I have been creating and teaching greenwood crafts for over 20years. I specialise in exploring techniques to rediscover forgotten or under-represented crafts, often then developing these into courses for the public. I was awarded a QEST Scholarship along with the Heritage Crafts Association Endangered Crafts Award for my work. Follow the links to read about each craft on my blog or visit Etsy to buy my work and instruction guides.
I offer many of these crafts as workshops for the public and can also deliver them as private, bespoke events for you or your group at a date to suit. Please email me to discuss.
Spoon Carving
I make a range of practical wooden spoons for the home and have taught hundreds of beginners and improvers to carve, including as tutor at Spoonfest Festival. All my spoons are hand carved from locally sourced timber and finished by careful use of razor sharp knives which the need for sandpaper.
As well as selling my spoons, I have created a series of downloadable templates and workbooks to help new carvers. Find these and my spoons for sale on Etsy
Fan Birds
A delicate bird, carved from a single piece of wood without the use of glue or other joints. I first discovered fan birds while at a market in the Czech Republic. Unable to ask about the techniques, I bought some examples which I used to work out my own techniques based on efficiency and simplicity of tools.
My fan birds and a downloadable instruction sheet are available on Etsy:
Ash Splint Baskets
Ash splints are produced by hammering a log to separate the growth rings which peel off as long, flexible strips for weaving. I have been at the forefront of reintroducing ash splint as a basket making material since 2014. I now teach the craft and have written an introductory guide to pounding splints and weaving which is available along with a selection of baskets.
Hay Rakes
Wooden hay rake making is the perfect craft to complement my Learn to Scythe courses. I have been making and teaching hay rake making workshops and been hired to demonstrate the craft at Beamish Museum. My rakes are available through the summer for purchase in person either at my home in Stockport or at one of my workshops around the UK.
Devon Stave Baskets
The Devon Stave Basket is a critically endangered craft which I was awarded the HCA endangered crafts award to learn and preserve. Constructed from bent ash strips and thin softwood planks, it is a sturdy, practical basket that will withstand many years of hard work in your orchard, allotment or as a firewood basket.
