Little did she know when she turned a lamp to put on her piano over twenty five years ago that woodturning was going to dominate her life for years to come. Unless she is out collecting a tree or meeting customers at a craft fair she can usually be found covered in shavings next to a spinning piece of wood in the studio of her house in Summercove just outside Kinsale. Usually working with storm felled, locally grown timber she produces a variety hand crafted pieces from ring stands, cutlery and bottle stoppers to dramatic big bowls. Much of her work is suitable for wedding, house warming and retirement gifts.
Using local timbers she first turns bowls into rough shapes and leaves then to air dry for up to two years before returning the pieces to the lathe for refinement and finishing.
The gallery is open from 11-5 most days. Hilary’s work can be seen in Forest and Flock in Bantry and the Dansel Gallery in Abbotsbury, Dorset.