I make contemporary interpretations of traditional Welsh stick chairs using hand tools, a pole lathe, an old shave horse and fresh green wood. I source ash, oak, chestnut, walnut and fruitwoods from local sustainably managed woodlands. I choose and fell the trees according to what I need at the time, looking for natural forms that will become parts of the chairs. The chairs reflect the spirit of the trees and the landscape from whence they come.
I do everything by hand. First I cut the trees into lengths for legs and spindles. I split the lengths in four and shave them into rounds. Spindles and legs are turned on a pole lathe and arms are steamed and then bent into shape. Seats, which come from seasoned planks of elm, beech or oak are often shaped using an adze. |