Dartmoor Crafts
Dartmoor Crafts is an online exhibition celebrating a wide range of creative work produced by craftspeople living and working in the National Park. Dartmoor is the inspiration for much of their work and many use natural materials sourced from Dartmoor.
Dartmoor Crafts Wood
Matthew McCann Furniture Maker of fine furniture
Matthew McCann’ s contemporary designs are based firmly in the English tradition of fine cabinetmaking. Drawing inspiration from the arts and crafts movement of William Morris and Ruhlmann, the master of Art Deco, Matthew creates modern furniture using wood, glass, steel and other materials.
After graduating from the London College of Furniture in 1986, Matthew McCann worked with the prestigious London firm Osiris of Greenwich. This early experience of working with the best makers and designers gave him the essential understanding of quality and creativity. Commissions included furniture for Conran, Volvo, Guinness, Robert Fleming Merchant Bank, BP and many others. He moved to Devon in 1990 and established his own studios in 1993. Matthew McCann’s designs make it possible to introduce contemporary style into the most traditional of settings, creating pieces which although innovative in design complement and harmonise with their surroundings. This is often achieved by careful attention to detail, drawing on historical references and existing design details or motifs.Most of the timber used is grown and sawn locally. Mainly woodland trees are sourced or sometimes the most wonderful storm damaged ornamental and fruit trees. Matthew McCann’s studio is a former wheelwright’s workshop and has much of its original water powered machinery still in working order.
Matthew McCann Furniture
Walkham Mill, Walkhampton, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6JR
Tel: (01822) 853838
email: matthew@matthewmccann.net
www.matthewmccann.net (external link opens in new window)
Please ring to arrange an appointment.
Peter Barnes Wood Turning
Peter has lived in Peter Tavy for 17 years having travelled west from Suffolk via Essex and Berkshire. Peter left school at 15 and worked in civil engineering, building and highway maintenance, retiring from Devon County Council in 1999. His interest in woodworking started at school, aged 12, when he built his first lathe. Since then he has been turning wood and metal, making live steam models, rebuilding full size steam rollers and traction engines, and restoring agricultural machines. He has always collected wood from storm damage, demolished buildings and tree felling. While working for Devon County Council he was involved in replacing old wooden signposts with aluminium and plastic replicas. This gave him the chance to salvage some wonderful oak posts, at least 50 years old. Fifteen years ago, having built two ‘new’ lathes from junk; fertilizer spreader shafts, spin drier, and milking machine motor, oak hand rails, fence posts, scrap metal and other bits, Peter restarted wood turning. He attends charity events and school fairs and can be found at Tavistock Pannier Market every Tuesday and second Saturday of month (Craft Market). Much of his work is produced from old/recycled wood which has to be at least 12 years old; anything less is liable to crack or split. It gives him great satisfaction to create something from wood which the majority would dump or burn. Approx 10% of work consists of miniatures for dolls houses. He also makes lace bobbins and small boxes using imported hardwoods from sustainable sources.
Peter Barnes
Peter Tavy, Devon
Tel: (01822) 810575 Peter also undertakes commissions.
Please ring for further information.
Dartmoor Hardwoods Furniture/ Joinery
Dartmoor Hardwoods are manufacturers of doors, windows, staircases and furniture - all in sustainable British and foreign timbers. Dennis Reece, the founder of Dartmoor Hardwoods, first created furniture from a small workshop at Round Hill Farm, near Two Bridges. The quality of work produced soon meant that orders increased and Dartmoor Hardwoods needed to move premises. They now employ six people with one volunteer and are based at the Duchy Yard in Princetown. The purchase of timber and machining services is possible at the workshop. The chair on display is made from air dried English oak. It is designed to allow the timber to move and thus develop its own characteristics.
