gilesnewman - Tumblr blog

[gilesnewman]

“The world's a forest, in which all lose their way; though by a different path each goes astray.”

- George Villiers

.

Mushroom spoon (2018)

Carved by knife in wood from a naturally fallen Silver Birch tree.

[gilesnewman]

I could carry on working on this piece forever but I fear I may carve away the spirit of the piece so I’ve decided to call it finished. I’ve also settled on the name ‘Chrysalis’ to reflect on struggle being a step on the path to change and to freedom. I have loved the process carving her and, though I will forever see the flaws in my work, it has been an incredible learning experience. I really hope that you like her too! #objects #sculpture #woodsculpture #finecraft #artisan #maker #fineart #artist #designermaker #galleryart #woodworking #woodenspoons #woodart #woodcraft #finewoodworking #slowdesign #handmademovement #traditionalskills #woodcrafts #woodcarving #uniquestyle #woodsculpture https://www.instagram.com/p/CjK_aQWKVQd/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[gilesnewman]

Slowly finding her way out of the wood… . . . . . . #objects #sculpture #woodart #woodartist #woodsculpture #finecraft #artisan #maker #craftsman #designer #designermaker #galleryart #spoons #woodworking #tableware #woodenspoons #woodart #woodcraft #finewoodworking #crafts #contemporarycraft #slowcraft #slowmade #slowdesign #folkart #buyfolk #handmademovement #traditionalskills #woodcrafts #woodcarving #uniquestyle https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci0HuV8q5zp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[gilesnewman]

Having picked up injuries to both hands in the past couple of weeks 🤦🏽‍♂️ I’ve been struggling to work by knife while they heal up. So to reduce the carving withdrawal symptoms I’m playing with chisels and gouges instead. 👍🏼🩹🤕 https://www.instagram.com/p/CiiErqlKyQ4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[gilesnewman]

Morning light in the studio… just because 🌞 https://www.instagram.com/p/CiHkTYMqIEj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[gilesnewman]

Another new piece from the strange mix of pendants that I’ve carved recently… Green Man pendant, carved by knife from English Oak. I hope you like him! You can find this guy and the other new pieces on my website… gilesnewman.com 🌿😉 . . . . . . #greenman #oneofakindjewelry #finewoodworking #handmadenecklace #jewelryart #jewellerymaker #objects #designermaker #necklaceoftheday #jewellerygram #jewelryartist #uniquestyle #contemporarycraft #woodenjewellery #woodsculpture #bohojewellery #fantasyjewelry #arttowear #ethicaljewelry #naturejewelry #naturaljewelry #sustainablejewelry #ethicaljewellery #finecraft #woodcrafts #wearableart https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch-EtjLrkXP/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[gilesnewman]

“The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.” - Rabindranath Tagore Resting Butterfly pendant. Carved by knife in English Oak. . . . . . #butterfly #oneofakindjewelry #finewoodworking #handmadenecklace #jewelryart #jewellerymaker #objects #designermaker #necklaceoftheday #jewellerygram #jewelryartist #uniquestyle #contemporarycraft #woodenjewellery #woodsculpture #bohojewellery #arttowear #ethicaljewelry #naturejewelry #naturaljewelry #sustainablejewelry #ethicaljewellery #finecraft #woodcrafts #wearableart https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch44fc_qpf8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[gilesnewman]

A little preview of a new spoon carving that I’ve been working on. I actually started carving this Kingfisher spoon at the end of last year and and it is taking forever to carve. The concept and design of the piece is based on some beautiful blue spalting that I found within this piece of Silver Birch wood though that’s almost disappeared whilst I’ve been carving it. Sorry that this is the first ‘work in progress’ shot for a long time but I’ve been reluctant to share any shots of it due to the ongoing issues with Facebook scammers using my photos to sell fake copies of my work… though I’ve now pretty much had to give up on fighting them as it was becoming a full time job and Facebook aren’t interested in protecting the copyright of individuals (yes, I’m still seething with rage about it!!!). . . . . . #kingfisher #objects #sculpture #woodsculpture #finecraft #artisan #maker #craftsman #designer #designermaker #galleryart #spoons #woodworking #tableware #woodenspoons #woodart #woodcraft #finewoodworking #crafts #contemporarycraft #slowcraft #spooncarving #handmademovement #traditionalskills #woodcrafts #woodcarving #uniquestyle #woodsculpture https://www.instagram.com/p/CdLnNI_qjN-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[gilesnewman]

Winter Solstice Spoon (2018, Sold)

Carved for a feature on the Channel 4 TV show, Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas, this piece now lives in Utah, US… as it is the most festive piece I’ve ever carved (and probably the most festive set of photos I’ve ever shot), it only seems appropriate to share it now. However, if you’re sick of seeing festive, fairy light festooned photos, swipe though to find some more somber shots of it on black! 😂🎅🏼

Carved in Silver Birch wood.

