4 artisans you need to know about
From an inn sign maker to a coppersmith, discover the people making a living from ancient practices
San Miguel cares about the craft that goes into its beer – and these talented people love honing their skills, too, making things of real value. They form part of The San Miguel Rich List 2018, created to acknowledge those people who place value on the wealth generated through life experiences rather than monetary gain.
From crafting the finest classical guitars, to painting wonderful signs for old inns, discover how these inspirational 21st-century artisans are keeping ancient crafts alive.
The Spoon Carver
Former media industry high-flier Mark Reddy simplified his life and returned to hands-on creativity. He now spends his time whittling beautiful bespoke wooden spoons and is obsessed with a quest for beauty through design. “I spend my days carving in bliss,” he smiles.
He’s part of the current movement towards handmade craft. “Walk through east London, and you’ll see handmade bags, printers and potters” he says. “There’s an increased need for the physical; for making things. It compensates for too much screen-time.”
The Sign Painter
Artist Andrew Grundon knows that a good sign outside a business is, literally, a good sign about what’s inside. “If they’ve taken care of that, people figure they’ll get the same integrity inside.”
Although a business owner working with various people on an international level, British pub signs remain his bread and butter. “They’re a great way of getting your work to a wider audience,” he says.
He’s often “lost in the moment”, but that’s down to his passion for his work. “I’ve barely got ha’pennies to scratch together,” he laughs. “But I do what I love most, in beautiful surroundings.”
The Coppersmith
“I like the process of starting with metal, and ending with a piece of jewellery,” says Siân Evans. “There’s a therapeutic beginning, middle and end.”
She studied silversmithing and jewellery in the Eighties, but work experience with a coppersmith ignited a lifelong passion. “My placement turned into an apprenticeship,” she says. “After that, I set up my own studio. I love bringing delicacy into metal – using a hammer!”
Siân’s still on a learning curve, but it’s hugely important to her life. She adds: “Putting in the hours is a key to contentment. Even if you just do a bit each day, keeping the faith is important.”
The Guitar Craftsman
Ingenious music-obsessive Simon Ambridge made his first bespoke guitar from a sideboard as a youth and turned tinkering into an art form as an undergraduate. “I had the woodwork skills because I was making furniture and I went to an evening class in instrument making,” he says.
This was the next step to success story Ambridge Guitars, which produces a handful of highly crafted – and highly sought-after – instruments each year. He smiles: “To me, making a guitar is like playing as a kid: you get immersed and lost in what you’re doing. I absolutely love it.”
Discover the full San Miguel Rich List and find inspiration on how to live a richer life at sanmiguelrichlist.independent.co.uk
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