I've been woodturning since 1986, when I was 12 years old. All self taught, aside from the initial instructions from my father, who had bought a lathe and who's son wanted to have a go, and I LOVE it. I LOVE the way the wood talks to you as soon as you pick it up and when it talks to you during the making. In 2015 my partner Lenore, who is a professional gilder, asked me to make her something small, dark and deep, like a little barrel, I did - out of a small piece of ebony I had in the workshop. A week later she presented me with the inside covered in 24ct Gold leaf and it blew my mind. We then set about making many pieces that could incorporate gilding and we set up a company called 'Moth and Mirror' to sell our creations.