Artisans of Dartmoor - Book - Page 101
Being eco-minded, rather than buying ‘anonymous’
wood from industrial sawmills, Ambrose prefers
to handpick timber from local estates – specifically
from trees that have fallen in storms or which have
been felled to mitigate the effects of disease. Rarely
does he have to part with cash for these – landowners
are only too happy to swap a trunk of ash or oak for
one of his pieces. (The barter economy is alive and
well on Dartmoor.)
Ambrose then transports the wood to his sawmill
where he studies and documents each part of the
timber as he cuts. Gnarly sections with plenty of knots
and a wide grain will be made into chair seats and
table tops where their character will be on display,
while straighter, plainer parts are perfect for legs and
spindles. “It’s really exciting cutting a tree open to
reveal its beauty. There’s something very special about
getting to know it intimately because every piece
of timber is different. The knots, grain and growth
rings tell a story of a tree’s life. I like to honour them
in my pieces. Not a single part of the tree is wasted.
Even small off-cuts are used to make spatulas and
spoons,” he says.
Ambrose’s barn has proven to be an ideal home for
his craft. Set high on the bluff of a hill, its huge sliding
doors frame a view of the family Christmas tree farm
and woodland. This is where he goes, just as he did as
a child, whenever he needs a break. “Whenever I’m
feeling creatively stuck, looking at greenery usually
gives me new ideas,” he says.
This drive and passion to keep innovating is
reflected in Ambrose’s now-extensive product range,
The Woodworker • Ambrose Vevers
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