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Woodturning diary
Summerhouse finial
Another large bespoke summerhouse finial, made for Peter. This one has a 5 inches in diameter acorn, 10 inches high, sitting on a 15 inch diameter, 3 inch thick base. Both parts are in Western red cedar, and have been left unfinished. If they remain unfinished they will gradually fade to a silver grey. Treatment with Osmo UV oil would retain the red.
More about summerhouse finials
School trophies
The annual Celebration Evening at Malton School has required us to produce 30 trophies, most of which are handed out to student prizewinners during an evening event that reviews the successes of the previous school year.
More about these school trophies
Small trinket box
The woodturning club I belong to, Ryedale Woodturners, had a competition to turn an item out of a four-inch square offcut of iroko. My little entry won the competition - a lidded box with a small rose motif pyrographed on the lid, and an African blackwood knob added. More boxes.
I will be doing a demonstration at the woodturning club on 2 January 2020, 19:30 - 21:30, showing how I make summerhouse finials and other outdoor items. Guests are welcome - more details on the Ryedale Woodturners site.
Harvester bar gifts
Kerry requested some gifts based on GB Harvester bars (chainsaw blades), using characterful wood and pyrography. These 10 plinth mounted saw tips are the result. 6 inch diameter, 6 inch tall, spalted beech with mahogany blades. More bespoke business items.
Snowmen gathering for Christmas
Christmas is coming, and the snowmen have been selllng fast. More about Christmas gifts
Airsports trophy
A disc trophy made for Hugh, who belongs to a gliding club down in Rutland. Hugh likes to have a horseshoe on his trophies, which he added once we had made the trophy.
We made another trophy for the club back in January 2017, which is similar but is mounted on a plinth. Have a look at this airsports trophy.
Presentation wooden pen and box
A presentation pen set made for Natasha. The pen is a slimline design, made from rather smart looking ebony. The pen box is beech, personalised using pyrography.
More examples of wooden pens and presentation boxes
Mantel clocks in burr wood
Four mantelpiece clocks made from burr wood, the one on the left in burr lime, the middle and front right burr oak, and the small one at the back burr elm.
A variety of clockfaces are available - the quartz movement just pushes in to the wooden frame. Currently for sale.
More wooden mantel clocks
Oak burr wall clock
A 10 inch diameter wall block turned from 2 inch thick burr oak, with numerals pyrographed in to the wood. This clock is fitted with a quartz movement accessible from the rear. Variations are possible - Arabic rather than Roman numerals, reverse (anticlockwise) numbering and movement, size, more or less burr patterning.
More examples of wooden wall clocks
Acorn trophy
Rachel requested an acorn trophy for her primary school, to be presented as an Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) award. She had spotted other acorn trophies on the website, and thought it fitted well with the theme of the award. This is the result, a 10 inch tall trophy standing on a 4 inch wide plinth, pyrographed with the school's llogo and the title of the award.
More trophies for schools and wooden trophies.
Bud vase and keyrings
Jane requested some small gifts for Christmas - a bud vase in spalted beech and two acorn keyrings in oak, pyrographed to give the cup efect. The bud vase is about 4 inches tall, the acorns are 2 inches long. Bud vases are intended for small buds, sprigs of dried flowers or grasses - this one doesn't have a glass tube inside so won't take living flowers.
Key fobs
A set of 15 castle keyrings with personalised messages on each (a little cryptic, but as requested). These are oak, about 3.5 x 2 inches high, with a gold plated keyring attached to a brass tube through the wood.
More on keyrings and key fobs.
Golf trophies
A pair of oak cups requested as golf trophies. They stand about 14 inches high, 7 inches in diameter at the top. The club specifically requested the "double plinth" as seen here, to allow for an inscription plus an engraving band for annual winners.
More about cup trophies.
Table lamps
A pair of table lamps turned from olive ash. These are 4 inch diameter and about 12 inches tall. They have Voyage fabric shades, and are fitted with a solid brass bulb holder, and 2 metre long bronze coloured flex.
These were designed to sit on top of the pedestals shown below.
More about this pair of table lamps.
Pedestal and lamp
A pair of pedestals designed to hold two table lamps. These are made from oak, and stand about 2 feet in height. There is some spalting and some sapwood left showing in the tables at the top and the feet.
More about these oak pedestals.
