Author Archives: stevetomlin

Gilded Curly Shade

Posted on November 13, 2010 by stevetomlin

Today I finished work on the large gilded curly lightshade for Charlie Whinney.  The 50 steam-bent wooden coils were stretched over a spherical framework and pinned in place using cocktail sticks as miniature dowels.  My instructions on placing the coils … Continue reading →

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Gilding ash coils

Posted on November 10, 2010 by stevetomlin

This week I’ve been working for Charlie Whinney on a bespoke version of his Curly Lightshade design. The key feature of these is coils of steam-bent ash which cover the light in curls.  For this special, bigger model 50 coils … Continue reading →

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End of season peening & sharpening workshop

Posted on November 6, 2010 by stevetomlin

On Sunday I ran a peening and sharpening workshop for members of the NW mowing group at Haybridge Nature Reserve in response to a request from one of the members and my own observations at our recents meetings. It’s also … Continue reading →

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Steambent Sculpture

Posted on October 23, 2010 by stevetomlin

This week I’ve been working with Charlie Whinney on a steam-bent sculpture. I do some steam-bending for making chairs and hayforks but Charlie takes it to a new level,  working with large pieces of wood and bending them in new … Continue reading →

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Apple Day 2010

Posted on October 18, 2010 by stevetomlin

Inspired by our meeting in the orchard at Sprint Mill, I organised a stand at this year’s Apple Day at Acorn Bank near Penrith. One of the organisers, Sara Braithwaite, told me that over the years the event has grown … Continue reading →

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Film of reaping demonstration

Posted on October 6, 2010 by stevetomlin

Memories are perhaps fading of the wonderful weekend at Bouth in Cumbria (see Ian’s entry below of 21st September). So here’s a short video of part of it – the Sunday afternoon at Old Hall Farm open day. It features … Continue reading →

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Mowing the Orchard at Sprint Mill

Posted on September 27, 2010 by stevetomlin

Yesterday a small group of the North-West mowers met up at Sprint Mill, just north of Kendal. Edward and Romola, our hosts, have been working their unique smallholding together almost entirely by hand for nearly 20 years. Deeply connected to … Continue reading →

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Sheaf Fork

Posted on September 21, 2010 by stevetomlin

I would deny being a tool geek but I do like old tools, know a bit about them and am constantly amazed by the ingenuity of folk  who worked by hand in designing efficient tools for specific jobs. This is … Continue reading →

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Excellent Scything at the September Hay Bridge Event

Posted on September 21, 2010 by stevetomlin

At least 15 enthusiastic scythers enjoyed an excellent weekend of scything at Hay Bridge Nature Reserve. Many thanks to Paul for getting it together, Keith and Helen for hosting us (beer and barbeque particularly appreciated) and Steve for giving impromptu lessons in … Continue reading →

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FAO cradle in action

Posted on September 18, 2010 by stevetomlin

One thing with mowing is that it’s really difficult to take a photo of yourself so more thanks to the Webster family for the pictures they took during their vintage weekend in August. Here’s the FAO cradle in action, showing how it … Continue reading →

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