As a designer and maker, my approach leans towards the natural, frugal, and functional.
"As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way."
Mary Anne Radmacher
I am a self-taught hand-tools woodworker and wood artist. I design and make wooden lamps, hand-carved wooden cutlery and scrap wood miniatures.
I work predominantly with teak wood because of its rich, warm tones. Teak wood has an inherent natural beauty that I love, and every piece of wood has a history. Its unique grains, knots, scars and cracks offer clues about its journey and all that it has lived through. Sawmill rejects have a special place in my heart and in my work - those odd pieces of wood that lie forgotten in dusty corners because of some ‘flaw’ or irregularity.
I prefer to work with these found treasures as-is (unless there is serious damage) and to highlight rather than conceal their "imperfections". I avoid using stains or polishes, opting instead for a clear, water-based finish that is safer for the environment and protects the wood while maintaining its natural appearance. I also retain dents, chipped edges or minor cracks that do not compromise the structural stability of the piece.
I am frugal in that I try to use just the amount of wood as is necessary for each design. I select the pieces of wood I want to work with, and develop the design around them in a way that utilizes each piece fully, to minimize wastage. I often work within self-imposed constraints, such as making a lamp using just a single strip of wood. I am also frugal with respect to my tools and workspace, choosing to work with only a few essential hand tools and not acquiring a new tool until I absolutely cannot do without it.
I prefer making lamps that are more functional than ornamental. I particularly enjoy making multifunctional pieces like a table lamp that holds books, or a floor lamp that is also a side table. Sometimes functionality is enhanced by adding a feature like adjustability.
The smaller off-cuts I use for whittling (hand-carving wood with a knife). I enjoy making minimalist, functional wooden cutlery and tableware such as spoons and butter knives.
The smallest pieces of scrap wood are sorted and stored. With these I make hand-carved miniatures - tiny replicas of everyday objects. Sometimes I also carve tiny animals and birds.
I enjoy repurposing and upcycling, and am always on the lookout for old and discarded objects that I can make lamps out of. I hope to create pieces that are unusual yet practical in form and function, and to keep experimenting with joinery as I learn more about it. I hope to make more lamps that incorporate everyday objects in interesting ways. Most of all, I hope to keep trying new things without fear, and to enjoy this journey of discovery and creation.
If you’d like to know more, drop me a note at info@agentlelight.com