Large burr elm bowl
The last of a group of three elm burrs that came from Colin, an old woodworker and woodturner who sadly died last year. This one is 12 inches in diameter, and has been left quite chunky, but without any natural edge.
Have a look at more bowls.
Ball finial
David requested a large ball finial in cedar wood for his summerhouse in Craswall, Herefordshire. This one has a sx inch ball on an 18 inch diameter octagonal base.
Have a look at more summerhouse finials and a guide to finials.
School trophies
The annual Celebration Evening at Malton School for Key Stage 3 students has arrived, requiring 29 trophies. At this level most are our standard round disc, pyrographed with name and inscription, but there are a few special ones for Young Cricketer of the Year, the House Cup, the Head's Special Award and the Junior Maths Challenge winner.
Have a look at more school trophies.
Maths awards
Two maths awards for Malton School's KS3 Celebration evening. The cup is based on conic sections, the puzzle a type of circular tangram.
More on the maths cup and school trophies
Yew post cap for inside gazebo roof
Tim requested a yew post cap for the underside post of his gazebo roof - see below 6 October. His house is Yew Tree Cottage, hence the request for a yew boss.
A summerhouse finial guide and finial gallery
Mouse and house
Margaret requested a mouse in a house - one of our standard mice in yew, with a small box for him to live in. As always the mouse has leather ears and tail, and ebony eyes. The box is turned from a piece of olive ash.
Have a look at more turned wooden mice.
Natural edge ash bowl
An alternative natural edge bowl to the one below. Slightly smaller, this one is in ash, with the bark retained on the top, the blank being cut from a plank rather than a log.
A gallery of wooden bowls.
Laburnum bowl with bark retained
Margaret requested a bowl similar to the one in yew made for her in November 2017, but a little larger. This one is about 6 inches in diameter, and was turned from a laurnum log, retaining the bark around the circumference.
A gallery of wooden bowls.
Acorns and oak leaves
Jackie requested some keyrings for her guest house, which is surrounded by oak trees. She wanted acorns and leaves together. The results are shown here, with acorns and leaves turned and cut from oak and pyrographed, with telephone number on the rear.
Have a look at a keyring gallery.
Roof boss in burr oak
Terry in Aylesbury requested a roof boss to fit inside the apex of his summerhouse. This one is made from burr oak, about 10 inches in diameter, and finished with two coats of Danish Oil. The idea of the roof boss is to cover the point at the top of the roof - often DIY summerhouse kits come with only a simple plywood circle or metal bracket.
More on summerhouse finials and roof bosses.
Two cedar finials on a summerhouse and a gazebo
The two cedar finials below installed on respective cedar shingle roofs. The summerhouse on the left shows the contrast between new and weathered cedar. On the right the beautiful variety of colouring on a gazebo roofed with freshly laid cedar shingles.
A summerhouse finial guide and gallery.
Three summerhouse finials
Three more finials requested by Edward, Tim and Terry in Westbury, Wetherby and Aylesbury. The one on the left is larch, the other two are western red cedar. The ball is 6" diameter on a 17" octagonal base. The larch acorn is 4.5 x 10" on a 10" base. The cedar acorn is 4 x 10" on a 12" base.
A summerhouse finial guide and gallery.
Lifeguard
Jo requested a trophy for a lifequard award at her local swimming pool. The result is this lifebuoy ring on a plinth. Paper shields have been put on to demonstrate where annual winners' plaques might go.
A mix of woods was used - bubinga and ash for the ring, spalted beech for the base, lime for the sign, oak for the pole.
More examples of trophies on plinths.
Finials
Four finials turned recently, showing different sizes and designs or comparison. From left to right, a two 4 x 9" acorns in cedar, one on a 6" circular base, the other on an 8" octagonal base; a 5 x 10" acorn in larch on a 8" octagonal base; and a 6" diameter ball on a 10" octagonal base, in larch.
I have added a new page to the site with some details about the summerhouse finials I make.
Cedar finial with large base
A 6 inch diameter ball on a 15 inch base turned for Debbie in Redhill, Surrey.
This was turned in western red cedar to complement the cedar shingle roof.
More summerhouse finials, and a finial guide
Large onion shaped finial
A 10 inch diameter finial turned in larch for Roger in Birmingham. Given the unusually large dimensions, this was turned from blocks of larch laminated together.
More summerhouse finials and a guide to finials.
