I also do things a little differently. I've never liked the scorched, burnt edges you so often see on laser-cut plywood, so I paint and protect each board before I cut it, giving every piece a cleaner, more characterful finish. Everything is designed, hand-painted and assembled by me. Because each piece is hand-finished and assembled, and natural wood has a character of its own, no two are ever quite identical — and I think that’s the point. You can feel that a real person has put their heart into it.

I care about where things come from, too. I use water-based paints, and I want to offer a beautifully made British alternative to mass-produced imports — and to support the small crafting community I'm proud to be part of.

But the reason I keep making them is simple. Whether it's a student in their room far from home, or a family settling in for the evening, I love the thought that switching on one of my lights brings a little warmth to the room — and helps turn a house into a home.

I’ve been working with wood since 1976.

I've loved working with wood since I took it up at school, and when I retired I finally turned that lifelong passion into something more — Woodpecker Gifts.

It began with a laser cutter, a little curiosity, and my wife, Louise. I started by making tealight holders, and together we took them to craft fairs — Louise loved organising the shows and was wonderfully supportive of the whole adventure. We soon noticed how much people responded to pieces that were both beautiful and useful — form and function together.

That insight shaped everything that followed. Today my work spans two collections: Home Glow — calm, warm pieces for the home, like my tealight holders and the Tree of Life — and British Icons, where landmarks and transport favourites, from the telephone box onward, are reimagined as glowing mood lights.

I sadly lost Louise in 2025. She was there at the very start of all this, and her encouragement is woven into everything I make — I carry on, in no small part, for her.