I try not to buy everything I like the look of. Sometimes I just take a quick snap and post it somewhere then slip the thing back where I found it. And then sometimes I kick myself.
These were in one of my favourite charity bookshops. And we're still there when I left. But not when I went back later.
Kick.
I've got this side project on at the moment; a writing project. It's taking me flippin' ages to be honest but it's bringing me into contact with some really interesting people. People I have to interview, about their jobs. So far, I've met a few people in the film industry, a basket maker, a theatre lighting technician, a set designer and last Friday, a joiner working on restoration projects for the National Trust. We met in his workshop. His workshop made of wood, that smells of wood and is full of tools…and wood.
Now you may remember, I have carpentry in my blood. Sawdust runs through my veins. The sight of a vintage Spear & Jackson saw or a handsome flat blade wood plane is enough to make me reach for my beechwood mortice and marking gauge. It's THAT exciting.
Designers, writers, coders; we're all making stuff. We all manipulate materials – either physical or metaphysical – chiselling away at things, dovetailing seperates into connecteds. Sawing things into sections before shaving away layers. Drilling into the undrilled. Finely sanding before waxing and polishing.
Whether it's words, pictures or commands, it's not that different to wood. Not really. It's just less natural, less grown. Manufactured material instead of harvested material. A few more steps away from the natural order of things.
I think the reason why woodwork has prevailing appeal, to me at least, is because of its proximity to nature and our more instinctive side. It's hunter gatherer stuff and once we've grown weary of the glossy mass produced world, the hand made and downright wonky, if I have anything to do with it, tuggs at our hearts.
Yet another reason to be on the GF Smith mailing list: a lovely piece to promote their Naturalis range featuring violin maker Juliet Barker MBE. It's one of a series "designed around our conversations with acclaimed craftspeople…", say GFS, "…They support our belief that selecting the perfect materials is a critical part of the creative process".
It would be easy to just enjoy the design of the piece but it's worth reading too. The text gives an insight into Barker's motivations for choosing her career and her passion for her craft. It reminds me, very clearly, of one of our clients who's in a similar field. A source of frustration for us as designers, his work is full of rich stories, craft and effortless beauty. Unfortunately, he's not willing, perhaps able, to invest in an effective expression of these values.
Anyway, this piece isn't credited but there's every reason to assume it's designed by MadeThought. Looking forward to the next one.
The piece was designed by Brighton-based StudioMakgill (with thanks to Stephen Hamilton for the correction).