About Ravens View Studio
Ravens View Studio came about when I, Jason, realised that living for the corporate career simply was not what I wanted from life. I woke up one morning, facing another day of sitting at a laptop, working a job I had lost my passion for, when I realised all I wanted to do was head into my workshop and make things. I handed in my notice that very day, and so began the journey of becoming a maker.
My small workshop is tucked away on the side of a small beinn on Argyll’s Secret Coastline, on the west coast of Scotland. With open views of mountains, sea lochs, woodland, the Milkyway and the occasional display of the Aurora Borealis, inspiration is not difficult to find here! Life is shared with my beautiful wife and dogs, living a dream in a beautiful wee cottage.
We moved to Scotland from England in December 2018, six months after our honeymoon, during which we fell in love with the village we now live in. Life in southern England was loud, busy, crowded and everyone was obsessed with having a career rather than living. Here, it is none of those. We wake up to the sound of ravens and squabbling siskins, rather than the distant roar of the M4 motorway. By far, the best decision of our lives!
Nature Knows Best
My love is taking a piece of wood that would normally be destined for a firepit or wood burner, and showing it still has beauty hidden away. Whether it is heavily spalted birch that feels like paper, or a spiky elm burl that wants to nip at my fingers while turning. I don’t generally go to my workshop with a plan, I know what wood I want to use, but it isn’t until I start working on it that it takes shape. I like to think of it as the wood telling me what it wants to become. Mother Nature created the art, I just uncover it (to paraphrase Michelangelo).
With that in mind, I do not use plastics or epoxy unless absolutely necessary, and only ever as a stabiliser or adhesive. Wood is my love, so you won’t see me making any epoxy waterfall tables.
Materials and aims
My aim is to use as many locally sourced materials as possible, with as many natural products as is feasible. I will always include all materials used in item descriptions, including any properties which may have an impact on my customers, such as shellac (French polish) or bees wax not being vegan, and if the finish is food safe or not.
I’m lucky enough to have a great supply of native species hardwoods from the mountains and woodlands directly next to my workshop, as well as antler shed from the Red and Roe deer that live in the area. I also have an excellent local timber supplier who also provides reclaimed exotic timbers. I will never import an exotic wood, and will only use an exotic species if I know the origin.
At some point in the future, my intention is to create my own finishes from locally sourced materials.
Collaborations and where to find us
I love collaborating with other local artists from around Argyll and selling my products at local markets and craft fares. See the events section for upcoming markets.
A selection of my handcrafted pens can currently be found on sale in the gift shop of Mount Stuart on the Isle of Bute.
My fantastic logo was designed by the incredibly talented Linsy Raens of LR Creative Studio.
