Design life: Éamonn O’Sullivan, Craftsman

Éamonn O’Sullivan picked up an interest in spooncarving five or six years ago, and fell into a deep rabbit hole of 17th and 18th century woodworking.

What’s your background?

I studied Environmental Science and worked for a number of years as a consultant ecologist, so when I decided to create a spoon-carving business, it was quite a departure.

I have no formal woodworking training at all. I picked up an interest in spoon-carving five or six years ago, and immediately fell into a deep rabbit hole of 17th and 18th century woodworking.

What’s a typical work day like for you?

I spend some hours in the workshop. I select branches from the woodpile and turn them into spoons with an axe and knives. Somewhere along the way I’ll take time to take some photos of the process.

I make a living via the internet so it’s important to capture some of how and why I do things the way I do, so that people can understand what goes into each spoon. I want people to feel like a visit to my website is like a visit to my workshop.

The Pyramid is a brand new set of four hand-carved eating spoons, that come with a pyramidal stand. The spoons are inspired by examples from the Tudor period and are designed to feel great in the hand and in the mouth.

Towards the end of the day, I’m usually rushing to finish off orders, pack them up, and get them to the post office before it closes. To be honest, I often end up working late and all weekend too but I’m trying to rein that in.

Tell us about a recent project or design you have worked on?

I launched a new design before Christmas that I call The Pyramid. It’s a set of four eating spoons in a pyramidal holder. I had been thinking about something like it for nearly two years. I wanted it to be functional, foolproof, small, beautiful and relatively simple to make.

What’s your design style?

Designing something that looks simple, but feels just right and lasts your lifetime is a difficult task. That’s what I try to do every day.

A view of part of The Hewn Spoon Collection

What/Who inspires your work?

Spoon-carving is an ancient craft, and I continue to seek out old examples of spoons in museums and books.

I speak to other spoon-carvers around the world on a daily basis who are striving equally hard towards a perfectly-designed and crafted spoon. Since we share our work daily, I think we all constantly inspire each other. That’s the internet world for you.

What’s your favourite trend at the moment (if you have any)?

I think people are really returning to a mindset of valuing well-designed and well-made things that have life and character. I think more and more people are willing to spend money on a handmade table, for instance.

Coffee Scoop Stack: Scoop your coffee with , 7gm traditional cup measure that fits in the coffee bag or pot for the next time.

What’s your most treasured possession?

I recently bought a hand- wrought carving axe from a lovely Danish man named Hans Peter Knudsen. It is a thing of beauty that gets used every day to make things that will be used every day. What could be better?

Who would be your favourite designer, or style inspiration?

I don’t think I have a favourite designer. I am inspired by anyone who takes their work seriously and humbly tries to do the best work they possibly can.

What would be a dream project for you to work on?

I think I’m already working on my dream project. I suppose that sounds conceited but I’m very happy to be doing what I’m doing. That doesn’t mean I’m anywhere near where I’d like to be but I’m working every day towards something.

This scoop is a lovely tool for flour, seeds, sugar or spices. It comes in two sizes. The smaller scoop fits nicely into a 2L Kilner jar and the larger one is good for scooping flour from a bag or larger container.

Have you any design tips for us?

I will offer a tip that was given to me: remove any material that needn’t be there. I think that sums up good design.

www.hewn.ie

www.instagram.com/ hewnspoons

I picked up an interest in spoon-carving five or six years ago, and fell into a deep rabbit hole of 17th and 18th century woodworking.