BA University of Brighton

A steam-bent bench from one piece of timber

"I’m celebrating the irregularities and beauty of raw timber,” says Millie, “and sustainability is everything for me.” Her turned wood vessels, with their rich organic textures, are made from foraged wood and upcycled silver. “I look for timber with irregular forms or colour which I turn on the lathe which reveals grain and knots. I’m not striving for perfection. Craft connects us to the natural world.” With access to her father’s Hastings workshop, Millie is developing larger pieces from locally-sourced timber, including spalted beech stools. She recently completed the new 12 week Create programme for all aspects of wood sustainability/craftsmanship at the Snowdon School of Furniture at Highgrove. Here she perfected woodworking skills including dovetail and other joints, panelling and turning. She made a loveseat out of a single piece of olive ash, with a steam-bent back with 18 spindles – “I had to learn the maths for that.”