The idea behind Firewood was (and is) to try making
domestic
or decorative wooden items from timbers destined for the sitting-room
stove.
All the materials are English or Welsh, many being 'rescued' from old
beams or blown-over trees, but I also use freshly felled birch from a
local log merchant.
Timber that has been attacked by insects and woodworm has been treated,
but otherwise ancient wood has usually been chosen for its 'character',
so splits, stains or holes are not seen as defects.
Generally, wood is not stained but its natural colour (and grain) might
be heightened by varnish.
Each piece will come with a label detailing the woods
used, but here is a list of some that I'm using at the moment and where
they came from.
Walnut. Holme Pierrepont Hall, Nottingham
Burr Elm. Llandrindod Wells.
Oak. 15th c. beam from a shop in Sutton Bonington. Nottinghamshire.
Oak 15th -16th c. beam from a barn near Llandrindod Wells
Bog oak, very very ancient (4-8000 years old) from a peat bog in Devon.
Pear and cherry. Church Farm, Kingston on Soar, Nottinghamshire
Yew. Kingston Hall, Nottinghamshire.
Silver birch from the site of the new Student accommodation
block, Nottingham University School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington
The work shown on Decorative Woodwork pages is just to give you an idea
of the sort of things I'm making. Some of the photographed items have
been sold and new work is being prepared.
Generally, I can re-make items, given enough warning, but obviously particular
woods might have been used up, so if you want similar items, or particularly
large ones, you will have to wait.