Woman of the Woods

Burr Oak Cabinet

The starting point for this piece was this beautiful burr oak, which I had re-sawn to create a book matched pair of cabinet doors. It has such a lot of character and completely outshines the work that went into making the cabinet itself.

Sycamore spoons resting on a sweet chestnut board.

I often make these small affordable craft pieces, such as spoons and boards and I think they're just as special as my larger work. I love working with sycamore- It's pale, almost luminous quality is so unique.

Elm sconce

This series came about from a collaboration with ceramicist Abbie La Rooy, also based in Dumfries and Galloway. She was predominantly making candle sticks and we were both interested in creating candle sconces combining wood and ceramics. The shape of this sconce follows the grain of the elm and harks to the shape of the candle's flame.

Spalted beech vase with line running through

I make lots of different shaped small vases to hold dried flowers from all the varying timbers I have in my workshop at any one time. I choose the shapes to best show the quality and decorative grain patterns formed when growing (or after growing in the case of the spalted woods). Such as this spalted beech piece - the line created in the spalting process flows up though the front of the vase, round the side and over the top. These are a fun addition to the work I make.

Spalted elm sconce

This series came about from a collaboration with ceramicist Abbie La Rooy, also based in Dumfries and Galloway. She was predominantly making candle sticks and we were both interested in creating candle sconces combining wood and ceramics. I chose this very pale almost stone like spalted elm to harmonise with her white stoneware candle stick. The shape of the back reflects the shape of a flame moving in the breeze.

ash bowls

oak bowl, spoon, ebonised board

spalted beech vases

sycamore mirror