Dartmoor Hardwoods
The Duchy Yard, Station Road, Princetown,
Devon PL20 6QN
Tel: (01822) 890559
Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm, Sat 9am-1pm
Nigel Shaw & Carolyn Hillyer Musical Instrument Makers
Nigel Shaw and Carolyn Hillyer are composers, musicians and artists of international reputation. Their studios are based at their longhouse farm in the centre of Dartmoor, from where they travel to many countries (including Japan, Central and North America, Russia, and the Arctic) performing concerts and running music workshops. In recent years they have started to handcraft many of the instruments that they play, especially flutes, drums and rattles, which are the three most ancient forms of musical instruments found in cultures and traditions throughout the world. The inspiration for much of their work, both art and music, stems from the spirit of the wild land with its cycles of power, mystery and gentle beauty, and especially Dartmoor which has been their home for over 13 years. Nigel plays a wide range of instruments including traditional flutes, whistles and recorders, small pipes (a type of bagpipe), fujara (Slovakian large overtone flute), drums, keyboards and piano. He has released many albums of music and, as well as flute making, he carves large wooden masks inspired by the Moor.Carolyn is a painter, creating landscapes in the human form, large life-size mythological women who represent the spirits of the land. She is a composer of songs and has released eight solo albums as well as working with Nigel on many others. Her books are published in the UK and Germany and she also teaches a programme of creative workshops. Nigel and Carolyn have recently completed work on their largest project to date - the construction of a Bronze-Age style roundhouse at their farm.
Nigel Shaw & Carolyn Hillyer
Postbridge, Devon
Tel: (01822) 880301 www.seventhwavemusic.co.uk (external link opens in new window)
CDs of Nigel and Carolyn’s music are on sale
here at the High Moorland Visitor Centre.
Dartmoor flutes and drums are made to
commission.
Wood & Rush - Linda Lemieux Baskets/ Wood Turning
Linda has been sharing her passion for, and knowledge of, willow, rush and baskets for 14 years. Dartmoor, with its rugged and honest landscape inspires her daily and its influence filters through to her baskets; strong and beautiful, full of gentle colours, natural shapes and materials. Linda grows a dozen different varieties of basketry willows (Salix) in her withy bed near Chagford, on a hill 800 feet above sea level and a mile from the river. This dispels any idea that basketry willows need boggy ground. She coppices the stools (stumps) by hand, using a small hook, every winter. Then she lets the supple one year rods season (and therefore complete any shrinking) before soaking in a trough for about a week and using to make log baskets, duck nesters, shoppers, umbrella or fruit baskets, even a quiver. Linda also works with another traditional english craft material, 'bulrush' (Scirpus lacustris). She harvests her rush beds, on the River Isle in Somerset, each July, on a 3 year rotation. Again she cuts by hand (best for the environment) from her coracle, which she made specially for the purpose. She is assisted by J.J., her Jack Russell, who counterbalances the coracle. The bundles (bolts) of rush are dried in a barn (this takes about 3 weeks in a dry summer) and then dampened and mellowed before being used. Rush is a softer material than willow and ideal for chair seats (several coiled together), hats, mats, boxes and all soft baskets. Visit Linda in her shop 'Wood and Rush' in Chagford where she sells baskets, materials, tools and other locally made crafts (jewellery and clothes). Linda also repairs rush or willow seated chairs and runs courses in basketmaking and chairseating.
Wood & Rush
1a The Square, Chagford, Devon TQ13 8AA
Tel: (01647) 231330
Open Thurs, Fri, Sat, 10.30am-5pm
Dartmoor Crafts Textiles
Veronica Gould Handpainted Tapestries
Veronica Gould grew up in the Argentinian Patagonia and has lived in Devon since 1990. The landscape of Dartmoor has become the central force of her inspiration. The work is formed and shaped by the dying and renewal of Dartmoor’s woodlands and moors and the shapes and colours of the changing seasons. The working process is inspired by the English tradition of woven tapestries and the ancient oriental art of painting silk. Using dyes on thick silk, a series of layers is built up, creating both depth and subtlety of image. The dyes pervade the material, giving a richness and intensity of colour. The wall-hangings are either mounted in an oak frame, or are heavily lined and hung directly on the wall. Veronica also hand-paints scarves, cushions and fabric and offers textile painting courses throughout the year.
Veronica Gould
Moretonhampstead, Devon
Tel: (01647) 440691
Visitors are very welcome to visit her studio,
please ring to arrange an appointment.
