a cabinet maker
Do you remember that time long ago when your folks asked you what you wanted to do when you grow up? Those dreams, ideas or aspirations for some of us like Ross do come true but his journey to where we find him today follows a very different creative path.
Ross’s interest was always music. He started at the age of 8 playing trumpet, then drums at 12, guitar and finally piano in his late teens. With that kind of interest and experience it was inevitable that a music degree would follow for Ross. So, he headed off to Uni but it didn’t quite turn out how he expected it to be, so he dropped out. He then found some musical session work with some great industry connections he’d made and found some teaching work too. In between his session work, Ross picked up some building work to make ends meet as the music work he loved so much was never as regular as he liked.
“I love working with British grown timber. I actually really like walnut as a timber and sycamore.
I guess he needed something more concrete in life than his irregular work and the teaching element of work didn’t really pan out for him. So, with some building industry experience behind him, which he enjoyed, it was time to focus on retraining and he opted for a joinery apprenticeship. Ross told me “I love working with my hands, always have.” so joinery seemed a good option for him. That apprenticeship was long and hard but he sailed through it and ended up making high end bespoke kitchens and furniture.
After gaining some solid experience within the trade, the idea of self employment was on his mind. Ross told me “It had always been my plan to set up on my own” and that’s where his journey has finally come to fruition. From session musician, teacher, builder, joiner and now a self employed cabinet maker. We all find our niche eventually don’t we.
Hidden away in one of our small Cornish hamlets sits Ross’s workshop. Built by himself from the ground up, alongside his home which he renovated too. His workshop is full of those old school tools that you’d assoicate with someone who produces quality cabinet work. Hand tools, saws and much more. Some current commissioned work of Ross’s sits in a corner of his workshop waiting for those finishing touches that make it unique, special and a one off.
I asked Ross if he had favourites on the wood front which he loves to work with, “I love working with British grown timber. I actually really like walnut as a timber and also sycamore”. It’s very rewarding to watch someone like Ross working with those home grown timbers he speaks of and using what one could best describe as “old school” practices.
23 years on and Ross is still drumming as his love of music hasn’t left him, but cabinet making is now where you’ll find him. Chipping away one could say….
Cheers Ross
