Robin Cromer, Innovative Woodcraft (Studio Furniture 2018)

My interest in woodcraft began in my teens, making wooden skis with my father, both for personal use and for sale in local Canberra sport stores. I went on to a successful career in forestry research, initially with private enterprise and later with CSIRO. During the 1980s I was involved in establishing the ACT Woodcraft Guild. After retirement, I found time to re-join the Guild (2005), becoming Vice President and President for two years (2009-10). I was made a life-member of the Guild in 2013. I have developed a broad range of interests and skills in fine woodwork, including boxmaking, woodturning, marquetry, some carving and furniture. The Woodcraft Guild holds an annual Exhibition of recent work by members. I have been a consistent prize-winner in the members section since first entering in 2006. During the past 12 years, I have been awarded a total of 17 Firsts and 18 Seconds in various sections of the Guild Exhibitions. I have also entered the Crafts Section of the Royal Canberra Show for several years and in 2016 I was awarded Show Champion. In 2017 I was awarded Reserve Champion for a jewelry box in Mackay Cedar. My work is currently featured at the Bungendore Wood Works Gallery and includes boxes with marquetry and turned items. I have entered the Radford College Art Show in recent years and have sold a significant number of quality jewelry boxes and turned pieces at the show. I like to develop innovative and creative designs by combining a variety of skills including turning, traditional joinery, marquetry, carving, pewter inlay and pyrography. I like to share my skills through encouraging and teaching other members of the Guild, through the sale of one-off items and by taking on interesting commissions.

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