low tables & stools benches boxes & chests chairs
Recently my small cleft seats have evolved into small low-tables. They could be either, but the height is lowered towards 40cm and there is no forward inclination with a front edge. I like the sculptural variations and spend a lot of time making legs shapes and keeping some of the textured riven surfaces. They're simplicity... with a lot of detail.
All-riven low table 2019/20
These 2-piece low tables have a central joint where two thick edges meet. Strength is maintained and the shape balanced. The meandering core of a tree is preserved to the outside edge on both sides. The inner soul of the tree is released and celebrated. I'm spending longer and longer on the intricacies of these simple looking pieces.
Demo of an adzing technique, towards a small table or stool top.
Stools were once my default choice of cleft item to experiment upon. Pieces are smaller and construction simplest, with always the gentle curves if natural split lines are followed. Colouring effects with Gall-ink and dyes sometimes combined with tool-strokes such as the adze or spoke-shave. The concavity goes 'upmost' for comfort and the option of a slight tilt forward for good sitting posture. A single riven wedge-section created a natural front and back. A simple oak stool was my first cleft product sold in 1992.
