Village Squire, 1973-04, Page 24His skill turns wood
to works of art
Wood. Hard, rough, rigid wood.
Ideal for furniture, good for houses and barns.
But for works of art?
In a little shop at the rear of an Albert Street
store in Clinton, John Plumtree is busy turning
wood into works of art. John is one of those in-
creasingly few craftsmen who with his hands, his
head and his machines shows us the hidden beauty
in wood.
He uses his lathe and tools to turn wood into
candlesticks, bowls, salt and pepper shakers,
vases, nearly anything you might think of. He's
been doing it now as a full-time occupation for
nearly 10 years, ever since his health failed and
he could no longer carry on his barbering busi-
ness in Clinton.
Although he works hidden away in a back shop,
he is becoming well-known to many lovers of
beautiful things. He is a familiar exhibitor at
craft shows such as the Colbourne Christmas Fair
at Carlow and the summer Craft Festival at Luck -
now, and many others throughout southern Ont-
ario.
Often with him is his sister Catherine who also
takes part in his work. He makes wooden foot
stools and Catherine does beautiful needlepoint
c overs for the top of them.
His projects may range in production time from
a half hour to many hours, but all are done with
the loving care of a man who loves handling
wood. And the love that is evident in every
woodturning has made his products sought- of ter
items, so much so that he can sell all he can
produce.