Author Archives: stevetomlin

Scythes at Highgrove

There’s one more special ‘Learn to scythe’ course from last year that hasn’t had a mention here on the blog. I didn’t write about it at the time in the hope that there would be a photo to accompany it … Continue reading

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What Joe Wright really thought of the scythers

It may have only got 12 seconds in the final movie but it’s nice to know that the time we spent on Salisbury Plain in 2011 filming the scythe scenes for Anna Karenina was appreciated. We certainly made an impression … Continue reading

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Milk Paint Recipe

I’m a big fan of painted woodenware and have been experimenting for a while now with different recipes of homemade paint. The egg based tempera I used on my spindleback chair was lovely but takes several weeks to dry properly … Continue reading

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Windsor Chair Baluster Leg

This photo shows why I was so keen to get turning beads with the skew chisel under my belt. After years of making post and rung chairs I’ve finally set my sights on making some windsor chairs so I’m investing … Continue reading

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Anna Karenina filming photos

It may have been out for a while now but Christiane only just went to see Anna Karenina (2012) at her local cinema in Austria last week which brought back some great memories and reminded me that I’ve never posted … Continue reading

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Oak Garden Bench

In Cumbria there’s a long tradition of harvesting oak bark for tanning leather and last spring I took part in a group day with the local Coppice Association to harvest bark from Moss & Height’s Spring Wood. The bark is … Continue reading

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Mastering the skew chisel

Like lots of turners, whether on a pole-lathe or powered lathe, it’s the skew chisel that’s always caused me headaches. With a life of it’s own and seemingly no other intention than to mess up details at the last moment … Continue reading

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Winter break

Life is seasonal and happily so is my work schedule. While the rest of the year are full with shows, courses and scythes, the winter period especially after Christmas is a time when I can make my plans for the … Continue reading

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Buying the right size scythe

A scythe is a very personal tool and should be sized and adjusted to fit your body and mowing style for the most comfort and efficiency. This was especially true with the older English and American pattern scythes when the … Continue reading

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Yew Tree Barn Christmas Market 2012

Another chance to pick up some Cumbrian handmade crafts for the perfect present at the Yew Tree Barn Christmas Market on 8 & 9 Dec from 10-5pm at Low Newton near Grange-over-Sands in the Lake District. Directions available on their … Continue reading

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