Artwork for Eleanor Kercher
Chess Set
Spoons and Spurtles
Sculptural Welsh Stick Chair
Details
I use unseasoned (green) wood, hand tools and traditional techniques to make a variety of items from chairs and tables to small spoons. The wood is always the starting point; what results is dictated by the inherent properties it possesses. This could be variations in colour, "imperfections" such as knots, spalting and shakes, the texture, how the wood dries. I like to make things which are useful.
Creating something which enhances the materials used; solving problems with elegant solutions; continually improving my skills and knowledge of the craft I practice.
Woodworker/furniture maker using locally-sourced greenwood and traditional methods.
I sometimes take my pole-lathe and shaving-horse to shows to demonstrate some of the techniques used. I teach simple knife techniques for making wooden flowers and spoons. This year I have made a number of small trees for Ashfield Park School in Ross-on-Wye and also demonstrated how they were made.
Evening class in Basic woodwork 2000-1
Introduction to Green woodwork 2004-5
City & Guilds course in Fine Furniture making at Ryecotewood College (Oxford) 2006-8
Various chairmaking courses with Gudrun Leitz, Clissett Wood near Ledbury
Spoonmaking course with Martin Damen, near Chipping Norton
I exhibit and sell my work as part of the Made in Ross collective at the Market House in Ross-on-Wye. Last year I also exhibited in Chepstow, Newent and Hereford.
Made in Ross, Market House, Ross-on-Wye
