About

What matters to me is the finished product. It is essential that I stay focused on the goal that it presents. I often  think of leads for other projects whilst making something, but it is important to keep the project in hand focused. Make your resources work for you, rather than be guided by them. If necessary, I will try and learn new skills in order to achieve a particular look.

For example, when making the Phoenix coffee table I envisioned this: 

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A table top on which there is a pencil sketch of a dragon or Phoenix where the pencil lines are replaced by oak veneer strips. The resulting relief image should float on top of the table like an insect trapped in amber. 

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In order to achieve this, I had to work out a method of supporting the veneer image so it presented as floating. Gluing it in place and putting glass over the top would not do. I ended up fixing a reversed veneer image to perspex and sinking it into resin. Once set, I removed the perspex and poured more resin on top. The perspex, being clear, helped me to centralise the image on the table top. The resin now holds the relief veneer image in a hard-wearing ‘clear as glass’ space, finally achieving the original idea. 

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If I were less guided by the ideas in my minds' eye I would come up with different products. Products that are more readily achieved with the materials I have to hand.

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I try to apply this approach to everything I make. I'm learning more with every project and I'm looking forward to devising ways of making them.