Meet the makers who are enriching other people’s lives
San Miguel cares about the craft that goes into it's beer. From crafting surfboards to creating furniture and folded designs that delight and inspire, these artisans embody the same passion and drive
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Your support makes all the difference.Chase a different kind of wealth to money, and you can’t help influencing other people. When you value experiences over possessions, shared moments become more important. San Miguel is tracking down such kindred spirits: people from around the world, from all walks of life, who do what they love – and make other people happy along the way. Could you, or someone you know, join them on The San Miguel Rich List this year?
James Otter, surfboard maker
“What you get from both surfing and making things with your hands is the chance to be completely in the moment,” says James Otter. “When you’re in the ocean, on a wave, you don’t have space in your mind for anything else. And it’s the same when I’m making surfboards.”
After studying designing and making at Plymouth University – and his spare time surfing – Otter’s passions collided when he started making wooden boards for himself and thought: “I’ve got to keep doing this. Knowing that you were going to play with this thing you’re making in the ocean just took the excitement to another level”. Otter surfboards are made with sustainability in mind, and making them gets James lost in the moment. “I always pursue that feeling,” he says. “You don’t even notice the time go by."
Kyla McCallum, origami architect
"I'm really organised with my work and plan every 15 minutes of my life to be meticulously efficient," says Kyla McCallum, creative director of Foldability, who create extraordinary hand-made paper designs. "I think you can see the control side of this in the repetition of my visual work but in contrast, in my personal life, I'm messy, disorganised and like to feel free."
Kyla, inspired by Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes, used her origami abilities to become a highly rated set and product guru. “It’s nice making people smile, and them being in awe, unable to figure out how something is made,” says Kyla. “And the work is meditative. I love to repeat a shape thousands of times to make something big. I try to be led by my own values and joys. That’s vital in life.”
Gavin Munro, furniture designer
“In a world of instant gratification, it’s rewarding to know we’re not the only people who appreciate something slow,” muses Gavin Munro, the artist behind Full Grown, who produce incredible living furniture through tree shaping. Gavin studied furniture design before developing a “driftwood furniture habit” in California.
“Being in a place of great beauty is wonderful,” he says about his current orchard. “I’m enchanted with the natural world on a daily basis.” This philosophy has helped Gavin live with a spinal injury. “You need to be positive on the days when pain seems the biggest thing. The challenge is to be present for moments when there is joy – not be grumpy when you’re stuck behind a spreadsheet!”
The search has started for The San Miguel Rich List 2018. San Miguel is looking for a new group of inspirational people who lead rich, rewarding lives. If you, or someone you know, shares a thirst for discovery, creativity or new experiences, nominate them, or yourself, here
Terms & Conditions: UK residents, 18+ to nominate, 25+ to feature. 1-4 Rich List places available. Promotion closes 23:59 10 June 2018. To see full T&Cs visit Standard.co.uk/RL2018
Enjoy responsibly. For the facts, drinkaware.co.uk