profile

Nick James

Nick James is a highly skilled craftsman. He’s an advocate of traditional woodworking techniques that are rare in contemporary practice. A machine can’t pick up a piece of wood, study the flow of the grain or make a decision about how to use it.

Nick established his first class techniques whilst attending the country’s leading furniture college, Rycotewood. He uses the best time-tested methods of connecting pieces of wood by unbreakable mortise, tenon and dovetail joints.

In 2003 he returned to his native Newcastle to start his own business. Nick’s passion for natural materials and intelligent design is central to his practice. Awards include The Worshipful Company of Furniture Maker’s Trophy For Excellence In Craft Skills. In addition to working to commission and producing limited edition pieces Nick regularly creates work for exhibition.

Nick is also an entrepreneur. In 2005 he set up The Mushroom Works, the first of his artists’ studios in which he could work alongside many of Newcastle’s leading designers and artists. It has been recognised internationally for its unique environment and creative network. Other studio developments followed.