[gilesnewman]

Fiercely loyal to her pack, ferociously protective of her cubs and her boundaries, the She-Wolf is endlessly resourceful and intelligent, playful, loving, forever curious, instinctive, quick witted and strong, she is not to be crossed… She-Wolf pendant, carved in English Oak from a 250 year old tree that fell in storm winds near my home in Lancashire. She, along with a few simpler pieces, are looking for new homes for Christmas 😉 Also, I’ve finally fixed some dates for my group workshops in 2022 (better late than never!), just in case you or someone you know would like to learn how to carve your own jewellery or spoons. Happy Friday friends!! #shewolf #wolf #wolves #spiritanimal #wolfspirit https://www.instagram.com/p/CXT32-LL2ux/?utm_medium=tumblr

[gilesnewman]

There are many subjects that are difficult to create a sense of in wood… moving water is definitely up there with the more challenging. This Kingfisher pendant that I carved back in 2018 was my second attempt and I was fairly happy with it at the time. I share this random insight into my “List of Difficult, Slightly Intangible Subjects Only to Try Carving when Feeling Especially Masochistic” as I have been working on a design for my third attempt to capture chaotic fluid motion in wood. I hope you are having / had a good Monday (if there is such a thing?). https://www.instagram.com/p/CXJfnG6KHhp/?utm_medium=tumblr

[gilesnewman]

Just wanted to share a little bit of Sunday morning studio bliss with you. It’s amazing how peaceful the world seems to become when the snow starts to fall.

Wishing you all a peaceful Sunday too.

[gilesnewman]

The appeal of the night is inescapable; it’s mystery is seductive. Continuing to chase the twilight with a new little bat friend. Carved in Black Walnut with a 5cm / 2” wingspan. https://www.instagram.com/p/CWtE_8kqiNR/?utm_medium=tumblr

[gilesnewman]

“Tell me the story..

About how the sun loved the moon so much..

That she died every night..

Just to let him breathe...”

― Hanako Ishii

An experimental Moon carving using the natural colour contrast between the darkness of 5000 year old Abonos Oak (aka Bog Oak) and pale Holly wood. Encircled with a ring of Stirling Silver as a Lunar Corona. 29mm / 1.2” diameter.

The moon has been a nightly companion for me over the last two months of sleeplessness and as a result has subconsciously found it’s way into a great many of the designs that I’ve drawn up over this time. I decided to experiment in this way to create dynamic contrast and dimension into my work in a way that is almost impossible when carving from a single piece of wood. Despite the simplicity of this pendant it has taught me much and fuelled my imagination for a few of the designs I hope to realise in the coming months.

I hope you can forgive this slight departure from my usual methods! Here’s to evolution!

[gilesnewman]

Although a book full of my spoon carvings and rambling thoughts on the topic is unlikely to appear very high up on many people’s Christmas lists and probably won’t be competing with the latest electronic gadget for “gift of the year”, a few people have asked about getting hold of a copy… so I’m pleased to say that I now have a small pile of copies available. If for some strange reason a book of unusual wooden cutlery doesn’t occupy prime position in your loved ones letter to the North Pole, my wood carving kits make a great little stocking filler with 25 designs to choose from! You could even create your own carving kit advent calendar! 😉😂 (at North Pole) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWa_GdyKuhf/?utm_medium=tumblr

[gilesnewman]

“in this sleep of death what dreams may come...”

‘The Danse’ - A new Hare pendant inspired by the Medieval artistic tradition of The Danse Macabre and a little by the Black Rabbit of Inlé in Watership Down.

Carved from a single unbroken piece of English Oak using the natural colour contrast between the dark heartwood and the pale neighbouring Sap wood (swipe through to see how I positioned the design on the un-carved oak to take advantage of the natural colour shift). 3cm (1.2in) x 4.3cm (1.7in).

Quote from Hamlet by William Shakespeare.

#dansemacabre #watershipdown #hares #hare #afterlife #oneofakindjewelry #finewoodworking #handmadenecklace #jewelryart #jewellerymaker #objects #designermaker #necklaceoftheday #jewellerygram #jewelryartist #uniquestyle #contemporarycraft #woodenjewellery #woodsculpture #bohojewellery #fantasyjewelry #arttowear #ethicaljewelry #naturejewelry #naturaljewelry #sustainablejewelry #ethicaljewellery #finecraft #woodcrafts #wearableart

[gilesnewman]

‘The Serpent and The Sword’ Pendant. Carved from Black Walnut wood. 7cm (2.7in) Sorry for the lack of posts lately… the search for confidence and self belief continues. . . . . #snakes #serpent #sword #medieval #mythology #oneofakindjewelry #finewoodworking #handmadenecklace #jewelryart #jewellerymaker #objects #designermaker #necklaceoftheday #woodcarver #jewelryartist #uniquestyle #contemporarycraft #woodenjewellery #woodsculpture #woodcarving #fantasyjewelry #arttowear #ethicaljewelry #naturejewelry #naturaljewelry #sustainablejewelry #ethicaljewellery #finecraft #woodcrafts #wearableart https://www.instagram.com/p/CVsplrNq2HV/?utm_medium=tumblr