More Popular Than You Think

Despite my workshop being in a country park, it’s not actually open to the public. When I’m working inside or out  then the big door will be open to allow for some air flow.  I’ll have a net curtain over along with barrier tape and a big sign saying no unauthorised access, but some of you just can’t help yourselves. Even if I’m not cutting, there’s a good chance that there’s a slippery floor and lots of sharp tools. The air will be full of particles which you don’t want in your lungs. And then there’s the things I don’t want you touching, like freshly oiled carvings or loosely assembled benches.

There are however two things that are regularly talked about. One is the large puffin by the door. It’s the only carving in the workshop which was not made by me! It was made by my friend Denious Parson at Garnock Valley  Carves I think in 2022. Denious is well known for producing creative pieces and I thought this was quite mainstream for him. Anyway, it wasn’t doing very well in the auction and I decided I’d like to have it. Ironically, I was bidding against the man who bought my carving. When I went over to take payment, he asked how much I wanted for it which I found quite odd as he’d bid what he thought it was worth to him. I said it’s not for sale! He said “you’re just gona sell it on again.”  Well my intention was to put it in my garden but I spend more time at the workshop so I can admire it more there. Any way why should it be such an offense if I did sell it on? That’s very much the world of art, antiques, cars, property and so much more operate.

The second item is a sign. A large cookie or disk of wood with the writing “Every item guaranteed. Guaranteed to crack!”  It does of course have a large crack in it and if you look close enough you’ll see it’s actually been repaired after splitting clean in two. This is somewhat tongue in cheek but is a phrase I’ve come to live by. Wood does indeed crack as it dries, and “if it don’t crack, bring it back” and I’ll hit it with a big axe for you.