31 December 2015, Woodturning in practice
I just thought I'd round off this year with some photo's of my current stack of green yew - I'll be processing this lot in the New Year, so more images will be appearing soon.
Continue reading...11 December 2015, New work,
Based on the Gundestrup Cauldron, this bowl is my latest commissioned piece and features some fantastic detailing by local woodcarver, Richard Kennedy.
See some images of this amazing piece...23 November 2015, New work,
I've just removed these blanks from the drying kiln, as they are now ready to be completed. Turned from a burr sycamore tree I retrieved in 2013, they're certainly impressive and feature some gorgeous swirly patterns.
Continue reading...31 October 2015, New work
Over the past few weeks, I've been putting aside lots of interesting timber, ready for my salt and pepper mills. I've just introduced a new version in yew, but there'll soon be spalted beech and walnut as an option.
Continue reading...12 October 2015, Sustainability and the environment
I've been helping thin out a local woodland, which has become far too overgrown. Quite a few of the trees are tangled together, including this larger ash. In fact this particular one had to be felled, since it was smothering a smaller elm.
Continue reading...13 September 2015, Arts, events and places
My open studio starts this weekend, so do call in if you are passing by. I've got a whole range of projects on the go, making it the perfect opportunity to see me in action!
Continue reading...12 August 2015, Arts, events and places
Here's some photo's an exhibition I'm taking part in at the moment. Set within the magnificent Dacre Hall at Lanercost Priory, the ancient walls and rustic beams look superb as a backdrop to the display.
Continue reading...16 July 2015, Woodturning in practice
Here's a few photo's of some gorgeous yew I've recently collected. Having just finished a couple of large projects, I'm now back to the rough turning - summer holidays will have to wait!
Continue reading...12 June 2015, Arts, events and places,
As you can probably guess, I've been incredibly busy at the moment - much to the detriment of my blog! However, I've enclosed a sneak preview of some pieces I'm making for the opening of Soho farmhouse in Oxfordshire.
Continue reading...15 May 2015, Woodturning in practice
Here's another blog post dedicated to a piece of wood I've found! However, this time I want to show how the natural grain structure of timber can create some amazing patterns.
Continue reading...21 April 2015, Woodturning in practice,
I've just acquired this stump of a cherry tree, which was felled during some gardening works nearby. The outside has a very distinctive shape and looks very much like burr.
Continue reading...23 March 2015, Woodturning in practice,
I've collected quite a lot of timber over the past few weeks and this all needs to be processed, ready for drying. It's taken me a good couple of days to cut it into blanks, but I'm now ready to start rough turning - the fun part!
Continue reading...28 February 2015, Woodturning in practice,
It's not often I hear of a walnut being felled in my area, so was surprised when I received a call from the tree surgeon. This particular example had the beginnings of heart rot and was dangerously overhanging a drive.
Continue reading...20 February 2015, New work,
Here's a sneak preview of my latest set of crush mills. They're made from wych elm and incorporate the same sycamore and walnut inlays, as featured in the beech version.
Continue reading...31 January 2015, Woodturning in practice
I've just been to see this large beech tree, which has fallen into a field nearby. It's certainly an impressive sight, measuring over 5' across at the base. I don't think there'll be any spalting, but it should make some excellent boards - I just need to work out how to move it.
Continue reading...17 January 2015, Woodturning in practice,
I've just acquired this selection of oak burrs, which I discovered at the local sawmill. One of them is quite large, measuring 28" across. These will be rough turned quite soon - hopefully I'll be able to finish them for next Christmas!
Continue reading...