Bowl in olive ash
An 11 inch diameter bowl turned in olive ash. Made for Dan and Katie in Harrogate.
It can be difficult to improve on the simplicity of the classic bowl design - but attention to delicate curves and avoidance of flat areas is always important. More bowls
Cake stands with cloche
12 August 2019
Cake stands with cloche, made for ABC Creative Cakes in Malton. The bases are turned from ash and sycamore, and the cloches are glass.
More hand turned wooden cake stands.
Ornamental wooden trees
Small wooden trees turned for Ian, "The Shopkeeper", in Essex. 10 to 12 cm tall in a variety of woods.
Incense burners
Incense stick holders for Ian, "The Shopkeeper", in Essex. These are 3 inches in diameter and made from a variety of British hardwoods.
1930s restoration beech door-knobs
9 August 2019
Bespoke door knobs in beech for Elizabeth in Devon, made to fit refurbished 1930s doors. Appropriate metalwork was quite difficult to find - we managed to get some from Knobbs Hardware: thank you.
Summerhouse finial
A summerhouse finial for Michael in Essex. Made from larch, with a 6 inch ball sitting on a 10 inch octagonal base. This has been left unfinished, for the customer to apply either paint or stain as suits his summerhouse best. Guide price: £55
More summerhouse finials.
Commemorative golden wedding cake stand
3 August 2019
Janet in Malton requested an 11" cake stand in oak with commemorative inscription pyrographed on the base. More turned wooden cakestands.
Floral trophy
3 August 2019
Claire in Scarborough commissioned a trophy in memory of her mother Brenda, to be presented annually at the Danby flower show. She likes natural forms, and characterful wood such as burr oak. She also wanted something connected with flowers. The result was a calla lily inspired shape, turned from a cherry log, that rests on a burr oak stand, which provides a flat surface for annual shields to be attached. More about this flower show trophy. More goblets and vases
Summerhouse finial
29 July 2019
Di in Morley requested a 6 inch ball finial on a 10 inch diameter octagonal base. This one is made from larch wood, left natural ready for painting or staining.
More summerhouse finials.
Acorn and leaf keyrings
15 July 2019
Rebecca asked for one of our large acorn keyrings from "The Oldfern Shop", and also could we make some leaf shaped keyrings? Here are the results - an oak leaf and a beech leaf, made from oak and beech wood of course.
Have a look at more keyrings.
We are increasingly producing stock items for sale as well as bespoke items made to order.
- You can browse through our shop page
- Look on Facebook at oldfern woodturning
- You can email your request.
- You should receive your order within 4-7 days.
Woodturning diary continued ...
Summerhouse finial
11 July 2019
Jan in the Cotswolds requested a 6 inch ball finial on an 11 inch base. She asked if it could be in oak. It is finished with Osmo UV oil. It should be an improvement on the upturned washing-up bowl in the picture!
More summerhouse finials.
Wedding cake with turned wooden mice
10 July 2019
Some pictures of the mice we made for Karen in Somerset , who wanted them to sit on her wedding cheesecake.
Have a look at more mice and cakes.
Acorn trophy
11 July 2019
An acorn trophy requested by Deborah for her school in Bishop's Stortford, in a little of a hurry before the end of term. By chance we had one already available, so were able to oblige.
This one is made from oak for the acorn, and walnut for the base.
Have a look at more trophies on plinths.
Reading trophy
10 July 2019
A trophy made for Ann, which she donated to Temple Grafton School, to be presented for reading. The trophy is made from ash (for the plinth), olive ash (for the stem), with lime used for the book. The inscription requested is from J. K. Rowling: "I think it's the books that you read when you're young that live with you forever."
Have a look at more English trophies.
The cup of kindness
9 July 2019
A trophy for Brackenwood Infants School on the Wirral, with a delightful sentiment - the Cup of Kindness. The cup is turned from a single piece of sycamore, about 6 inches wide by 5 inches tall. The inscriptions and school badge are pyrographed on to the wood.
Have a look at more trophy cups.
Golf trophies
17 June2019
Two trophies for Candy's golf club in Newcastle. These have been made from oak, about 8 inches in diameter, with a wide margin around the pyrographed centre to allow annual shields to be fixed.
Have a look at more disc trophies.
