Film about one of Britain’s greatest living potters
Here is a new film about Clive Bowen one of Britain’s greatest living potters, enjoy.
Astonishing film about making
This film is an absolute gem. On the surface it is quite simply about the making of ballet shoes but it goes so much deeper. The deep and passionate relationship through an object that links a hard working maker to the ethereal world of the ballet.
Bronze Age boatbuild on Time Team
Back in 2012 I was involved in a great project working for three months with bronze tools to create a half scale replica of the Dover boat. It was all filmed by Time Team and now 2 years later the program is finally ready to air. It goes out this Sunday 8pm on Chanel 4. They say “The Bronze Age…
Ladder making
Five years ago I blogged about ladder making. I had been contacted by Stanley Clarke who left school and became an apprentice ladder maker aged 14 in 1954. At the time I said “I am going to look into various sources to see if there is any way we can find some funding to spend time with Stanley, pay for…
this makes me happy
I was sent this gorgeous turned wooden artefact by a friend who deals in Chinese antiques. For much of it’s life it was a lunch box. It tells me much about the Chinese that a vessel of such small capacity serves for lunch. They are apparently filled with a ball of rice and taken out to work. I loved the…
new work
Some exciting new bowls including replica Neolithic woodwork for Stone Henge Visitor Centre. Been too busy making and getting ready for SPOONFEST to update the blog but here are a few pics of new work. Three quaichs just finished, silver rims and sycamore bowls, perfect for the discerning whisky drinker.The first one went off in the post today. Next a…
The woodturner in Hole and Corner Magazine
You probably won’t have heard of Hole and Corner magazine yet, it is a new venture by a team of dedicated folk interested in things that are made better. They say “Hole & Corner is a magazine about people who spend more time doing than talking, for whom content is more important than style; people whose work is their life –…
Five ways to wellbeing
I think a lot about what makes a good life, what makes people happy and fulfilled. Tom Bartlett just brought this great summary to my attention. Contrary to what the media and advertisers would have us believe happiness is definitely not related to the amount of money or stuff we have. As a wise man once said to me “Ask…
Birch bark canoe part 5 gunwales and thwarts
Back to our birch bark canoe build the last post we had just started sewing on the gore panels, that is the part that extends the width of the main bark sections upwards.The next stage is to set out the gunwales, we had split these out from an 16 foot long cedar and now set to shaving them down using…
Robin Wood MBE
I am delighted to have been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list. In some ways I feel slightly guilty to have it as it recognises the work of the Heritage Crafts Association which is very much a team effort by a wonderful bunch of voluntary trustees. It is great however that we are finally achieving recognition for…