Throughout my working life, I’ve always enjoyed crafting with my hands, transforming materials like marble, limestone, and other natural stones into unique, beautiful creations. Since retiring, I’ve shifted my focus to woodturning—pun intended! Working with wood has allowed me to explore new skills and techniques, and as the window sills and shelves began to fill with my creations, I realized it was time to share them with a wider audience.
As a father and grandfather, it’s heartwarming to see the joy my handmade pieces bring to my family. My youngest granddaughter adored my wooden mushrooms during her teething days, while my older granddaughter treasures the trinket boxes I’ve made for her jewellery and keepsakes.
What began with bowls and vases has grown into a wide array of items, including salt and pepper grinders, speakers, salt shakers, and more. With each piece, my skills and range of designs continue to evolve. Keep an eye out for my latest creations—I hope they bring as much joy to you as they have to my family!
Woodturning dates back thousands of years and is one of the oldest forms of woodworking. Its origins can be traced to ancient Egypt around 1300 BCE, where early evidence of a simple two-person lathe was discovered. In this design, one person would rotate the wood using a rope or strap, while another shaped it with a sharp tool.
The craft further developed in ancient Greece and Rome, where innovations like the bow lathe and treadle-powered lathe emerged, allowing a single person to operate the lathe. During the Middle Ages, woodturning advanced in Europe, particularly with the development of the spring-pole lathe, which used a foot pedal to drive motion.
By the 18th century, the invention of the continuous rotary lathe and later, powered lathes during the Industrial Revolution, revolutionized the practice, making it more efficient. Today, woodturning remains a blend of ancient tradition and modern technology, carried forward by artisans and enthusiasts worldwide.