update 2024
The year started at the BVMA makers day 25th of Feb at Kings place in London. I brought two violas to exhibit-Andrea Guarneri 1690 inspired copy 16 1/4 and a cut down re-designed Guarneri viola sized at 15 3/4. The larger viola was picked for the afternoon concert ( 7 years in a row I have had an instrument chosen ), and the smaller viola was taken out on trial and was later sold to a very accomplished player, so it was a very successful BVMA makers day.
The violin above is loosely based on GB Guadagnini 1774 Salabue copy that I made three years ago, and this violin has brought me three commissions on the back of it. I love making these Guadagnini inspired violins, bags of character, wonderful craftsmanship and the most fabulous varnish work. You can hear this violin above played on chloedickensviolin /instagram
Looking ahead to Autumn now , the Guadagnini bubble is still going and I am on my second Guad violin making commission and a Stradivarius golden period violin at the end of this year .
I have been in business now over twenty years, and the trade has sustained myself and many of my fellow colleagues well over the years. However, like all businesses and trades, things are tougher now due to many things such as import duty, rising prices of stock, and of course many more talented instrument makers. With all the incredible shared violin, viola and cello making weeks and online courses, the trade and skill levels have only got better. It’s a great time to be a maker and a restorer, with lots of information and help all over instagram and the web.
On a personnel level, I ended up in hospital for three nights due to an ongoing infection, but thanks to the wonderful care of the NHS (and Lyn!) and a lot of rest, I am on the road to recovery. Perhaps a slight tweak in my life style and the promise to drink more water and it should all be fine!
We have a new addition to family, the wonderful Poppy has arrived. Poppy is a re home and another loving black Labrador. Lovely to be back to long beach walks and fun chasing the ball!
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