BrightAire
@brightaire.bsky.social
Outdoorser. Teacher. Educational Visits Champion. Tree-hugger. Bradfordian. Likes bikes and making stuff from sticks. Never satisfied.
The garden craft hut now has a cloakroom.
November 16, 2025 at 4:14 PM
The garden craft hut now has a cloakroom.
More woody makings. A marigold yellow, alder, "viking" bowl, a riven alder shrink pot and a carved linden plaque inspired by Jögge Sunqvist's slöjd designs.
November 16, 2025 at 1:41 PM
More woody makings. A marigold yellow, alder, "viking" bowl, a riven alder shrink pot and a carved linden plaque inspired by Jögge Sunqvist's slöjd designs.
I went to Harrogate wood working show today. Among other goodies I picked up a nice spokeshave. The staff at Classic Handtools happily tolerated my drooling over their exotic (and pricy) offerings but pointed me towards this vintage model. An E. Preston & Sons adjustable mouth model.
November 16, 2025 at 12:00 AM
I went to Harrogate wood working show today. Among other goodies I picked up a nice spokeshave. The staff at Classic Handtools happily tolerated my drooling over their exotic (and pricy) offerings but pointed me towards this vintage model. An E. Preston & Sons adjustable mouth model.
And if you work in a public service setting, in the UK, you can get free trees from The Woodland Trust. These hedgerow plants will be planted by my students in the next few weeks.
November 11, 2025 at 6:41 PM
And if you work in a public service setting, in the UK, you can get free trees from The Woodland Trust. These hedgerow plants will be planted by my students in the next few weeks.
Put a handle of wavy, rippled sycamore on my new Ash & Iron scorp and made a leather cover, for the blade, from someone's old sofa.
www.ashandiron.co.uk
www.ashandiron.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Put a handle of wavy, rippled sycamore on my new Ash & Iron scorp and made a leather cover, for the blade, from someone's old sofa.
www.ashandiron.co.uk
www.ashandiron.co.uk
A productive day at spoon club. Some things made, some given, some bought.
A shrink pot in alder & oak, another alder bowl in process and a tool handle from wavy sycamore. An end grain mug from ebonised alder (a gift from Dan) and a hand-forged scorp from Adam at Ash and Iron. www.ashandiron.co.uk
A shrink pot in alder & oak, another alder bowl in process and a tool handle from wavy sycamore. An end grain mug from ebonised alder (a gift from Dan) and a hand-forged scorp from Adam at Ash and Iron. www.ashandiron.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 6:29 PM
A productive day at spoon club. Some things made, some given, some bought.
A shrink pot in alder & oak, another alder bowl in process and a tool handle from wavy sycamore. An end grain mug from ebonised alder (a gift from Dan) and a hand-forged scorp from Adam at Ash and Iron. www.ashandiron.co.uk
A shrink pot in alder & oak, another alder bowl in process and a tool handle from wavy sycamore. An end grain mug from ebonised alder (a gift from Dan) and a hand-forged scorp from Adam at Ash and Iron. www.ashandiron.co.uk
Another "viking" bowl drops from the #ShipleyAlder. Finished with "Salem red" milk paint and walnut oil. That makes three completed bowls and another two in production.
November 9, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Another "viking" bowl drops from the #ShipleyAlder. Finished with "Salem red" milk paint and walnut oil. That makes three completed bowls and another two in production.
Latest "viking" bowl from the #ShipleyAlder.
Inspired by traditional Scandinavian slöjd designs.
Finished in "tavern green" milk paint and walnut oil.
I hollow these from the "bark up" side of the log which gives the origin to the shape.
Inspired by traditional Scandinavian slöjd designs.
Finished in "tavern green" milk paint and walnut oil.
I hollow these from the "bark up" side of the log which gives the origin to the shape.
November 7, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Latest "viking" bowl from the #ShipleyAlder.
Inspired by traditional Scandinavian slöjd designs.
Finished in "tavern green" milk paint and walnut oil.
I hollow these from the "bark up" side of the log which gives the origin to the shape.
Inspired by traditional Scandinavian slöjd designs.
Finished in "tavern green" milk paint and walnut oil.
I hollow these from the "bark up" side of the log which gives the origin to the shape.
For women the choices are often more vital but all cyclists have to conjure with options like these, especially as the nights draw in.
@cyclinguk.bsky.social
Great artwork by @davewalker.bsky.social
@cyclinguk.bsky.social
Great artwork by @davewalker.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 8:52 PM
For women the choices are often more vital but all cyclists have to conjure with options like these, especially as the nights draw in.
@cyclinguk.bsky.social
Great artwork by @davewalker.bsky.social
@cyclinguk.bsky.social
Great artwork by @davewalker.bsky.social
Another bowl blank joins the production line. Three drying, before finishing cuts, another poly-bagged in the fridge before more axe, gouge and drawknife work.
November 2, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Another bowl blank joins the production line. Three drying, before finishing cuts, another poly-bagged in the fridge before more axe, gouge and drawknife work.
Three bowls roughed out from the Shipley Alder yesterday and today.
I'm enjoying making these Scandinavian-inspired chunky boat shapes, carved with the bark-side up.
I'm enjoying making these Scandinavian-inspired chunky boat shapes, carved with the bark-side up.
November 1, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Three bowls roughed out from the Shipley Alder yesterday and today.
