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On
completing his art and design studies at Edinburgh Art School over
fifteen years ago, Mel was none too sure which branch of the arts
would become his career until he discovered wood!
There
can be no doubt that he made the right choice
as today combined with his
musicality Mel creates traditional and exquisite musical instruments and a wide
variety of unique wooden artifacts.
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Mel Watkinson |
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| Mel
uses locally grown native hardwoods such as Ash, Beech, Boxwood, Cherry,
Sycamore and Yew. When using other woods, so that their origin can be
traced back to sustainable yield forests, he endeavours to
ensure they are covered by the Forest
Stewardship Council's Certification.
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Harp -
Ash and Walnut
A thirty-four string harp
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Hurdy-Gurdy
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Sycamore and Black Walnut
European Spruce soundboard with ebony
detail |
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Lyre -
Walnut and Douglas Fir |
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Harp -
Walnut
and Ash
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- A Treasure Chest - |
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Harp -
Ash and Walnut |
| Commissions
- Mel
is very keen to work with his customers and discover their own ideas
for whatever they might commission him to make for them. This
can include the choice of woods used and the decoration and carving style
he employs to
create an individual and very personal commissioned item
that he hopes will always be admired, treasured and used with
pleasure..
Mel is committed to producing high quality
musical instruments from the design process right through to the fitting and
tuning of the strings. His full attention is given to the
aesthetic balance of the visual and auditory elements as well as
each and every process in the instrument's construction.
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Didgeridoos - A
fine collection |
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Visitors
are welcomed to his workshop but by appointment please!
There
you can enjoy a cup
of tea and a chat with Mel to discuss your ideas for the
creation of anything from a
Didgeridoo to a Dulcimer or from a Walking Stick to a Wendy
House! |
| Tuition -
If you would like to try
your hand at working with wood Mel also offers tuition on a one to
one basis - Fee: £100.00 per day
Or weekend courses for up to three students -
Fee: £100.00 each
All the tools and materials you
will need will be
provided and students can expect to walk away with their own hand-crafted walking stick
or perhaps playing their own flute! |
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- A Burr Elm Bowl -
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- A trio of Flutes -
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- A
Burr Elm Bowl -
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Mel's wood-working skills don't stop there as
he also designs and creates,
- Bee Hives
- Beach Huts
- Walking Sticks
- Woodland Homes
- Bespoke stairways and doors.
- Rustic furniture for homes and gardens
- Summer houses and unique garden sheds
- Wendy houses and children's fun furniture
See the seats he made for our Community
Garden!
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To contact Mel:
By e-Mail
- Click
here!
or give him a call to make an
appointment on
Tel: 0784-008-2188
Mel Watkinson
3, Brockholes Farm Cottages,
Grantshouse - Duns,
Berwickshire. TD11 3RL |
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