Wax and Wood

22 years as a beekeeper and 5 years as serious woodturner. Keen on any kind of woodworking since my schooldays.

I have been a beekeeper for 22 years. As time went by I found I was gathering a large amount of surplus beeswax. I attended a candle making course run by one of the Bee Associations of which I was a member (Harrogate and Ripon) and learnt the art of cleaning wax to a standard suitable for making creams and candles. This led me to buying various moulds and even making my own. All of my candles are moulded at the moment.
My woodturning started many years ago making Lace Bobbins for my wife. She required a large number of Honiton and Belgian style bobbins which were expensive to buy so, making them was a challenge which suited me. I became quite accomplished after about 1000 were completed.
About five years ago I joined the Outer Turning Circle at Wyke near Bradford. This is a hands-on club with members helping each other to master turning techniques. Seeing the type of work other members were making gave me ideas to widen my horizons and designs.
My main items are turned Acrylics and wood using sustainable timbers from both English and Exotic sources. I make ball type clock cases for 65mm insert clocks movements in mainly American Ash and Sycamore because I like the grain patterns obtained on the finished item.
My own design table lamp bases use a standard kit of lamp holder, cable and plug. The base and stem use a variety of woods as available. Present designs are in Oak and Walnut or all Ash and one of Ash and Oak. All have been Tested before going on sale.
Bowls are not so much designed as developed as they are turned.
Lace bobbins are available in many different woods, from Ash to Zebrano
Tea Light holders are turned from 150mm circles of Ash and Sycamore. In future I may have some different sizes but they need to be large enough to have a glass or metal insert so that the tea light does not come into contact with the wood.
Candlesticks come from any wood I have that has interesting grain when polished. Again the candle has to have a metal holder to prevent any risk of fire .

I shall occasionally have items of wood such as bird boxes and small tables to make use of timber from DIY projects.