I'm enjoying making these Scandinavian-inspired chunky boat shapes, carved with the bark-side up.
I'm enjoying making these Scandinavian-inspired chunky boat shapes, carved with the bark-side up.
First project underway in the craft refuge. Another alder bowl from the Shipley Alder. It's great to have all this space to swing an axe.
October 31, 2025 at 1:55 PM
First project underway in the craft refuge. Another alder bowl from the Shipley Alder. It's great to have all this space to swing an axe.
Going to swap the components from my broken On-One Ti456 onto this stone cold classic of British mountain biking - a Cotic Soul.
October 31, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Going to swap the components from my broken On-One Ti456 onto this stone cold classic of British mountain biking - a Cotic Soul.
I've moved a few essential items into the "craft refuge". Chopping block, shave-horse and bowl vice.
October 30, 2025 at 2:12 PM
I've moved a few essential items into the "craft refuge". Chopping block, shave-horse and bowl vice.
I've not been out on the bike for a while so a morning's off-road trundle, on local trails, with the boy (or bear?) wonder was exactly what was required.
October 30, 2025 at 2:08 PM
I've not been out on the bike for a while so a morning's off-road trundle, on local trails, with the boy (or bear?) wonder was exactly what was required.
I'm calling this done. It doesn't bare too close scrutiny (or from some angles) but I'm really pleased to have some space which catches the winter sunshine, at the bottom of the garden. An outdoor craft refuge, sheltered from the elements.
October 29, 2025 at 4:11 PM
I'm calling this done. It doesn't bare too close scrutiny (or from some angles) but I'm really pleased to have some space which catches the winter sunshine, at the bottom of the garden. An outdoor craft refuge, sheltered from the elements.
As a young man I was drawn to McCullin's work out of morbid curiosity and admiration for his craft. Later, I began to appreciate his sensitivity and sense of mission. It's sad, as he says in the article, that his work doesn't seem to have changed a thing.
October 29, 2025 at 6:29 AM
As a young man I was drawn to McCullin's work out of morbid curiosity and admiration for his craft. Later, I began to appreciate his sensitivity and sense of mission. It's sad, as he says in the article, that his work doesn't seem to have changed a thing.
I thought, as a Bradford lad, it was about time I read this. Thought to be semi-autobiographical. Places in the Bradford District are recognisable and the conjuring of early 20th century Bradford is amazing. Perhaps a vibrancy that's not quite lost. Masterful on the human condition.
October 28, 2025 at 9:53 PM
I thought, as a Bradford lad, it was about time I read this. Thought to be semi-autobiographical. Places in the Bradford District are recognisable and the conjuring of early 20th century Bradford is amazing. Perhaps a vibrancy that's not quite lost. Masterful on the human condition.
That'll do until more materials arrive on Tuesday. Half the roof is covered and I've fitted a hazel hurdle screen under the rail. Just some slatted walls and the rest of the roof to cover.
Looking forward to moving my chopping block and shave-horse in, then maybe a work-bench...
Looking forward to moving my chopping block and shave-horse in, then maybe a work-bench...
October 25, 2025 at 10:26 AM
That'll do until more materials arrive on Tuesday. Half the roof is covered and I've fitted a hazel hurdle screen under the rail. Just some slatted walls and the rest of the roof to cover.
Looking forward to moving my chopping block and shave-horse in, then maybe a work-bench...
Looking forward to moving my chopping block and shave-horse in, then maybe a work-bench...
No building today and a pause while I await the delivery of more materials - roofing and cladding - but the frame is complete.
Also my old body is a bit battered by several days of manhandling tree trunks, boards and hand-tool use. I've enjoyed the activity but a break is welcome.
Also my old body is a bit battered by several days of manhandling tree trunks, boards and hand-tool use. I've enjoyed the activity but a break is welcome.
October 23, 2025 at 4:31 PM
No building today and a pause while I await the delivery of more materials - roofing and cladding - but the frame is complete.
Also my old body is a bit battered by several days of manhandling tree trunks, boards and hand-tool use. I've enjoyed the activity but a break is welcome.
Also my old body is a bit battered by several days of manhandling tree trunks, boards and hand-tool use. I've enjoyed the activity but a break is welcome.
Slow progress today. Lots of trial and, especially, error. The mortice and tenon joints on the wind braces don't bear too close scrutiny but that's half of them done.
October 21, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Slow progress today. Lots of trial and, especially, error. The mortice and tenon joints on the wind braces don't bear too close scrutiny but that's half of them done.
Lots of learning and improvisation going on today- cutting mortices and tenons, fitting the wind braces.
October 21, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Lots of learning and improvisation going on today- cutting mortices and tenons, fitting the wind braces.
Lots of learning and improvisation going on today - cutting mortices and tenons, fitting the wind braces.
October 21, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Lots of learning and improvisation going on today - cutting mortices and tenons, fitting the wind braces.
More of the framework completed today. All the structural rails fixed in place. A roof joist fitted and a start made on the wind braces.
October 20, 2025 at 6:05 PM
More of the framework completed today. All the structural rails fixed in place. A roof joist fitted and a start made on the wind braces.
Garden craft refuge taking shape. The rescued remains of a tree house are being reused.
October 19, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Garden craft refuge taking shape. The rescued remains of a tree house are being reused.