So much else going on I rarely get the chance to post images of work here any more so here are a few pics of what I have been up to. This week I went to collect wood. There was a gorgeous looking beech log I have had my eye on for a while but when I cut it open it was not good inside so I rejected it. I came home with some fresh sycamore instead, it will be a while before this is ready to turn but it’s always good to have good timber in stock.
This week I had a visit from HCA patron and chairman of Gieves and Hawkes Mark Henderson, his new venture is “The New Craftsmen” he is visiting and sourcing great british craftwork.
My mission was to sell him on the idea that eating from woodware is a luxury experience. I always find it a hard sell if I only have the work with me, if I can sit people at a dinner table and feed them a meal from wood everyone is instantly convinced.
Next up two mazers completed this week for commissions, both heading for the USA. Both are made from burr maple from Hatfield Forest. This first one I think is a stunner, sometimes a piece just works better than you could ever hope, I will be sad to part with it.
Last up a special big bowl with a frill. I made a few of these about ten years ago and I don’t know why I have not made them since, I like the design. It was originally inspired by medieval vessels I saw on a visit in 1998 from excavations at the Russian city of Novgorod though I have since seen more recent bowls with the frill from around the Baltic, particularly in Sweden. A big bowl like this takes about 2 months to dry and then will eventually find it’s way on to my gallery pages.
Great to see some of your recent work Robin, the bowl with the frill is fantastic. I also love the big stack of wooden plates.
Great looking work. How did he respond to eating with wood? More importantly, how can you get prospective buyers to try it for themselves?