And the worst? learn that some of the techniques date back to before
the middle ages. In these days of computers and ever
I do have to limit my ideas. One idea generates other advancing technology it is a privilege to be able use
ideas. There is just not enough time in the day to do and demonstrate these traditional methods.
everything I would like. Leather work, along with many other traditional
I am always loosing things, whether it be mislaying crafts and skills, has declined over the years. The
a favourite tool or forgetting where I put a sketch I traditional craftsman was unable to compete with the
need for the project I am working on. Eventually I advances in materials and production techniques. In
hope to get myself organised, but at the moment I’m most fields machines can make things quicker and
too busy for that. more economically than the experienced craftsman.
Leather work is not an exception.
You are obviously influenced by mythology from Over time leather work changed from being a
around the world – what is your favourite and profession to a pastime. At one time leathercraft was
why? commonly taught in schools and colleges. Now, even
this has gone and with it the knowledge and
experience of both teachers and students.All the worlds myths are fascinating but I am most
inspired by the myths and folklore of the British Isles –
Do you have any other hobbies?those of the Celts, Saxons and Vikings. These are the
myths of the landscape around us. The trees, the
animals, they all have stories and beliefs associated I have recently started to collect old toy soldier
with them. These myths influenced our history and moulds. Obviously I make all the moulds for my own
are an essential part our heritage, they deserve to be casting, but the old ones are particularly useful for
remembered. reference. They allow me to see how small scale
casting has been done in the past. The earliest moulds
How important do you think it is to keep skills were made from fine-grain stone, later in 18th
like yours alive? century Germany figures were made in slate moulds,
later still cast brass was used.
I have a couple of Victorian printing presses. TheyAs the hand working of leather has declined, many
are treadle powered. It would be good to be able totraditional skills and techniques have been lost. Now
find a way to put them to some practical
use.it is even difficult to find the correct tools for
necessary for some methods of working leather.
Does mythology affect other parts of your life?It is so rare these days, that most people never get
the opportunity to see leather being worked. When
they do they are fascinated, even more so when they An important inspiration for many of my designs is
the Green Man. The current revival of interest the the
Green Man has it’s roots in Monmouthshire. The
foliate heads, common in medieval churches
throughout the country had been ignored and
overlooked for many centuries, but in the early 1930s
the vicar of Llangwm, drew the carvings in his church
to the attention of Lady Raglan, who was a keen
folklorist. She gave them the name the ‘Green Man’
and raised awareness of them in an article in the
journal of the Folklore Society.
Do you find Monmouthshire a good place to be
based as a crafts person?
Top pictures:
Examples
of Clive’s work.
Far right: A Mask in
progress.
Right: The workings
of the mill wheel at
Abbery Mill
18
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