Ask any group of turners about the skew chisel and you'll get strong opinions. It's the tool people either love or fear, master or avoid. And that avoidance is a shame, because the skew is capable of producing the cleanest cuts in woodturning when used correctly.

Sociologists talk about "third places" – spaces that aren't home (first place) or work (second place), but somewhere else entirely. Cafes, pubs, community centres. Places where you can simply be, without the demands of domestic or professional life.

The youngest person I've taught was 12. The oldest was ninety-eight! Both walked away with finished pieces and the same expression: I Made This!

There's a moment in every class when I see it happen. A student finishes their first piece, holds it up, and something shifts in their expression. It's not just pride – though that's part of it. It's something deeper, almost physical.

One of the things that surprised me when I started turning was the generosity of the community. I'd expected competition with people guarding their techniques, reluctant to share secrets. What I found was the complete opposite.

The things we choose to live with say more about us than the price tag. Here's an insight into why handmade is winning in 2025 and will continue to in 2026 and beyond.