Ian Callaghan Woodwork




My Work

 

Table lamp with a floral patterned shade and a wooden base on a wooden surface.

Two decades of experience at your fingertips

Whether it’s gifts for friends or family, practical items for yourself  or even renovations, I have the equipment and experience to undertake almost any standalone project.

 

I have access to a wide range of woods via a local yard or, subject to carriage constraints, I can work with wood you supply me, for example if you want to recycle a favourite piece of family furniture rather than throw it out.  The shaft of this lampstand, for example, was once a table leg!

 

Some examples of the kinds of things I make, including for retail sale, are provided below.

 

Samples of Work

Each photo has a caption, with a further description which can be seen by clicking on the image

Furniture

My experience is mainly with tables / tops and cabinets.  Much of the material used has been wood from our own garden or from trees that have had to be felled by neighbours and friends.  The desktop and side table shown are from pearwood from such a source, complete with black staining from water damage from a nail driven into the trunk, perhaps to hold up a washing line. The side table is a combination of wood and steel 

A wooden coffee table with chess pieces, surrounded by sofas and a fireplace.

Coffee Table, Pine

A laptop on a wooden desk

Desktop, Pearwood

Two wooden drawers with simple, horizontal wooden handles on a light wood background.

Cabinet Drawers, Ash/Walnut

Wooden side table with metal legs

Side table, Pearwood & Steel

Children’s Toys

These are made from a range of materials, much of it recycled furniture.  While I can make all sorts of educational or fun toy, children’s toolsets have been a recent focus.  These have around 25 components and are useable to construct objects as well as pick up skills.  Suitable for ages 3-7 but a lifelong possession.  CustomisabLe as to colours & contents.  Guide price £125. 

Wooden shape puzzle with various geometric shapes and a colourful base.

Shapes & Letters Puzzle

Colourful wooden toolbox with various tools inside.

Toy Tool Set, Packed

A wooden tool set with various tools and a carrying box, ideal for children's play.

Toolset Components

Three wooden mechanical models, including a figure and geometric shapes, on a light background.

Items made using Set

Candles & Lamps

Candle stand are favourite items for gifts, signifying light and warmth.  All of the example here are made from found wood, including oak, ash, walnut and pear.  Table centres such as the one shown can be used in different ways, for example putting a vase or scent sticks where the central candle is shown.  The circular oak stand had a removable ash filler that allowed a larger / wide candle to be used

A wooden boat-shaped candle holder with a central pillar candle and three tea lights.

Table Centre, Ash

Decorative lamp with a patterned shade on a wooden base, next to a small vase.

Turned lamp stand, Pear

A round wooden candle holder with a yellow candle placed in the centre.

Candle Holder, Oak/Ash

A wooden lamp with a white shade, glowing warmly, placed on a wooden table.

Solid Lamp Base, Walnut

Shelving & Storage

It’s impossible to have too much storage!  The items shown are a bookcase in oak with the shelves fixed by wedges, shelves for a child’s room with vibrant uprights in purpleheart,  a ‘by the back door’ box for storing shoes with a lid to sit on it to put them on, and a blanket chest in sycamore and brass. Other storage items have included garden caddies, bath shelves and bathroom shelves and cabinets 

Bookshelf, Oak

Wooden shelf with four spacious tiers and vibrant pink supports.

Child’s room shelving, Purpleheart & Sycamore

Wooden shoe storage box with various pairs of shoes neatly organised.

Shoe Store

Wooden chest with a smooth finish and decorative wooden joints, placed on a patterned rug.

Blanket Chest

Gardens

The great outdoors!  Among many projects for our green spaces I have made planters, bird tables and even croquet mallets (those shown are edged with purpleheart for some unusual colour).  I can refurbish favourite tools that are showing the signs of age and use — the trowel handle shown was not only replaced  but also extended to give better purchase. The garden light was upcycled froman old brass shower head, set into a driftwood base.

Metal trowel with a wooden handle against a green background.

Refurbished Trowel

Wooden bird feeder on a post surrounded by lush greenery and plants.

Bird Table, Oak/Steel

Croquet mallets and balls (yellow and blue) on grass.

Croquet Mallets

Garden seating area with wooden furniture and a lamp, surrounded by greenery.

Garden Lamp, Driftwood

Kitchen

Mainly using found wood, I have made a range of serving platters, chopping boards, bread boards and similar items, a couple shown here. Alongside these are a carved serving spoon in cherry and a set of nested trivets made from recycled furniture.  See also the Retail section on this page

Smooth wooden serving board with a natural finish and an organic shape.

Platter, Walnut

Natural wood slab with a smooth surface and irregular edges, highlighting its grain patterns.

Platter, Spalted Walnut

Wooden spoon with a smooth, rounded bowl and a slender handle, resting on a light surface.

Carved Spoon, Cherry

Nested Trivets, Recycled

Signage & Trophies

I can make signs that are either laid onto or cut into their base.  The former allows a lot more freedom with design and fonts but is obviously more time consuming.  I can also make things like trophy bases.  The lettering on inlaid signs can be painted

Wooden house sign with steel frame

House Sign, Wood/Steel

House Sign, Inlaid

Craft Stall Logo, Walnut/Ash

Trophy, Beech

Miscellaneous …

Mirrors and frame make excellent presents, specially when the wood used has a story attached. The lime in the first mirror shown below, a wedding present, came from a tree that had fallen in the graveyard of the church where the wedding took place.  The other frame was made from yew from the clients garden.  In between are one of many boot jacks I’ve made from recycled wood, and (an unusual commission) a piano I converted by replacing the original keyboard with an electric one.

A mirror with a lime frame

Mirror, Lime

A boot jack in recycled mahogany wood

Bootjack, Recycled Mahogany

Piano Conversion

Award Frame, Yew

Retail Items

Below are just a few examples of items I have made for retail sales, in shops and at craft fairs

Wooden pen holder with various writing instruments including pens and a pencil.

Pen Holder, Yew

Small Chopping Boards, Walnut

Cheese Knife, Walnut

Switch Pull, Cherry

Spaghetti Gauge, Recycled

Desk Tidy, Yew

Cafetière Stirrer, Beech

Cheese Knife, Ash

Interested in a commission?

Please get in touch via the button below.  This will take you to the Commissions page where there is information on terms and constraints.  None of the latter are on your imagination!

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