Eileen Fraser Textile Art
Eileen Fraser has been a student of art for the past 13 years.She began with studying for a GCSE at Tavistock College and progressed through A levels onto a two year Art Foundation Course. She has also studied on a City and Guilds Life Drawing and Painting course and a Teaching Course at Saltash College (as well as numerous independent art courses). For the past two years she has been creating works using textiles. Planning and creating the design or image is followed by drawing this on to hand dyed material. Then, silk paints are used to colour in shapes and tone. Pieces of material are stitched onto the painted fabric, a small area at a time. This builds up the image slowly, layer by layer. Eileen then uses a sewing machineto construct shape, colour and form. Eileen often free machines areas of textile to accentuate depth. Hand sewn embroidery silks can complete the finished image. Textile pieces are laced, mounted and framed. The process then continues with the creation of a complementary piece using colour, shape and form to develop the abstract. Eileen runs art workshops called ‘Fun with Colour’ from her home on the western edge of Dartmoor National Park. Taking place overa four-week period, one morning per week, the workshops investigate basic drawing skills,art history and the application of materialsincluding paints, pastels, charcoal, collage and mixed media.
Contact Eileen Fraser for further information on workshops and commissions, or if you would like to purchase one of her pieces.
Eileen Fraser
Yelverton, Devon
Tel: (01822) 853328
Jackie Wright Textile Art
Jacki is a versatile multi-media artist specialising in textile abstracts, and traditional and abstract paintings in oils and acrylic. She trained at Cornwall College and Somerset College of Art and Design, and has been developing her own unique approach to various artistic disciplines over many years. She has travelled widely and her appreciation of the diversity of cultures is reflected in her creativity. Jacki is as multi-faceted as her work and is therefore always seeking new artistic challenges and directions. Her work has been exhibited in various West Country locations.
Jackie Wright
Tel: (01822) 853328
Jacki can be contacted through Eileen Fraser.
Felt Amazing - Mary Toon Feltmaker & Artist
Mary Toon has been working with felt for about 3 years. Because there is no real tradition of hand-felting in the country, there is no end to the new forms it can take. Many items can be created using raw fleece as the basic material. During the felting process many other fibres can be added producing really beautiful and interesting results. The felting process involves laying out the fibres and then wetting, soaping and rolling them, which causes the fibres to intertwine as friction increases. The fabric then shrinks and binds together. Most pieces of Mary’s work involve this process.Mary enjoys passing on her knowledge of this increasingly popular art form to others. Her workshops show how the felting process works and the raw fleece is transformed into a strong flexible fabric.
Felt Amazing - Mary Toon
Tel: (01822) 612297
For more details on commissions and workshops.
Dartmoor Crafts Metal
Greens Weathervanes
Fine Copper Sculpture - Weathervanes/ Fountains/ Signage
Metal sculptors, Karen and Gordon Green combine the ancient repousse technique of the copper weathervane with a truly sculptural aesthetic, providing the client with not only a spectacular artwork, but an heirloom for generations to enjoy. Their work can be seen on homes and businesses around the south west, nationally and in nine foreign countries. Although popular designs are sometimes repeated in numbered series, many clients opt for a custom weathervane, with themes ranging from business logos, family crests, boats, birds, characters from children’s literature, and even a much loved family pet.
Designs are not limited to the weathervane, with the artists expanding their copperwork to include freestanding sculpture, fountains and signage. The addition of gold leaf is possible on all or part of any artwork. Clients are welcome to visit their Dartmoor studio near Princetown to discuss possible commissions or to see completed designs on display and available for purchase.
