A blog about woodturning
Cumbria festival of forestry
Just thought I would post a few pictures of the forestry festival, which is the first of its kind in Cumbria.
Drying timber
This really has taken me years to work out and is certainly very frustrating when I get it wrong! It would be uneconomical for me to buy large quantities of kiln dried timber, so preparing it from green myself is without doubt the best way forward.
Hesta Scene gallery, Caldbeck
I've just been invited to display my work at Hesta Scene gallery in Caldbeck. Karen Kennedy and Julie Coghlan established the gallery in 2009, with the name Hesta Scene coming from the Cumbrian word 'Hesta' which translates to 'have you'.
Keeping those tools sharp
This is something easily overlooked, but an essential part of the turning process. Very dry timber can blunt a gouge in seconds, so understanding the grinding wheel is quite important.
Wigton's spring fling
Each year, the shops and stores in my local hometown of Wigton offer up their window space to local craftspeople. This makes for some fantastic displays, and shows off a great selection of crafts, including ceramics, jewellery, paintings, sculpture and more.
Finishing the huge yew bowl
Early last year, I dedicated a couple of blog posts to chainsawing and rough turning the 'huge yew bowl'. You may be wandering what became of this beast, but all will soon be revealed.
Processing a tree for turning
In my last blog post, I got rather excited about some yew trees I had just acquired! The largest one is now well on the way to being rough turned, which leaves about three or four good sized sections to be cut up.
Look at all this timber
I had a call last week from a local country estate, asking if I was interested in some yew trees, which had just been felled you bet I am! Just a quick look at all those sold pieces on my website will give an idea of what people like the most.
A photograph is all in the lighting
I really hope those visiting my gallery find the images both attractive and useful. Being able to capture the character, or beauty of something is difficult whatever you are wishing to photograph. Im going to be featuring some of the different aspects of photography over the next few blog posts this one is going to be about lighting.
Special bowls need good packaging
Protecting my bowls in transit is something I've always taken seriously. Many of my pieces have delicate edges and these need to be protected in fact, a large impact from the side of a box should not even touch the bowl inside.
Getting the best from your chainsaw
Having a good chainsaw is essential if youre really into woodturning. Being able to source your own timber opens up a whole array of possibilities. Not only will you be able to use unseasoned green wood, but youll also be in full control of the size and shape of the blanks you intend to use. However, chainsaws, like any other machine need to be maintained.
Joe's beautiful boards
Local designer, Joe Butler, has developed his own range of high quality serving boards. Made only from Cumbrian timber, they incorporate many of the features mirrored in my wooden bowls and are hand made from start to finish.
These folk have all the big machines!
If ever I'm after an elm trunk, or maybe some spalted beech, this is the place to look! Danny Frost Timber is a furniture making and sawmilling business, specialising in local hardwoods.
Making a dip platter
Its only January and Ive already got some great ideas for this coming year! Hollow forms, serving boards and possibly, even some furniture, are all currently going through the design stage! However, before all of that, I need to make some more dip platters...
Some photos of the exhibition at Tullie House
Apologies to everyone following my blog of late as youve probably guessed, I've been incredibly busy over the Christmas period and have not had a chance to keep you updated! However, the rush is now over and I've got a bit more time to catch up on other things.
Getting ready for my next exhibition
With Christmas only three weeks away, things are getting a lot more hectic in the workshop! Not only am I gradually working through my orders and commissions, but Im getting ready for my next exhibition.
My latest commission
I've just been approached by a restaurant, who are looking for a set of carving boards and thought this would fit the bill. This sample is made from 35 mm thick beech and is 32 cm in diameter.
From cherry tree to cherry bowls!
Heres a good example of what can be done with a tree, which would have otherwise been sawn for firewood. As well as being diseased, this cherry tree was in the way of building works and was about to be removed.
Tips on sanding a bowl
In order to get a really smooth finish on wood, there are a few processes I follow in order to get the best result. My more intricate, natural edge bowls are harder to sand, so a lot of patients is essential!
Working with green oak
Local furniture makers DF Timber have just finished building this green oak porch. It has been made to replace an old decaying cedar one and provide a better entrance to my showroom, which is just inside.