About the Workshop

How it started, where it is now

The Short History

Six years ago I was a software developer who spent weekends in the shed making things. The shed grew into a proper outbuilding. The weekends grew into full weeks. Eventually I handed in my notice and made the workshop my day job.

Best decision I have made, though I will not pretend the first year was not terrifying. Turns out people will actually pay money for hand-made objects that took real time and care to produce. Who knew.

The name comes from the jackdaws that nest in the barn next door. They collect shiny things and hoard interesting bits. I do much the same, except my collection runs to offcuts, interesting brass fittings, and chunks of burr elm I found in skips.

Woodworking tools hung on workshop wall
Interior of woodworking workshop with lathe and bench

The Space

The workshop is a converted stone outbuilding attached to the house. About 40 square metres, which sounds small but works well for one person. Good overhead lighting, concrete floor with drainage, and enough insulation that I can work through winter without my fingers going numb.

Main kit: a Record lathe from the 1980s that still runs perfectly, a small bandsaw, a pillar drill, and a bench with two vices. Most of the actual shaping happens with hand tools though. Chisels, gouges, planes, spokeshaves. The machines do the rough work; the hand tools do the interesting bits.

Dust extraction is a big cyclone unit that lives outside and sucks through ducting to each machine. Took me ages to set up properly but it means I can actually breathe at the end of the day.

How I Work

One at a time

I do not batch-produce anything. Each piece gets my full attention from start to finish. If I am working on your commission, it is the only thing on the bench until it is done.

Materials first

I usually start with the material rather than the design. A particular piece of wood or an unusual offcut suggests what it wants to become. I go with that rather than forcing it into a predetermined shape.

No rush

Two to six weeks for a commission is typical. I will give you a proper estimate up front and keep you posted. If you need something by a specific date, tell me early and I will let you know if it is feasible.

Reclaimed where possible

I get a lot of my timber from building demolitions, fallen trees, and joinery workshop offcuts. It is better wood than anything you can buy new, and it has a story behind it.

Commissions

Happy to discuss ideas over a cup of tea (or email, if you are not local). Most of what I make these days is commissioned work. Bowls, boxes, small furniture, jewellery, sculptural pieces. If it involves wood, metal, or resin, I can probably do it.

The process is straightforward: you tell me what you want, I tell you what it will cost and how long it will take. If we agree, I get started. I send photos as it progresses. You pay on completion.

No deposit required for pieces under 200 pounds. For larger commissions, I ask for 50% up front to cover materials.

Discuss a commission