut to protect both human and animal. But the knife was more than a safety tool. It peeled apples, cut beet leaves, removed stones from hooves, and cut rope, a faithful companion in daily life, richly decorated with ornaments that each tell their own story. With its unique design and the various craft techniques needed to make a handle for a horse knife, it is a beautifully decorated practical object and part of Zeeland’s cultural heritage.
Janneke Jacobs practices the Zeeland craft of carving Horse Knives with great passion. In her studio, she works several mornings each week on this special tradition, where craftsmanship, patience, and cultural history come together. For her, making Horse Knives is more than handcraft, it is a passion she loves to keep alive and share with others.
Making a horse knife handle involves various techniques, such as relief wood carving, 3D shaping, and hollowing out the wood. This makes it a new challenge every time, and wood carving never becomes boring. Janneke teaches various courses and provides educational activities. In this way, she contributes to preserving a craft tradition that deserves to be passed on with care, enthusiasm, and a sharp eye for detail.
During this workshop, you will transform a square wooden batten into an almost round peg, which can be used to securely lock a timber joint. You will learn to use a hand plane and work with a chisel. We also focus on proper working posture while planing and you will learn how to correctly set a plane iron. We work with spruce or larch wood.
Afterwards, you will take your self-made peg home. You will also have the opportunity to assemble a wooden construction puzzle. Of course, during the workshop we are happy to tell you more about the educational course Technician in Wood and Restoration.
At the stand, we bring a scale model of a traditional Zaans house and a windmill in a meadow to demonstrate traditional timber construction. Students from the programme are working on various pieces, such as a Douglas timber frame and even a wooden shovel. There are many examples on display, from simple to highly complex workpieces. In short, there is plenty to see.
Technician in Wood and Restoration is the only fully-fledged vocational level 3 programme to become a restoration carpenter. It is offered at five locations in the Netherlands: Hengelo, Arnhem, Zaandam, and since last year also in Groningen and Roermond. During this three-year programme, you learn to work wood using hand tools, electric hand tools, stationary machines, and even CNC-controlled machines, so you can work confidently both in the workshop and on location. Restoration of timber structures and buildings is at the core of the programme, but you will also learn traditional timber construction techniques and new-build woodworking.
At the stand of Amsterdamsche Fijnhout you will find unique pieces of wood with beautiful grain, texture and colour. Ideal for wood carving, woodturning, bases, chopping boards and much more. In addition to wood, Japanese pull saws are also available. These produce an exceptionally fine cut, and you are very welcome to try them out.
Amsterdamsche Fijnhouthandel is a family business that has been operating since 1898. Starting as a furniture workshop in the Jordaan district of Amsterdam, it has grown into one of the most specialised timber merchants in the Netherlands. Wood is an extremely versatile material, which attracts a very diverse clientele. From boat builders to artists, and from furniture makers to landscapers: everyone finds their way to Amsterdam.
Amsterdamsche Fijnhout increasingly sources and promotes a wide range of European wood species such as oak, ash and maple. Tropical hardwoods are preferably purchased with FSC certification and are fully traceable to their origin. In addition, old stock of special timber is acquired to ensure new supply without the need for additional logging.
Since 2021, the company has been based in a new facility designed to be as energy-neutral as possible. With the help of 300 solar panels, the sawmill runs on solar energy for most of the year. The forklifts are fully electric. Waste is kept to a minimum by selling even small offcuts or giving them away as samples.
Amsterdamsche Fijnhouthandel sponsors the wood for the tiny house children’s workshop at this Ambacht in Beeld Festival.
Regular
€10.00 pre-sale online
€12.50 at the door
CJP
€7.50 pre-sale online
€10.00 at the door
Children up to 12 years
Free entrance (with entrance ticket < 13 years).
Stadspas
Free entrance (only at the door upon presentation of your Stadspass, cannot be reserved online).
The prices mentioned include: VAT & service costs.
Please note: everyone who visits the festival needs an entrance ticket, even if you are going to attend a workshop or masterclass.
Ibrahim is from Sudan and is a carpenter. He is very skilled with wood and worked in Sudan as a furniture maker, using recycled wood.
In this workshop, children of all ages can learn basic woodworking skills. You will build a wooden toy car that can actually drive.
During this workshop, you’ll create your own mini-library. It’s best described as a small bookcase for about 8 books, complete with a stand and base. It’s made primarily from residual materials from businesses in Amsterdam-Noord, resulting in a variety of colors and materials, allowing each bookcase to be unique. During the workshop, you’ll drill, saw, screw, glue, and possibly engrave. At the end, you’ll go home with a handmade bookcase ready to display in a beautiful spot.
The Hout- en Meubileringscollege has been an independent vocational college (MBO) since 1929. We are a relatively small school, which creates a personal touch and a safe atmosphere. We train for professions in interior design, furniture, technology, and design. We offer programs for furniture makers, interior designers, creative craftspeople, home furnishings salespeople, carpenters, upholsterers, and piano technicians, among others. We also offer courses and programs for adults.
As an enterprising furniture maker/interior builder, you’ll work for companies in the furniture industry or (ship) interior construction. You’ll be responsible for purchasing materials and managing the entire process of designing, constructing, preparing, and making furniture and paneling. You’ll coordinate the work, oversee scheduling, and supervise the operational staff. You’ll also be responsible for the maintenance and management of production resources.
