Rachel Elston, Furniture designer-maker.
About
As a child I always loved to make things but it took me a while to find my way into working with wood. I graduated with a degree in Art and Design back in 2012, but it was another 5 years before I took a leap of faith and went back to college to re-train in Fine Woodworking. After training I spent some time working in different workshops where I experienced the real-world pace of making and got to work with some incredible craftspeople. At the beginning of 2021 I set up on my own and now design and make my own pieces, both to commission and for sale.
Working with your hands and using natural materials and techniques that go back centuries, really roots you into the history of manufacturing and craft, as well as the natural world around us. Not only do I love what I do but I feel compelled to learn more - about the material, about the processes and about the relationship we have with natural objects and materials around us.
A community of Makers
My focus now is to find my place and broaden my reach into the community of makers across the world. Becoming part of this community is one of the reasons I love what I do. The world of craft is full of enthusiasm and creativity, but probably most important of all is the tradition and the layers of knowledge on which we are building our own work. For me, in a world where things are becoming instant, fleeting and less satisfying; the contrast of this tradition and hard work feels more important than ever. The work we craftspeople do is not only a powerful way to ground ourselves, but also acts as a constant reminder of where we’ve come from.
Experience
2 years formal training at The Building Crafts College, East London, 2017-2019
Junior Maker at Silverlining Furniture, 2019 - 2020
Wood Fabricator at Weber Industries, 2020 - 2021
Awards
Tormek Scholarship 2019 - see more
Press
Pen & Chisel magazine article 2021
Blog