Isaac Uden is an apprentice furniture maker specialising in rush-seated chairmaking at The Marchmont Workshop in the Scottish Borders. QEST funding will support a full-time two-year apprenticeship under the guidance of workshop founders Richard Platt and Sam Cooper, deepening Isaac’s skills in traditional greenwood techniques and rush seating.
Having joined the team in 2024, Isaac is developing hands-on experience across the full process of chairmaking — from selecting and milling local Ash and Oak, to turning, steam bending and weaving rush seats by hand. The Marchmont Workshop is one of the UK’s last remaining makers of rush-seated chairs, preserving a craft that has been passed down through generations.
Drawn to green woodworking for its use of raw, natural materials, Isaac is building precision and consistency in his work while gaining an understanding of structure and design. He aims to become a core member of the team and, in time, hopes to develop his own chair designs, share his knowledge through teaching, and gain experience in the business side of craft to one day work independently.
