HOWARD Butler is in the business of bespoke – and you can't get much more bespoke than being asked to design something that's pretty much out of this world.
That is to say, create a piece for a memorial service for Sir Terry Pratchett, the author of the fantasy world Discworld books.
Howard Butler Bespoke Furniture, our Trader of The Week, is based in Worcester and has been running for five years.
Howard is quick to turn his hand to some quirkier requests, such as the time he was asked to create a trainer made that was useable – "with wood in it".
Howard said: "I love designing on the spot with clients and making their ideas become reality" and this ability to think outside the box (literally in this case) could well have been a factor in his work on the Pratchett memorial.
He said: "This commission was a privilege to be involved in.
"The brief was to make a lifesize piece, ‘The Luggage’, a character from Discworld author Terry Pratchett’s book, The Colour of Magic.
"The Luggage would then be filled with bespoke jewellery for presentation at the memorial service for Sir Terry, which was held at the Barbican Theatre, London.
"The jewellery was designed for the family and the new ‘The Venerable order of the Honey Bee’.
"I enjoyed making this chest and believe it has a character of its own, especially when it smiles.
|"The favourite parts to make were the mechanical moving parts, such as the independent jaw that locates in several positions in one fluid motion, and the tray, which is controlled by a specially designed rivet that when turned protrudes a locking bar.
"In the fantasy books, the chest is supposed to be made from sapient pear wood, so I thought it was appropriate to finish the chest in pear beeswax.
"My friends have beehives, and the bees feed on the pear trees across the river. Perfect, so I melted it down and made my own pear wood wax for authenticity."
So there you have it – rooted in the local area and creating something beyond this world. A skill indeed.
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