Discover the Art of Parquet Flooring by Creating a Beautiful Mosaic Floor.
ROC Midden Nederland is the only school in the Netherlands offering the Interior Specialist Parquet Flooring program.
Are you passionate about wood, enjoy working with your hands, and full of creativity? Then the craft of a parquet installer is made for you. A parquet installer, also known as a parquet layer, works with luxurious wooden floors ranging from classic herringbone patterns to modern designs. You don’t just install new floors but also repair and renovate them, ensuring they last for many years. Patience, precision, and an eye for detail are essential qualities that make your work unique every day.
The training (levels 2 and 3) takes place at ROC Midden Nederland in Nieuwegein. This is the place where you learn the craft. You’ll not only master the techniques but also learn how to design patterns, communicate with clients, and manage colleagues. The level 2 program lasts two years, while level 3 takes three years.
These are BBL programs (work-based learning): you work four days a week at a recognized training company and earn a salary right away. One day a week you attend school, where you learn practical trade-specific skills, vocational theory, and general subjects like Dutch, math, and citizenship.
Craftsmanship is making a comeback, and skilled tradespeople are in high demand.
Are you ready to build a future in woodworking? Then you’re choosing a craft full of depth, beauty, and security.
Want to know more? Visit us at the Ambacht in Beeld Festival or check out our website.
Japanese Kumiko is a refined woodworking craft traditionally used for making shoji (room screens). This technique demands great precision and skill. Each piece of wood is meticulously cut and shaped to fit into the pattern, resulting in a seamless and sturdy construction, without the use of glue or nails. The patterns range from simple to highly intricate and often carry symbolic meaning. Kumiko combines functional strength with elegance, reflecting the Japanese appreciation for craftsmanship, simplicity, and harmony with nature.
During the workshop, you will learn the basic techniques for sawing and cutting wooden strips, where accuracy is essential.
You will create your own Kumiko panel, optionally finished with rice paper perfect as a decorative artwork, coaster, or window hanging for your home.
The Beemster School of Furniture Making is dedicated to both professional furniture makers and hobbyists. Located in the picturesque Beemster Polder, the school offers an inspiring setting for anyone eager to learn the art of woodworking. The Beemster School is known for its hands-on approach, with participants working with their hands from day one. Experienced instructors guide students in developing both traditional and modern techniques. The school offers a variety of courses and workshops. With a strong focus on quality and sustainability, the Beemster School strives to train professionals and hobbyists alike to create high-quality, handcrafted furniture pieces.
During this workshop, you will learn how to combine different types of veneer to create beautiful, unique patterns. The thin wood sheets are carefully cut and assembled into a composition designed by you, then glued and finished.
By the end of the workshop, you will take home a handmade decorative coaster that is both functional and stylish.
Marquetry is an ancient woodcraft technique where very thin pieces of wood veneer are cut, pieced together, and glued onto a core wood surface. By using different wood species with their natural colours, a unique image quickly emerges.
This refined craft requires great skill and precision; each veneer piece must fit perfectly to form a seamless whole. The result is a unique and decorative surface that highlights the natural beauty and variety of wood. This technique is used in furniture, artworks, and interior elements, offering a special combination of visual refinement and artisanal skill.
The Beemster School of Furniture Making caters to both professional furniture makers and hobbyists. Situated in the picturesque Beemster Polder, the school provides an inspiring environment for anyone eager to learn the art of woodworking. The Beemster School is known for its hands-on approach, with participants working with their hands from day one. Experienced instructors guide students in developing both traditional and modern techniques. The school offers a range of courses and workshops. With a strong focus on quality and sustainability, the Beemster School aims to train both professionals and hobbyists to create high-quality, handcrafted furniture pieces.
Discover the art of wood veneering using traditional bone glue in this hands-on workshop. You will learn how to apply a thin layer of veneer wood onto a wooden surface using natural materials, following age-old techniques still used in restoration and furniture craftsmanship. You’ll work with hand tools and receive tips on materials, tools, and how to avoid common mistakes. Additionally, you’ll get an introduction to bone glue: what it is, how to use it, and why it’s important.
You will take home your own finished piece.
Het Ambachtshuis Brabant is a leading educational organization for practical craft training, operating with a modern master–apprentice model. Their doors are open to all (young) adults who want to work with head, heart, and hands, regardless of background or prior education. Everyone can discover and develop their passion for crafts through training focused on authentic techniques. Craftspeople are valued and increasingly in the spotlight! The Ambachtshuis Brabant strives for honest products and meaningful experiences with a story, contributing to the preservation and renewal of traditional crafts.
Wijnand Tigchelaar is a creative woodworker running his own company Amb8.nl. He completed the two-year vocational training to become an independent traditional and machine furniture maker at Het Ambachtshuis Brabant, along with courses in furniture restoration. Wijnand is also a passionate woodturner and now serves as a skilled instructor at Het Ambachtshuis. Known for his calm and patient teaching style, he dedicates many enriching hours to his students, who greatly benefit from his knowledge and passion for wood.
Practical information:
Festival address:
NDSM Loods
NDSM-Plein 85
1033 WC Amsterdam
Postal address:
Stichting Ambacht in Beeld
Kalf 158
1509AH Zaandam
The Netherlands
