I first became interested in woodturning when I watched Matthew Calder turning large hollow forms at Yandles show in 1997, and decided I wanted to have a go myself. I had access to a Graduate Lathe via my job as a teacher, so proceeded to turn a birch log into a hollow form.
I made loads of mistakes, but with a good sanding it looked OK and I was hooked!
 |
My
first turning,
Birch Hollow form 10 x 15 cm |
I learned by reading books on turning and watching Bert Marsh, Phil Irons and Ray Key demonstrating at Axminster Power Tools shop in Axminster.
I left full-time teaching in August 2002 to devote more time to woodturning and in April 2003 became a self employed woodturner.
I won a bronze award at "Tools2002" for turning a natural edge burr, a silver award at "Tools2003" in the open gallery for a hollow form and a gold award at "Tools2005" in the professional category for a lattice work bowl.
I won second prize in the Prestige category at the International woodworking exhibition at Alexandra Palace in Feb 2006 with a lattice work dish.
I won third prize in the Prestige category at the International woodworking exhibition at Alexandra Palace in Feb 2007 with a zig-zag bowl.
 |
Bronze award winner Maple natural edge vase 25 x 18 cm |
 |
Silver award winner Holm Oak Burr Hollow Form 30 x 24 cm |
 |
Gold award winner Pau Amarello Lattice work bowl 27 x 6 cm * |
 |
Second prize winner Sycamore Lattice work dish 32 x 6cm |
 |
Third prize winner Padauk Zig-zag bowl 47 x 8cm |
My work can be seen at the following galleries :-
Dansel Craftwork Gallery in Abbotsbury, Dorset
Yandle & Sons Gallery, Martock, Somerset
Burford Woodcraft, Burford, Oxfordshire
Somerset Guild of Craftsmen , Courthouse Gallery, Somerton, Somerset
* This bowl is in the Daniel collection, online gallery