March Is Not Far Away.

We seem to have shaken the winter bugs at long last I do hope I haven't spoken too soon but the sun is out and we are feeling so much better than we have for a long time.Lets hope the good weather continues as bright as it's been today.
I managed to scrounge wet Ash and Silver Birch logs today so with luck can try some experimental tunings in the next day or two distractions avoided who knows where the Ash may be heading, I have a few ideas, I just have to shut the door and get on with it, as SWMBO says far to often to me. We used to have a guy working with us who also said far to often "don't say it do it " I think all to often we procrastinate about things and on many occasions it would be better to just hit these issues head on to resolve the problems that may arise as things progress.

Spring is around the corner. Hopefully!

We Have Been Ill Again!.

I know it has been some time since my last post but my wife and I have been ill again these winter bugs just won't go away no sooner you think you are over one than another appears, I have not been as bad as Jane but I do feel run down with no energy to get on with the work that I have/want to do still spring is approaching so things will get better I guess.

Plans For the Spring.

Last year I had a visit from some people from Sligo in Ireland, I mentioned that I would like to visit Ireland for a holiday.They however have decided to invite me to demonstrate at their club. The only problem with these trips is Jane gets see the sites while I work but as we are going for a long weekend I will get to see some as well. Ireland here I come this should be a fun trip.

Ongoing Everyday Work And Aspirations.

As always I have been working on my articles for GMC I am really exited about this current series.
Having been ill the website took a back seat but it is on a roll again it only needs a few more pics and another look over to get it finished before I can get it across to the guys I use, and it will be there but it does take time and we need all the info to be correct.

Here are links to blogs that may be of interest to you they both ask some interesting questions : http://woodturningblog.wordpress.com/
http://www.philip-streeting.blogspot.com/

Christmas and New Year.Gone

Allways a busy time with work promised and family calling it is impossible to sit down and write add to that the ongoing round of winter colds that hang on and seem to never leave for any lenght of time trying to update my blog has been impossible over the last few weeks or is it longer,now I will try to get on top again as I really enjoy doing this I find it helps me with my writing for GMC and allows the hand to nearly move as quick as the brain! well not quite but you know what I mean the fingers are getting much quicker and I seem to find the letters more easily than they used too.

Christmas and New Year Done.

January 13th Already and the new year is rolling on.But as I have not yet wished everyone new year let me do it now and start this years blog by reflecting on last year, which was a great year I gave many demonstrations around the UK which seem to have been received very well by those that attended, I have already got quite a few booked for this year and look forward to each and every one.

Invitation to South Africa

I have to admit the highlight of the year came in July for demonstration's and this was a three week tour of Sth Africa as their honoured guest which I was fortunate enough to be accompanied by Jane my wife which made the trip even more fun (our first holiday together for more than twenty year's)
I have to say the Sth Africans are amazing hosts and we would love to go back to see more of the country and the people. Jane loved every minute and had a great holiday! I had to work, still someone has to pay and it was my turn, I think we will go again if ever the chance came our way with out a second thought.

A Small Bundle of Happiness and Joy Arrived in May

Another highlight in the Year was becoming grandparents to Lilly Rose Jennifer's daughter who was born in May this was quite an event and one that took some time to get used to for all concerned so it was quite a year lets hope this coming year is equally challenging and demanding we can but wait and see.

The Year ahead

I think this could be a very interesting year with all that is going on in the world at present people have finally stopped talking credit crunch which I never understood and started using a word that often strikes fear into people and that is Recession I wonder what phrase or word will be used next I do remember the 1990's and the business's around us that went to the wall. We were lucky enough to survive without losing too much but I have to say I no longer trust dept recovery agents it doe's pay to keep hold of the purse strings in times like these and not to get carried away with the moment as can easily be done when new projects are being rolled out or planned.
I think the best way ahead at present is to keep your head down and to get on with the job in hand keeping an eager eye on those around you and listening to the rumour mills do what is needed to survive remembering the point to all that is done and we all have different agenda's I will say no more for now but keep watching you will find out more at a later date.
I may even get to update my website who knows it is that time of year to get it done!!! About time I hear some say if you have any ideas that you would like to see on the site let me know and I will see what can be done.

After the Residancy

All packed up sales made and the work back at the workshop ,I guess I should call it my studio but when ever I have considered this in the past part of me still want to call the place that most of the turning is created should be called a workshop, I know I have a workshop, a studio and a decorating room, does the place you create your work need a name if the work stands alone as it will do once no longer in your possession, does it really matter.
One thing I do feel very strongly about is the space has to be right to create in and this is of utmost importance to me considering the diversity of the things that I create,this means that my space has to be multi functional but overall has to be right for each type of creativity, if all you do is turn this may be difficult to understand the hardest space to create is a clean one in which to paint as most of the other disciplines are dirty in comparison. But I have it sorted and in my shed because that is where I work ,this is the building that houses my workshop, decorating room and studio, all of which have the best light available some is natural and some is artificial remember that I also write and need to take photos of the projects and articles in hand so it has been no easy task to get this right and I feel sure there has to be flexability built into the space, does it really matter ?
To some it does but to me having toys to play with and space and to do it in is more important than what it is or should be called it's like the age old discussion Woodturner or Artist (who am I and does it matter and to whom )any way enough rambling for today. I still have work to complete for the holidays that has been promised, so it' s back to the shed.

Artist in Residence

Very Early this year I was invited by the Rev Norman Steer to be the artist in Residance at the Dickleborough Christmas Tree festival this I accepted and took part in. Making sale's and more importantly showing the South Norfolk Region some of my work.

I displayed a cross section of my work including both traditional and decorative turnings hopefully I had something for everyone the festival lasted 12 days and attracted several thousand people to view the displays it was great fun and on two programmed occaissions I met with the public to discuss my work and onoccaisions my thinking behind the pieces on display as some of it was not traditional by any means, all in all I recieved many very appreciative comments regarding the display some even commented that they had never seen work of such high standard in Norfolk before.

Overall it has been a busy few weeks again along with the usual round of teaching and production work that come's through the door every week.

What a Great Way to Start the Christmas Holiday Season, It also meant yet another Church visit I drerad to count how many Jane and I have made this year several more than any prevoius year !

Last Demo Of A Busy Year

This has been the busiest year for for me I demonstrated in Sth Africa for 3-Weeks and have given many in the UK along with teaching and all the other component parts of being a full time wood turner Teacher and Writer there has been little spare time if any but it has been fun and that's thanks to both students and audiences at demonstrations THANK YOU to everyone who helped with this and that must also include Jane for her support or should that be barracking, and personal critiques on each performance as we travel home and it's a long way from South Africa.

Hopefully I will get more time for my own work over the winter months and maybe even post some pics as it evolves who Knows.

Again there is more work to do, as I am artist in Residence at Dicklboro in a week or two and I need to finish some new work so it's back to the workshop again, I did hear recently Gary Rance no longer enjoys his turning!

But then wondered how many of you enjoy your day job, do you? let me know the answer it would be interesting to hear.