Animal coasters
12 June 2019
A set of six animal coasters for Christine in Leeds. These are turned from elm, with animal pictures pyrographed on the discs. Finished with a few coats of Danish oil to bring out the colour - not really done justice by the photos. More turned wooden coasters.
Souvenir platter
12 June 2019
A 12 inch platter made as a sample gift for the 20th anniversary of the Lion King production in London. The design is pyrographed on to a beautiful piece of Brazilian mahogany, with patterning difficult to bring out in its full depth in a photograph. Finished with oil.
More bowls and pyrography.
Vegan mice
12 June 2019
Two mice requested by Rosemary in Lichfield. A little different from our usual mice - Rosemary requested no leather as they were gifts for vegetarian and vegan relatives, so they have plaited cord tails and felt ears.
Acorn finial for a summerhouse in Trowbridge
10 June 2019
The season for replacing summerhoue finials continues. This one is 10 inches in diameter and 3 inches high, and overall about 12 inches tall. More summerhouse finials.
Collectable mice in different timbers
10 June 2019
Collectable mice in different timbers. The oak, walnut and ash on the right have been sold, though they will be replaced. More turned mice.
Burr elm bowl
27 May 2019
A chunky burr elm bowl rich with burrs, cracks and a few worm holes. This is about 8 inches in diameter. The bowl has been oiled and then polished with beeswax.
At present this one is for sale.
More bowls.
Anticlockwise and clockwise wall clocks
27 May 2019
Two oak wall clocks from the same plank as that below, 9" diameter. The one on the right seems to go the wrong way round, hence the numbering!
More wooden clocks
Oak shelving
27 May 2019
A venture into shelf making, for a new laundry room. These are made out of "solid" oak - 40 mm wide, 27 mm thick staves finger jointed and glued to make up 8 inch wide solid planks. The shelf brackets are made from offcuts of a matching worktop, and the back supports are reclaimed oak.
More about these solid oak shelves.
Summerhouse finial
12 May 2019
Vivienne in Kingston on Thames requested a summerhouse finial, this time a 6 inch diameter ball sitting on a 10 inch diameter plinth, all in larch. As with all finials I make, the base is hollowed out to leave a concave area, which allows it to sit on top of the roof slats. The ball is screwed on to the base using a dowel screw.
A gallery of summerhouse finials
Music box
5 May 2019
A music box for Minnie Mae's christening, made from ash with a panga knob on top. The box does open, though much of the inside is taken up by the music movement. I think I will make a taller one next. This one plays "You are my sunshine" - which Minnie Mae is. It winds up with a key underneath the box.
More about this music box and wooden boxes
Wall clock - burr oak
12 May 2019
A plank of burr oak turned up which looked like it might make three good wall clocks. Here is the first, about 9 inches in diameter and 2 inches thick. A small quartz movement was used, without a clock face or glass, to make the most of the burr oak patterning.
More about this burr oak wall clock.
Summerhouse finial
30 April 2019
Nigel requested a weatherproof finial for his cedar shingle summerhouse. With cedar not available, I suggested a mahogany version, as I did have some to use. This should complement the mahogany used in the interior of Nigel's summerhouse.
Mahogany has a high durability rating, at the same level as cedar - 25 years.
More about summerhouse finials
Chess trophy
29 April 2019
Steve requested a chess trophy to be presented in memory of his father at the club he used to belong to. Based on the leadership trophy made in May 2018, but with five different chess pieces and a square base. The pieces are essentially the Staunton design with some slight variations. and the size is based on 2 inch squares and a 4.5 inch king.
More about this chess trophy
Figurine plinth
19 April 2019
Another small plinth in mahogany, made for Rob's creation of Quint from the film Jaws. It was made to specific measurements, the same style as one of Rob's other creations - Dimitr von Goray - which he made back in September last year.
More wooden plinths for figurines and trophies.
Wedding cake mice
Three mice in yew, destined for the top of a wedding cake (cheese cake).
The mice have been pyrographed with the wedding date, to enhance their value as a keepsake from the special day.
Burr elm bowl and dishes
17 April 2019
Gill requested a turned wooden item for Nicola's retirement, and this natural edge burr elm bowl is the result. There was a little wood left over in offcuts, whihch made the three small dishes.
More bowls.
Door knobs
4 April 2019
Richard requested fourteen replacement doorknobs for recently stripped and renovated doors in his house. These were all made from mahogany, with two different fittings - one for doors with a handle on one side only, the other for doors with handles on both sides.
