I am a woodworker for a simple reason, I love wood… I am drawn to the warmth, the softness, the beauty and the possibilities of wood. I believe that beautiful things made from wood can have a purpose beyond what pleases the eye, they should bring pleasure in use and that handmade things should be passed on from generation to generation. I try to achieve in my work, things that are
upbeat, fresh and useful, sometimes fanciful and witty and always finely crafted, wonderful to touch. .
I spent three years in the Fine Woodworking Program at Holland College School of Visual Arts; then worked for 2 years in a small studio with a very skilled master craftsman where I continued to learn before setting up my own studio.
My work now consists of pieces for my gallery here, client ordered furniture as well as pieces for select galleries and shops across Canada and the United States. I use various species of wood, locally grown birdseye or fiddleback hard maple to colorful and figured yellow birch, wonderful white pine..sometimes I can tell you where the tree came from and the reason it was felled. Many neighbors and friends who work in the woods will bring me special wood, burls and such that they come across in the forest.
Some pieces are crafted using fine cabinet woods such as black walnut, cherry and mahogany, from sustainable sources and managed plantations. I also love to recycle wood from old furniture, houses, old wooden barns……..A large amount of my work is quietly done with hand tools, planing.. carving…. dovetails cut by hand……..lathe turned pieces, shaped and finished.
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Folk Art Owls
Little folk art owls to hang on y
our wall with handmade glass eyes. All are carved and painted by hand. I love to look at my wall of owls, always makes me smile..they change quite often as they find new homes. 
The barn owls are quite striking with their large dark eyes and heart shaped faces,
snowy owls would make a statement in the center of a large evergreen wreath for the holidays and the screech and tufted eared owls are charming with their own personalities.
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Folk Art Whales , Fish & Critters
I have lived on this small Island all my life, the sea plays a role in all we do here. 
I spend hours walking the beach, birdwatching and letting my Labradors do what they love the most…retrieving and swimming 
on 
the many beaches so close to us.So it only stands to reason that I am drawn to creating folk art pieces that the sea has given me inspiration for. These carved whales and funky folk art fish bring a welcome smile during the snowy winters while making them. They are all one of a kind, two are never the same.Beautiful reminders of the oceans, whether hanging in a summer home, a city apartment or on a wall in a sea loving child’s room.
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Shorebird Decoys
Shorebirds fascinate me, we have many species who come here to nest and raise their young, plus in the fall the numbers grow with many stopping during 
their migrations south.They are colourful and entertaining, you see groups of many species finding lunch when the tides are low.I started carving them and now find it an addiction, love to see them come alive and they bring
me a smile to see them looking back at me.I do only shorebirds we see here, I lik
e to watch them before I make them, you get a sense of the personality each has.The tiny piping plovers and little sandpipers make a great reminder of a visit to PEI and the beautiful great blue herons and dowitchers are beautiful in any home.We have a long history of decoy carvers in the Maritimes, mine are done in a smooth antique style which seems to lend itself to each one having more of a soul. I am lucky to have collectors of my work come back each year to add a new one.
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Acorns made from Wood
The R
ED OAK is our provincial tree, I have planted many on our rural property along with the help of squirrels and blue jays. It is thought that acorns in y
our home will bring good luck and safety to all who dwell there. I find them wonderful and magical..
I am known for my ‘Acorn Things’…….from little button boxes for treasures, towel racks, real bird houses for chickadees & wrens, wine stops and acorn rolling pins.
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Rolling Pins
Rolling pins, each turned by hand, one at a time. I have been making and selling these wonderful pi
ns for 8 years in select shops and galleries across Canada and the United States. They are made from mostly local hardwoods, turned, sanded and finished to a soft sheen. Each style of pin from french, the pastry baton or the handled pin
is suitable to individual tastes and make wonderful gifts for the gourmet cook, great baker or chef. They look stunning hanging in the kitchen, an heirloom that can be passed down through the generations.All have a non toxic finish of beeswax and oil, just hand wash-wipe dry.
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Bread, Serving and Cutting Boards
A selection of lovely Birdseye Maple breadboards to set a warm inviting table and to use while in t
he kitchen. All are sanded and finished by hand with a beeswax/oil finish, very soft and smooth. They only get nicer
with use, many come with a hanger to store and display.
Lovely wood serving boards make wonderful wedding and housewarming gifts. this year I have made a large number of live edge boards along with some amazing charcuterie boards and slabs from walnut or birdseye maple. They are large and would be wonderful when entertaining.
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Spurtles & Muddlers
Spurtles are a Scottish tradition made for stirring the morning’s pot of oatmeal. They excel at that plus are really great for stirring sauces, stews or a pot of hearty homemade soup. 
These are each turned one at a time, from lovely wood, each different, sanded, soaked with water to raise the grain and again sanded. The finish is a mixture of non toxic oil and beeswax. This will keep your spurtle feeling soft and pleasant to use.
The Muddlers are a ‘bartenders’ best friend for muddling mint or fresh fruit to make Mojito’s, Old Fashioned’s, Mint Juleps or the vast array of muddled fruit drinks so popular today. 
They are finished with the same steps as the Spurtles. Wood Muddlers are sworn to be the ‘BEST’ by many bartenders.
