oldfern Logo
2023 Projects and visits page 3

Tyntesfield
Posted 1 August 2023 More trees from my travels - this time from Tyntesfield near Bristol. A National Trust property with a fine collection of rare specimen trees, and significantly a Tree Guide available to identify them and give a little information about 62 chosen trees. This was a fine day back in May, on our way to the Isles of Scilly. Well worth the stop.
Wooden choir practice
Wooden choir practice
Posted 20 August 2023 I have been experimentng with different forms based on my yew snowmen. Here is an improved version of the choirboys which I tried some years ago. The choristers are turned from yew branches, with music scores pyrographed on oak veneer. The choirmaster is African blackwood, with a yew insert collar and head.
Hand made wooden angel
Hand made wooden angel
Posted 20 August 2023 As well as the choir ideas, I have also been developing an angel figure made from yew. I think I am just about there with this one. Larger versions may be possible, dependent on available yew - this one is just over 3 inches tall.
Trelissick
Posted 21 August 2023 More trees from my travels - this time from Trelissick, near Truro in Cornwall. Another National Trust property with a fine collection of rare specimen trees, and lots of them with labels on. I have also added a tree list to the site, with links to around 1000 tree photos which are on the tree pages of this site.
Orienteering trophy
Posted 21 August 2023 Barbara in Guildford requested some replacement trophies for Guildford orienteers. Here are the results, 8" and 7" diameters, made from beech with the plinth blank and the back flat for the customer to fit their own plaques. We actually made 4 trophies - 2 for the ladies' section as well.

Have a look at more disc trophies, and trophies in general.


Hand made wooden trophy

Posted 22 August 2023 Sir James up in Dumfries and Galloway requested an annual trophy, larger than the disc trophies given to individual winners. This is oak, 10" diameter, resting on a plinth which carries a very smart, custom made solid brass plaque on which to record winners over the years. The inscription was pyrographed around the outside, and a leaf and acorn cut and turned for the centre.

Have a look at more disc trophies, and trophies in general.


Hand made wooden trophy
Posted 22 August 2023 As well as a large annual trophy, Sir James in Dumfries and Galloway requested two trophies the same as we made for him made him last year, one for 2023 and one for next year. These are oak, 6" diameter, with a flat back to allow them to hang on a wall if required. Pyrographed inscription and a leaf and acorn cut and turned for the centre.
Hand made wooden trophy

Posted 30 August 2023 A golf trophy for Nevill golf club in Tunbridge Wells. Made in oak, about 9" tall.

Have a look at more sports trophies, and trophies in general.


Turned apple wood

Posted 14 September 2023 Some different approaches to working with green apple wood. The large bowl at the back was turned when the tree had just been felled, then left to dry - it warped, but did not crack. The other three bowls were from a log which had cracked badly. On one I filled the cracks with black milliput, but it shattered (dramatically!) when I was finishing it; for the second I cut and expanded the cracks; on the third I just left the cracks in place. Thoughts welcome.


Wingnut

Posted 14 September 2023 More tree pictures have been added to the site. This time from Newby Hall, and Here and There - interesting trees spotted on travels all over the country, and beyond.

Have a look at the tree list, glossary of botanical terms, and the Tree Index.


Hand made wooden apples and pears

Posted 28 September 2023 A dozen apples and pears made for the Forestry Commission. Made from wood with cracks, burrs, bark inclusions and other "imperfections", it was interesting that these were the ones chosen ahead of more uniform "perfect" pieces of wood.


Communion racks

Posted 1 October 2023 Stephen in Hayward's Heath requested three communion racks, to complement the one his church ordered in 2020 (OT119). They are designed to hold 40 small communion wine glasses, and have a solid base below the rack. They are made from oak, finished with carnauba wax.

Have a look at more church items.


Hand made burr oak clock

Posted 14 October 2023 Sue in Scarborough requested a clock similar to the spalted oak clock shown in the clock gallery as CL125, and this is the result. Burr oak, about 8 inches in diameter, with a pyrographed inscription "Decay is just as wonderful and rich an expression of life as growth" (Henry Miller). The numerals are also pyrographed. It is finished with mineral oil and beeswax.

Have a look at more wall and mantel clocks.


Street lamps
Wooden tree decorations
Wooden Santa Claus

Posted 8 October 2023 Some Christmas ornaments from my recent demonstration at Ryedale Woodturners. The street lamps are an idea for the choir posted on 20 August to gather around. They light up. The tree decorations will vary according to the wood used. Santa is on his way down the chimney. An illustrated write-up of how these were made is available.

Have a look at more Christmas ornaments.


