Roy Humphreys - Hand turned bowls

What do you make?

I make a variety of objects e.g.

• Bowls
• Lamps
• Nest of tables
• Pepper & Salt Mills and Shakers
• Key Rings
• Tea Lights
• Ornaments (Mushrooms Apples, Pears)

Could you tell us a little bit about your studio? Favourite thing about the space and how do you get into the mindset of making?

When I set up my studio I thought long and hard about the products I was going to produce and with that in mind, I positioned my machinery to create an efficient workflow.

What is your favourite tool and why?

I have many different tools suitable for creating the different pieces; my favourite would be a bowl gouge. It is a strong stable tool made of quality steel and I find it a pleasure to use.

Can you describe the making process and inspiration behind your raw edge bowls?

Raw edge bowls can be quite challenging to make, as the bark can be quite brittle on the seasoned timber. During the shaping process, it is necessary to add stability to the bark in order to give a satisfactory finish. Inspiration comes from the texture of a piece of wood and my vision of what I can create from it taking into consideration the size and shape of a particular piece of raw material.

What led you to choosing this craft as a profession? What do you love most about it?

I am fortunate to be part of a family who have been working in the timber business for several generations and this has led me to appreciate and value the importance of caring for our many home-grown timbers. I am the only one of my family involved in craft work. I love to create different shapes and produce a quality finish which is pleasing to see and touch. I aim to give individuality to the home décor.

We have a small selection of Roys's hand turned bowls available through our online shop and our Drury Street shop.