After a career in insurance broking in London and Sydney, I now live in Marazion, Cornwall. I have always had an appreciation for wood, and enjoyed working with my hands. The positive response I received from friends and family after making a few pieces from some reclaimed oak beams that came my way, has ultimately (along with a weekend course in blacksmithing) led to the starting of MarazionOak,
my one man workshop specializing in creating handmade oak homewares with iron and steel fixtures and fittings. Working with oak and iron is a true pleasure, the qualities of each are remarkable. Oak is strong, durable, majestic and to our ancestors sacred. Iron is a ductile, relatively soft metal, which makes it superb for fashioning. Combining these materials from the natural and man-made worlds allows me to bring an industrial character to the oak’s traditional feel. Each piece is individually cut or split from solid oak timber waney edged boards, then sanded by hand and oil rubbed before a final beeswax finish is applied. Once this process is complete the iron and steel fixtures and fittings are added. During this work, great care is taken to ensure that as much of the wood’s natural form and imperfections are maintained and enhanced.
