Meet Our Makers

As we start a new year, here’s a bit of a heads up to our wonderful makers, who work quietly (well, mostly!) away in the background helping the wheels run smoothly throughout the year and keeping up with all the demands we put on them during our busiest periods.  They’re a great bunch and have now all been with us for some years so this is just a bit of a shout out to them to say thank you for the great work they do for us and to reintroduce you to them…..

GREG SHANNON
Greg works alongside his father, Nick Shannon in the woodwork trade, he is a successful cabinet maker and antique furniture restorer, Greg’s relationship with Sitting Spiritually has been a somewhat family affair. From the birth of Sitting Spiritually back in 2004 his Dad began taking on commissions alongside his own work. Then  in 2011 Greg became a full time Sitting Spiritually Maker at his workshop in Seatown, Chideock, keeping up the family tradition.

JAMES AMATO
James has 12 years of furniture making and design experience. After moving back to Devon following a successful career in Chemistry he started working for a local furniture maker through which he met Martin and soon became involved with Sitting Spiritually. Having set up his own workshop after a couple of years his skills and experience have grown considerably. As well as being a maker James now works closely with Martin producing new designs and bespoke commissions, such as our soon to be launched Daybed.

SCOTT MCCARTHY "WOODSCOTT"
Scott has been working with Sitting Spiritually for about seven years now, after meeting Siobhan while exhibiting his work at the Axe Vale Festival. He has been working in all aspects of wood since he left school 27 years ago. He is originally from Surrey where he completed an apprenticeship with a local Joinery firm. After travelling the world for five year, he settled in the Axminster area and continued his career in Woodwork. His passion for working with wood has always lead him to create the best quality work possible. Scott now has a fantastic workshop in Axminster, where he works producing high quality bespoke Joinery , using traditional methods, combined with modern technology using CAD and CNC. “We have a great workshop and team and we continue to work happily as part of the Sitting Spiritually Team”

ALEX DE BONO
Alex joined the Sitting Spiritually team in 2013. His connection with working with timber started at an early age with his father who was a highly skilled Carpenter / Joiner.  Having spent a number of years since leaving school working within the construction industry, he decided to return to his roots. So he set up a workshop back in 2011, building bespoke kitchens and furniture and is now a member of the Sitting Spiritually Team.

JEREMY ALLEN
Jerry runs Symondsbury Wood a cabinet making and joinery business on the coast of West Dorset.  He has been working with Sitting Spiritually for a while now ever since Martin heard his saw running whilst visiting his chain maker next door.  Jerry says..."The eye is as important as the square, the wood is wonderful and the finished product is always completely individual."

NEIL LANCASTER
A Tool Maker by Trade, Neil moved to the Devon/Dorset border in 1992 from London and lives very rurally with his wife, Siobhan, who works closely with Martin,  & they have an assortment of animals who often appear in Sitting Spiritually’s Social Networking!   He became our rope swing maker in 2010 & makes the rope swings from his Workshop at his home, in the idyllic & tucked away location of Berry Bottom.

BOB ANDREWS
Whilst not a maker, Bob joined the Sitting Spiritually Team last Summer & amongst numerous other things, keeps everything running smoothly in the Workshop at SS HQ, ensuring everything, from the smallest bolt right up to the stainless steel suspension springs are all kept in stock.  He distributes everything the makers need for each commission, hand delivering the packs to all the workshops in the area.  Bob is the cog that keeps the wheels running smoothly and he has been an enormous welcome addition to our team