The Personal(isation) Touch

For me, creating stuff from wood is both enjoyable and relaxing in equal measure, a trip into the workshop oft feeling a bit like stepping through the back of the wardrobe and into Narnia, away from Covid19, Britain's increasing wokeness and the madness of the outside world. And there are times when my 'construction' can become quite prolific.

Of course by indulging in my hobby, I end up producing lots of items, and there's only so many shelves and windowsills in the cottage. Family and friends are a useful outlet, but even then there's a limit to the number of wooden bowls and pens they really want, unless.....

....they're PERSONALISED. And suddenly that gift of an item lovingly made by someone they know becomes that much more desirable. So recently I've begun to add those small touches to some of the items I've turned.

Personalising this piece in Oak, with the natural crack through the 2020 seemed appropriate for the year in question.

In similar vein, this clock was pyrographed and now adorns the wall in my parents' house in Lancaster.

And there are practical applications to pyrography too. Where there's a wood project then there's potentially an application. This sign was constructed from yet more of daughter #2's old shed, to help our once-errant delivery drivers find the cottages on our lane.

When Jen's (cardboard) box of weights for her bodypump sessions collapsed, she decided a more solid structure would suit her nicely. (More old shed!)

Personalising and messaging added to wooden items seems to add even more life and love to the things I turn and make.

NB: An admission. I DON'T do the wood burning (pyrography) myself (unless I've inadvertently applied a bit too much pressure whilst friction-polishing on the lathe). I sub-contract that to Jeni; another of her many creative skills. It's only really a problem for me when I need to personalise something for her.....but when you've been married for 32+ years.....