In this post, we discuss UK Based Woodworking Expert, Andrew Walker; and his experience of creating quirky and bespoke commissions throughout his career.

If you yourself are keen to kickstart a career in the WoodWorking Industry, we hope that you can take great inspiration and motivation from this piece. If you simply wish to admire the talented craftsmanship, we hope you find great enjoyment in reading this post. 

Andrew Walker is an extremely talented Woodworker from England; who regularly gives us, The ToolFreak team great insight into this creative industry! In today’s post, Andrew recalls some of his coolest commissions to date! So please, sit back, relax; and enjoy what the Bespoke Creator has to say!

As Andrew reminisced, he began to chuckle, “it’s ironic really when you think about it; one of my fondest commissions was for Kenton Cool, my mountaineering hero, it really doesn't get any cooler than that does it?, explained Andrew.

“Just a few years ago, I was on an adventurous holiday in Chamonix, when I came face to face with my Mountaineering Hero, Kenton Cool! I was stood in a ski lift, when I realised that I was right beside Kenton Cool and… wait for it… Richard Branston”!

Andrew began to explain this simply surreal experience in greater detail, “I started chatting to Kenton; and we got on super well and decided to meet up for a drink! After this we kept almost crossing paths with one another, as we would be on the same mountain range or expedition, just moments apart from one another,

In fact, I remember once realising that we were both exploring the same Nordic Mountain Range at the same time! It actually wasn’t until Kenton came to my hometown, Loughborough, to give a speech when we eventually got speaking again”, expressed the talented Wood Worker.

Andrew then detailed that the conversation quickly turned to work and Kenton showed great interest in Andrew’s bespoke designs and began to follow him on Instagram! Kenton then requested his very own design from the WoodWorking Pro! 

Around 2 and a half years ago, The Mountaineering expert found something online that he wanted replicating and personalising for his family home! “It was a smart piece of wood with family footprints carved into it, from the moment I saw it I know I could accomplish a new and improved version of this piece; tailored to Kenton and his family”.

 The wonderful Woodworker explained, “ I searched and found a premium grade knotted piece oak; which I poured resin into, which looked extremely fancy and fashionable! It was then ironically all in Kenton’s hands (and feet), to gain the individual feet drawings’, detailed Andrew!

“After receiving the drawings of all the family members feet, as well as their beloved dog’s paw print; I glued the outlines onto a board; I then sprayed it using black spray; and proceeded to start the job using old fashioned tools”!

Throughout this project, Andrew found himself using old carving tools and vintage chizels that were once used and handed down to him for his late mentor, Alan Bearsby! “At one point, I even started using a blow torch to see what sort of finish it would have; but I found that the natural wood looked beautiful untouched”.

Andrew then explained that he created  an oval top hanger out of stock brass plates,this  meant that he could hang the final piece up on the wall,”I incorporated my very own AWMAKER logo on to it as well! Kenton then requested for the sentence, ‘The 5 Amigos To printed onto the design, which took the personalisation to a whole new level”!

The UK based creative then created negative vinyls and lacquered over the top of the piece, “I was really happy with the final outcome; and it was all a learning curve for me as well; and I just loved being able to create something to bespoke and so unique for someone”...

Since completing the first commission, Andrew’s Mountaineering Idol has requested a number of bespoke pieces! “I created a walnut desk; which was the perfect example  of what you can actually do with wood, it was almost a patch work piece; made up of different sizes of wood intertwined with one another. 

“I have also created a storage cupboard; as well as a chopping board; and prior to the pandemic there was talk about me helping him build a treehouse for his family”, expressed Andrew!

 Since starting his solo career, Andrew has designed and created a vast range of bespoke pieces for his growing list of clients,”I remember bringing a client’s extremely thoughtful idea to life, I was commissioned by a bride; to create a personalised photo storage box”, detailed Andrew.

“It was a wonderful idea and I was honoured to bring it to life, the wife explained that the photos to be stored were to be photos of their adventures together. I understood that this piece needed to be suave, sophisticated and well sweet...I used heavily burred and pipped oak; which I then mixed blue dye and resin in to create an aquatic looking finish, I finalised this piece by hand stamping it with brass and a meaningful quote”.

 

Andrew often finds that people stumble across his work online and come to him with crazy ideas, which he completely thrives off creating! “Sometimes I will embark on a project and think to myself ‘I shall add a groove there; and change this here; and the end product looks more cool and creative than initially planned”.

“I remember creating an ‘Agent Box’ for a client, this was a suave and sophisticated storage box that had some unreal features added to it. I created custom holes for electronic chargers and installed a magnetic removable shelf! I finished this magnificent piece by implementing felt on the interior, to give it even more sophistication!”.

Evidently, the talented WoodWorker really has created and customized a number of marvellous products for his ever-growing client base; and it is clear as day that his products are made with insane personalization and precision! 

If you are in awe of his work and would like to find out more; or perhaps have your very own product created; be sure to give Andrew a follow on Instagram @AWMAKER 

https://www.awmaker.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/aw_maker/

We hope you have enjoyed reading this post! If you would like to check out more blog posts like this, click here! We constantly update our page with cool and engaging content so be sure to stay tuned! If you have any questions or require any further information;please do get in touch with the team! We will be more than happy to help!

Until next time,

The ToolFreak Team!