More about these bespoke doorknobs
Summerhouse finial
22 March 2019
Spring brings thoughts of repairing garden buildings, and summerhouse finials in particular. This one was requested by Duncan in Folkestone. The acorn is about 10 inches tall, 5 inches wide, and is turned from larch. The base is 10 inches in diameter and 2 inches thick, turned from ash. The two parts are screwed together with a dowel screw.
More about summerhouse finials
Money box
21 March 2019
Another money box, this one made for recently arrived Dexter. This is made from spalted beech, has a tight friction fit centre opening, and is pyrographed with Dexter's name and date of birth. About 6 inches tall and 4 inches in diameter.
More wooden money boxes.
Wall hanging pole with finials
12 March 2019
An oak pole with turned beehive style finials on the ends was made to hold a William Morris Tree of Life wall hanging. It is an inch and a half in diameter, and about three foot long, plus the finials. It is attached to a stone wall with oak support rings.
More about this wall hanging pole..
Money boxes
11 March 2019
A pair of money boxes, made for brothers Isaac and Jacob. They are made from the same piece of beech, have a friction fit centre opening, and are pyrographed with name and dates of birth.
More wooden money boxes.
Easter bunnies
11 March 2019
A dozen Easter bunnies on their way to Karen, to go with the mice she bought at Christmas time. Turned from yew branches, with leather ears and ebony eyes, about 4" tall.
More about these Easter bunnies.
Wedding favours
11 March 2019
A set of 60 egg cups, made for Louise as wedding favours, for her big event at Easter. Each cup has been pyrographed with a guest's name, and the cups will serve both as place names and gifts to take away, complete with creme egg! The egg cups are made from ash, and are about 2.5 inches tall. Finished in beeswax. More about wedding favours
Shaker peg key rack
8 March 2019
A key rack made as a smaller copy of the coat rack below, again made from reclaimed oak. This has 2" pegs, and 4"wide back and shelf.
More about this key rack
Shaker peg coat rack
8 March 2019
A coat rack with ten "shaker pegs", made from oak planks reclaimed from old library shelving. The pegs are the classic wine bottle shape, the back and shelf are 3/4" thick, 6" wide, 4' long. More about this coat rack
Eggs and egg cups
14 February 2019
A selection of eggs and egg cups, in different sizes and different wood. Most are boxes - they are hollow and open up. They range from £5 for a small solid egg, to £50 for a large, hollow, box. Made to order, with pyrography or other decoration if required.
More about eggs and egg boxes.
Handwriting trophies
14 February 2019
Ten trophies made for St Andrews C of E Primary, all individual trophies awarded for handwriting. They are made from ash and olive ash, and are six inches tall.
More personalised trophies on plinths.
Tea light holder
18 January 2019
A bowl shaped tea light holder, made from Brazilian mahogany. The bowl is about six inches in diameter. This one is for sale - £15. Different sizes, shapes and wood are all possible.
More about tea-light holders and candle holders.
Spalted beech tea lights
18 January 2019
A trio of tea light holders, turned from spalted beech. They have a brass effect metal insert to hold the tea light, which gives a pleasant definition to the top of the holder. These tea light holders are available in all sorts of sizes, shapes, and different wood. Have a look at the gallery of tea light and candle holders.
Spirit of ecstasy plinth
18 January 2019
A plinth requested to a design by Tim, who wanted to mount his Spirit of Ecstasy figurine on it. The emblem on the bonnet of Rolls Royce cars for over a hundred years. About 6 inch diameter, in yew.
More about plinths.
Washi tape holder
18 January 2019
A small, simple stand for holding reels of washi tape. Made from mahogany. This is just the beginning of the development of an idea, and can be varied in style, size and type of wood used. One like this would be £15.
More unusual wooden items and holders.
Money box
18 January 2019
A money box for Minnie Mae, who was born last year. The barrel is made from spalted beech, and is about six inches high. The lid is a friction fit to the base. Obviously these boxes can have any dedication on them as requested. In the past we have mainly made these for birthdays and christenings.
More boxes
handmade wooden bowl
18 January 2019
An elegant bowl made from Braziliam mahogany, rescued from a garage clearance where the timber has probably stood in a wood pile for over 20 years. Difficult to come by in the present day.
More turned wooden bowls