Tell us a little bit about yourself, your interests and your relationship with art
I’ve always adored sculpture, never a specific medium. From my earliest memories until now, I have always loved nature. I would look at the tiny orchid-like flowers of tufted vetch and observe insects going inside foxgloves. I've always loved the smaller details. For the majority of my career I did contemporary taxidermy, specifically prawns, even working with brown shrimp, very intricate work. Woodwork is a recent career change. After some years of looking for something different, I suddenly decided to carve a spoon. It was as instinctual as that. I had carved an oyster spoon which I then posted on my Instagram. Within a few minutes, someone messaged me asking if they could buy it. That was a good enough sign that this was the right path to go down.
And why spoons, specifically?
I love the idea of having a beautifully carved spoon for everyday use. My mum always used to say it’s important to celebrate the day and not wait for occasions and I’ve really absorbed that into my wood carving.
Your work spans all kinds of shells and creatures, where to you choose to seek inspiration?
Everything nature based, particularly the coast. My studio mood board has shells, seaweed, spider crab shells, a particularly bumpy avocado skin, leather and plants pinned to it. Ceramics is another place I look to; I love the organic forms you can achieve with clay.
How long does each spoon take to craft and can you talk us through that process?
It depends on the spoon, but I’ll sketch a rough design, stencil the outline on wood (usually walnut or bog oak) and then cut it out so I have a ‘spoon blank’. Then I’ll stare at it for a while until I can see the shape I’m going to do, then I begin to carve. I adapt the design with the grain as I go.
Why do you think your pieces are so strongly loved and who is your fan club?
I don’t know about fan club! I think maybe people are drawn to them as it’s a new take on spoons. Also, shells are universally loved, which helps.
How has this audience grown over time?
Honestly, it was a bit of a blast during a short period of time. One of my images went viral and that quickly spread the word.
If someone really wants to get their hands on your pieces, how can they?
Newsletter is the best way; first chance buy goes to subscribers. However, I do try and keep some constant stock on my website where possible.
Do you think anyone actually eats with them? What dish would you imagine they make, if so?
I really hope people are using them! I’m a soup/broth person, so anything along those lines for mine.
One thing you wish our readers could know about you?
I found my perfect career when I was 39. One of my friends started hers in her 60s. Don’t give yourself milestones!
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