ABOUT ME

From a young age I have loved and admired trees. I grew up in the middle of a woodland, and the hours spent playing with my sister among the sycamores and oaks left a deep impression. Working with trees takes me to this happy place, and my process for making always starts with sitting down with my extensive wood collection and carefully selecting a piece to use.

 

I came to toolmaking after a Fine Art degree where I spent much of my time making woodcuts of trees and immersing myself in the process-based world of the printmaking workshop. The mass produced tools in the university workshop never quite satisfied me, and I began exploring making my own printmaking tools and printing presses. I picked up vital knowledge and skills in woodwork, joinery and metalwork from my amazing university technicians, and they taught me a real love and respect for the handcrafted object. 

 

After I was introduced to spoon carving by a friend, I decided to learn how to make my own sloyd knife rather than buying a whole new toolset. There the obsession was born! I held in my hands a stunning handcrafted tool that I could use to carve just about anything I wanted. I've spent a great degree of time considering every aspect of the tool, particularly the balance between the blade and the handle design. I’m constantly striving to find that perfect balance of comfort and functionality that is so unique to every single person.

 

Traditional craft is incredibly important to me. The Swedish sloyd education movement that advocates handcraft is wonderful, I have incorporated a lot of sloyd methods into my practice – click here to read more about it. Everything I create is completely handmade with hand tools, and I love knowing that in my own small way I’m keeping alive these old methods of working. The idea of ‘functional art’ is also central to my work. I make pieces that are beautiful objects in their own right, before they even find their way onto your workbench. It brings me joy to think that their beauty will only continue to grow with use – patinas and a well-worn blade make each piece all the more special to their owners.