27 December 2014, Woodturning in practice
Apologies for neglecting my blog this month - as you can probably guess, I've been busy making and posting Christmas presents! However, I've just finished off a pair of crush mills, so thought I'd share some photos.
Continue reading...30 November 2014, Arts, events and places
I've been turning the first batch of my new crush grind mills this week and made sure I took some photo's along the way. There are quite a few processes involved, so I'll try and not make it confusing!
Continue reading...21 November 2014, New work,
Things have been really busy in the workshop of late - from mid November onwards, it usually gets quite hectic, with loads of extra work required for my website and the galleries I supply.
Continue reading...31 October 2014, New work,
This is the first prototype of my latest product, which will soon be available on my website. It's quite a departure from my usual work and has got me a little bit excited!
Continue reading...12 October 2014, Woodturning in practice,
In my last post, I acquired a beautiful burr sycamore tree and have spent the last two weeks cutting up and preparing the timber. The patterns inside are amazing - unlike anything I've seen before.
Continue reading...25 September 2014, Woodturning in practice,
Two weeks ago, I had a call from a tree surgeon, who was working in some woodlands nearby. He'd just felled a 'lumpy' sycamore tree and suggested I came and had a look.
Continue reading...20 September 2014, Arts, events and places
I've just caught up with a friend of mine, Phil Bradley, who is a local willow grower and basket maker. Phil is a well renowned teacher of his craft and has been making beautiful baskets and sculptures for many years.
Continue reading...10 September 2014, Arts, events and places
I've been busy getting things sorted for my open studio, which will be taking place during the second half of this month. My showroom has just been re organised, so I couldn't resist taking some shots!
See some photo's of my showroom...31 August 2014, Woodturning in practice
I've started turning a batch of tea light holders and thought I'd post some photo's of the first one being made. I'm using spalted beech, which is ideal for smaller decorative pieces.
See a tea light holder being made...18 August 2014, Arts, events and places
Three weeks ago, I was preparing to exhibit my work at Lanercost Priory, my main exhibition of the year. It's all up and running now, so here are some photos of the finished display.
Continue reading...31 July 2014, Arts, events and places
I've been invited to display my work during the 'Craftsmen At The Priory' exhibition at Lanercost Priory, near Carlisle. Close to Hadrian's Wall, this is a fantastic location, with many of Cumbria's top craftspeople showcasing their work.
Continue reading...15 July 2014, Woodturning in practice,
Just thought I'd post some photos of the bowl blanks I've been turning, since my chain sawing session two weeks ago. Most of them have natural edges and there's a couple of really big ones too.
Continue reading...29 June 2014, Woodturning in practice
I've decided to make chain sawing and rough turning my priority for the next two weeks. My stack of timber is getting smaller, but it should really have been processed by now.
Continue reading...10 June 2014, Arts, events and places
Holker Hall and gardens are situated just south of Kendal, right on the fringe of the Lake District. Every summer, the estate holds a garden festival, which is packed with crafts and displays.
Continue reading...26 May 2014, Woodturning in practice
I've been commissioned to turn a set of ash pendant lampshades and thought I'd post some photo's of them being made. I've not tried anything like this before and they proved to be a very interesting project indeed.
See a pendant being made...15 May 2014, Arts, events and places
Earlier this year, I posted some photo's of Roo's summerhouse, just after the main framework had been assembled. Although the bad weather slowed things down a little, the build is now well underway.
Continue reading...23 April 2014, Woodturning in practice
In my last post, I'd prepared a huge piece of ash, ready for turning into a lampshade. Here's some photo's of it being made.
Continue reading...12 April 2014, Woodturning in practice,
This has to be my most challenging commission to date and the first time I'll be attempting something truly gigantic. I'm going to be making a 3' diameter lamp shade, complete with natural edge!
Continue reading...24 March 2014, Woodturning in practice
I've had yet another offer of some yew trees, although this time they are a little larger in size - at nearly three feet across, I'm going to have fun loading them into the van!
Continue reading...28 February 2014, Woodturning in practice
I'm quite busy at the moment, band sawing and roughing out my ever expanding stack of timber. The majority of it is yew, but there's a few lumps amongst it, which are unlike anything I've turned before.
Continue reading...17 February 2014, Sustainability and the environment,
I've been lucky to witness the building of this lovely green oak structure, which will be a summerhouse when finally completed. It's designer, Roo, specializes in working with green oak and has a passion for traditional skills and sustainability.
See the summerhouse being built...30 January 2014, Arts, events and places,
Just thought I'd post some photos of this magnificent burr, which I spotted at the sawmill this week. I was lucky to be calling in, just as it was being planked and managed to get these shots.
Continue reading...16 January 2014, Sustainability and the environment,
With all the gales we've had of late, it was only a matter of time before something came down nearby. I had my hopes pinned on a lovely burr elm, but I'll settle for an ash, if it's free!
Continue reading...