Bowls drying

Freshly oiled bowls drying outside for a change!

Texture

All my work has a surface texture created by the tool used. This is both tactile and functional. The cut created by a razor-sharp tool is superior to that produced by sanding. I have just taken delivery of a texturing adze used by the North West Coast indigenous people for finishing their wonderful carvings, notably totem poles.

This has a light blade with a sprung handle which creates a chip rather than cutting into the surface. It takes time to get to know a new tool but I'm pleased with the feel of this adze and the surface created:

Malvern Autumn Show

New work in the Ultramarine range will be on display at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern 23rd to 24th September with the Worcestershire Guild. 

Bowl Carving course 29/30th July 2017

I am teaching a 2 day bowl carving course at the Greenwood Centre, Coalbrookdale, Shropshire close to the Ironbridge Gorge. Details available here: carving course

Learn to make a beautiful, functional wooden bowl using simple hand tools. 

Starting with a locally grown greenwood log, you will cover properties, function, design, tools and processes needed to make your own unique bowl. 

Suitable for novice and more experienced woodworkers, the course should give you sufficient confidence to continue carving at home. 

The Contemporary Craft Festival 2017

With only three weeks to go preparations for the Craft Festival in sunny Devon are hotting up!
This is a 'must see' event, so if you are in the south west make sure you come to visit the show. Lots of new work on display with hand-hewn bowls from small to huge and a ladle tree display - you need to come to find out what that is!

the Contemporary Craft & Design Fair

This Friday to Sunday I'll be demonstrating bowl carving at the show in Henley on Thames. New work on display including the largest bowls I've ever carved! Not to be missed!!

Bowl Carving Season

Most times of the year are exciting for one reason or another. Now is the start of bowl carving for me and I've just started on the biggest tree ever!

The first cut reveals its secrets, and it didn't disappoint!

This is a hybrid black poplar, originally planted for match production, which has been left to grow on for about 100 years and has developed a wonderful walnut colour.
Most will be domestic salad/fruit bowls, but the temptation to make some big ones is too great!

These are roughed out and will be left to dry slowly to, hopefully, prevent splitting. They will be finished off in the late spring and should be available for the first show in May.