The making of weathervanes (devices fixed on the top of buildings to show directions of the wind) is an ancient skill, going back to early Egyptian times. Today the craft is still very much alive in the workshop that Graham Smith has set up. He is one of the few people in the country who make hand-cut weathervanes. Graham's designs are individually created and tailored to the specific requirements of his customers. "That way I can produce a unique personalized item," he explains, "A lot of my customers are women buying presents for their husbands. They want a distinctive gift that represents the man's business or leisure interests."
It's all a far cry from the traditional cock, the most common design for weathervanes.
It was not a cock but a witch on a broomstick that featured on the first weathervane Graham ever made. Friends admired his surprise present for his wife and began asking him to make vanes for them. "I realized that when it came to subjects that could be made into them, the possibilities were limitless," he says.
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That was five years ago and he has no regrets about his new direction. "My previous work didn't have an artistic element to it, whereas this is exciting and creative," he says, "I really enjoy the design side."
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Graham also keeps plenty of traditional designs in stock, since they prove as popular as the one-offs. "It seems that people are attracted to handcrafting,' Graham says, "They welcome the opportunity to acquire something a little bit different."
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"I have found my place in the market. People love the individuality and I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing a nondescript shape turn into something almost lifelike,' he says.
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"And nowadays, with more and more people moving to the country, individuals want to put an exclusive finishing touch to their properties. It has bean a boost to crafts like mines,"
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American and Danish huyers in particular are showing interest. "Pricing," he explains, "depends on the intricacy of the design. "His most recent request was for a curly-coated dog. Whatever the occasion, Graham can create a gift with a difference.
[A] Graham has become increasingly busy, supplying flat-packed weathervanes to clients worldwide.
[B] Graham decided to concentrate his efforts on a weathervane business. He had served an apprenticeship as a precision engineer and had worked in that trade for 15 years when he and his wife, Liz, agreed to swap role--she went out to work as an architectural assistant and he stayed at home to look after the children and build up the business.
[C] Last month, a local school was opened with his galleon ship weathervane hoisted above it.
[D] "For centuries, weathervanes have kept communities in touch with the elements, signaling those shifts in wind directions that bring about changes in the weather," he explains.
[E] Graham has no plans for expansion, as he wants to keep the business as a rural craft.
[F] Graham has now perfected over 100 original designs. He works to very fine detail, always seeking approval for the design of the silhouette from the customer before proceeding with the hand-cutting.