Clogmaking is in the press again even making the Radio 4 Today program this morning. The story as reported goes like this, there is a resurgence of interest in Welsh clog dancing but not enough clogs. There is only one clogmaker left in Wales and the craft may die out, there is even a clog amnesty to get people to…
When I started teaching wooden spoon carving I would allow people to “go free with the wood” just teaching them basic technique and letting their imaginations run wild. They made crap spoons but were happy. After a while I decided for my foundation beginners course I had to restrict the options and teach in a much more methodical way in…
I am delighted to be part of the judging panel for a new national craft skills award which is being supported by HRH The Prince of Wales. The awards were launched on Thursday and these are the Prince’s words of support. “I have always had a huge admiration for those who have the talent to use their hands, mind and…
The Journal of Modern Craft contains some of the most thought provoking writing on current craft practice worldwide. I was delighted to be asked by the editors to submit a piece which appears in the current issue. Technology and hand skill in craft and industry. As a craftsman I am interested in how stuff is made and the effect that…
Well I never knew that Tonbridge was famous for the making of cricket balls. This is a craft process involving a lot of hand skill. I had little idea what was inside a cricket ball, a lump of compressed cork, a tightly wound ball of string….this lovely old Pate news clip shows the process CRICKET BALLS In the 1960’s there…
I was at Portland Works in Sheffield last week and wanted to share a couple of pics of Andrew at Wigful tools grinding a 3″ bolster chisel. I have learnt a lot from Sheffield folk about grinding, forging, hardening and tempering steel but when I see proper professionals at work I still feel very much an amateur with my metalwork.…
The Balvenie has launched The Balvenie Masters of Craft awards, celebrating handcrafted goods from across the country. The awards scheme aims to shine a light on the talent in the field of handcrafts – working with metal, leather, wood, stone, food and drink, glass and ceramics and textiles. It is not a history project – youthful exuberance is helping to…
It is difficult today to comprehend just how vast the Sheffield metalworking industries were, but whenever I am in town I see the evidence everywhere. Today I was collecting wood for a spoon carving course next week. Anderson Tree Care are cutting trees from the banks of all Sheffield’s rivers after the big floods in 2008. This is the worksite,…
Sheffield is famous across the world for steel, cutlery and metal trades. Steel was first mass produced here using the crucible process and stainless steel first made into cutlery here in 1913. Times move on however, the majority of that kind of manufacturing moved out to China and Sheffield Council have successfully invested in rebranding the city “Creative Sheffield“ English…
Everyone has a rough idea what craftsmanship is but I want to delve a little deeper and see if we can pin it down. I am hoping my blog readers will help by contributing in the comments. I recently watched a wonderful film about a guy who commissioned his dream bicycle using parts made in some of the best workshops…
