Lion Rampant

 I have been finishing carving this lion, while the exhibition has been on.

He's going to be polychromed. The exhibition finishes tomorrow, so I have given him a coat of gesso, and I'll leave the rest until I am back in the workshop.

Today, I was planing up a panel, so visitors got to see a bit of joiner's work. It hotted up by noon, so I switched to laying out the panel. There were so many visitors, that I spent most of the afternoon talking. A view from behind the bench.

It has worked well, having this cage up. It means people and children have been able to get up close to see what's happening, but still be safe from edge tools. Also, something to hang stuff on.

Half way through

So the exhibition is going well. There have been lots of appreciative comments. 3-4 "the best exhibition I have ever seen in Totnes". Lots of positive feedback. Lots of interesting conversations. Not one stupid question or negative comments. Happy days!

Lots of explaining about the influences that fed into East Devon carved joined furniture/Exeter strapwork. Talked to people from Totnes Museum and St. Mary's church about getting this knowledge out to the community.

Put on show the furniture, boxes, spoons and carved bowls. My paintings and Bethany's (my daughter's on the mantelpiece. Bethany's reed-woven turned stool and milking stool! All in 16th century Birdwood House.

Sold one of my favourite spoons; it's gone to be a green tea scoop, so I am sure it will be well loved.

The lion I am carving is almost done and ready to start painting tomorrow. Lots more fun to be had before close at 4pm on Saturday, so come on down if you're in the area. But here's a photo dump for those who can't.

Flyers.

The old-fashioned way. I've been out and about taking these around today. Birdwood House Gallery, Totnes.

Lots to do. 

 

Getting ready for the exhibition

So, the exhibition will be taking place at Birdwood House, Totnes 12th-18th July. These geese will be winging their way there, so time for an oiling.

There will be woodworking demonstrations and stuff for sale, big and small. Drop in and say hello.

Back to silence.

When I started here this morning, the sun was shining in the East window. Now it's time to pack up my WW1 kit box, the sun is coming through the West window.

Axes, planes, chisels, gouges, holdfasts, bench hook, bench screw, brace and spoon bit roll....

Goodbye pulpit, goodbye box pews. This might just be my favourite church. 

Sweep the floor. Close the door. Leave the church in perfect, cool silence.

New panel.

 In with the new panel.

It has been agreed with CCT to take a SPAB (Society for Protection of Ancient Buildings) approach to this restoration. I.e. minimum intervention/leaving the new timber unstained. It will mellow in in 50 years or so.

The joints drawbored/pulled tight as they were before. It's amazing what oak will put up with!

Shape the ends of the pegs to the moulding, and then a look at the back. The rear of the panel matches the original panels now, with axed chamfers.

I have seen the light.

 Slowly take the stile off the tenons. When you can see the light, you know you're winning!

Gentle taps and leverage; these mortices possibly haven't seen the light of day for 400 years.

What a joy to see the evidence of the original joiner working the wood. The runout of the plough plane through the tenons, shavings made when chopping out the mortices still in the bottom of the mortice! If you've been careful ,the holes in the tenon should be intact enough, to pull the joint together again.

Place the half of the pulpit to one side and set about removing the broken panel.