My interest in furniture began with a love of old tools. It wasn't long before I began using them. Much of my work therefore is handcrafted using traditional hand methods and old tools. I have a framed notice in my workshop that reads. "If the hand method works best, use it".

   Veneering has always been an important part of my work, I'm passionate about figured veneer and the decorative effects that can be achieved with it. The first piece of large woodworking equipment I purchased was an old interwood single screw veneer press.

     My main interests are Marquetry, traditional wood finishing and of course old woodworking tools. I've built my own chevalet, ( from sycamore not beech) , veneer saw, bow saw, bench, cabinetmakers tool chest and countless other tools and jigs. At present I'm constructing my third workshop. This will be dedicated entirely to veneer work and marquetry. The other two will become machine and cabinet shops respectively.

   I tend to specialise in figurative marquetry originally inspired by Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha. Recently my work seems to have taken a more eccentric, fantasy theme.

   I studied furniture making at Norwich City College for several years where I obtained a city and guilds of London certificate in furniture crafts, studying timber prep, and hand made furniture construction. Later I obtained the furniture advanced craft certificate studying drawing, construction history, industrial studies and a specialist craft component in cabinetmaking. During this time I made copies of a Chippendale Chair, a William and Mary side table and an Escritoire.

   For the later I was awarded the school of craft and technology certificate for excellence in furniture making.

   However, In those early days I had to teach myself marquetry. I first attended ASFM in 2005. I returned in 2014 as I felt that I needed to learn more and to improve my skills. I did 184 hours at Asfm over 4 1/2 weeks. The courses I took where. Boulle, classic method, classic method advanced (independent studies) and painting in wood.

   Visit my website at handcraftedmarquetry.co.uk