Magazines

Hello and welcome to our first issue of 2016! After three gruelling months of waiting in anticipation, the 2015 Wood Awards winners have finally been announced. We bring you the low-down on each winning entry as well as taking a special look at the Furniture & Product category winners, which, I’m very excited to say, comprised of two student designers. You may remember ‘Endgrain’ by Raw-Edges Design Studio. Who would have thought that dyeing wood could present such exciting possibilities?
In terms of learning new skills and techniques, both in your workshop and out and about, how about starting in your garden with some tips on making the most of your outdoor space all year round? If you’re looking to make some new projects for the home, then check out Glenn Perry’s foldable card table with free pull-out A2 plans, and for something that’s bang on trend, Sam Hyams’ Broadway-inspired name in lights project (well, initial at least!) will leave you wanting to kit out your whole living room. In Home Truths, Edward Hopkins makes a new bench with added vices, with a little help from his new apprentices, and in his new series on Japanese carpentry, Michael Huntley considers whether or not Japanese tools are a ‘must-have’. Brush up on your DIY skills with Phil Davy as he tackles fitting a new door lining, and if turning is your thing, then join Les Thorne as he goes back to faceplate basics.
As well as testing the latest kit, Andy King also had the opportunity to rub shoulders with the leading names in the industry when he attended Discover Axminster at Bridgwater College; I played with fire when I met London-based artist, designer and illustrator Nick Toye, whose forays into pyrography are causing quite a stir; and Phil Davy also found time to visit Westonbirt Arboretum to find out more about their unique elevated Treetop Walkway.    
There’s something for everyone in this issue, so I hope you enjoy it!