23/5^th November Christmas Market at the Weald & Downland Museum at Singleton, Sussex

Needless to say I could not fail to stop on the way down for lunch at The Limeburners Newbridge Road Billinghurst RH14 9JA

Great real ale and outstanding food!

Never seen scissors served with mustard before, puts a slightly different slant on 'cutting the mustard'.

Well with a little more thought the clientele were on average older than myself so perhaps the scissors reduced table debris!

 

Well, I was here last year when my gazebo got damaged and was given the grain store as a dry space to work from. This year there was some debate about my plot size so I ended up once again sharing the grain store with the locals!

Well they were good company, I’m sure they were not just there for the gleaning.

Met some very interesting people including Tim Stankus an artist blacksmith. Would be nice to get him to the ball demonstrating but he is not yet set up for it.   BTW he is not a chicken!

Not so many people as last year but the weather wasn’t as good. Thanks again to their events team who were ever helpful as usual.

The Essex Christmas Country Show 17^th & 18^th November 2018

 

 

I met an amazing segmented turner John Reason who I think was showing his work at an event for the first time.

 

I suggested that he entered some of his work for the View Love Buy and competition next Monday at Carpenters Hall.

It was a cold weekend and very glad to be inside a building. I’m sure the weather put people off, they needed more time to acclimatize to winter which has been a long time coming.

Thanks to the Classic Events team for the invitation and a great pitch near the entrance.

Found this great pub - the Sunny Sailor 1 Fullbridge, Malden CM9 4LE

a 300 year old listed building. Some of their beer comes from just up the hill at the Malden Brewing Company.

 

Some barrels are kept in a fireplace and customers can help themselves as I was doing!

Wanstead 20-11-18 my hybrid graduate lathe.

The lower outboard and speed control both sides makes this a short and long bed lathe. My chucks have left and right hand threads - so will go on both sides of the headstock.

Have been busy returning roughed out bowls for the last few events of the year. 

I made this huge faceplate 32” diameter a good few years ago. The MDF disc is drilled and tapped.

There are two methods of holding large bowls, the angled blocks. Note the pencil rings drawn on the MDF. 

 and rubber sleeves over nylon bolts. The system was designed by my good friend Gabor Lacko a long time ago before Cole jaws had been invented.

Extra holes are drilled and tapped about 2mm larger than the bowl being worked. This way the rubber is in contact - not marking the piece.

For much larger items plywood rings and long bolts can be used. Great care must be taken however as to where you put your hands with all that spinning metalwork about. The speed control which is very necessary was curtesy of Mr Lacko of course!

10/11^th November at the Newbury Christmas Market at the Showground at Thatcham RG18 9QZ

 

Lucky to be inside the new cowshed again. The focus for this show has moved from a bit of a pet show to more food, drink and craft stools. Two broom makers!

 

On Sunday we were entertained by a few different local groups including a rock choir – they were great!

I do not have a website so to answer the question about what do I make I have added a few pictures.

I met this Lithuanian lady who has just relocated in the UK. She is an artist and pyrographer.

Another fun weekend making wands and carving bowls. Thanks to the organisers Classic events, look forward to next year at this event.

29-10-2018 Leather working at home in Wanstead London

 

Jill Swan asked me to do a repair on her leather bag. One of those jobs so easily put on a long list.

 

  

But Jill is a good friend, good to use up some scrap leather.