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!

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.

Showing Off exhibition, Ludlow 17th and 18th October

More of my new work will be on display along with other makers from the Shropshire and Worcestershire Guilds.

large poplar bowl, Venetian red detail

very large ladle in figured maple

poplar bowl, carved detail

New work

large beech salad bowl no. 1512 with hazel servers

blue poplar bowl no. 1511, 47cmx15cm

blue poplar bowl no. 1513, 41cmx12cm

blue poplar bowl no. 1514, 51cmx18cm

carved poplar bowl no. 1515, 42cmx17cm

lovely coloured pearwood bowl no. 1516, 26cmx12cm

RHS Spring Show, Malvern

My new work will be on display at the Three Counties Showground from Thursday 7th May until Sunday 10th May 2015 as part of the RHS Spring Show. There will be lots to see so come along for a feast of flowers and craft.

large poplar bowl in ultramarine

butter spreaders in natural damson

breakfast bowls for a quiet start to the day, in alder with hazel spoon

New Painted Bowls

Blue Poplar Bowl

Red Ochre Poplar Bowl

Large ladle in Goat Willow and some recent bowls in Sycamore and Cherry.

New Spoon Racks

New racks of spoons now available in 3, 4 or 5 spoon sets.

New Spoons

New spoons available for sale: serving spoons in Alder £15, eating spoons in Sycamore £15, scoops from £15 each to £30.
Also have a new outlet in Ironbridge at Eighty Six'd on the corner of Waterloo Road and Madeley Bank. Call in for a coffee and delicious home made cakes. They are open 10 to 6 except Monday.