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…
No woodworking or crafts in this post just some inspirational people living lives to the full, believing in what they do and going their own way. Maybe taking the road less travelled. First up Lloyd Kahn, I first came across his inspirational book “Shelter” 20 or more years ago. What a treat to find him on the internet, he took…
Yesterday I had the delightful experience of seeing behind the scenes at No.1 Saville Row home of Gieves and Hawkes. I was astonished at how many people work in the cellars below the shops on the Row and how much handwork is involved. This is the view down the long room where most of the work is done, there are…
I have been making some replicas of Tudor bowls from the Mary Rose, Henry VIIIs ship which sank in 1545. I spent many years helping the archaeologists studying the originals to understand how they were made and wrote up the chapters in the book “Before the Mast” After turning them on my pole lathe I let them dry for about…
