Here is a new design that I am really happy with, I turned them on the pole lathe on Friday and carved them yesterday. I enjoyed it so much I am off to the workshop today on a Sunday to make some more just for fun. The design is inspired by some that I have used at home for 10…
So here’s the brief, two days in London with my 15 year old son Ollie during half term, a mix of educational and fun stuff, seeing the sights of London without breaking the bank. We started a bit off the beaten tourist track unless it is the Beatles fans tour. No1 Saville Row home of Gieves and Hawkes. Saville Row…
Today’s blog post is a group of inspirational places, first North Bennet Street School, an amazing place that has been teaching the highest quality of craft skills since 1885 [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlmqOXExe1g?rel=0] Another inspirational place is North House Folk School, I am hugely impressed by their work. See the website here In Sweden the national folk craft school at Sateglantan is a…
Whilst I was busy building my replica bronze age boat in the spring I heard of a very interesting conference at the British Museum. Craft and People Agents of Skilled Labour in the Archaeological Record Good title and the full details with the call for papers sounded right up my street. It takes place at the BM on 1st and…
As a working craftsman people often tell me I am an artist, or at least that I make works of art. Here is my latest artwork, more about it later. I have mixed feelings about being called an artist. To me there is a big difference, the main purpose of craft is function, it could and should be beautiful as…
A few bits of personal philosophy, feel free to share if you like them. like my facebook page if you’d like more of this
A new film from Artisan Media hope you like it [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLpNNf4V5lU?rel=0]
The worshipful company of turners of London have their roots in the 13th century and a fabntastic recorded history. Many of the wooden bowls which I admire that have been found in excavations in London will have been turned by early members of the guild. In it’s modern form the company still supports the craft of turning and this year…
Paul Martin’s Handmade Revolution went out today on BBC 2 if you missed it this link to iplayer will work for a week or so (UK only I am afraid) and starts at 28 minutes in on the section with Paul learning to turn a bowl. http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b01nd2h2/?t=27m41s It was a great days filming and we all had a lot of…
This week has largely been devoted to making just one mazer bowl. It’s a very special commission and I can’t publish details until after it is finished and given to it’s new owner but it has used my skills understanding of materials and techniques to the limit, hard work but fun. The prototype and the final rim can be seen…
