French polishing workshops: small groups, real pieces

Run finishing workshops for small groups, with as many places as you have benches, and give each one a clear outcome: a sample board polished with shellac, a small piece brought from home cleaned and waxed, or a scratched tabletop repaired. Participants book a place online; each booking takes one place and the slot disappears when it's full. For longer courses, open one slot per day and say in the description that the course runs over several days. Your workshop earns on quieter days, and some participants later bring you the pieces they don't dare touch.

Each format needs its own service, with its own length, number of places and price. That way participants see exactly what they're booking.

On Book, each service has a name, a price and an optional description shown on your public page. You open slots for each service at the length it takes, each with a number of places. Participants pick a service, then a slot; each booking takes one place, and a full slot disappears from your page. Your page doesn't show how many places are left.

Durations, places and prices are examples: set your own. Each slot sits within one day, so a three-day course is three slots, one per day. Say in the description that participants book all three days, or book them in yourself from your calendar once they confirm.

State in the description what's provided: shellac, wax, abrasives, rubbers, brushes, gloves, aprons. Say what participants bring: old clothes, and for a bring-your-own-piece day, a piece small enough to carry and approved by you beforehand. Ask for a photo by email so you can check it suits the session; a large wardrobe or a veneer disaster won't fit a one-day workshop.

The public booking form asks for first name, last name, email and phone, plus an optional note you read in your new-booking email. Ask for the participant's experience and, for bring-your-own days, a short description of the piece. The public form books one place per booking, so two friends book one place each. The note can't be edited once the booking exists, so put the questions in the service description.

Start with a short demonstration at one bench, with everyone around you, then let each participant work while you go from bench to bench. Build the day around drying times: while one coat dries, show the next technique or look at examples of good and bad finishes. Keep the last half hour for questions, care advice for the pieces they take home, and photos. Participants leave with a finished piece, a sheet of notes, and an idea of what they can do alone and what's better left to you.

Solvents, stripping products and fine dust need ventilation, gloves and sometimes masks. Keep the product list short for beginners, explain safety at the start of each session, and don't use a product you wouldn't leave a beginner alone with. Mention in the description anything participants should know beforehand, such as strong smells or standing work.

Participants can't move bookings online: they contact you, and you reschedule to another slot with a free place, across services if needed, or cancel from your bookings list. Book doesn't email participants about changes, so let them know yourself. Book doesn't take payments; it handles bookings. It costs €5/month, everything included: unlimited services and bookings, no commission, no contract.