Hand made pot stands
Pots requiring stands

Posted 23 October 2023 These are pot/vase stands made for Jennifer in Merseyside, to complement some rather large ceramic pots. Two of the pots (not the reddish one) are made by an artist who is local to her and was on the ‘Pottery Throwdown’ recently - Jacob Chan. The exotic woods used are Amboyna (Narra), Ipe (Brazilian Walnut) and Brazilian Mahogany.


Hand made disc trophies
Hand made disc trophies

Posted 23 October 2023 Crest23 Business Awards are based in Surrey. A collection of 8 were made from beech, most 8" diameter and one 9" diameter disc on plinths, all pyrographed with details of winners and sponsors. Have a look at more disc trophies and trophies generally.


Hand made school trophies

Posted 23 October 2023 The annual awards for Malton School were made once again, following repeat orders over many year - have look at celebration trophies from other years. These are for Key Stage 3, presented on 18 October. KS4 and 5 awards are presented in December. Most of these are 5" discs, with two presentation pens, a Young Cricketer's award, and a House Cup. All are pyrographed with winners names, an enamel school badge is attached, and the students get to keep their trophy and take it home.

Have a look at more disc trophies and trophies generally.


Hand made wooden ghosts

Posted 23 October 2023 Some little ghosts have appeared, perhaps in anticipation of Halloween. Turned and shaped from beech, these little fellows may develop into different sizes and families of ghosts.

Have a look at other ornaments.


Hand made burr clocks
Hand made burr oak clock
Hand made burr elm clock
Hand made burr elm clock
Hand made burr elm skeleton clock

Posted 30 October 2023 Four burr clocks, 3 in elm, 1 in oak. Various sizes from 6 to 14" wide, and 7 to 10" tall. Two have a 4" dial, the square burr elm has a 3" dial and the skeleton clock is the largest with a 6" dial (This one has SOLD). They are all quite chunky, 2 to 3" thick, and all are intended to show off the natural beauty of burr wood.


Hand made child's stool

Posted 24 November 2023 A child's christening stool made for Amanda in Bradford. It is made from oak with a pyrographed lion on top. The legs are turned with a Windsor chair leg pattern to them. The seat is 9 inches in diameter, and the whole thing stands 11 inches tall.

Have a look at more bespoke children's stools and chairs

.
Hand made oak display plinth

Posted 24 November 2023 A plinth made for Matt, to display highly detailed painted figurines - we are not sure what as yet, but he will probably send us a photo with the model in place. Made from oak, 9 inches in diameter.

Have a look at more plinths and an earlier figurine.

.
Hand made oak knife handle
Hand made oak knife handles
Hand made oak knife handles
Hand made oak knife handles

Posted 1 December 2023 Knife handles turned in oak, to replace old bone handles that have disintegrated over time, but leaving good quality Sheffield steel blades which are often treasured by people who have had them in the family for many years. Anyone wanting replacement handles, please note we only do round handles, with a circular hole drilled for the "tang" of the blade, either 4mm or 5mm diameter. Also note that sending blades through the post is not easy, though not impossible - cutlery is on the "restricted items" list, requiring attention to specific packaging requirements - so usually these handles are made to given dimensions and sent for the customer to fit.


Extension plinth
Extension plinth

Posted 6 December 2023 A plinth made for David of BHM architects in London, to extend an existing trophy which had run out of space for annual plaques. The new plinth is made in sapele, slightly lighter than the original, but it will darken to a similar colour as the original in time - most timbers gradually darken over time.


National Arboretum, Isle of Man

Posted 6 December 2023 Some more tree photos, this time from a visit to the Isle of Man in September. The island has a National Arboretum, as well as an RHS partner garden at Milntown House, and interesting trees around the villages and lanes. I have also added more photos of trees at Nunnington Hall, following a delightful walk around the gardens in November with head gardener Nick Fraser.


Hand made wooden ornaments Christmas sale

Posted 14 December 2023 We have a few small items left from our Christmas sales. Still a little time left before last posting dates - Royal Mail 2nd class is Monday 18 December, 1st class is Wednesday 20 December. Or they can be picked up from Thornton le Dale if you are local. Father Christmas £15. Angels £12. Trees £8 - £10. Mice £8. Snowmen £8. Snowchildren £7. Hanging icicles £4. Larger photos below. Email if interested.


Hand made wooden children's stools
Hand made wooden children's stools
Hand made wooden children's stools

Posted 23 December 2023 Two stools requested by Nicola for her young grandchildren. They are made from oak, with Windsor style legs, pyrographed pictures of a tractor and a mini on their seats (probably their dads' choice rather than Max and Dominic's), and names on the seat rims.


Recent 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012