Blog Archives

April 14, 2019

Green Cemetery Memorial Carving

A wonderful commission for a green cemetery showing a Barn Owl in flight over water losing his prize catch of the day.

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October 22, 2016

Reproduction Chair Backs

Just thought I would share the finished product of one of my latest commissions. These reproduction Chair Backs are hand carved in Mahogany and will complement the other Chairs in the set.

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December 22, 2015

Happy Christmas and New Year

Happy Christmas and New Year to all of my clients. I’m now putting down my bench tools for the festive season and will be picking up the tools again early in the New Year.

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August 23, 2015

Low Relief Carving to commemorate those fallen in World War I

Can’t believe it was January the last time I blogged – clearly I’m not very good at keeping the blog updated but I have a few photos of some of the work that I have been doing over the last few months which I have added to the website. I finished this commission in May for a Church in Wales commemorating those fallen in World War I. The carved lettering on the solid Oak panels for this commission was unusual in that it was carved in low relief rather than the usual style of incised lettering. More photos can be viewed by visiting the Lettering page of my website.

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January 31, 2015

Hand Carved Claw Feet

Just finished these hand carved Claw Feet in Lime that will complete a piece of furniture for a private client. They were copied from an original that is in the photograph – can you tell which one was the original?

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August 20, 2014

Wood carving Incised Lettering

Stuck for ideas for a wedding gift – why not have something hand carved and unique for the happy couple that will last them a lifetime. This Solid Mahogany plaque has been incised carved and the incised lettering oil gilded with Palladium Leaf and the mahogany surface was finished with a hard wax oil – stunning!  

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April 21, 2014

Mark Bridges Carvers & Gilders Ltd has moved

  It’s been some time since my last blog but we’ve now moved home and my business into the heart of Suffolk.   It’s almost a year since I last wrote to congratulate Jack and Claire on their retirement and I was sincerely saddened to learn that Jack passed away in January of this year. My sincere condolences to Claire and their family at this sad time.   Look out for my new video. You can view it by clicking here or click the ‘Watch Video’ button on my Home Page.  

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April 20, 2013

Cabinet making, Wood carving & Gilding

Just finished a commission for a private client who wanted a solid Mahogany folding table top for his boat. The timber I used was African Mahogany from sustainable forests. For stability the centre section of the top was made up from two pieces of timber using the biscuit joint method and all ends of the table top leaves were cross banded again for stability but also hides the end grain so it is aesthetically better. I  chose to use a PU adhesive in the joinery construction as it is impervious to salt water, chemicals and extreme temperature ranges. I then hand carved the name of the boat with incised lettering to the centre of the table top. After I had completed the carving I proceeded to oil gild the incised work with 23½ ct gold leaf. This has a stunning effect with the lustrous hue of the Mahogany and is complimentary to the solid brass hinges. The surface finish that I used is a tabletop hard wax oil and I applied a minimum of five coats all over. My clients were over the moon with the finished product which makes me extremely happy as I take great pride in my work.

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March 9, 2013

Wood carver honoured to be invited back

I have just completed a recent commission in one of London’s prestigious institutions where I was invited to return to carve and gild incised letters to the clients Roll of Honours Board. It’s been a few years since my last visit but it’s always a pleasure to work on such prominent and historical projects. I look forward to being invited again. Then back to the workshop to complete a pair of Rococo Scrolls ready for the client to collect.  

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February 8, 2013

Carvers & Gilders is online.

Carvers & Gilders are very proud to announce that we are now have a digital presence. The new bespoke website really helps explain the tailor made services on offer.   The new website has been crafted by a creative design agency in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.  The site design displays the excellence and array of  services that Mark Bridges Carvers & Gilders Ltd has to offer.     The new website has only just been launched so feel free to peruse our different services  and start planning the perfect project for the New Year! We can’t wait to hear from you, please feel free to get in touch to discuss your requirements.

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