Greens Weathervanes - Fine Copper Sculpture
Tor Royal Cottage & Workshop, Nr. Princetown,
Devon PL20 6SL
Tel: (01822) 890839
www.greensvanes.co.uk (External link opens in new window)
Open Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm
Dean Forge
Dean Forge was established by Michael Chew in 1969 in the small village of Dean Prior, nestling on the edge of Dartmoor. After leaving school Michael attended Agricultural College and worked on a moorland farm. During this time he gained experience with an agricultural blacksmith. With his artistic talent, inherited from his father Stanley Chew (the well known pub sign painter) Michael started his own business, from a shed in the garden, creating fire baskets and ornamental wrought ironwork alongside his general fabrication work. Both his younger brothers joined and worked along side him for many years before setting up their own similar forges. Over the years, Michael has established a reputation for hand forged quality items. In the early 1970s Michael and his brother designed the original Dean Forge woodburning stove. The stoves have been continually developed and modified into the range of highly efficient and reliable wood and multifuel stoves that are on sale today. Dean Forge has continued to be a family run business with Michael’s son Simon joining as a partner, bringing with him experience from many other fieldsand updating the business. Dean Forge employs a small highly skilled and creative team of blacksmiths and steel fabricators, producing high quality wrought iron products, which include curtain poles, garden seats, rose arches, gates, railings, balustrades, fire baskets and dogs. Many products are made to individual requirements.
Dean Forge, Dean Prior, Buckfastleigh, Devon
Tel: (01364) 643574
www.deanforge.co.uk (external link opens in new window)
Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm,
Sat 9am-4pm (closed bank holiday)
Moretonhampstead Forge
Greg Abel working from Moreton Forge in Moretonhampstead designs and makes both traditional and contemporary hot forged iron work. Traditional forging techniques are used to manufacture decorative and utilitarian items, including exterior and interior sculpture. The piece on display uses modern welding techniques to fuse 5mm bar into a solid structure. The Forge is situated at 27 Cross Street, Moretonhampstead; visitors are welcome between 10 and 5 pm weekly but it is advisable to contact Greg if you are making a special journey.
Tel: (01647) 440331
www.moretonforge.co.uk (external link opens in new window)
There is limited parking near the Forge and two car parks nearby in the town.
Dartmoor Crafts Clay
Powdermills Pottery A Dartmoor Pottery
The aim of Powdermills Pottery is to hand-make pots using materials found on or around Dartmoor.
Clay
Over time, Dartmoor granite has eroded to form many different types of clays. These are found in abundance around the moor. The raw clays are dried, mixed, pulverised and watered down to a cream. The clay slop is sieved, poured into drying beds and left to dry to the right consistency for making pots.
Making
At Powdermills Pottery pots are made for everyday use: oven-ware, tableware, and for the garden. The majority of pots are made on the potter’s wheel. The wheels are powered either by foot or electricity.
Glazes
Examples of materials used to make glaze include wood ash, clay, granite, limestone and growan. Glaze ingredients are milled to a very fine powder, mixed to recipe, watered to a creamy consistency and sieved. Glazes are applied to the pots by pouring, dipping or brushing. A glaze recipe is found through methodical tests - and by trial-and-error.
Firing
Powdermills pots are fired in a wood-fuelled kiln. The firing lasts approximately eighty-five hours, and needs a crew of at least three people working in four-hour shifts around the clock. The kiln design and long firing time encourages wood ash to settle on the surface of the pots inside the kiln. The kiln reaches a top temperature of 1300c. At these high temperatures the wood reacts with the clay to form a glass or glaze. This, together with the action of flame and embers on the clay, gives the surface colours and textures. If you take a Powdermills pot home, you will be taking a little piece of the moor home with you. Powdermills is run by a husband and wife team who are happy to show you around. We cannot guarantee that you will see pots actually being made during your visit, but there are always plenty of beautiful pots to see and buy.
Powdermills Pottery, Postbridge, Devon
Tel: (01822) 880263
www.powdermillspottery.com (external link opens in new window)
Open daily 10am-5pm
David Gundry Belstone Pottery
David Gundry comes from a family of painters, but was fortunate to be introduced to pottery at school by Don Potter, a charismatic man and an inspirational teacher. His work has been influenced by many other things such as childhood and early adulthood in Africa and South America. David lets materials speak for themselves as far as possible - thus an emphasis on undecorated ware, wood-fired, unglazed surfaces and simple, traditional glazes (deep cobalt blue, Tenmochu, beech and oak woodash). Visitors are welcome at the pottery in Belstone, a traditional granite village on the north edge of Dartmoor.Hours flexible, access easy.
David Gundry
Okehampton, Devon
Tel: (01837) 840206
Please ring to arrange an appointment.
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