The Idler Magazine recently asked me to write for their ‘How I Live’ feature. It was a good opportunity to reflect on how I spend my time, and realise how much my choice of career has impacted the way that I live. Before I retrained as a violin maker/repairer, my day would have looked pretty different. There are obviously pros and cons to every job, but overall, I really do love mine. Anyway, the Idler is a great eclectic mix of topics, I’ve been a big fan of them for years so am psyched to be appearing in this one! You can grab a copy at most Waterstones/Waitrose/WH Smiths across the country, or via their website. #violinmaker #folk #fiddlemaker #heritagecraft #traditionalcraft #madeinsheffield #sheffieldmaker

A recent article from Christopher Schwarz (of @lostartpress, and one of my favourite authors) about choosing to make things rather than buy them, reminded me of an old medieval word that has mostly fallen out of use, but that I have been applying to my making recently. You can read my article reflecting on this on my substack blog (link in bio). #violinmaking #craeft #heritagecraft #madeinsheffield #maker #peakdistrict #traditionalcrafts #woodworking

Taking part in @openupsheffield has been a good motivator to get a few final jobs in the workshop done. So while my dog followed the patch of sunlight around the floor, I finally made and put up some shelving for hanging violins on, and put up my lovely Isla Middleton print (10/10 birthday present from @williamszott). My workshop, and that of other residents of @portlandworks, will be open 4–6th, and 11th, 12th May. I’ll have instruments at various stages of the process out, and also be available for free violin/viola/cello health checks! #openupsheffield2024 #violinmaking #sheffield #madeinsheffield #sheffieldmaker #madeinyorkshire #luthier #traditionalcraft #woodworkshop #workshop

This week I’ve been putting the finishing touches on my Ash violin. Nearly ready for some time in the UV cabinet 😎 I’m often a little slow to get through my making while I’m also taking on repair work, but I’ve committed to having a stall at Sidmouth and Shrewsbury Folk Festivals this summer, so I’d better get some more stock made! The back and ribs of this violin are from the Sheffield based timber yard @albiontimber who responsibly source all their wood from local forests and estates. #violin #violinmaker #folkfiddle #heritagecraft #handmade #madeinsheffield #yorkshire #southyorkshire #sheffield #traditionalcraft #portlandworks

This year I’ll be working with @sheffieldsessionsfestival to offer quick-turnaround services on bows, violins, violas and cellos throughout the festival weekend. Find out more, and reserve your slot via my website: hardyviolins.co.uk I’ll also be hanging out in the evenings at a pop-up stand in the Shakespeare’s pub, come find me in the little room opposite the Bard’s bar. The @folkwhoroam fiddle will be on show and available for playing, and I’ll be offering free instrument health checks. Come say hi! #folkfestival #folkmusic #sheffield #whatsonsheffield #luthier #violinrepair #violinrepairsheffield

A little write up of Makers’ Day is now on my substack - link in bio 🎻 @the_bvma @kingsplacelondon #makersday #violinmaking #luthier #womeninwoodworking #woodworking #heritagecrafts #traditionalcrafts

My first time exhibiting at Makers’ Day today was fantastic. It was fun to be on the other side of things, after so many years spent behind the scenes as a festival co-ordinator! A highlight of the day was having my viola selected by the Kreutzer Quartet to be one of five violas played during their concert performance. The viola is currently still looking for a home, and is being sold through the wonderful @stamfordstrings so get in touch if you would like to trial it for yourself. I was also displaying the @folkwhoroam violin, which got a lot of positive responses from people who loved the unusual decoration and story behind it. It’s been almost seven years since I started learning to make instruments, today felt like a big achievement that I’ve been working towards for some time! Thank you to all the @the_bvma team & volunteers for making it such a smooth and well attended day. #violinmaker #kingsplacelondon #sheffield #madeinsheffield

Preparing the wood for the neck block is a pretty straightforward job, but important for making life easier for yourself as your progress through the various stages of carving the scroll and neck. This is a very pretty piece of flamed English Ash. Violin makers normally work with maple for the neck, but I’m experimenting with using more local woods that I think will have similar enough properties to still produce a robust instrument with a great sound. Ash is known for its durability as one of the toughest hardwoods. It has the ability to absorb shocks without splintering, making it a preferred wood for crafting various tools and sports equipment handles such as hammers, axes, spades, hockey sticks, and oars. It was also apparently the wood of choice for Druids when making their wands 😆 #violinmaking #violin #britishwood #classicalmusic #folkmusic #folklore #ash #sheffield #yorkshire #peakdistrict #portlandworks #violinmaker #luthier #violinist #handmade #craft #heritagecraft #whatsonyourbench #workbench #womeninwoodworking #womeninlutherie #lutherie #traditionalcraft #handmadeinbritain #handmade #woodworker

Enjoying the lovely light in the workshop this morning. My workshop will be open for visitors/customers to drop in and visit as part of @openupsheffield this Spring. You can bring along instruments for a free consulation, or just come and chat to me about the process of making! I’ll have instruments in various stages of the process out on display. #violinmaking #sheffieldmaker #portlandworks #heritagecrafts #handmadesheffield #sheffield #luthier #violinrepair #whatsonyourworkbench #womeninwoodworking #woodworking #workshop #traditionalcraft

Very excited to be making my appearance at Makers’ Day this year for the first time as an exhibitor rather than event co-ordinator! I’ve been involved as an event co-ordinator of Makers’ Day for the past 5 years, and whilst I’ve still been helping out behind the scenes in the lead up to this event, I’m looking forward to having my own stall to show my work at this time around. Makers’ Day is a free to attend event, with dozens of violin makers from the UK and beyond exhibiting their work for musicians of all abilities to come and see. There’s a free lunch time concert where the Kreutzer Quartet will demonstrate the various sound qualities of instruments on display. Makersday.org.uk for more info on the event #violinmaking #violinmaker #luthier #sheffield #craft #handmade #womeninlutherie #traditionalcraft #woodworking #sheffieldmakers #sheffieldmakes #sheffieldartists #kingsplacelondon