Page 98 - Australian Wood Review №103 2019

FEATURE

In the workshop we are taught by SS: There are actually. Other than
Graham and Tim who are incredibly the obvious drill crossover, would you

patient and knowledgeable, with a believe sometimes dentists actually
wealth of cabinetmaking experience, use dovetails too? On a different scale
which is important when they are a lot of the skills are very similar, but
presented with the often mind I do find that woodwork is a little less

boggling designs that come out of stressful for everyone involved. That
the office. This environment means being said I do miss working with
that all the students are focused on and helping people when I am in the
doing each project to the highest workshop, so I am hoping to try and
level they can, and so commit to a strike up a balance between both

creating a small number of very high careers when I finish here.
level pieces.
AWR: So what do you like most about
AWR: Are there any skills or woodworking and furniture making now?

methodologies that apply to both
dentistry and woodworking? What are SS: The opportunity to take an idea,
your plans for the future and will you be and then from that create an object
returning to dentistry? which is beautiful and will hopefully
be used and cherished for a lifetime is
hard to beat.

Above: With
its many angles AWR: Just as an aside, why do you call
and intersecting yourself Hopmans Furniture ?
components, gluing
up the Jacobsen hall
table was complex SS: It’s because of my maternal
and had to be done
in stages. grandfather, he was my father figure
growing up and he sort of inspired my
passion for working with my hands.
Right: Sam’s maple
Bubble Box wall So this is my way of honouring that,
cabinet with rounded as Hopmans was his last name.
dovetailed carcase
was made almost
entirely with AWR: Do you have any advice for
hand tools.
anyone thinking of taking the plunge
Below: Monti and committing to a full time course,
bedside cabinets,
sycamore and oak. here or abroad?
The design of the
drawer fronts was
inspired by imagery SS: I would wholeheartedly say go
of draped silk cloth for it! It might not be easy but if
on marble sculptures.
it is something you are truly
passionate about then it will be
more than rewarding enough to
make it worth it.

Photos: Oliver Waters

Waters & Acland is a furniture
making business and fine woodworking

school run by Oliver Waters and Will
Acland that is situated in the English
Lakes District national park in
England. Learn more at https://www.

watersandacland.co.uk/

Contact Samuel Sheppard at
hopmansfurniture@gmail.com or via
Instagram @hopmansfurniture

98 Australian Wood Review