Shops / Christmas
Will Priestley Woodcraft
Will Priestley was working in conservation, coppicing and hedge-laying at local nature reserves, when he first picked up an axe and used it to carve a spoon from an off-cut. From that moment he hasn’t looked back and has dedicated much of his life over the last 5 years to the craft.
Cherry wood salt pot and spoon. Price: £32.
Using traditional methods that date back many hundreds of years, Will has created a collection of kitchen utensils ranging from elegant, Japanese-inspired soup spoons to tiny salt spoons with twig handles that look like they have been picked up from the forest floor. By using very sharp tools, he leaves a smoother and more authentic finish than sandpaper could achieve with faceted tool marks that provide a link between the spoon and its maker.
“Simple hand tools remove all the parts of the log that aren’t a spoon.” Prices: from £15.
Will says: “I forage all of the wood myself from within 10 miles of my home in Bristol. The wood I carve is totally sustainable, it is a by-product of conservation work that would otherwise be discarded. I use hardwoods native to the British Isles, predominantly birch, elm, beech and, my favourite, cherry… but really anything I can get my hands on!”
is needed now More than ever
Discover Will’s creations here: wwwww.wpwoodcraft.co.uk
His last Christmas order date is on 17 December.
Will will be demonstrating spoon carving and selling his wares at our Made in Bristol Gift Fair on 24 & 25 November.
The Made in Bristol Gift Guide was created by Made in Bristol, Jo Hounsome Photography & Fable Media. Please get in touch about image requests here.
Discover other talented makers in this year’s Made in Bristol Gift Guide here.
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